Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00pm
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to non-public session RSA SA 91-A:3II (l) at 6:00pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to adjourn to public session at 6:55pm and to reconvene after a brief break.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Select Board Meeting was reconvened at 7:00pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call – Jason Allen (Chair), Marlene Freyler, Michael James (via Zoom) and Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, were in attendance.
Appearances:
- Steve Hall, Road agent, indicated the State’s logging activity in Hillsborough is planned to start shortly. Access will be via County Road.
A new septic is going in at 2 Water Street.
500 tons of salt has been reserved, which is the same amount as 2019, for a total cost of $24,750. Jason asked the Highway Department to start tracking the volume of sand used this winter to help estimate the Town’s needs when the pit is closed.
Signs for Class VI Road closures for mud season have been ordered.
A new wing for the plow truck (total cost $3,705) has been ordered. $3,162 will be funded from the 2019 Plow Warrant Article with the balance funded from the Highway budget.
Steve provided options to purchase speed bumps, which would be installed from mid-spring through mid-fall, and located near the school to slow traffic. The Board discussed possibly presenting this as a Warrant Article at Town Meeting. The cost estimate is approximately $1,800.
United Construction plans to begin paving previously approved locations the week of October 19th (culverts on Pleasant View Road, Massasecum Lake Road and Sutton Road (3) as well as the Water Street and West Meadow bridge approaches).
Steve provided a cost estimate to repair failing guardrails sections on Center Road, totaling approximately 300 feet. It would be approximately $8,850 to replace the locations of concern. Karen has reached out to New Hampshire Municipal to understand what liability the Town may have concerning the current guardrail condition. A section of guardrail, at the Fairgrounds Road Bridge, near West Meadow Road, is still pending a response from the insurance company.
The department has done some patch paving in various areas. Steve asked for the Board’s approval to do some skim paving on East Washington Road. Jason questioned the paving tactics and Steve invited him to visit the site so they could review the strategy. Steve will meet with Jason.
Steve discussed including merit increases in his budget request. The department has not received anything beyond a small 2-3% increase for the last several years. Generally, increases do not occur until after Town meeting but insurance increases happen at the beginning of the year, which the employee pays for. He feels that a true merit increase is warranted. The Board discussed looking at the wage study done in Warner to evaluate the positions and current pay rates.
He also asked whether the Board would entertain him using Town vehicle to traverse between work and home and back to Bradford when he needs to attend evening meetings. Karen suggested putting in for mileage may be another option. The Board asked Karen to discuss this with the insurance company and will follow up at a future meeting.
Steve also raised the subject of a grader replacement, which he has talked about with the Capital Improvement Program Committee. He has secured pricing for the lease-purchase of a grader for comparison. Jason expressed opposition to any type of lease arrangement. He expressed that the Town should make do with what they have and save capital to make any purchase. Steve outlined high repair expense costs and feels that over the long run, a lease purchase will cost the Town less rather than holding off on the purchase. Michael expressed opposition to the lease option as well. He feels financing should only be used in an emergency situation. Steve also outlined a program with the State where some grant funds that may be available as a contribution or match. Karen will follow up on the criteria to qualify for the program and explore grant writing options.
The department continues to do general maintenance and is getting ready for winter.
- Fire Chief Jeff LeBlanc, provided the Board with an update on activity. The department has responded to call 22 and the Chief reviewed the various call volume drivers. The department is engaged in training with attendance increasing from 15-20% participation to 80% participation. The department has logged 55 hours of training, following National standards. Leadership training is also underway. The department is also engaged in fire prevention in the community.
Vehicle inspections have been completed.
The budget continues to remain tight.
Engine Two’s pump did fail inspection, as previously communicated and has been reduced to a reserve status. Marlene asked about the PSI and JPM readings for the pump Chief LeBlanc did not have that detail with him but will follow up. Marlene asked about the ISO rating. He did not have an exact number but believes it is about a 9 or a 10. Jason feels that the ISO rating isn’t going to change whether the department has a new truck or not. Chief LeBlanc feels the truck should be sunsetted rather than replacing the pump. Marlene spoke with some vendors and feels that the smaller pumpers are not really a good solution. Chief LeBlanc feels that the smaller truck he is looking at the Town can afford, what would provide a safe solution and what would serve the needs of the Town.
Tanker One failed inspection due to real seals, the estimate to return it to service is approximately $1,000. The forestry truck did not pass inspection either, with significant leaks in the exhaust manifold, the repair costs is roughly $2,200. He asked if these repairs could be covered by the 2015 Town Equipment Repair Expendable Trust Fund. Chief LeBlanc’s highest priority would be to get the tanker repaired. Jason asked whether any investment should be made in the forestry vehicle. Chief LeBlanc said they could delay on the forestry truck but wanted to bring the situation to the Board’s attention. Karen asked whether the department could utilize funds from their operating budget. Chief LeBlanc does not believe there is enough funding to cover the repairs and did not want to exceed budget. The Board will have additional conversation regarding the forestry vehicle repairs.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to fix Tanker One and use funds from the 2015 Town Equipment Repair Expendable Trust Fund to cover any budget shortfall.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Regular and Old Business:
- Minutes from September 14th and 21st, 2020 meetings were reviewed.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to accept the minutes of September 14th and 21st, 2020.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 3-0 in favor
- The Accounts Payable and the Payroll Manifest were reviewed and signed.
- Town Hall update: Feedback on record storage is still pending. Jason discussed single phase versus three phase power. The Board was agreeable to pursuing single phase power and will pursue getting permanent power into the building.
- The Board discussed the audio-visual proposal and did not feel the Board should pursue a purchase at this time. Karen will explore purchasing a TV to display remote attendance.
- The Board reviewed revenue receipts. Motor Vehicle receipts are down, building permits are up. Jason asked Karen for an update on the building repairs being funded from unanticipated revenue funds in 2019, approximately $23,000 was available and $7,000 has been expended.
- The Board reviewed expenses, 25% of the overall budget remains. Legal and the Fire Department budget lines will be tight. Code Enforcement will exceed budget, but has revenues exceeding plan. No concerns were raised.
- The Board discussed the Langley property. The Town’s legal counsel had some follow up comments concerning the deed language and the Town will pursue a title search.
- The Board discussed Halloween and trick-or-treating. The Board declined weighing in on whether or not the community should do trick-or-treating. Town buildings will not be open but the Town will still close West Main Street from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Chief Valiquet encouraged the Board to put out guidance, as shutting down West Main Street appears to be participation. The Town will announce the street closing, reinforce some general Halloween etiquette and encourage folks to following State guidance regarding social distancing. Devin Pendleton felt the items discussed were appropriate.
- The Board discussed forgiving a tax and interest penalty.
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to forgive the penalty and interest.
Second: Michael James
Decision: 2-0 in favor; Jason Allen recused himself from the discussion.
- The Board accepted $700 in donations for new Town signs.
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to accept $700 in donations for the Town Sign replacement project.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
- The Board approved allowing Eastern Stars to use the Masonic Hall porch to be used for their wreath pick-up.
- The Board signed a Certification to Discontinue an area of Center Road.
- The Board signed a Personal Action form to hire a part-time Highway Department employee.
Public Input:
None
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to move to adjourn to non-public session RSA SA 91-A:3II (c) at 8:18pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to Public Session at 8:34pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to move to adjourn to non-public session RSA SA 91-A:3II (c) at 8:35pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Vote: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned to return to Public Session at 8:46pm
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Motion: Jason Allen motioned at adjourn at 8:46pm.
Second: Marlene Freyler
Decision: 3-0 in favor
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday October 19th, 2020 at 7:00pm, at the Bradford Area Community Center.
Minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary