Select Board Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call: Beth Downs (Chair), Mel Pfeifle, Marlene Freyler
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of October 23, 2023
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to accept the October 23, 2023 minutes as written
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Appearances:
Walter Royal – Building Inspector.
Appeared to discuss the signed building permits. After a discussion of unpermitted building happening in Bradford it was decided that Walter will draft a piece for the Bradford Bridge about acquiring a building permit.
Marilyn Goldberg – Treasurer.
Appeared to ask the Board to sign a letter authorizing the transfer of funds.
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department Update.
Fire and EMS incidents: 174 incidents so far in 2023. 186 incidents in 2022. November to date: 15 incidents: 9 EMS calls, 6 fire, 2 mutual aid assists to Warner and one station coverage in Newbury.
Activities: Town Hall inspections are on-going; Completed inspections and permits for two businesses; Joint trainings with Henniker and Newbury; Planning Bradford’s Hazard Mitigation Committee; Participating in Warner Hazard Mitigation planning.
Ambulance Contract with Henniker is being reviewed by legal counsel.
Budget: With invoices outstanding the Fire and Rescue have about 35% of the 2023 budget remaining.
Steve Hall – Highway Department Update.
Budget: The Highway Department budget has about 22% remaining.
Grant Writer Feasibility: Steve and Chief Nowell suggest hiring a grant writer to find and write grants. The Board agreed. Steve has heard that there could be some grant funding available for the culverts on Deer Valley Road.
Road Repair: Steve has been investigating the Massasecum Avenue repair and has received an initial estimate of $400K for blasting the ledge. Steve is also looking into repair on Gillingham Drive.
Truck Repair: A new body is needed for the 550, 2014 truck costing about $10Km. Steve and the Board discussed ways to raise funds for specific repairs to the Highway Department.
Mowing Roadside: Options: Collaborate with Sutton to purchase a mower. Board agreed that this collaboration is something to investigate. It currently costs approximately $15K to have the entire Town mowed.
Fencing Repair: The Board agreed to move forward with replacing the fencing at the fire pond off Old Warner Road and Route 114, and West Main Street by the Fire Station at a cost of $7-10K.
Sale of Fire Pumps and Welder: Board agreed by consensus to authorize the Highway Department to sell two old fire pumps, a leaf sucker/blower and a welder.
Public Input: None
Regular and Old Business:
Accounts Payable and Payroll Manifest for review and signature: Complete
Town Hall Update:
The sprinkler system and elevator have had preliminary testing done. TDS is installing lines for the elevator. Painters are touching up.
Budget Process Update:
On November 16, 2023 the Budget Committee and Select Board will meet to review Police, Fire, and Parks and Rec. budgets. The following meeting will be November 30.
October Expense Review:
There is 18% of the year left. To date, 27% of the funding is remaining.
Community Involvement Fair recap:
Mel reported lots of interaction between members of Committees and Boards, however, participation by others was slight.
New Business:
2024 Town Meeting:
Location: Board agreed to have the meeting at the Elementary School. Voting will take place at the Community Center.
Furnace from Town Hall:
Board authorized the sale of the Town Hall furnace that was installed for the interim in 2018. It will be posted on Municibid.
December Meeting Schedule:
Board agreed to move the regularly scheduled meeting on December 25, 2023 to December 18, 2023.
HealthTrust Decision:
After research and discussion about employee insurance, the Board reached a consensus to stay with HealthTrust for 2024.
Hazard Mitigation Select Board representative:
Marlene Freyler will be the representative
Sign Tax Anticipation Note transfer: Signed
Sign Intent to Cut Map 7 Lot 21, Map 18 Lot 31: Signed
Sign Application for Current Use Map 12 Lot 8: Signed
Sign Applications for Tax Credits/Exemptions (2): Signed
Sign Yield Tax Warrants (6): Signed.
Received: The following payments were received:
$952 restitution payment for misuse of gas card.
$5,612.13 for Highway garage, NHSaves reimbursement.
Adjourn:
Motion: Marlene Freyler moved to adjourn the meeting
Second: Mel Pfeifle
Decision: 3-0 in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm
Upcoming meeting: November 27, 2023
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford