Joint Meeting with Select Board
Present: Jen Richardson (chair), Kimberly Firth (vice chair) via ZOOM, Justin Dohrn, Tim McKenna (6:03), Dawn Gezelman, Beth Downs (Select Board Rep)
Also attending: Mel Pfeifle, Select Board; Marlene Freyler, Select Board; Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator; Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Meeting called to order at 6:01 pm
Review minutes from September 14th meeting.
Motion: Justin Dohrn moved that the minutes of the September 14, 2023 meeting be approved as written.
Second: Dawn Gezelman
Decision: All in favor 6-0
Review of the minutes from the October 26th meeting.
Motion: Justin Dohrn moved that the minutes of the October 26, 2023 meeting be approved as written.
Second: Beth Downs
Decision: All in favor 6-0
Review Budget with Department Heads:
Police Department
Police Chief Edward Shaughnessy appeared to discuss the Police Department’s 2024 budget request. Committee members questioned the 75% increase in the Dispatch line. Ed explained that the increase was due to upgrades in hardware and software made by Merrimack Dispatch every five years. Previously Merrimack County Dispatch absorbed the upgrade cost, but not this time. Dispatch fees will fall back in line with previous years in 2025. Members also discussed wage increases with Ed. Overall, there has been a shift from over-time wages to full-time salaries with fewer part-time employees.
Ed reported very positive feedback he has received about Bradford’s 24/7 Police Department coverage. With Bradford covered full-time, State Police and Sheriff Departments can answer calls in towns with little or no police coverage. Also, when back up is needed, State Police are thankful that Bradford can assist. This is possible due to the support of the Police Dept by the Budget Committee, Select Board and Bradford residents.
Bradford Fire and Rescue
Fire Chief Bryan Nowell appeared to discuss the Fire and Rescue Department’s 2024 budget request. Members discussed with Bryan the increase in telephone charges. Bryan explained that this was due to the addition of a cell phone stipend for the department head. An increase in continuing education was explained as necessary to maintain the skills level needed to respond to calls. Bradford Fire and Rescue is attracting employees in a difficult employment market. Continuing education is an integral part of keeping these employees certified. Members discussed with Bryan the equipment maintenance and building maintenance lines. Bryan explained that these were charges mainly due to the catch up of needed repairs and replacement of aging equipment. Recently, during weatherization of the building, it was discovered that the roof leaked in a couple places and needs repair. Rotating equipment replacement charges have been placed in the Capital Improvement Program.
Brown Memorial Library
Devin Pendleton, Brown Memorial Library Board of Trustees Chair, appeared to discuss the Library’s 2024 budget request. Committee members asked for clarity for the overall increase of 17%. Devin explained that in previous years, the budget request was deflated due to the Library using income from special projects funds and donations to cover expenses. Those funds have been depleted so real library expenses are represented in the 2024 request. Members asked about the liquidity of library investments to cover the increase and that the nature of the investments be made transparent. The Committee requested that the budget include actual 2023 expenses year to date. Devin agreed that revised information about investments and 2023 actual expenses will be available for December 14th Budget Committee meeting.
Parks and Recreation
Devin Pendleton appeared to discuss the Parks and Recreation 2024 budget request. Committee members agreed that all expenses were appropriate.
Town Clerk
Erica Gross appeared to discuss the 2024 budget request for the Town Clerk’s Office. Overall increases in this budget are due to the four elections to be held in 2024. Members questioned the increase in postage. Erica explained that the increase is due to USPS postage increases. Erice explained that alternative ways of handling the postage expense have been investigated with the present system being the most efficient and economical.
Public Hearing for the Capital Improvement Program will be held at 6:30 pm on November 28, 2023.
Adjourn
Motion: Justin Dohrn moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Second: Kim Firth
Decision: All in favor, 6-0
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm
Next meeting: November 30, 2023
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford