Select Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call: Marlene Freyler (Chair), Chip Meany, Beth Downs
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator; Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Review Minutes of May 12, 2025
Motion: Beth Downs moved to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2025 meeting as written.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Appearances:
Bryan Nowell – Fire Department: Recognition of responders: John Hill, Felicia Starr, and Emily Roy assisted in the birth of a baby girl on May 6 at 3:15 PM. Each awarded the Stork Pin.
Superintendent John Fortney – School District Update: End of school year dates: Graduation: June 14; Last Day: June 18. A District facilities plan is two-thirds complete. Repairs to all buildings is projected to be $40–60 million. Possible school closings with votes by the towns involved. Middle school bond ends next year. Repair vote likely in March 2026. Public will be kept informed.
Heather O’Brien – Community Action Program (CAP): Heather reported CAP is funded 70% from NH and 30% from the Federal government; the State contract is approved for two years. Federal funding uncertain. CAP relies heavily on donations. CAP currently operating on a $100,000 deficit. A rent increase of approximately $2,000 per year was discussed. Heather said that CAP probably would not be able to afford the increase. The Board decided that the rent would be unchanged for June and July. Future rent will be discussed at the July 14th Select Board meeting. The Board emphasized that services provided are to remain as is.
Tracey Quigley – Bradford Historical Society: Tracey reminded the Board of the Lafayette Visit Reenactment to take place on June 27, 1:00–2:30 PM. All Select Board members are encouraged to attend. Tracey also requested suggestions for climate-controlled space somewhere in the Town for archives that are being stored in unheated space at the Historical Society. Marlene suggested that Tracey attend an open house at the BACC to investigate storage there. Karen suggested there might be a possibility in the Town Hall. Marlene will inform Tracey of the open house date.
Use of Town Counsel: Beth Downs cited an RSA requiring Board pre-approval for legal expenses and stated Marlene has contacted counsel without approval. Marlene Freyler claimed expenses were approved. Beth disagreed giving examples from invoices. Chip Meany motioned to allow Marlene to contact counsel as needed. Beth Downs said a motion for an illegal activity could not be made. Bruce Storm and Eileen Kelly confirmed that the motion was illegal. Karen Hambleton suggested using the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) for legal advice when possible. The Town pays yearly dues, and legal questions are answered within 24 hours. Marlene agreed to contact NHMA in the future.
Administrator Hiring Process – Bruce Storm. Bruce appeared to present the Board with a draft of a plan for hiring the Town Administrator. Marlene said that she had contacted nine people for a hiring committee. Bruce replied that he was unaware of this and that he wouldn’t have proceeded with the draft if Marlene had informed him of her plans. Marlene expressed interest in Bruce’s ideas. Bruce explained a process where committee members would be named, applications would be reviewed and scored, and strict confidentiality would be observed. Bruce will provide standardized scoring forms. Chip said he liked the process Bruce suggested. Bruce will appear again at the June 9th Board meeting with further details.
Kathleen Bigford – Net Metering Project: Kathleen described a 4.99-megawatt solar array project being constructed in Warner. The project is a collaboration between Community Power Coalition of NH (CPCNH) and Encore Renewable Energy, owner and operator of community solar energy and storage projects. CPCNH is offering subscriptions to municipalities on a net metering basis which could bring revenue to the Town of between $900 – $1,000 per year. There is no cost to the Town. The only stipulation of the subscription is that the Town would need to give 12 months’ notice to withdraw. Kathleen will bring supporting documents to the next Board meeting.
Public Input:
Stephen Bravo: Suggested interview questions for Administrator applicants.
Eileen Kelly: Warned of the impacts the upcoming vote on the State’s budget by the NH Legislature might have on municipalities. Encouraged residents to contact state representatives.
Regular and Old Business:
Driveway Permit Final Draft: Approved
Class VI Roads: Regulations and comments from Town Counsel were reviewed by the Board. The comments will be shared with departments.
Chip Meany temporarily left at 7:47 PM, returned at 7:50 PM.
BACC Update: Board approved expenses of $1,000 for septic repair and $5,852 for security system upgrading.
Masonic Building Demolition: Scheduled for July 1 pending paperwork. Chip to find contract template for building projects.
Warner Housing Development: Update by Marlene. Project to be built at intersection of I89 and NH 103. 48 units are planned.
Agenda for Bradford’s Affordable Tomorrow: The Board reviewed the agenda.
Complaint – 17 Forest Street: Code Inspector has not been able to make contact. Letter to be sent to property owners.
New Business:
Town Hall Recommendations: To be revisited.
Request for Waived Fees for Auditorium Use: The Kearsarge Conservatory of Performing Arts has requested reduced fee for their upcoming use of the Town Hall auditorium. The Board agreed to a fee of $300 in addition to the cleaning deposit.
Woodstove Donation: Declined.
Unanticipated Revenue:
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $150.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b representing two donations for the Bradford Town Scholarship Expendable Trust Fund.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $230.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b representing private donations from the Loch Mor Live Music Event to support the outfitting of the Town Hall Auditorium. These funds will be deposited into the 2013 Town Hall Repair and Restoration Trust Fund.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Motion: Beth Downs moved that the Board accept $138.00 in unanticipated revenue per RSA 31:95-b from the restitution payment for the fire at the Masonic Building.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
A two-month lease with CAP for the months of June and July 2025 was signed.
A one-year lease with Freyler’s Driving School was signed.
The Tax Warrant for the First Issue Tax Bill was signed.
Accounts Payable & Payroll Manifest: Reviewed and signed.
Upcoming Meeting: June 9, 2025
Adjournment
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Chip Meany
Decision: 3-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary