SELECTBOARD- TOWN OF BRADFORD
REGULAR MEETING
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
6:30 p.m. at the Bradford Academy
In Attendance:
Board Members Present: Thomas E. Unkles, Carole P. Taylor, Daniel A. Perry III, Randy L. Moore, Lisa D. Sharp
Administrative Assistant: Danielle Robinson
Others present: Larry Coffin, Robert Wing, Meroa Benjamin, Nila Anaya, Alex Nuti-de Biasi, Bonnie Thursten, Robert
Nutting, Harvey Dorr, Bonna Wieler
Ted Unkles called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Public Comment:
Peep Benjamin made the Selectboard aware that the 250 Committee’s accounting is done and they expect to finish
the year with a surplus. The committee thought it was appropriate to recommend to the Selectboard to use the
leftover money in one of three ways for a lasting legacy for the Town. The Committee has come up with three
different ideas and will be presenting them to the Selectboard. The three options are: 1. Cleaning of the statue at
the library 2. Permanent signage for the Bradford Academy Building, to replace paper signs (directory of offices,
rooms, etc.) 3. Install an audio system in the auditorium for performances and events.
Bonnie Thurston reported that Upper Valley Ambulance has been trying to reach out to Woodsville Ambulance
regarding the letter they sent to the Town of Bradford about covering calls in our community on an excessively
frequent basis. Woodsville Ambulance has not been willing to communicate with Upper Valley. The question
came up at an Upper Valley Ambulance meeting if Woodsville Ambulance can actually charge $300.00 per call
when they are charging the insurance companies as well.
Town records show that a mortgage broker owns the house at 9 South Pleasant Street, where the last junk
ordinance letter was sent. Larry Coffin called the mortgage company and was told that they were just a mortgage
company; they don’t actually own the property and they cannot do anything about the trash. Larry Coffin spoke
with the Listers and they still have Debra Adams Rocke as the property owner. The Selectboard discussed the
possibility of putting a lien on the property.
Robert Nutting regarding Junk Ordinance:
Robert Nutting expressed his concern that he was being singled out because the Journal Opinion only wrote about
his property not being in compliance with the Town junk ordinance.
The Selectboard explained that the Journal Opinion attends almost all of their meetings and can write whatever
story they want to, the Selectboard has no control over what they include in any article. The Board also explained
to Robert Nutting that he is not the only property owner that has been sent junk ordinance letters and been fined
for not being in compliance.
Robert Nutting also stated that the Fire Marshall has condemned the house so that no one can live in it and when
doing so he also found violations at Robert’s store.
Junk Ordinance Complaint:
The Selectboard received a complaint about 90 Wrights Avenue and the junk that is stored on the porch.
Dan Perry made a motion for Ted Unkles to send a junk ordinance letter to the owners of 90 Wrights Avenue.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
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Larry Coffin regarding Water Box:
In November Phil Page (Road Foreman) called Larry Coffin regarding the water box and the historic sign at the
intersection of Route 5 and Wrights Avenue. The State highway department would like the sign and water box
to be moved because it creates a plowing problem and the sign is not handicapped accessible. The State engineers
told Larry Coffin that they would provide a new sign and include a new sign for the water box if both are moved.
The recommendations is for both the sign and the water box to be moved to Boch Park.
Several Bradford residents in the audience urged the Selectboard to keep the water box where it is because it was
installed in 1895 and is 1 of only 3 in Town.
The Selectboard asked Larry Coffin to write the State a letter stating to leave the water box where it is and if they
need to replace the Wilson Clark sign they can put it in Boch Park. There was some concern that without the sign
there it may make the water box harder to see.
Listers- Town Reappraisal:
Randy Moore made a motion to approve the request for Bids for a Town reappraisal for the 2018 grand list with
grammatical corrections. The bids will be opened during the Selectboard’s first meeting in February.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Fothergill Segale & Valley (Auditors) Engagement Letter:
Randy Moore made a motion to approve the engagement letter with Fothergill Segale & Valley for 2015, 2016,
and 2017 provided that the price quoted in the letter includes both the Town Offices and the Water & Sewer
Offices.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Bradford Fire Department- Purchase Order/Insurance:
Dan Perry made a motion to renew the fire departments insurance policy and authorize Ted Unkles to sign it.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Dan Perry made a motion to approve the Fire Department’s purchase order in the amount of $612.51.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Revolving Loan Committee Membership Apps:
Carole Taylor made a motion to accept applications submitted by Tony Brainerd and Peter Terry to join the
revolving loan fund committee.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Police Department C.E.W. (Taser) Policy:
Randy Moore made a motion to adopt the C.E.W. (Taser) Policy for the Bradford Police Department.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOULSY.
Highway- Budget Transfer:
Dan Perry made a motion to move $10,000 from the special roads fund to the highway capital fund.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOULSY.
Schedule Colonial Village Grant Hearing (VCDP):
Carole Taylor made a motion to hold a hearing on January 14, 2015 at 6:25 p.m. for the Colonial Village Grant
Hearing.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOULSY.
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Water Project Repayment Schedule:
The repayment schedule for the water project that was approved previously did not include the full
reimbursement.
Dan Perry made a motion to approve the new revised payment schedule dated December 14, 2015.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
BA Use Applications:
Carole Taylor made a motion to approve the Topsham Pony Pals 4-H Club to use the auditorium on Sundays
starting December 15 through June 2015.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOULSY.
Minutes:
Carole Taylor made a motion to approve the minutes of December 10, 2015.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Orders:
Carole Taylor made a motion to approve the orders dated December 23, 2015.
MOTION PASSED, UNANIMOUSLY.
Other Business:
Robert Nutting asked the Selectboard if Farmway needed permits for the signs they have hung on the fence.
Robert Nutting also commented that some sections of the KD Welch Service Road are falling apart.
The Selectboard adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
____________________________________
Thomas E. Unkles, Chair
___________________________________
Randy L Moore, Vice Chair
_____________________________________
Daniel A. Perry III
_____________________________________
Carole P. Taylor
____________________________________
Lisa D. Sharp
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