Meeting report · Select Board
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Select Board — April 6, 2026
The meeting was largely professional and focused on administrative approvals, with minor procedural debates and constructive community input.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Town Hall Theater Revitalization and Safety
Implementation of new fire safety protocols, occupancy limits, and structural management for a key community venue. Affected: All residents using the theater for community events, performances, and gatherings.
safety change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of the maintenance mechanic job specs as amended.
Amendments included ICC compliance and a clause regarding licensed professional requirements.
Approved
Approval of the RFP for structural analysis.
RFP for fire station and highway garage analysis approved as written.
Approved
Approval of BNS requests (hay bales and permit fee waiver).
Waived permit fees for the new pavilion and approved delivery of hay bales by consensus.
Approved
Approval of the TDS telephone system proposal.
Approved the upgrade to the integrated TDS system.
Approved
Approval of the abatement request for 36 Sleek Massachusetts Road.
Abatement approved for taxes on a non-existent trailer.
Approved
Approval of the intent to excavate at Meadowood Way.
Approved the intent to excavate at the gravel pit.
Approved
Approval of the contract with Chapter One LLC.
Contract for building code enforcement approved.
Approved
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 02:10 Friends of the Bradford Town Hall Theater Presentation
The 'Friends of the Bradford Town Hall Theater' (a 501c3 nonprofit) introduced their mission to revitalize the theater, shared their upcoming event schedule, and presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding their interaction with the town.
Speakers: Mariah Storm, Scott McCall Haskell, Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Devin Pendleton
▶ 10:24 Theater Maintenance and Safety
Discussion regarding floor care, cleaning responsibilities, and fire safety requirements including occupancy loads, egress pathways, and the need for maglocks on fire doors.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Scott McCall Haskell, Fire Chief
▶ 34:00 Investment Policy Review
The board reviewed and voted on the adoption of the Select Board investment policy.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs
▶ 35:15 Maintenance Mechanic Job Description
Discussion on amending the job description for a maintenance mechanic to include International Building Code (ICC) compliance and to clarify that work must be performed within the limits of licensure.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Devin Pendleton
▶ 41:08 Paving Projects
Discussion of upcoming paving projects for the Town Hall and Fire Station, noting the need for engineering solutions to address drainage issues and regrading.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Scott McCall Haskell
▶ 44:10 Auction Service Agreement
The board reviewed and approved a service agreement for upcoming town auctions.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Scott McCall Haskell
▶ 47:10 Structural Analysis RFP
Review and approval of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct structural analyses of the fire station and highway garage.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Scott McCall Haskell
▶ 50:03 Bradford-Newbury South Youth Sports Requests
Mike Howley requested permission to deliver hay bales to the field and requested a waiver of permit fees for a new timber frame pavilion construction.
Speakers: Mike Howley, Chip Meany, Beth Downs
▶ 59:00 Telephone System Upgrade
The board discussed and approved a proposal from TDS to upgrade the town's telephone system to an integrated, more functional network.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Scott McCall Haskell
▶ 76:20 Building Code Enforcement Contract
The board discussed and approved a contract with Chapter One LLC for building code enforcement services.
Speakers: Chip Meany, Beth Downs, Scott McCall Haskell
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Maintenance Mechanic Hiring Process
There was a disagreement regarding the method of hiring for the maintenance mechanic position, specifically whether to hire a specific candidate or post the position publicly to ensure a competitive and fair process.
Board position: The board ultimately approved the amended job description, but a member voiced a preference for a public posting.
Internal dissent
Devin Pendleton expressed dissent by stating, 'I would rather post the job that we want done and see if anybody applies,' rather than proceeding with the current hiring approach.
low concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Redraft the Theater MOU to include signature lines for formal execution.
Assigned: Scott McCall Haskell · Due: Next meeting
Amend the maintenance mechanic job description with ICC and licensing requirements.
Assigned: Scott McCall Haskell · Due: Immediately
Reach out to Bob Stewart to engineer a drainage solution for the fire station.
Assigned: Steve
Prepare specifications for the re-bidding of the paving projects.
Assigned: Scott McCall Haskell
Notable statements
The mission of the Friends of the Bradford Town Hall Theater is to raise funds to equip and furnish the theater and to organize events and performances to take place there. — Mariah Storm · Mission statement presentation. ▶ 03:00
The upstairs [occupancy] is a low limit... because of the back egress... we need maglocks on those doors, because they are fire doors. — Fire Chief · Safety concerns regarding theater occupancy and fire doors. ▶ 25:00
I would rather post the job that we want done and see if anybody applies. — Devin Pendleton · Dissenting opinion regarding the hiring of a specific candidate for the maintenance position. ▶ 37:47
Member positions
11 issues · 0 explicit · 10 inferred
Charles F. Meany III
Present
Chair
Approval of the March 23rd meeting minutes.
YES
~
Adoption of the Select Board investment policy.
YES
~
Approval of the maintenance mechanic job specs as amended.
YES
~
Approval of the auction service agreement.
YES
~
Approval of the RFP for structural analysis.
YES
~
Approval of BNS requests (hay bales and permit fee waiver).
YES
~
Approval of the TDS telephone system proposal.
YES
~
Approval of the abatement request for 36 Sleek Massachusetts Road.
YES
~
Approval of the intent to excavate at Meadowood Way.
YES
~
Approval of the contract with Chapter One LLC.
YES
~
Beth Downs
Present
Selectman
Approval of the March 23rd meeting minutes.
YES
~
Adoption of the Select Board investment policy.
YES
~
Approval of the maintenance mechanic job specs as amended.
YES
~
Approval of the auction service agreement.
YES
~
Approval of the RFP for structural analysis.
YES
~
Approval of BNS requests (hay bales and permit fee waiver).
YES
~
Approval of the TDS telephone system proposal.
YES
~
Approval of the abatement request for 36 Sleek Massachusetts Road.
YES
~
Approval of the intent to excavate at Meadowood Way.
YES
~
Approval of the contract with Chapter One LLC.
YES
~
Devin Pendleton
Present
Selectman
Approval of the maintenance mechanic job specs as amended.
YES
✓
Preferred posting the job publicly rather than direct hiring.
Approval of the March 23rd meeting minutes.
YES
~
Adoption of the Select Board investment policy.
YES
~
Approval of the auction service agreement.
YES
~
Approval of the RFP for structural analysis.
YES
~
Approval of BNS requests (hay bales and permit fee waiver).
YES
~
Approval of the TDS telephone system proposal.
YES
~
Approval of the abatement request for 36 Sleek Massachusetts Road.
YES
~
Approval of the intent to excavate at Meadowood Way.
YES
~
Approval of the contract with Chapter One LLC.
YES
~
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
7
Total speakers
7
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Mariah Storm
Addressed
Mariah introduced the 'Friends of the Bradford Town Hall Theater,' a 501c3 nonprofit group. She outlined their mission to revitalize the theater for community events and shared their upcoming schedule of performances and camps.
Key concern
To introduce the group's mission and vision to the Select Board and present a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for how they will interact with the town facility.
Board responseThe board engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the MOU, covering topics like building cleanup, oversight of equipment purchases, heat/electricity costs, and insurance.
The board reviewed the MOU, asked clarifying questions about their operations, and agreed to work with them on a finalized version with signature lines.
Lori Bucar
Addressed
Lori shared historical photos of the theater to demonstrate its past use for dances and community gatherings. She emphasized that the group aims to revitalize these traditional community activities.
Key concern
Providing historical context for the theater's revitalization efforts.
Board responseThe board members listened and acknowledged the historical value and potential for creative uses of the space.
The board acknowledged the historical context and the potential for various community uses in the space.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
The Fire Chief discussed safety and occupancy concerns regarding the theater. He highlighted the need for maglocks on fire doors and the necessity of maintaining clear egress/aisleways during events to ensure safe capacity.
Key concern
Ensuring fire safety, proper occupancy loads, and clear exit paths (egress) in the theater space.
Board responseThe board acknowledged the safety requirements and the need to work on code issues like maglocks and layout planning.
The board recognized the necessity of these safety measures and discussed them as ongoing 'work in progress' items.
Devin Pendleton
Addressed
Devin suggested that the group create standard floor plan samples for different event types (seated vs. standing) to clearly show capacity and required aisle widths.
Key concern
The need for standardized floor plans to manage capacity and safety compliance.
Board responseThe board (specifically a speaker) noted they would work on developing these plans as the organization's operations progress.
The board acknowledged the suggestion and indicated it would be part of their future planning process.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
a speaker expressed concern regarding how future event planners (like those hosting weddings) would know how to properly set up tables and chairs to comply with safety standards.
Key concern
Providing guidance for external users on how to set up events safely within the building.
Board responseThe board noted that this would be addressed through the development of formal agreements and operational guidelines.
The board confirmed that these details would be part of the ongoing 'work in progress' documentation.
Unidentified speaker
Addressed
A community member offered brief praise for a recent theater performance.
Key concern
Giving positive feedback to the theater group.
Board responseNo formal board response was given other than continuing the meeting.
The comment was received as positive community feedback.
Mike Howley
Addressed
Mike requested permission to store a portable field goal/equipment at the town field and requested that the town waive permit fees for a new timber frame pavilion being built on BNS property.
Key concern
Formalizing a storage agreement and requesting a waiver of permit fees for a non-profit construction project.
Board responseThe board approved the consensus for the storage agreement and unanimously voted to waive the permit fees.
Both specific requests (the MOU/storage and the fee waiver) were approved by the board.
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Report composed by
gemma-4-26b, grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-01.