Select Board — July 27, 2026
Residents demand decorum and transparency following contentious Select Board meeting
The meeting featured spirited public comments regarding board conduct, accuracy of records, and road maintenance, alongside internal board disagreement on procedural motions.
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During the July 27 Select Board meeting, several issues came to the forefront that suggest a need for better governance and professional standards in Bradford.
First, residents Sharon Morse and Jason Allen raised significant concerns regarding board decorum. Testimony included reports of board members yelling at, being dismissive of, or leaving meetings while residents were speaking. While the board has agreed to review a formal Code of Ethics and 'Right to Know' procedures at the next meeting, these concerns regarding professionalism remain a high priority for the community.
In addition to conduct issues, there were attempts to limit public participation. A motion to restrict all public presentations to five minutes was proposed by Charles F. Meany III but failed to move forward. Board member Devin Pendleton stood in opposition, arguing that residents must have the time necessary to fully address their concerns.
Finally, the board is facing pressure regarding infrastructure. Residents on Old Mountain Road reported that heavy commercial timber traffic is impacting a Class 6 road they maintain under a 2008 agreement. The board has deferred decisions on this matter until they receive legal clarification from the town attorney.
Public impact
Potential changes to road usage, weight restrictions, or bonding requirements.
The board deferred a decision pending legal guidance.
The board will follow up with the town attorney regarding Class 6 roads and bonding.
Topics discussed
A resident requested to add previously submitted agenda items to the meeting via motion rather than administrative decision.
The board successfully moved to add the resident to the agenda under item number four.
A proposal was made to limit agenda presentations to five minutes to improve meeting efficiency.
The motion to limit presentations failed as it was not seconded.
The board reviewed the June 8th minutes, addressing factual errors and mischaracterizations of statements.
The board voted to accept the minutes with the requested corrections.
A resident raised concerns regarding changes in road use and the implications of current maintenance agreements.
The board noted they are awaiting legal clarification from the town attorney regarding Class 6 roads and bonding.
The board will follow up with the town attorney for legal guidance.
A resident provided feedback regarding the professionalism and decorum of the Select Board during meetings.
The board received the comments into the record.
A resident sought an update regarding the status of the town property auction.
The board noted they had previously voted to urge the auctioneers to expedite closings.
The board discussed the need for a formal Code of Ethics and improved administrative processes.
The board agreed to review several governance items for the next meeting.
The board will review the Town Official's Code of Ethics, Citizen Complaint Procedure, and Right to Know procedures at the next meeting in two weeks.
The board discussed the difficulties and inefficiencies of the current town website, including its lack of user-friendliness and limited administrative access.
The board acknowledged the website's limitations but did not make a formal decision to switch providers during this segment.
The board suggested investigating AI technology for minute-taking and exploring the possibility of transitioning to a new website vendor.
A debate occurred regarding whether the responsibility for training elected officials rests with the Town Administrator or the individuals themselves.
No formal decision was reached, but the stance on personal responsibility for training was clearly articulated.
The board reviewed the draft bylaws and progress of the newly formed committee tasked with evaluating the community center and potential funding.
The board moved to accept the draft bylaws.
The committee will continue its work regarding building evaluation, grant opportunities, and community outreach.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Proposal to Limit Presentation Times
Board Conduct and Decorum
Old Mountain Road Maintenance
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
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