Brookfield selectmen appoint website subcommittee, approve tax abatements and warrants; discuss roads, culvert and FEMA maps

The Brookfield Board of Selectmen at its June meeting appointed four volunteers to a town website/IT subcommittee, approved two property tax abatements and a timber warrant, signed the town manifests, and discussed road-safety measures, a 72‑page road-maintenance (RSMS) report and preliminary FEMA floodplain maps.

The board appointed Brad Williamson, Jan Ledbetter, Liz Stefano and Joe Tully to the website/IT subcommittee and approved a charge that asks the group to develop a request for proposals (RFP) and help run the procurement process. The charge sets a draft timeline: develop an RFP by July 15, issue it by Aug. 5, evaluate proposals by Sept. 16 and assist with contract award by Oct. 7 so the town can align any new contract before the current one expires Dec. 31.

The subcommittee will be a volunteer board-appointed committee required to follow the same open-meeting rules as the Selectmen; the board also named an on-board representative who agreed to serve. The board said it will consider transition timing for any vendor the committee recommends.

The board did not adopt a volunteer-release/waiver form as written. Selectmen said the draft waiver, which would limit town liability for volunteers who are injured while helping the town, read as too harsh. Selectmen asked to have the form reviewed by municipal counsel and asked staff to return with revised language that balances liability concerns and volunteer encouragement.

On tax matters the board approved two assessor-recommended abatements. One abatement reduced an assessment by $37,600 (map 3, lot 6), producing a tax abatement of $419.62 plus any interest due. The other corrected a bedroom count and reduced an assessment by $13,000 (map 10, lot 9), producing a tax abatement of $145.08 plus any interest due. Both abatements were approved after the assessor’s review and motion to accept the recommended adjustments.

The board approved a timber-tax warrant for timber harvested in 2024 on Map 44, Lot 1 totaling $2,430.96 and approved the manifests presented at the meeting; the payroll and bill manifest totals reported at the time of the vote were $327,687.41. The board also granted an application to borrow municipal tables and chairs for a July weekend event, approving pickup on July 19 and return after the event.

Roads and infrastructure drew extended discussion. Selectmen reviewed a 72‑page RSMS report prepared for the town that inventories road conditions, provides multi‑year budget estimates and lays out a 10‑year maintenance outlook. Selectmen said the report will be printed and bound for the town’s files and the 10‑year plan. Staff noted some projected yearly costs align with existing budgets but that larger projects would require different budgeting in specific years.

Selectmen discussed neighborhood speed limits and signage. Several members expressed support for 25 mph postings on neighborhood roads that currently lack posted limits (roads mentioned included Drew Farm, Curry's Way, Pike Brook, Holly Lane and Roberts Road). Board members said posting signs can be done immediately but that an ordinance and public hearing are required to change formal speed-limit law and enforcement. They also discussed painting stop lines at intersections and working with the regional planning commission to investigate high‑risk intersections, specifically the Governors Road/Route 109 intersection.

On drainage and culvert work, Sewer/Highway staff reported a Department of Environmental Services (DES) site visit that indicated a 22‑foot span bridge would be the state rule of thumb for the watershed at the Dink Road crossing, but DES said the agency would permit an alternative box‑culvert design for this location. The town has contacted the Veil Group (the engineering firm that worked with the regional planning commission) to produce budgetary numbers for engineering and permitting for either the bridge or a box culvert; the board emphasized that the estimates are for planning purposes and that no construction commitment has been made.

Selectmen also said the Moose Mountain bridge and nearby culvert conditions warrant attention; DES staff suggested pursuing the minimum required permits and practical repairs rather than imposing unattainable standards.

On regional matters, the board received a FEMA notice about preliminary floodplain maps. The notice outlines a public comment period with postings on July 9 and July 16 and directs residents to FEMA’s preliminary map portal. The board asked staff to post the FEMA link and notice on the town website so property owners can review and, if appropriate, submit map comments or challenges within the period prescribed.

In legal matters, selectmen reported that town counsel and selectmen attended a District Court hearing related to a land‑use challenge brought by an entity referred to in the meeting as Moose Mountain LLC (a challenge to the planning board’s handling of an application). The selectmen’s attorney said the judge indicated a ruling would be issued in a few weeks after the parties provide additional documentation.

The meeting closed after routine business, with the board keeping the session open to sign the documents that had been approved during the meeting.

Ending: The board scheduled follow‑up actions on the website procurement timeline, legal review of the volunteer waiver, engineering cost estimates for the Dink Road culvert project, and posting the FEMA floodplain notice to the town website.