Bradford selectboard discusses buyout offers for perpetual cell-tower lease and recommends public hearing

The Bradford Selectboard reviewed two competing offers to buy out a perpetual perpetual cell-tower lease and recommended scheduling a public hearing to inform residents, but took no vote on whether to call a special town meeting, at a special meeting Monday at the Bradford Community Center.

Vice-chair Randy Margraf opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the board recorded attendance; Chairman Levi Surette was noted as absent. Selectboard members present were Carlene Oakes, Edward Nevells, Randy Margraf and Terrie Allen. Town Manager Lois A. Jones is listed as the meeting’s submitter in the minutes.

The central agenda item was a proposed buyout of a perpetual cell-tower lease. Board members discussed two offers and the timing of any townwide decision, weighing whether to hold a special town meeting or defer consideration to the annual town meeting. According to the minutes, members agreed that a public hearing should be scheduled to inform the public about the two offers and the two companies involved, and members requested sample easement agreements for review. The minutes also record questions about a potential buyer that the document explicitly notes is not US Cellular. The board did not adopt any motion setting a date for a special town meeting.

The meeting concluded with a formal motion to adjourn: Boardmember Randy Margraf moved to adjourn, Boardmember Carlene Oakes seconded, and the minutes state "All in favor." The minutes were submitted by Town Manager Lois A. Jones and include signature lines for later approval by the Selectboard.

The Selectboard’s next procedural steps were not recorded in the minutes; the document lists the public hearing recommendation and requests for easement samples but includes no timetable or assignment of staff to schedule the hearing.