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04/02/2018 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2018

Present: Chairman Moritz, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Moore, Selectman Ubaldo, Selectman Glavac.

Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.

Road Agent, Brett Jackson, came before the Board to discuss purchasing sweepers. He said he currently has four tow behind ones and 3 of them came from other towns that didn’t want them anymore. He said they have been repairing them but is not worth it anymore and is time to replace them. He told the Board that he is looking at 2 used ones that are $9500.00 for both. He also said a price for a new one ranges from $11,500.00 to 13,800.00 just for one. Mr. Jackson said he wants to use the additional highway block grant money that was received last year to purchase them. Dann asked if he could buy the same brand as the current ones, so the current ones could be used for parts for the new ones. Mr. Jackson said they would interchange. Chairman Moritz moved to go forward with the 2 sweepers for $9,500.00. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.

Chairman Moritz said they need to subdivide the highway from the golf course. She said the maintenance garage should remain with the town so the parcel to subdivide would be approximately 3.9 acres. Mr. Jackson said the garage is close to the gas pumps. Selectman Glavac said they should discuss this at the public hearings. Chairman Moritz said the public hearings are regarding the sale. Mr. Jackson said there is no noise ordinance in town now but if there is in the future could there be a problem from the noise they make at the highway dept. Selectman Ubaldo said they would need to look into the tanks being so close or they would need a variance or special exception. Selectman Glavac said they would need to hire a surveyor. Selectman Ubaldo said the buyer may be interested in it being surveyed. Chairman Moritz said they can make it clear it will be subdivided but wait until the sale.

The Board discussed the schedule for the selectmen’s meetings for the rest of the year. Chairman Moritz said they will be moving to every other week but is subject to change. She said she felt the budget process was a duplication and said they will discuss with dept. head’s in October idea of how to go forward then they will propose their budget in December. Selectman Glavac said if the Board gives clear direction up front he agrees with that.

PUBLIC INPUT

Sandy Laleme said she reviewed the latest Aries Monitoring report for the old dump (Prospect Street Dump) and is concerned about the PFOA and PFO’s which can affect drinking water. She said both are elevated and explained the surface water drains into Barret Brook which drains into the Ammoonoosuc. She said it would also drain into Bretzfelder and thinks it should be referred to the Conservation Commission to see how to remediate. Chairman Moritz said she read the report and talked with the Aries engineer. She said our numbers were not elevated to the point of concern and given proximity to abutters was not a concern as well. Mrs. Laleme said the state came up with standards and said there isn’t a base standard because there is no comparison. She said we don’t use that water as drinking water or use the aquifer for drinking water and not sure how to remediate. She also said all other readings are normal. Chairman Moritz said she would forward the information to the rest of the Board, so they can review it. Selectman Glavac said there was a lawsuit right before the vote about not being able to swim or fish in the Ammonoosuc because of the landfill (NCES) so asked the Board if they should post something. Chairman Moritz said that seems premature. Selectman Glavac asked if they should talk with legal about whether the town should do anything about it. He said it is a tourist town and need to protect ourselves. Chairman Moritz said it is a private group having a legal dispute with another private group. Selectman Ubaldo asked what if we are polluting it with PFOA’s and asked if that private group could sue the town.

Julian Czarny said the transfer station committee was given a hiatus to see what happens in March and asked if they started back up again. He also asked how do you engage the public to consistently stay involved. Selectman Glavac said some are confidant with the Select Board doing their job.

The Board discussed placing ads for RFP’s for appraisal services and real estate services for the Country Club. Selectman Glavac asked the Board if they were posting both ads and where are they going to be posting them. Chairman Moritz said she thinks they should have the info from the appraiser first. She said at the first public hearing they can share the info on appraisal and subdivision. She also said a realtor would give us more exposure but if we have a couple of interested buyers we could save on paying commission. Selectman Glavac asked who would value the property and do comps. He said the realtor usually does that. He said he doesn’t see the downside of sending out both RFP’s. He suggested advertising in the Boston Globe and Golf Digest. Selectman Boisseau said he wondered how St. Johnsbury advertised theirs. It was decided April will get quotes and work with Selectman Glavac on placing the ads.

Selectman Glavac said it was mentioned at a prior meeting about people sitting closer to the Select Board table then the front benches. Selectman Ubaldo said people said they can’t see. Dann said his head is not taller than the chair. Chairman Moritz asked if he could go to the left more on busy nights. Dann said he is not hurting anyone, not disrupting people and not standing up.

The Board reviewed the minutes from 03/19/18. Chairman Moritz moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0 (Selectman Glavac abstained).

Chairman Moritz said the Board will not be discussing the NCES abatement on the 16th of April. She explained they don’t have enough information yet.
Dann asked about the reassessment of property that is being done now and said property owners have rights that people can’t go onto someone’s property. Chairman Moritz said they seek permission and don’t go on posted property.

Mr. Czarny asked if some of the old fire hose could be set aside for the ice rink.

At 7:13 Chairman Moritz moved to adjourn. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant