Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2020
Via Zoom – Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moore, Selectman Moritz, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen.
Meeting opened at 6:06.
Chief DeMoranville discuss the prosecutor position with the Board. He explained the prosecutor had resigned prior to him starting and that Marci Hornick, Grafton County Attorney was covering. He explained he looked into who other towns were using and said Attorney Roberts will do it for $18,000.00 a year. Chief DeMoranville said we were previously paying $30,000.00. Selectman Moritz said the Board just needs to vote on that. The Chief said there is some confusion on whether she would be a part-time employee or independent contractor. He said for liability coverage she needs to be a part-time employee to be covered if someone sues the town. It needs to be determined is she will be a stipend employee versus salaried employee. Attorney Roberts works for other towns in another county so will work for court schedules.
Selectman Moritz moved to approve Chief DeMoranville recommendation to hire Attorney Roberts as the prosecutor Selectman Caplain seconded. Roll call – all – motion carried. Mike Bruno asked if that is a separate line item in the budget and was told yes.
Reminder to mute. Public input at the end of each section.
Covid 19 updates:
Selectman Jensen said the health consortium is an organizational structure and said it is important that we keep track of expenses. He said there are currently 1400 statewide with Covid-19 and said there is a concern about campgrounds being open and ATV trails soon opening. 1-4 cases in Bethlehem.
Public Input
Chris McGrath said the meeting ID didn’t work on agenda. Selectman Moritz said she was aware of that and there was an error on the online ones but the posted agenda at the town building and post office were correct.
Other – Marketing Plan update. Selectman Caplain said Sullivan Creative has been gathering information and doing surveys. He said they have good ideas and it is starting to gel. He also said they would like to give an update on May 4th and talk about where they are at.
Selectman Moritz said they need to discuss Frank’s proposal for TAN. Selectman Moritz said we are anticipating 2.5 million in July and asked if the 1 million TAN will cover what they need if people are not paying their taxes. Selectman Caplain said even if they receive ½ of what is due in July they will still be ok. The board discussed $10,000 is budgeted for interest and felt that should cover it no problem. The Board also discussed how they will draw it down as it is needed so they don’t have to take it all at once. The Board will be discussing tax collection on May 11th. Selectman Moritz said she would like to incentivize people to pay on time – maybe give a discount for paying on time. Selectman Moore will call NHMA. Selectman Caplain asked that she ask them what other towns are doing. Selectman Caplain moved to approve TAN for 1 million at 1.5% due on December 31, 2020. Selectman Moritz seconded. Roll – all – motion carried.
Selectman Moritz reminded the Board to email April questions for Erin Hennessey for the 27th.
Minutes – none this week.
At 6:33 Chairman Boisseau moved to go into non-public per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of legal. Selectman Moritz seconded. Roll – all – motion carried.
Update on legal issue.
At 6:39 Selectman Moritz moved to adjourn. Chairman Boisseau seconded. Roll all – motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
