Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2018
Present: Chairman Moritz, Selectman Ubaldo, Selectman Moore, Selectman Glavac.
Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.
Geoff Sewake from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension gave a brief explanation of the Business Retention & Expansion Program the Town participated in and introduced 4 experts that came to speak and answer questions. The experts are Anne Duncan Cooley, Executive Director Grafton Regional Development Corporation, Michelle Moren-Gray, Co-Executive Director North Country Council, Sally Manikian, Vermont-New Hampshire Representative Conservation Fund, Charlie French, Professor and Community & Economic Development Lead University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Mr. Sewake said 29 out of 101 businesses did the survey. Mr. French spoke about the barriers for the businesses including not having a business plan. He said multiple businesses identified recruitment of workforce being a challenge. Ms. Manikian spoke about human powered recreation benefits. Ms. Duncan Cooley spoke about housing being the backbone to workforce and said more affordable housing may be needed. Ms. Moren Gray spoke about the challenges of workforce and aging population.
The Board reviewed pole licenses from Eversource for Valley View Lane. Chairman Moritz moved to approve the 9 poles. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed the minutes.
Chairman Moritz moved to approve the minutes from 05/21/18. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 4-0.
Chairman Moritz moved to approve the minutes from 06/04/18. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 4-0.
The minutes from 06/11/18 were tabled.
Tobey Reynolds from Department of Transportation (DOT) came before the Board to discuss the culvert project on Route 302. He explained they originally were going to do a full replacement. He said due to the alteration of terrain permit they would need to separate the storm water flow from the stream flow and would need to treat that flow. He said that would have to be done at the outlet. He said the project was going to cost 1.6 million 17 months ago when they were last here but with new problems it will be at least 2 million. He said they then explored rehabbing or slip-lining the culvert. Mr. Reynolds said they looked at patching but that was not a good option. He explained slip-lining works. He said a replacement they could put in a bigger pipe and handle bigger storms and the design life and cost ($800,000) of slip-lining is less. He also said the impact to businesses would be less with slip-lining as well as traffic impact and utility impacts. Mr. Reynolds said they would replace the retaining walls on the visitor center side. He said the project would take approx. 10 – 12 weeks. He said DOT would be looking for permanent drainage easements beyond the current from Maia Papaya, White Mtn. Transmission and the Town so they can maintain the inlet and outlet.
Chairman Moritz asked about help for businesses due to the loss of business they may suffer and Mr. Reynolds said they are not permitted to reimburse for economic impact but said they will work with business owners over work schedule. Chairman Moritz also asked about a Memorandum of understanding and was told there would be one and also that the easement would be paid for by the state. Selectman Glavac asked if they could add the parking from the old option to the slip-lining option. Mr. Reynolds said the old plan included changing the grade and the new plan is just paving not grading so he said they would have to look into that. Selectman Glavac asked if they have concerns with traffic there and was told they do but the purpose of this project is to repair the culvert. Melissa Sheehan said there is an issue with the soil surrounding the culvert and said it already had to be filled a couple of times so asked how that will be addressed. Mr. Reynolds said the storm drainage lines along Route 302 that will help with voids around the culvert and concrete will go in the voids. Don Lavoie asked if they have records of water going over 302 and was told no. Mr. Lavoie said the capacity will go down and asked who has liability if businesses get washed out. Mr. Reynolds said they would be following guidelines and it will be more efficient. Chris Jensen asked what kind of storm would overwhelm the culvert and was told 100 year storm. Mr. Jensen pointed out that there is not much available for flood insurance. Mr. Reynolds said he will look into the liability issue. Nick Storella said they already had flooding with a big storm. Mr. Reynolds said he knows there are problems with storm drainage on Route 302. Ms. Sheehan said that area is part of the problem with the pavement and the soil. Mr. Reynolds said they can consider fixing it at the same time as the culvert. Dick Robie said the water comes from the overflow from the reservoir and from church’s pond. Chris McGrath said he agrees with doing something with driveway and parking especially in front of Maia Papaya and asked about contamination of Barret Brook. Mr. Reynolds said that is being addressed. Councilor Joe Kenney asked if they will allow traffic over 302 while they are working under 302 and was told yes the culvert is sound. Mr. Kenney also asked if there is a contingency for unexpected issues and was told yes. He also explained about the TAP grant which is a transportation alternative grant for sidewalks, landscaping etc. up to $800,000 and is an 80/20 grant. He said a letter of intent is due by 07/13/18. David Rodrigues asked about addressing the storm drainage issues and re-grade the road in that stretch. Cheryl Jensen asked why this is too much money now. Mr. Reynolds said it originally was $800,000 then 1.2 million then 1.6 million then over 2 million. He said they realized they were getting beyond the scope of the project. Ms. Sheehan asked if they could do a portion of the option with the parking plan. Mr. Reynolds said they could possibly do some drainage while they are here and possible access issue. He explained they could do the work this year and the window to do the work is June – Sept. Julian Czarny asked if the 8×12 replacement culvert and the 4×5 slip-lining option serve the same purpose. He was told the 8×12 is not required it was stream crossing rules to allow fish passage etc. He explained the slip-lining has same capacity. Clare Brown asked if they could change the slope by the Visitor Center towards the brook instead of toward the building and was told they could possibly do that. Mr. McGrath asked about the wooden bridge and was told it would be picked up and put back.
James McMahon (Lancaster DOT) said the funding for storm drainage comes from a different pool then the culverts. There was discussion about other option for drainage for storm water. Fred Storella said they keep raising the road, so the road is now higher than his shop, so water runs into it. Mr. McMahon said they need to increase the capture. There was discussion about getting all the work done at the same time to lessen the impact. Mr. McMahon said he could possibly do a small section of pipe in this year’s budget.
The Board opened the Real Estate Service RFP’s for the Country Club. There were 2 RFP’s; one from Government Services at KW Commercial and one from Colliers International. The Board will review the RFP’s and will award at a future meeting.
Chief Ho-Sing-Loy came before the Board to discuss options to pursue getting a police cruiser. He told the Board he has $27,000 available in the capital reserve fund. There was discussion about needing to come up with a better plan to purchase cruisers and the need to put enough away. Selectman Glavac said they need to catch up and put $40,000 in the Capital Reserve fund every year. The Chief said cruiser #3 died and #4 and #2 are being used to patrol. He said #4 has 143,000 miles and #2 has 109,000 miles. #4 is 5 years old and #2 is 3 years old. The Board discussed the benefits of leasing cruisers. The Chief will get more information and come back at a future meeting.
Chairman Moritz said at the last department head meeting they discussed employee retention and what should they look at. Benefits, insurance buyouts, vacation time, etc. and should discuss this.
Selectman Moore said she got a quote for the Visitor Center painting from Dave Cryans for $8,640.00 and said the Heritage will still cover the cost of materials. Chairman Moritz said we didn’t budget for it, so it should be put on the agenda and get public input. It was stated there is $6,200.00 left in the GGB budget for building maintenance. It was tabled until next week.
At 9:05 Chairman Moritz moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel and legal. Selectman Glavac seconded. Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
Dann objected to the non-public session.
The Board discussed personnel.
Chairman Moritz moved to increase the rate for the officer who has completed the academy (KL). Selectman Martin seconded. Carried 4-0.
Chairman Moritz moved to approve a recreation hire (PC). Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board discussed legal issues.
At 11:10 Chairman Moritz moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Moore seconded. Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public session.
At 11:10 Selectman Moore moved to adjourn. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
