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Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
Bethlehem Selectmen Office
June 6, 2016
Present: Selectman Staples, Selectman Laleme, Selectman Ubaldo.
Acting Chairman Staples opened the meeting at 6:32 pm.
The Board reviewed sand bids and determined one bid met the guidelines of the due date. The bid was from Dan Tucker for 6.75/yard. Road Agent, Brett Jackson said that is the same price they paid for the last 2 years. Selectman Ubaldo asked if the sand is up to specs and Mr. Jackson said it was. Acting Chairman Staples moved to accept the bid for 6.75/yard from Mr. Tucker. Selectman Laleme seconded. There was discussion if Mr. Tucker still had ownership of the pit and it was stated that anything processed Mr. Tucker can get rid of. There was a question if he would have enough yardage processed. Acting Chairman Staples and Selectman
Laleme withdrew their motion and second. Acting Chairman Staples moved to accept the bid for 6.75/yard from Mr. Tucker on condition that he have enough yardage for what the town needs. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 3-0.
The Board reviewed Conservation Commission appointments. Cheryl Jensen said Joshua Casey has resigned so they would like to appoint alternate, Lindsay Webb as a full member to finish out the term. Selectman Laleme moved to accept the appointment. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
The Board discussed a Northern Pass letter about screening the transition station. Selectman Laleme moved that the Select Board sign the letter. Acting Chairman Staples seconded. Carried 3-0. Selectman Laleme will take the letter to the Planning Board.
Selectman Laleme gave an update on Northern Pass and SPNHF’s argument that they not be able to use any right of ways. Selectman Laleme moved to respond and agree with SPNHF. Acting Chairman Staples seconded. Carried 3-0.
Lisa Jacobs submitted a request to the Board asking that pool committee members get a free pool pass. The Board would like more information on how many people she is requesting passes for.
Brett Jackson told the Board that he was approached to give a ½ days labor along with Sugar Hill and Franconia highway departments to help fix Copper Cannon’s driveway. Selectman Ubaldo said he doesn’t think it is allowed. Selectman Laleme said it is a worthy notion but not sure if a municipality can do that. Selectman Laleme moved if it is legal we can to go ahead and do it. Acting Chairman Staples seconded. Carried 3-0.
The Board reviewed some information from North Country Council about funds available for sidewalks. It was determined this would be more for the Village District.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 05/31/16. Acting Chairman Staples moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
The minutes from 05/23/16 were tabled.
The Board reviewed abatements. Acting Chairman Staples moved to approve an abatement for map/lot 405/021 for $56.75 due to being charged by mistake. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
Selectman Laleme moved to approve an abatement for map/lot 414/037 for $285.83 per assessor recommendation due to house burning. Acting Chairman Staples seconded. Carried 3-0.
Acting Chairman Staples moved to deny an abatement for map/lot 422/6/2 per assessors recommendation. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 3-0.
Acting Chairman Staples moved to deny an abatement for map/lot 422/6/12 per the assessor due to it being properly assessed. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
Acting Chairman Staples moved to accept assessor recommendation for map/lot 422/6/11 to give an abatement of $4,674.00. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
Chris McGrath asked about the sign for the Town Hall and said the skate park needs signs and the walls that was said would be done at the skate park has not been done. Mr. McGrath also said he is disappointed that the town is spending money on Northern Pass and feels it should have been put on as a warrant article. He also said the other two Boards that sign the letters should have a say about paying for the attorney. Mr. McGrath said he would like to look into making the trail from Bethlehem to Littleton from the old rail trail and said he will contact the state if the Board would like. He also said he would like the Board to look at feasibility of 4 police officers and a chief and thinks exit interviews should be done when an officer leaves because he believes there are other reasons why people are leaving other than because of salaries.
Selectman Laleme said the Select Board is the only Board that can expend money and said the Planning Board cannot obligate the town to expenses. She also explained the need to now have an attorney because the town had lost its voice. She agreed it should be put on the warrant next year. She also explained the attorney is only being used for general issues and we are only getting 1/8th of the bill. Selectman Ubaldo said he was concerned as well with the town paying for an attorney but said 10 people in Concord are making the decision and the Select Board will have more control.
The Board said it was ok for Mr. McGrath to look into the rail trail. There was discussion about the benefits to Bethlehem if the trail happened.
Rita Farrell brought up the letter from attorney Keith about the wells and probes. She said Attorney Keith went way outside of legal bounds. She asked the Board to talk with Attorney Keith about going to Bryan Gould for information and asked the Board to find a neutral person to get advice from on whether or not it violates the settlement agreement. Acting Chairman Staples and Selectman Laleme agreed to reread the information from Attorney Keith. Selectman Ubaldo said the current wells and probes will be continued to be monitored. Mrs. Farrell said her concern is about it going outside the 61 acres per the settlement agreement.
At 7:42 Acting Chairman Staples moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91 A:3 for matters of personnel. Selectman Laleme seconded. Acting Chairman Staples did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
Acting Chairman approved the raise requests for the highway employees as requested by Road Agent, Brett Jackson. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 3-0
Selectman Laleme moved to hire JW at $13.00/hour for 32 hours a week. Acting Chairman Staples seconded. Carried 2-1 (Selectman Ubaldo opposed).
Acting Chairman Staples moved to hire JD for pool at 7.50/hour. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
Acting Chairman Staples moved to hire Country Club hire based on background checks. Selectman Ubaldo seconded Carried 2-0 (Selectman Laleme abstained).
The Board reviewed background check results. The Board discussed a potential employee who lied on the job application about not having a criminal record and the Board agreed that employee would not be hired because of lying on application.
The Board discussed the work authorization form and Acting Chairman Staples moved to send out a memo to department heads saying they would receive a written warning if an employee starts employment without the work authorization form being signed by HR. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
At 8:24 Acting Chairman Staples moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Laleme seconded. Acting Chairman Staples did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of nonpublic session.
At 8:24 Acting Chairman Staples moved to adjourn. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
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