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Home » 06/22/2016 – PB Minutes

06/22/2016 – PB Minutes

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AGENDAS & MINUTES
TOWN REPORT
WHERE IS BETHLEHEM?
BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY
PROFILE SCHOOL
BETHLEHEM RECREATION
WHO IS MY LEGISLATOR?
PUBLIC LIBRARY
HERITAGE SOCIETY
VISITOR CENTER
COUNTRY CLUB

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BETHLEHEM PLANNING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
Master Plan Work Session
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Bethlehem Library
6:00 pm

Present: Chairman Michael Bruno, Co-chair Dave Wiley, Sandy Laleme, Chris McGrath, Marie Stevenson, Johnathan Stevenson, Frank Claffey and Steve Gorman

Mike Bruno opened the meeting at 6:00 pm

The board looked over the minutes from June 8, 2016. Sandy Laleme motioned to accept, Dave Wiley seconded. Steve Gorman abstained

Master Plan meeting started @ 6:10.

Worked on chapter 9, Cultural & Historic (Mike Bruno)

Review the copy, wrote goals and wrote the summary

Worked on chapter 10, Regional concerns (June)

Review the copy, write goals and write the summary

Worked on Chapter 6, Economy (June)

Review the copy, write goals and write the summary

Discussion on the Vision Statement brought many opinions. Discussion on the survey brought Rita Farrell to question, is this just Bethlehem or the entire state? The board reassured Rita Ferrell that this was a town wide survey, and only a certain amount of people participated in the survey. Mike Bruno told her it also depended on where you did your census. The entire town was given the survey, but you can’t make people fill it out and return it. You can only go by the results of what was received.

Meeting tended to go off topic many times. Rita Farrell and Dann discussed a Dollar Store coming to Bethlehem. Rita Farrell is very much against any such things. Dann tried to insert his concerned interest about the tax base. There should be NO taxes.

Mike Bruno introduced a Natural Resources document to the board from the Conservation Committee. Deb Bayley will forward the document to the entire board and June Garneau. (Mapping and planning solutions)

There was discussion about what brought people to Bethlehem. Governor Howard from RI was injured in the state and did his recuperation in Bethlehem. He loved the town so much that he told his friends and colleagues to come up and enjoy the town. Many people came and built hotels and restaurants. Coach and rail brought many visitors to Bethlehem on a daily basis.

The hay fever issue came up many times. The Jewish population made Bethlehem their summer home for just this reason. Rita Ferrell talks about the 1920 where the Jewish communities were not allowed to stay in the hotels. They stayed in bungalows of their own accord. This will be researched.

There were many celebrities that frequented Bethlehem from Marilyn Monroe to Ulysses S. Grant. The Abenaki Indians were also an asset to Bethlehem.

June talks about the UNH cooperative in the Summary. Creating an industrial area in Bethlehem to attract new business should be within the summary. Chris McGrath states we do have an industrial area in Bethlehem; it is District 3.

New business is good as long as it conforms to the town said Rita Farrell. There was talk amongst the board about different stores that all would like to see come to Bethlehem. Including Market Basket, Olive Garden and Christmas tree shop. Mike Bruno says we all want new business to Bethlehem but we cannot solicit any particular ones.

Population in Bethlehem is 2537 to date.

Next Master Plan meeting will be July 20, 2016 at the Bethlehem Library 6:00pm (amended on July 13, 2016. Next master plan meeting will be at the Bethlehem Town Hall at 6pm)

Sandy motioned to adjourn Dave seconded

Meeting adjourned at 8:15

Respectfully submitted
Debbie Bayley
ZBA/Planning Clerk

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