Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2019
Present: Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Jensen, Selectman Moritz.
Chairman Boisseau opened the meeting at 6:04.
PUBLIC INPUT
Chris McGrath thanked the Board for putting public input first on the agenda again. He told the Board he listened to the last meeting about the discussion on the construction noise from the AHEAD project and the Board considering a noise ordinance due to that. He said 5 is an early stop time and thinks 7 is more reasonable because of people working on their own homes. Mr. McGrath said the Board should consider a marijuana ordinance like Twin Mtn. has. He said they have made $7000.00 so far in revenue from it this year. He also asked what the rules are for bikes on sides streets to ride 2 abreast.
Ross Weaver from Energy Consulting Associates came before the Board to discuss our electricity agreement that is up in November. He explained we previously have worked with Lutz Wallem who he partners with and we have had contracts with them for 6 years. Mr. Weaver told the Board in order to price accounts he needs authorization from the town and will send it to 6 different suppliers. He said it will take 5 – 7 days to get the quotes back. Chairman Boisseau asked if signing the authorization prevented us from seeking other bids and was told no. Mr. Weaver said if PUC changes transmission cost that will get passed on to the Town. He said he will have the quote at the Sept. 23rd Select Board meeting. Selectman Jensen moved to sign the letter to seek bids. Selectman Moritz seconded. Carried 3-0. Mr. Weaver confirmed the Board would be able to see the quotes from all the suppliers. Selectman Moritz said she would like to see the cost savings for the town from past agreements and an estimated projection of savings for the future agreement.
Neil Brody came before the Board to discuss the Arlington and an agreement that they dim their lights at 10:00pm. He also said they leave garbage on the side of the building instead of putting it in the dumpster so there are animals roaming around. He also told the Board the roof was supposed to be insulated for sound. Selectman Jensen said he doesn’t remember seeing a condition for the lights. Mr. Brody said he will ask his attorney if he has the documentation of that. Mr. McGrath said he remembers discussion about the lights and said maybe it is in the minutes. There was discussion about the animal issue and how there is a wild animal ordinance. Selectman Jensen asked if they should send a letter to Arlington as a starting point. Selectman Moritz said they could include the ordinance and bear handout. Chairman Boisseau said they will look into the lighting issue.
Chairman Boisseau said the Board received advice about the burned apt. building on Main Street and without an ordinance there isn’t anything the Board can do. He explained it is not dangerous enough so doesn’t fall under RSA 155B. He also said an ordinance should be created to prevent it from happening in the future. Selectman Jensen said he would research ordinances.
Selectman Moritz said construction hours should be a planning ordinance so there could be the option of a special exception process. She said the hazardous building would be a Select Board ordinance. Chairman Boisseau said they would not have to grandfather buildings on the hazardous building’s ordinance. Rita Farrell asked what it takes to pass an ordinance and was told town meeting vote. Peter Roy asked about an RSA for hazardous structures and was told it was 155B, but it was not hazardous enough. The Board decided to ask the Fire Chief for his input on the building.
The Board discussed a request from Martie Cook to have the garden shed moved from the old site to the new site done by volunteers. Chairman Boisseau moved to allow the shed to be moved. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 3-0.
Chairman Boisseau summarized a letter thanking Matt Courchaine from the woman’s league for hosting the tournament and doing such a good job.
The Board discussed a letter from Grafton Regional Development. April will get more information on commitment and obligation of Board representative.
Selectman Jensen said the acoustic shielding was a Planning Board condition 2 years ago for the Arlington. He said he will work with Dave Wiley, Nicole McGrath and Planning to come up with a process so conditions are not missed.
Selectman Jensen said the Transfer Station Committee asked if Brett Jackson could take a big heavy truck over to the transfer station site to see if the site could handle it. The Board agreed it would make more sense for Mr. Jackson to assess the site instead and possibly to have an engineer study it to know if it is a possible site or not.
Selectman Moritz said she would like to have Sandy Laleme on the cover of the town report and made a motion to do so. Chairman Boisseau seconded. Carried 3-0.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 08/30/19. Chairman Boisseau moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 3-0.
At 7:13 Chairman Boisseau moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel and reputation. Selectman Jensen seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed personnel. Chairman Boisseau moved to hire VH for the country club. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 3-0.
The Board discussed reputation items including code enforcement issues. They decided to send letters to address some issues.
At 7:50 Selectman Moritz moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Jensen seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public
session.
The Board discussed the electric agreement.
At 7:50 Chairman Boisseau moved to adjourn. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
