Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
October 15, 2018
Present: Chairman Moritz, Selectman Moore, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Ubaldo.
Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:00pm
Chairman Moritz explained the process with reviewing the budgets and said if there are no changes or amendments next would be the budget hearing.
FIRE/AMBULANCE/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Chief Anderson came before the Board to discuss his budgets. He explained he looked into the pay rates for firefighters in the area and said Bethlehem is lower than everyone else in the area. He said the base pay for Bethlehem is $7.25 and he has a new payroll structure and based his proposed budget on that. He said he wants the basic pay to be $10.00/hour; level 1 or EMR $12.00/hour; level 2 or EMT $13.00/hour; officers $14.00; assistant chiefs to go from $12.00 to $17.00/hour. He also said they get paid for 1 hour minimum for every call and he would like to change that to 2 hours. The Chief said he also looked into the stipends the area departments give and he would like to keep the assistant chiefs at $1500.00 each in addition to hourly rate and would like to increase the other officer stipends to $500.00. He said he would also like to give a one-time $500.00 bonus when an employee completes an EMR, EMT, or level 1 course. Chairman Moritz asked if it would make sense to phase the increases and use it as incentive to stay. The Chief said he would discuss the new pay structure further with the Board.
The Chief explained the ambulance budget increase is also due to the new salary proposal.
Emergency Management budget stayed the same.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
This budget stayed the same.
BUILDING INSPECTION
Very minor changes.
RECREATION
General fund budget stayed flat except moving some of the salary back from the revolving fund. Tim Fleury explained there is not enough revenue in the revolving to support the full salary in that fund. Chairman Moritz asked if he would be adding programs. Mr. Fleury said he will reduce number of counselors for summer rec. Chairman Moritz asked about the pool numbers. Mr. Fleury said the pool has problems with the seam leaking every year. He said they will put water in this winter to try to help with that. He said the filtering system is good but to fix all the cracks etc. will cost over 6 figures.
Mr. Fleury explained he would be doing a warrant article to change the wording for the comfort station trust fund so that money can be used. He also told the board he is starting a banner program on the fields to bring in more revenue. Mr. Fleury said he has 28 afterschool campers signed up, but they don’t all come every day. He said on average he has between 12 and 22 daily. Chairman Moritz asked for the long-term plan for the pool with the revenue. Chris Jensen asked how many visits to the pool and how many individuals. Mr. Fleury said he can get that info. Chris McGrath said rec is important and suggested promoting it more. Selectman Ubaldo asked that he research director pay in the area.
VISITOR CENTER
Asking for an increase of $13,000 to paint the exterior of the building. There was discussion about the amount to budget for this and the Board decided to budget $8,000 and if they need more they will take it out of town building maintenance fund.
WOOD ASSESSOR
$200.00 increase.
STREET LIGHTS
There was discussion about how there hasn’t been a savings due to the LED lights. It was stated that the rates from Eversource increased but more research will be done.
EXECUTIVE
Increases due to salary and benefits.
WELFARE
This budget was reduced.
ASSESSING
This budget is up due to new software that would need to be purchased.
LEGAL
Bottom line stayed the same but added $3000.00 to Northern Pass and decreased $3000.00 from general legal.
PUBLIC INPUT
Chris McGrath said he doesn’t support raises of 3% because he thinks it is too high.
Mr. McGrath asked what the pet policy is at the town hall and said an employee’s pet growled at his daughter and it should be contained.
He suggested getting cameras for town garage.
He asked if there was a liaison for the transfer station committee and was told there would be an update at the next meeting.
He asked about 91 A laws because he requested a public document 14 days ago and it was not produced. There was discussion about that and emails that went back and forth. He was told the document wasn’t produced because there was a question at the time if it was actually a public document or not. Chairman Moritz said the emails were not productive and suggested a meeting would be more productive to get to a resolution.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 10/01/18. Selectman Moore moved to approve the minutes from 10/01/18. Chairman Moritz seconded. Carried 3-0 (Selectman Boisseau abstained).
The Board reviewed a sign permit request from the Friendship House. Selectman Moore moved to approve the sign permit. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed a liquor approval request for the Dollar General. Selectman Ubaldo moved to approve the request. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed the polling notice for the 11/06/18 election. They signed the notice.
Chairman Moritz said three Selectman have to be here the night of election and mentioned her and Selectman Moore were at the last one. She also mentioned they have to set the room up the day before.
At 7:34pm Chairman Moritz moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel and legal. Selectman Moore seconded. Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed personnel and approved an increase in pay for SD due to a training completion.
At 7:53 Selectman Moore moved to adjourn. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
