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11/05/2018 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

November 5, 2018

 

Present: Chairman Moritz, Selectman Moore, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Glavac.

 

Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:00pm.

 

Chairman Moritz said they will discuss questions about the Ahead project and whether they should have started the project or not. She said advice was obtained from NHMA and that due diligence was done looking into the questions.  She thanked Pat Doughty, Dave Wiley, Deb Bayley, Linda Moore and others for all the work they did looking into it.  She said DOT halted the project and said it didn’t have anything to do with the town and wasn’t the towns job to halt it.  She also said there could be a process implementation going forward to address situations like this.  Selectman Glavac said the question was about the site work at the driveway of the Ahead site and the building inspector looked into it and reported that permits were not required and that he was okay with what they were doing.  Selectman Moore said her, and Deb Bayley talked with NHMA and they said it was on DOT to stop the project not the town.  Mr. Doughty asked why the applicant is allowed to start construction when there are site plan approvals with conditions not met.  Selectman Moore said there were no time parameters on the permits (conditions).  There was discussion about there not being a clear indicator of what constitutes a project starting; shovel in ground; excavation work etc. The attorney at NHMA said it is not defined.  Chris McGrath said there is no foundation done so project wasn’t started.  Andrea Bryant said it is important to clarify going forward and said Planning approval is contingent on ZBA approval.  Chairman Moritz said at the point of building permit application is when it gets caught.  Selectman Glavac said they put an access gate to the site and there is no violation from the town right now.  Chairman Moritz said it could be an opportunity for each Board to look at the process and make it more efficient and share legal advice etc. if they are able, to save duplication.  She said it would be an easier process for the applicant.  Mr. Doughty asked if the Special Exception hearing on the 20th is a new Special Exception or an extension.  Mrs. Bayley said it was an extension, but she has talked with applicant about the possibility of switching it.  She said legal advice was they only needed an extension.  Selectman Glavac asked what the question for the Select Board is.  He said it is whether or not Ahead is in violation and they are not so ZBA should give updates on zoning issues.  Mike Claflin from Ahead said he commends Board about looking at the process.  He said he works closely with town officials and it has been confusing because of the way it’s been going forward.

 

The Board discussed the tax rate setting. Selectman Moore said she is in favor of not using money to offset the tax rate.  Chairman Moritz said the proposed 2019 budget is higher than this year and used an estimate of $350,000 for warrant articles to project next year’s impact.  She said she feels they will feel an impact like 2 years ago next year and will agree to use money to offset if they reduce that amount from the budget or from warrant articles.  Selectman Glavac said 0 is the least you can use and $450,000 is the most so the compromise is between that.  He said $200,000 is reasonable and that will still be adding $241,000 to the fund.  He also said they would have $600,000 to offset next year. Chairman Moritz asked Selectman Glavac if he would be willing to reduce the budget by that amount.  Selectman Glavac said they could look at warrant articles and look at budget and if they don’t need it he would do that but he doesn’t think they can do that.  Chairman Moritz said the tax rate is naturally coming in flat (down slightly) this year so why not save it for next year when we need it.  Selectman Glavac said we can do both and that is what we have done for the last 5 years.  Mr. McGrath said the building permits show there is new growth when the tax rate is lower.  Selectman Glavac moved to use $200,000 to offset the tax rate (making the tax rate $25.97).  Selectman Moore seconded.  Carried 4-0.

Chris Jensen asked if most people whose value went up the average in the update will see a reduction. Chairman Moritz said most people will see a reduction.  Selectman Glavac said the balance of the unassigned fund has been increasing since 2013; $393,268 in 2013; $417,300 in 2014; $527,023 in 2015; $797,629 in 2016; $895,405 in 2017 and now $1,136,785 in 2018.  He said they have been adding to it every year and is now at 13.51% and maximum they can have in it is 18%.  Cheryl Jensen said the town has been adding to the balance but asked how much has been used to offset the tax rate each of those years.  Selectman Glavac told her $345,000 in 2013; $294,000 in 2014; $350,000 in 2015; $300,000 in 2016; $200,000 in 2017 and $200,000 in 2018.  Chairman Moritz said people look at high tax rate, but they also look at fluctuating tax rate.  Selectman Boisseau asked how they look at reducing the budget and said the wages are the biggest increase and said two years in a row they have given 3% raises and wondered what the plan is for 2020.  He asked if we are now competitive with surrounding towns.

 

PUBLIC INPUT

It was noted the flag light can’t be solar because it won’t last all night.

 

The Board discussed election day and the new ballot counter. Chairman Moritz said the representative from the counter company will be here.

Dick Robie said he has been a ballot counter for many years and has always been in awe at how well it went. He said a year ago they stayed late, and people grumbled but said they ran for that office.

Chairman Moritz said 117 other towns have these counters but also sees the benefit of camaraderie. She pointed out the counters are not linked to the internet and there are systems in place to prevent fraudulent activity.  She said they need 3 Selectmen at the poll’s tomorrow night.  Chairman Moritz, Selectman Moore and Selectman Boisseau said they would be there.  Selectman Glavac will come when he can.

 

The Board reviewed the minutes from 10/29/2018. Selectman Moore moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Boisseau seconded.  Carried 4-0.

 

The Board reviewed grant paperwork to obtain a grant to update the hazard mitigation plan.

 

The Board discussed a request to let vendors and crafters use the meeting room for x-mas in Bethlehem to sell items. The Board discussed how they allow non-profits to use the meeting room but do not allow the use for profits.  The Board all agreed the room could not be used for that.

 

At 6:56 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.

 

The Board discussed a litigation issue.

 

At 7:22 Chairman Moritz moved to adjourn. Selectman Moore seconded.  Carried 4-0.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

April Hibberd

Administrative Assistant