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BETHLEHEM BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
BETHLEHEM TOWN BUILDING MEETING ROOM
January 9, 2012
Present: Selectman Alecia Loveless, Vice Chairman Mike Culver, Selectman Jerry Blanchard, Selectman Sandy Laleme
Excused: Chairman David Lovejoy
Vice Chairman Culver opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 6:30 pm.
Don Lavoie, John Stevenson and Alan Jackson, Trustees of the Trust Funds, were in to see the Board in regard to the Cemetery Trust Fund Account. The Trustees are recommending corrective action as
required by the Justice Department to correct the Cemetery Trust funds. Mr. Lavoie handed out an
accounting as well as a cover sheet with recommendations by the Trustees for corrective actions.
Corrective actions will include showing the December 2011 MS-9 to show allocation of withdrawals for flowers at $1,273.79. The interest available to transfer would be $920.42 with the remainder and interest to be repaid from taxes.
If the Selectman agree, the calculated amount to be transferred from the Cemetery Expansion fund
would be $9,153.66 plus interest of $3,042.93 for a total of $12,196.59.
Selectman Laleme moved to go with the recommendation of the Trustees for corrective action to the
Cemetery Trust Funds as presented. The motion was seconded by Selectman Blanchard and carried 4-0.
The Selectmen will prepare a warrant article for $11,425.33 to be raised from taxes to be placed on the ballot. A warrant will be prepared to close the Cemetery Expansion fund and return the balance to the taxpayers. This would be approximately $8,199.46.
Mr. Lavoie stated that it is unclear what the ramifications would be if this corrective action is not taken.
Rita Farrell spoke to the Board about several issues she has regarding the proposed settlement
agreement. She claimed that the settlement agreement is not enforceable. She stated that under Rule 170 this mediation was not forced on the town by the court. She stated that currently the landfill has the capacity to landfill until fiscal year 2016. Ms. Farrell referred to several court judgments which she felt had been decided in the Town’s favor. Ms. Farrell referred to past mediation efforts which were not successful. Mrs. Farrell also noted that in the guarantee form added to the agreement signed by Mr. Casella, only some of the items listed in the agreement were guaranteed.
Bethlehem resident Sonya Clark read a letter of support in reference to the Selectmen’s mediation with the landfill (see copy of letter attached.)
Police Chief Mike Ho-sing-loy asked the Board to accept the speed enforcement grant he has received in the amount of $6,276.
Selectman Lalame moved to accept this grant in the amount of $6,276. The motion was seconded by
Selectman Blanchard and carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme noted that there have been some political signs missing. Chief Ho-sing-loy asked that if anyone has seen someone removing signs that it be reported to the Police Department while it is happening. He added that there is a $1000 fine for vandalism and criminal mischief or theft.
Selectman Laleme moved to send a check for $50 for membership dues to the Amonoosuc River
Advisory Committee. The dues will come out of the Executive Membership Dues budget line. The
motion was seconded by Selectman Loveless and carried 4-0.
The Selectman signed the document from the Department of Safety regarding the fire wardens for the
Town of Bethlehem. This was by motion from Selectman Blanchard and a second from Selectman
Laleme. The motion carried 4-0.
The Board went over the wording of the mailers regarding the Special Meeting vote on the 17th. This will be finalized so that the information can go into the mail.
The Board will meet on Thursday afternoon at 5:00 pm to finalize this.
Treasurer Frank Claffey gave the Board some information on refinancing two of the town loans, the
Remediation Loan and the Town Building Addition Loan.
Selectman Blanchard moved to accept the December 27th minutes. The motion was seconded by
Selectman Laleme and carried 4-0.
Julie Seely read a response to Sonya Clark’s letter. (see copy of Julie’s letter attached). She spoke of her concerns with voting yes on the settlement agreement.
Alan Jackson noted that the Library has stated that they are overheating. The Selectmen stated that they were not aware that there was a heating issue. It is their understanding that the pipes are being insulated.
Jeanne Robillard stated that she had researched the Casella bills and that we are being billed for more than they quoted us. Selectman Culver tried to reply that we are using two containers and the bid was for just one container.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent
Administrative Assistant
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