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BETHLEHEM BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
BETHLEHEM TOWN BUILDING MEETING ROOM
May 30, 2012
Present: Selectman Mike Culver, Selectman Sandy Laleme, Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Selectman
Gerald Blanchard, Chairman David Lovejoy
Chairman Lovejoy opened the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Selectman Laleme moved to approve the
verbal quote from Whitney’s in the amount of $1,000 for repairs to the skylight in the upper level as well as repairs to the metal roof. The motion was seconded by Selectman Culver and carried 5-0. The work will be done next week. Cheryl will call Whitney’s in the morning and confirm the work to be done.
The Board reviewed a request from Katherine Ferrier for the use of the Meeting Room for a Cultivate
Dance Festival on August 9, 10, 11, and 12. Selectman Laleme moved to honor the request. The motion
was seconded by Chairman Lovejoy and carried 5-0.
Treasurer Frank Claffey presented an authorization form so that he can take out a TAN in the amount of
$200,000. It was noted that the tax bills have gone out and that cash will start coming in soon but that
there are school checks due which will leave us with a deficit if money is not borrowed. The Board
signed the authorization form.
A letter from Paula Ainsworth was read into the record. Mrs. Ainsworth was requesting that the town
purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator for the Country Club. She stated that her husband had
suffered a heart attack at a ski resort.
Mrs. Ainsworth stated that the use of an AED on this occasion saved her husband’s life. Selectman Laleme stated that some time ago she had
a contact at the Emergency Management Services which she had spoken to who could get this equipment for a good price. The defibrillator usually sells for about $1500 each but she thought the town could get them for under a $1000. The Board discussed the need to have this equipment also at the Highway Department as well as the Town Office as the defibrillator in the ambulance is not accessible due to the fire department being secured.
It was noted that the 300 Club had discussed raising money to by this equipment. The Board agreed
that the equipment when purchased should be secured in a box with an alarm so that it will not be
vandalized or tampered with.
The Board will be establishing a policy which will state that an ambulance must be called in the case of an emergency. The injured or ill person will have to sign off if he/she does not want the ambulance.
Police Chief Ho-sing-loy has submitted a draft Dog Ordinance for the Board’s review. The Board will
review and get back to Chief Ho-sing-loy with comments.
Chairman David Lovejoy read his letter of resignation effective for the end of June. He explained that
family commitments have resulted in his decision to leave the Board. He asked the Board if they would
like him to stay on until June 30th or vacate the position so that someone
can be appointed.
Selectman Laleme moved to have David stay on until June 30th. The motion was seconded by Selectman
Fiorentino and carried 4-0-1.The Board will accept letters of interest for the vacancy and would be
happy to meet with anyone interested.
Chairman Lovejoy brought the Board up to date on the status of the conservation easemen
t. He noted that Ammonoosuc Trust wants an additional $11,000 to proceed with the deed. Ammonoosuc
Conservation Trust is reluctant to take over the easement because the use of the property now is
unclear. If DES allows us there is the possibility that the Town could take over the easement
themselves. It is unclear as to what would happen to the money that we have already paid
Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust.
The Board discussed the plan received from Purvis Associates to correct deficiencies as identified by the Department of Revenue Administration. A copy of the plan will be sent to DRA by certified mail and a copy of the plan will be pdf’d to the Selectmen for their review.
Selectman Laleme noted that Jack Anderson has received a quote from Central Paving in Jefferson to
pave the Town’s portion of the parking lot. She asked if the Town could get the work done using funds
from the $93,000 Capital Reserve. The amount of the paving quote from Central Paving is $13,500.
Treasurer Frank Claffey stated that because of the way the warrant article is written, stating
“maintenance of roads”, the funds could not be used for a parking lot. Mr. Claffey suggested that LGC
be called to get clarification of this.
Selectman Fiorentino asked if it would be possible to pave the parking lot out of the Highway
Department’s paving line item and use some of the Capital Reserve for road maintenance. Again, this
will be clarified by LGC.
Selectman Laleme presented a letter of appreciation she had drafted up top send the all of the fire
departments who assisted in the Cedarcroft fire emergency. The Selectmen signed the letter.
There was some discussion regarding two pine trees on Pleasant Street which are in danger of falling on private property. Bill and Louise Simms have requested that the trees be taken down as they are in the
town right of way. At this time, it was not clear who would pay for the removal of the trees. Selectman
Laleme will call the Simms to clarify this.
Selectman Laleme told the Board she had met with Cheryl and April to formulate an organizational plan
for the Administrative office. According to the proposed plan, the Board would advertise two part-
time positions. This will be finalized when the Board has met with Dianne to get everything clarified.
Recreation Department handbooks were distributed for the Board’s review.
Selectman Blanchard stated that unfortunately if BCC went ahead and purchased the equipment
proposed last week, the budget for this line item would be over expended by $2400. Treasurer Frank
Claffey has worked up the interest rates and found that the town would be paying between 8% 11% in
interest. The Board needs to find a better way of financing.
Clare Brown asked the Board what the procedure would be for making purchases for the work at the
pool. She noted that there will bepurchases that they need to make such as 4 x 8 for the forms. She
was advised to get a list of the materials they will need to purchase and submit it to the board. She will also bring in a close estimate as to the cost of these purchases.
The Board will hold a public hearing on June 21stto accept and expend the money donated toward the
pool project.
At this point, the Board went into non-public session (see separate minutes.)
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent, Administrative Assistant
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