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Home » 06/14/2012 – Minutes

06/14/2012 – Minutes

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BETHLEHEM BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2012

Present: Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Selectman Jerry Blanchard, Selectman Sandy Laleme, Selectman Mike Culver, Chairman David Lovejoy

Chairman Lovejoy opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 6:30 pm.

The Board discussed the Counselor In Training program with Recreation Director Tara Bailey. Tara told the board she does not feel that the program should be discontinued as she feels that its serves a good purpose. She added that the training and experience is a good thing for the town as it allows the kids to work with children, gain some experience and also are available to assist as needed during the summer programs. She stated that she has never made any guarantees that the CIT’s would get jobs with the Rec Program as each hire is based on the best qualified person for the job. She added that the stipend paid the CIT’s is very small and she would be willing to do away with the stipend rather than doing away with the program.

Selectman Fiorentino stated that he wishes to move that the program be discontinued. He
added that the issue he has is not with the stipend being paid but rather that the CIT’s being
trained are not being hired for job vacancies as they become available. As this is the case, he
added that the CIT program is not serving the purpose of what he feels it should be doing, that
is training future counselors for the program. He added that not one new hire this year was a
kid from Town.

Selectman Laleme noted that there is no policy or procedure in place although there is now an
employee handbook as well as job descriptions being processed for the recreation employees.
She added that she feels that this is a valuable program and that the best people for the jobs
are being hired. She stated that the participants in the CIT program are learning valuable job
skills which will serve them in all walks of life.

Selectman Blanchard asked what the expectations are for the participants of the program.

Tara stated that training and screening are the real expectation. She added that every youth
interested is given an opportunity to participate in getting into the program. She added that
she is aware that there are some parents whose children have participated in the CIT program
and not hired for job vacancies are upset that their children have not been hired. She stated
that there may have been an incorrect impression given in the past that these youths would be
automatically hired. This cannot be the case if there are more qualified people applying for the
vacant positions.

Tara stated that there are currently 9 counselors and 5 CITs.

Selectman Fiorentino stated that he still feels that the program is not being used as it was attended. He moved to discontinue the program. Selectman Blanchard seconded the motion for sake of discussion.

Selectman Culver stated that the parents of the youths in the CIT program should sign the same
documentation that the counselor is signing so everyone will be on the same page.

The Chairman called for a vote and the motion failed 1-4.

Future modifications to the program would include better screening and periodic reviews of the
participants.

There was some discussion on how the CIT’s should be handled as they are paid a stipend and
not considered regular employees. Selectman Culver stated that he is concerned that these
positions border on employee status especially as procedures and policies are coming into play.

April will call the Labor Board to get clarification on this matter.

Selectman Blanchard moved to authorize Cheryl Taber to purchase a laptop for the BCC Restaurant in the range of $550-$800. The motion was seconded by Chairman Lovejoy and carried 5-0.

Treasurer Frank Claffey stated that the Restaurant has spent roughly $9,900 of their budget.

Chairman Lovejoy moved to ok the Town Clerk/Tax Collector offices be closed on June 20th so
that Dianne can attend a safe food handling course and Mary can attend some additional training. The motion was seconded by Selectman Culver and carried 5-0.

The board discussed the contract with Unifirst for Town Highway uniforms. There has now been added a no penalty 30 day cancellation clause and the contract is now a two year contract rather than a five year contract. There was no vote on acceptance of this contract at this time.

The Board acknowledged a quote from Tara Bailey for software for the Recreation Department.
The Board will need to get further information from her before they can act on this matter.

Whitney’s has completed temporary repairs to the town building roof and skylight. They have
made suggestions for a more permanent fix. The Board agreed that they should put money in
the budget to get this work done next year.

Selectman Laleme noted that she has received a price from Hebert for 8 flow check valves for a
total of $2,662.35. There is money left in the Pine Tree Penalty fund to cover the cost of this.
Selectman Laleme moved to purchase the valves at the above noted price. The motion was seconded by Selectman Blanchard and carried 5-0.

Selectman Laleme noted that in the process of revamping the administrative office is being reorganized, she would like to have confidentiality agreements signed by employees who are in contact with sensitive information. She handed out draft copies of this agreement.

The Board acknowledged by motion from Selectman Culver and seconded by Selectman Blanchard that they accept $1128.52 from the Judicial Department for the purchase of Police Department Safety Equipment. Treasurer Frank Claffey stated that he had spoken to Police Chief Mike ho-sing-loy about this prior to the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.

On Thursday June 21st, the Selectmen will be meeting with representatives from DRA to discuss assessing procedures. Fred Smith and Allison Purvis will be invited to attend the meeting as well.

Selectman Fiorentino stated that a couple of months ago Cheryl Jensen had come to the Board with a request that Alecia Loveless be appointed as an alternate to the Conservation Commission. Cheryl Jensen noted that they have a full Board at the moment and would welcome any people interested to act as alternates. Selectman Fiorentino moved to appoint Alecia Loveless as an alternate to the conservation Commission to serve a three year term. The motion was seconded by Selectman Blanchard and carried 5-0.

Chairman Lovejoy moved to accept the minutes from June 7, 2012 as amended. The motion was seconded by Selectman Laleme and carried 5-0.

April told the Board that Cheryl Taber had requested permission to put the Country Club Restaurant on facebook. The Board noted that they would prefer that Cheryl use the Town web pagefor announcements for the restaurant.

Cheryl Jensen asked for the status of the town parking plan and was told that the plan is now at the State for review. The plan is approved and adopted will mean the loss of several on-street parking spaces as the parking spaces on intersecting streets will be eliminated.

Selectman Laleme noted that if the town chooses to do nothing and an accident happens at the sites which have been designated as dangerous, the town could be held liable.

The purchase of AED’s was discussed. Selectman Laleme stated that Casella will cover half of the price for the unit at the Town Building. In exchange, his employees will be trained to use the unit which is being purchased by the landfill. Julian Czarny asked if this was the correct use of the funds available for the purchase of these units. Selectman Laleme read the law and criteria and found nothing which would prevent the landfill from participating in obtaining these units.

Rita Farrell stated that she is very alarmed that the Selectmen would want to initiate a Confidentiality Agreement as government should be open and transparent. Rita Farrell asked how the artist rendering of the Dollar General got on the web page. She was told that several people had asked what it look
ed like and in an attempt to show people the Selectmen had asked that it be submitted. It was emphasized once again that the Planning Board is not in receipt of any formal applications from Dollar General.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Sargent , Administrative Assistant

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