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Home » 01/13/2014 – Minutes

01/13/2014 – Minutes

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AGENDAS & MINUTES
TOWN REPORT
WHERE IS BETHLEHEM?
BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY
PROFILE SCHOOL
BETHLEHEM RECREATION
WHO IS MY LEGISLATOR?
PUBLIC LIBRARY
HERITAGE SOCIETY
VISITOR CENTER
COUNTRY CLUB

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Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
Bethlehem Selectmen Office
January 13, 2014

Present: Chairman Blanchard, Selectman Culver, Selectman Laleme, and Selectman Glavac.

At 6:10 Chairman Blanchard opened the meeting.

Chairman Blanchard announced that legal advice had been obtained about delaying the sale of one of the properties due to be sold at the Feb. 24th sale and that it is ok to postpone the sale until April.

Rhienna Miscio came before the Board to get permission to have a couple of fundraisers for the
Recreation Department. The first fundraiser she would like to have is a clothing swap in February. All
leftover clothes will be given to Honduras Hope which takes the clothes to Honduras for children and adults. The second fundraiser is a touch the truck event on May 23rd at the ball field. The Board
discussed whether or not Rhienna even needs Board approval to have fundraisers. They discussed how they would need to accept the money and it is nice to know about them. Selectman Laleme moved to approve the two fundraisers. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.

The pool committee (Dick Robie, Bud Miller, Dan Inghram, Clare Brown, Mr. Wheeler) and John Starr came before the Board to discuss the pool budget. Mr. Robie said he heard the figures at the last Selectmen’s meeting and believes the amount in the budget is way too high. Selectman Laleme gave examples from old Town Reports on what was budgeted for the pool. She pointed out what is being budgeted for salaries are very similar to what they were in the past. Selectman Laleme said overall the proposed pool budget is $20,000.00 higher than what it was 10 years ago and explained that is partly due to needing the chemicals tested and monitored. She said 10 years ago that lifeguards did that. Mr. Robie said he would like the pool committee involved with creating the pool budget. Mr. Robie said he is also concerned with the warrant article for the $18,500.00 for ADA compliance. He said he doesn’t think the bathhouse needs to be rehabbed and he doesn’t believe the warrant article will pass. Chairman Blanchard pointed out that the Board made the vote based on John Starr’s quote. Clare Brown asked if the $18,500.00 would address all ADA issues. She was told there were other ADA issues including the ramp. Mr. Starr said it could be done cheaper if volunteers some of the labor. Selectman Culver said it needs to be done before the pool opens so it is not a liability for the Town. Selectman Laleme said she feels it can be explained why the $18,500.00 is needed for ADA compliance. Selectman Laleme said she would be concerned with taking anything out of the operating budget because if something happens there wouldn’t be any money anywhere else to take from. Chairman Blanchard asked Mr. Robie if he had a specific concern with the budget. Mr. Robie said he is concerned with the warrant article and that it would cost $1000.00 a day to run the pool. Rhienna Miscio asked the committee if they would be able to tell her by May 3rd if the pool was on track to open on June 14th so she would be able to start the process of advertising and interviewing lifeguards. There was discussion about this date and it was determined that the committee should know by then if they were on schedule to open on June 14th. Bud Miller asked if the warrant article could be worded to say up to 18,500.00. Selectman Laleme asked the committee about the funds in escrow that was raised from fundraising. Mrs. Brown said there is $10,000.00 in that account and that may be needed for chlorinator or other expenses. There was discussion about whether to make the warrant article state that it is just for the bathhouse ADA work. Selectman Culver said the overall recreation budget is down so some of the additional amount for the pool is absorbed into that so the overall increase to the recreation budget isn’t the whole 63,000.00 that it will take to run the pool.

The Board discussed a request to pre-buy stamps for the year which would be a $150.00 savings. Selectman Laleme moved to buy the stamps. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.

The Board discussed the fire dept. roof leaking and discussed creating a warrant article to have the roof
replaced. Selectman Laleme moved to put on a warrant article for up to $29,500.00 for fire dept. roof.
Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.

The Board discussed the lots Mr. Lucas purchased from the town sale. Chairman Blanchard moved that pursuant to RSA 231:51, that the Board releases from public servitude Eastman Street, approved prior to 1925 via a plan on record in the Grafton County Registry of Deeds in Book 588, page 7, but never opened, built, or used for public travel within the last 20 years. This never-built road abuts the following tax lots: Tax Map 205, Lots 34, 36 and 38. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0.

Chairman Blanchard moved that pursuant to RSA 231:51, that the Board releases from public servitude that part of Doris Road, approved prior to 1925 via a plan on record in the Grafton County Registry of Deeds in Book 588, page 7, but never opened, built, or used for public travel within the last 20 years. This never-built road abuts the following tax lots: Tax Map 205, Lots 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40.
Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.

Chairman Blanchard moved to reimburse Mr. Lucas for all monies that he paid for the 2 lots. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4 -0.

The Board discussed the earned time policy but decided to review this after budget season.

The Board discussed a quote and agreement with Fairpoint for all of our phone lines. This agreement would save the Town over $200.00 a month. Selectman Culver moved to enter into a 3 year agreement with Fairpoint for all 19 phone lines. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.

Chairman Blanchard and Selectman Laleme met with the school board to discuss giving the school a portion of the Cedarcroft property. They said the school board is more than pleased with the plan and said they would look at what they need and how it could be accessed.

The Board reviewed the default budget. Selectman Culver said he disagrees with adding $30,000.00 to the library’s default budget. Frank Claffey questioned why the country club default budget is more than the proposed budget. Selectman Laleme explained that is based on last year’s budget. Chairman Blanchard moved to accept the default budget of 2,711,133.00. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.

The Board reviewed the minutes from 01/06/14. Chairman Blanchard moved to approve the minutes as written. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.

The Board reviewed three tax collector deeds for 2 properties on Main Street and one on Beech Hill Road. Selectman Culver moved to deed all three properties. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Selectman Laleme said the Town’s attorney said they were legally clear to deed. Carried 4-0.

The Board reviewed and signed the Fire Mutual Aid agreement.

The Board reviewed the Easement for route 116. They will review in more detail at a later time and sign. Chief Ho-Sing-Loy came before the Board to discuss his budget. He explained the advantage to having the extra officer to reduce the need for excessive overtime hours. There was discussion about the cost of training the part-time officers and then having them leave for a full-time position. Selectman Laleme said she doesn’t think the town of Bethlehem needs a 7th officer and we need to think of the taxpayers.
Selectman Culver said it is a difference in the budget of $14,000.00 and minimal tax impact. Carried 3-1
(Selectman Laleme opposed).

Chairman Blanchard moved to go into 91a for matters of personnel. Selectman Culver seconded. Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.

The Board discussed personnel. Chairman Blanchard moved that all employees’ fire or other be part of a drug pool per CDL requirements. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.

At 8:40 Chairman Blanchard moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried
4-0.

The Board discussed the upcoming town property sale on Feb. 24th. Selectman Laleme moved to delay the sale until April 14, 2014. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.

At 8:50 Chairman Blanchard moved to adjourn. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,

April Hibberd

Administrative Assistant

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