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01/28/2013 – Minutes

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Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
Bethlehem Town Building Meeting Room
Jaunuary 28, 2013

Present: Chairman Jerry Blanchard, Selectman Sandy Laleme, Selectman Martin Glavac, Selectman Mark Fiorentino.

At 6:31 Chairman Blanhard opened the meeting.

Chairman Blanchard read the request for reappointments to the Conservation Commission for Cheryl and Chris Jensen. Chairman Blanchard moved to accept the recommendations. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0.

Chairman Blanchard reviewed the energy quotes. The two quotes had different usage amounts they were quoting on so the board would like more information before they determine which company to go with.

Chairman Blanchard said we have the streetlight inventory that had been requested. Julian Czarny asked if someone went and did a physical inventory. Chairman Blanchard said the inventory came from PSNH.

Chairman Blanchard reviewed another price quote for a chair caddy for $174.87 with free shipping. Selectman Laleme moved to purchase the caddy for $174.87. Selectman Glavec seconded. Selectman Laleme said Kevin will be able to fix the broken bench that the chairs are currently on. Carried 4-0.

Chairman Blanchard read a letter from Jan Kook expressing interest in filling an open Trustee of the Trust Fund position. It was noted the term will be up in March so she will have to sign up to run. Chairman Blanchard moved to appoint Jan Kotok as a Trustee of the Trust Fund. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 4-0.

The Board discussed the status of the highway uniforms. The old company was given a termination date on when the Town wants to end their service. The Board signed the Contract with the new company, G&K, with effective date of 01/28/13.

The Board signed property transfer documents. Rita Farrell asked if the documents are from the properties that were deeded. Chairman Blanchard summarized that the Board did what they could from notify propery owners, waiving penalties and being open to realistic payment plans. Chairman Blanchard said the payment plan had to be sufficient to make sense to all tax payers.

There was discussion about auctioning off the property. Selectman Laleme reiterated that it was close to a million dollars including interest that was owed in back taxes. Rita Farrell asked about the list showing how it came to total almost a million dollars. Chairman Blanchard told Rita she could see Mary Jackson for that information.

There was discussion about how if the property is sold the Town only keeps what is owed with the remainder going to the taxpayer.

The Board reviewed the addendums for the contract with KRT. One is for the evaluation of the poles and conduit and the other is for general assessing. The Board signed the addendums.

The Board reviewed Attestations they needed to sign for the NH Retirement Audit. The Board signed the Attestations for Jack Anderson and Rhienna Miscio.

Rita Farrell asked the Board what the Select Board’s role in Planning/Zoning issues. She asked when do you call on Town Counsel or do you call LGC first. Chairman Blanchard said it depends on the gravity of the situation. Rita asked specifically about the petitioned warrant article addressing Formula stores. Chairman Blanchard said Pat Doughty, Chairman of the Planning Board, decided to go to the Town’s attorney Brenda Keith on that issue.

Rita Farrell asked what the mentioned $25,000.00 in legal fee for Conservation Trust was for and why the Town had to pay for that. Frank Claffey told her the Conservation Trust expense was just a portion of the $25,000.00 and that it was for our attorney fees for the Trust for the land on 116 and the Town Garage.

The Board reviewed the minutes from January 14, 2013. Chairman Blanchard moved to approve the minutes from 01/14/13. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.

Julian Czarny said from the Budget Hearing the newspaper said the budget was down from previous years. He said the cost of the Revaluation is mandatory so he thinks it should be in Warrant Article number 4 as part of the operating budget instead of having a separate warrant article for it. Julian said he feels that it implies that people have a choice and it makes the proposed operating budget look lower than last years.

Chairman Blanchard said the Board made the decision to put in a separate warrant article after getting advice and input the DRA. The DRA always recommends to Town’s in this situation to do a separate warrant article. Chairman Blanchard also said the Board has said throughout this whole process that the Town does not have a choice in this and that they wanted it to be transparent and feel having it in a separate warrant article is being transparent. Chairman Blanchard said it is unfortunate that the Town is in this situation but feels the Board is doing the right thing to rectify it.

Dick Robie asked what was going to be on the cover of the Town report this year. He suggested a picture of the Maplehurst Hotel with a history of the hotel on the inside cover.

Selectman Laleme said the inmates would be back the week of Feb. 11th to finish painting the foyer and hallway. She said Kevin did the basement level. The Heritage sociecty offered to bring in paintings to hang in the Town Building.

Rita Farrell asked what the plan is for the library space once they move out. Selectman Laleme siad the plan is to have that space become the Administrative Office.

Chairman Blanchard said the Board has talked to the Town’s attorney about the assessing situation with the former company but cannot speak anymore on that at this time.

At 7:33 Chairman Blanchard moved to go into non-public session per 91A for matters of personnel and reputation. Selectman Laleme seconded. Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.

At 8:00pm Chairman Blanchard moved to adjourn. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,

April Hibberd

Administrative Assistant

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