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03/05/2018 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2018

Present:  Chairman Moritz, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Moore, Selectman Glavac, Selectman Ubaldo.

Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.

The Board discussed a decorative pole attachment agreement with Eversource for the flags that “Bethlehem Events” puts up.  The Board noted the agreement says PSNH instead of Eversource.  The Board discussed that Angel Larcom’s group (Bethlehem Events) will be responsible for the flags.  Selectman Glavac said they should have an agreement with Angel.  There was discussion about the highway department not being the ones to hang the flags up.  Selectman Ubaldo said he doesn’t believe we should assign it to someone else when our name is on the agreement.  Chairman Moritz said the rep from Eversource will be asked to change it to Eversource on the agreement and to add the 3rd party to it.

The Board discussed the flag pole.  Chairman Moritz said the donated pole has costs that may be more than purchasing a new one.  She said they are still working on that, but it will be done by summer.

Chairman Moritz said she would like to put an ad in the paper that the 2018 season for the Bethlehem Country Club will not be affected.  The Board agreed to place the ad.

Chairman Moritz said they received an abatement from NCES and will pick a date for a meeting to discuss that and make a decision and recommended 04/16/18.  Selectman Glavac said he is not sure if that is enough time because it hasn’t gone through any process yet.  Chairman Moritz said they were notified in July and then again on Sept. 25th.  She said it gives the attorney a month.  Mike Culver asked the Board if they prepared since July, if they received the numbers they requested from NCES.  Chairman Moritz said they talked with their attorney and said she doesn’t have any other info.

PUBLIC INPUT

Dann told the Board about a right to know class that will be held in Littleton and will be open to all town officials and anyone in town.  He said it will be on 03/15/18 at Littleton Regional Hospital.  Dann also asked the Board what could be done besides meeting in the town meeting room for big meetings like the deliberative.  He suggested the Eagles or Elks and to ask them if they would lend us their room.  Chairman Moritz said that is a possibility or also Profile School.
Chris McGrath said he wouldn’t want tax payer dollars used on putting the decorative flags up or down.

Selectman Boisseau gave an update on the trail development that Bethlehem Trails Assoc. is looking to do.  He said they are interested in using town property for trail development and are looking for areas to develop trails.  He explained they would be non-motorized rec trails on town and private land.  He said they are looking at town land by the ballpark.  Selectman Boisseau said it is 63.1 acres of forested land.  He asked the Board if it was ok to flag and build trails on that.  He said he will talk with the Conservation Commission about the town forest property.  He also explained that the trails have economic and social benefits and there will be no town funding needed.  Chairman Moritz asked who is liable if someone is injured.  Selectman Boisseau said as long as you don’t charge a fee for use you are not liable.  Selectman Glavac asked if he had a detailed map of the trails and was told not yet, they will flag first.  Selectman Glavac said he supports it.  Selectman Ubaldo said there are existing snowmobile trails and said his trails would be excluding people (motorized use) on town property.  Selectman Boisseau said it is the same with Kingdom Trails, they are also non-motorized.  He also said he doesn’t feel it is excluding and said they wouldn’t allow motorized vehicles on the ballfield.  Selectman Glavac said they are adding trails with a different use and they will still have snowmobile trails.  Mike Bruno said he thinks it is a good idea and the Master Plan talks about enhancing and improving.  He suggested there be a public hearing because it is town land.  Selectman Glavac suggested if the time is right to flag to go ahead with that then they can have the public hearing after.  Selectman Ubaldo talked about HB192 about funding for road access for ATV because of economic benefit of ATV’s.  David Rodrigues said he appreciates these ideas.  He suggested having specific parking areas for snowmobiles and put signs up.  Selectman Boisseau said they are in the exploratory phase and need to find property owners agreeable to trails on their property.  He also said there is a strong volunteer ethic in that community and the trails are built different than hiking trails but can be used for running and cross-country skiing.

Selectman Ubaldo said Fire Chief Anderson has requested permission to purchase fire hoses.  He said the hoses have a 10-year life span.  The amount for the hoses is $5,220.00 and he said the money in his budget.  Dann asked what they do with the old hose and Selectman Ubaldo told him he thinks they donate them.  Chairman Moritz moved to approve the Chief’s recommendation of fire hoses.  Selectman Boisseau seconded.  Carried 5-0.

The Board discussed the unused furniture in the back of the room and who they could donate it to.  There was discussion about donating to the Christian School and the Woodland school.  It was noted that we looked into consigning them, but the items were not wanted.  There were recommendations to auction them, put them on website, north country market place on Facebook and bring to the swap shop.  Chairman Moritz said she would contact Jim Martin at the swap shop.

Chairman Moritz said the auctioneer confirmed the date of August 25, 2018 for the next property auction.

The Board reviewed the minutes from 02/26/18.  Chairman Moritz moved to approve the minutes.  Selectman Moore seconded.  Carried 3-0 (Selectmen Glavac and Ubaldo abstained).
Carol Kerivan asked if the properties to be deeded had a lot of title issues.  Chairman Moritz said a lot of the properties were taking care of, but the auctioneer said some of that is not necessary because the municipality should not pay that cost.  It was noted the auctioneer does a disclosure.

At 6:50 Chairman Moritz moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91 A:3 II for matters of personnel and legal.  Selectman Boisseau seconded.  Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.  Dann objected to the non-public session.

The Board discussed personnel.
Selectman Moore moved to hire Joshua Sulham for the Fire Dept., at $7.25/hour.  Selectman Glavac seconded.  Carried 5-0.

At 8:00 Selectman Moore moved to come out of non-public session.  Selectman Glavac seconded.  Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public session.

At 8:00 Selectman Boisseau moved to adjourn.  Selectman Glavac seconded.  Carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant