Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2019
Present: Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moore, Selectman Moritz, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen.
Chairman Boisseau opened the meeting at 5:30 pm and moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel. Selectman Caplain seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed country club personnel.
At 6:00 pm Chairman Boisseau moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Moritz seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public.
At 6:04 the public session of the meeting was opened.
Jay Redford came before the Board to discuss road signs. He explained the roads in the development he lives in are not properly signed. He said the roads go from Cedar Drive to Spruce Road to Ridge Road. He said he would like roads marked the way they should be. Gillian Scrima said she looked into the sign issue and talked with an attorney. She said the roads are part of an association and Spruce Road was supposed to be finished. She said there was $7000.00 in escrow to finish it, but they don’t know where that money is. She explained the attorney is looking into it. Ms. Scrima said it was discussed at a Planning Board meeting in 1978. She also said it should be done correctly. Brett Jackson, Road Agent said he doesn’t know the history of it and suggested Jimmy Derrington may know more. Chairman Boisseau said he is not sure what the town can do. Ms. Scrima said Sveda who was president of the association never intended on it being a town road. Mr. Redford said he has lived there for 10 years and there isn’t an association. Chairman Boisseau said it is outside of the Board’s purview. Mr. Redford said they need signs for Cedar Drive, Spruce Road and Ridge Road. Chairman Boisseau said he doesn’t know how signage works on private roads but will contact NHMA.
Paul Greenlaw came before the Board to give an update on Bethlehem Reimagined. He said they received their 501c3 non-profit status. He also said they submitted a USDA grant application and explained they will use that to hire someone to investigate shared office/working space here and said 8-10 people have expressed interest in that. Eric Raichle said they make decision on grant by the end of June.
Brett Jackson came before the Board to discuss purchasing a highway truck. He said he would be replacing a 2001 truck and said he won’t see much of a trade value. He told the Board he wants to get a 4-ton. He explained you can drive it with an operator’s license, and this would be used to plow in town. Mr. Jackson said it is a 4WD Freightliner with a live dump body. He said the cost is $156,000 which includes the outfitting (Viking). He said it could haul the hotbox and said it is a medium duty truck. Mr. Jackson said they won’t see it until next year and they pay for it when they receive it. He also told the Board that he won’t be asking for $80,000 next year for a warrant article. He stated the truck will be paid for out of the Capital Reserve fund. There was discussion about an extended warranty and Mr. Jackson will get more information on extended warranties. Selectman Moritz moved to go forward with the truck. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
Martie Cook told the Board that she is working with Evangeline Gauvin from the elementary school and Terry Martin to make some community gardens. She said some exists, but they are in horrible shape. She said the school provides food for 11 families through the swan program and she wants to provide them with fresh veggies and also for the food pantry and community dinner. She explained they want to do 16 raised beds 8×4 12 inches deep. She told the Board where they are located now is shady and wet so they would like to move the location. She said the north side of the gazebo or near ballfields would work. She said she prefers the gazebo spot and said they are ready to start. Ms. Cook said they have supplies from local vendors. She said they need $100.00 for each bed for seeds, lumber and hardware. She explained the seeds will be started at the school and the greenhouse at NCES. Selectman Moore said she isn’t sure about moving the beds to the gazebo site because of the concerts. Ms. Cook said she needs a half acre, 8 hours of sun and water access. Selectman Moritz said they did not budget funds for this. Ms. Cook asked if they can solicit for donations on behalf of the town and Selectman Moritz said next year, they could budget for it to plan for it and asked if they asked the school to fund it. Ms. Cook said no because it is a community project. Selectman Moritz said she would help look for options on where to put it. Selectman Moore said she would also help. There was discussion about maintaining it. Selectman Moritz moved to support the community garden with no money and spot to be determined. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0. Dann said going to the govt for this means taxpayers will pay for it. He said if people really want to do it, they can do it on their own land. Chairman Boisseau said some people don’t have access to land. Selectman Jensen said some people don’t know how to garden. Chairman Boisseau said it is being privately funded.
Selectman Moore said the Board needs to decide if they want to have the Visitor Center painting bid include lead paint remediation or not. She explained to the Board legally they don’t have to do the remediation but doesn’t know the price difference. Selectman Moritz said with the water right there they should do it and also said they should put in the bid request that the money has been raised. The Board discussed that they budgeted $8000.00 for the painting but if it is more, they will pay for it out of building maintenance. Selectman Moritz moved to go forward with the bid for painting the Visitor Center. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board also discussed placing the building onto the historical registry. Selectman Caplain asked what the benefits are. Clare Brown said there is a historical district plan because of the culvert project and was designated that it could be a historical building. She said they have been working on it for 8 months and said it is approved until April 29th and if the Board signs it by then it will be put on the registry. She said it is one of the oldest buildings in Bethlehem. Mrs. Brown said she doesn’t see a downside and said they can apply for grants if it is on historical registry. Selectman Moore moved to approve the Visitor Center being added to the NH historical registry. Selectman Moritz seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board discussed a request from the energy commission to appoint a liaison and a new committee member. The Board agreed Selectman Caplain will be the liaison. Selectman Moore moved to appoint Mary Lou Krambeer to the Energy Commission. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Moritz said there is an appointment on Thursday at the country club for a potential lessor/buyer from Colorado.
Selectman Moritz told the Board the Conservation Commission is applying for a $4000.00 trail grant and they are looking for a letter of support from the Select Board. She said the trail will be in the town forest. Selectman Moritz moved to send letter of support. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 04/01/19. Selectman Moore moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Jensen asked the Board if the Transfer Station Committee can get together with the Littleton folks to discuss their options. The Board agreed the committee can do that.
Selectman Jensen said he would like to include in the newsletter town events and activities and the Board agreed.
At 7:26 Chairman Boisseau moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel and reputation. Selectman Moore seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session. Dann objected to the non-public session.
Mary Jackson reviewed the tax liens and deed waiver list with the Board. Selectman Moritz moved to sign the deed waiver. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Moore moved to approve CC hires and approve raises retro to April 1st. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Moore moved to approve pay increase for fire employee (BN). Selectman Moritz seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Jensen had to leave.
Selectman Moritz moved to accept proposed payment plan for 2016 tax year. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Moore moved to approve abatements for 422/006/001, 406/039/099 due to state education tax. Selectman Moritz seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Caplain moved to adjourn. Selectman Moritz seconded. Carried 4-0.
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
