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Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
Bethlehem Town Building Meeting Room
April 8, 2013
Present: Chairman Blanchard, Selectman Fiorentino, Selectman Laleme, Selectman Glavac, Selectmen Culver.
Chairman Blanchard opened the meeting at 6:30.
Bill Symonds came before the Board to discuss the proposed noise ordinance. He asked for the Board’s input. Selectman Laleme said she thinks it is too involved and more restrictive than it ought to be. Selectman Glavac said he agrees with Selectman Laleme.
Chief Ho-Sing-Loy said they have to investigate every complaint and need to rely on neighbors because they are the ones that hear the noise. The Chief said they receive quite a few complaints from a certain neighborhood. The Ordinance would give the police dept. more ability to enforce. The Chief said they have to have 2 public hearings for an ordinance before it can be passed. Chairman Blanchard said he agrees with Selectmen Laleme and Glavac. Selectman Laleme said it (noise) depends on individual tolerances and that it is too subjective. Chairman Blanchard said the Board will review the Ordinance and set a public hearing in 3 weeks. Bill said the Board could call him if they have any questions. Jarod Ryan asked if there are laws about having unregistered vehicles in a yard. He said this vehicle is not roadworthy but is being revved up and emitting unhealthy smoke. Selectmen Laleme suggested he contact our Health Officer.
Selectman Fiorentino said he has reservations about the Ordinance because of individual tolerances. Chief Ho-Sing-Loy said this is just suggested and the Board can make changes to it. The Chief said he looked at surrounding communities ordinances to get his information.
Mr. Uncles and Mr. Woolsey came before the Board regarding the offer made by Mr. Uncles to repurchase his property. Mr. Uncles is proposing to pay all taxes due excluding any interest and penalty fees. Chairman Blanchard said the Board has not waived interest in the past but have waived the penalty fee. The amount of taxes plus interest due is $60,403.01. Chairman Blanchard said the Board would be waiving $18,595.00 in penalty fees. Mr. Woolsey said there are extenuating circumstances in Mr. Uncles case. He was told that it is the landowner’s responsibility to provide correct address. Mr. Woolsey said the tax collector at the time should have tried to find the correct address after notices were returned for over 10 years. Selectman Culver said there are a lot of homes in the community and the Board has the responsibility to all the taxpayers.
Selectman Fiorentino asked Mary if all the notices came back. Mary said all the certified notices came back but not the tax bills. Selectman Glavac asked Mr. Uncles if he can prove that the address is not vali
d. Mr. Uncles said his brother said he never received the bills either. Selectman Culver said to be fair to other taxpayers they need to pay the interest on the amount owed. Selectman Laleme said property is supposed to be deeded after 3 years and it never was so she thinks we should take the amount of the taxes and set up a payment plan for the interest. Mr. Woolsey said Mr. Uncles doesn’t have any income to support a payment plan, he said he has just enough to pay the taxes from money he received from his mother’s death. Mr. Woolsey said the house doesn’t have heat or running water. Selectman Culver said the Board will check with Legal to see how much leeway the Board has.
Roland Shick came before the Board about repurchasing his property. He said he will be bringing the Town a check on Tuesday for taxes, interest and insurance on the Main Street property and will bring a check by Friday for the other property. Selectman Laleme moved to accept figures as presented. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 5-0.
Mary talked to the Board about an abatement and refund for someone who was double billed and property had a lien placed on it due to the double billing. The homeowner paid the amount to get rid of the lien but is now due a refund and abatement. Chairman Blanchard moved to accept the proposal for abatement and refund. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 5-0.
Brett came to the Board to request approval to purchase a highway truck. This purchase would replace a 1996 Ford L8000. He told the Board that the trade in he would get would be $4000.00 but he said the truck is worth more than that. Brett said he would like to sell the truck by bid with a lowest bid amount of $6000.00 to cover the cost of the ext. warranty on the new truck. Chairman Blanchard moved to accept the proposal from Brett on purchasing the new highway truck for $78757.00 from Freightliner and to sell old truck to cover cost of warranty. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 5-0.
Chairman Blanchard read a letter from Dept. of Envir. Services to Casella about Soil Vapor sampling reports.
Chairman Blanchard read an email from NH dept. of Health and Human Services about nominating a Health Officer. They attached a nomination form and April will contact Stan to confirm that he would like to remain the Health Officer.
Chairman Blanchard read an email he received about the Northern Pass.
Chairman Blanchard mentioned an email received from Dept. of Env. Services about groundwater monitoring. April will scan and email to the Board so they can read it.
Chairman Blanchard said he had an electrician come and look at the flagpole, park, and the Country Club and will be submitting a quote.
The Board reviewed and signed for an abatement and refund for White Mtn. School. Chairman Blanchard moved to approve the abatement for $4291.50 and overpayment of $406.56. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board signed the gravel tax warrant.
The Board discussed the Rec money received from Bethlehem Emergency Services. Selectman Laleme moved to accept $1731.02 from Bethlehem Emergency Services. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board reviewed an email from a taxpayer requesting the Board waive her interest fee of $19.17. The taxpayer said she previously asked for her address to be changed and it never happened. The Board tabled this.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 03/25/13. Chairman Blanchard moved to approve the minutes as amended
(page 3, 5th paragraph add safety before committee). Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carrie 5-0.
The Board discussed a greenhouse on someone’s property that is in Current Use. The homeowner had been told to remove the greenhouse but with new information from DRA it was determined that the greenhouse is ok. Chairman Blanchard moved to rescind the letter to remove the greenhouse. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 5-0.
At 8:05 Chairman Blanchard moved to go into non-public session per 91A for matters of personnel and reputation. Selectman Culver seconded. Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed abatements.
The Board discussed personnel. Selectman Fiorentino moved to approve Mary’s appointment and hire Jen Walker for Deputy Tax Collector and Deputy Town Clerk for $11.00 an hour. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Culver moved to seal the minutes from the non-public session on 03/11/13. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 5-0.
At 9:10 Selectman Culver moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public session.
At 9:10 Chairman Blanchard moved to adjourn. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
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