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BETHLEHEM BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
BETHLEHEM TOWN BUILDING MEETING ROOM
JULY 30, 2012
Present: Chairman Blanchard, Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Selectman Sandy Laleme, Selectman Martin
Glavac
Chairman Blanchard opened the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Chairman Blanchard asked Mr. Reed to come before the Board.
Mr. Reed gave some background information on Bethlehem Revolving Loan Fund. He explained the
history of the fund. Mr. Reed explained that the Colonial theater has 2 loans and 1 of them was a 5 year loan with a balloon payment at the end. He stated the theater in 9 out of 11 years has operated in the black, but very minimally. Mr. Reed is asking that the loan be rewritten and stretched out for an additional 15 years. He needs the signatures of the Board of Selectmen to do this.
Chairman Blanchard asked Mr. Reed how he thinks they will sustain themselves for the term of the loan.
Mr. Reed stated that they are meeting all of their operating expenses and are not losing money. A lot of money was invested in the building, including the foundation and a new sound system. Mr. Reed said
they have not yet retired any loans and have never missed a payment.
Selectman Laleme said she thinks the theater is a huge asset and draw to the town and is in favor of
extending the loan.
Selectman Fiorentino asked Mr. Reed why the loan isn’t being paid off from the revolving account.
Mr. Reed said the loan is between the lender (NCIC) and the theater. Mr. Reed said that the theater is
not able to pay off a substantial note 15 years early.
Selectman Laleme moved that we authorize and sign the document extending the loan. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0. Chairman Blanchard signed the document.
Tara Bailey came before the Board to discuss the software she is looking to purchase. Selectman Glavac
went over the information that Selectman Culver gave him; the ongoing costs and the transaction fees.
Tara said that she has 51 families registered and they typically pay once a month but sometimes more
often in the summer. She also said that most families typically pay by check and the average bill is
between $50.00 and $200.00.
Selectman Laleme asked Tara how much time on average she spends weekly on billing and collecting
payments. Tara said 3 -4 hours weekly in the summer and 3-4 hours bi-weekly in the school year.
Selectman Fiorentino suggested Tara look into paypal.
Treasurer, Frank Claffey, asked how often the deposits will be deposited to the town account and does it meet the guidelines.
Selectman Laleme said she would like Frank’s input and suggested the information be given to Frank for
him to review.
Selectman Glavac asked if the main purpose for the software is for record keeping.
Tara said it is mainly for record keeping and that she currently has to go back and forth between two
systems.
Selectman Laleme asked who would pick up the cost for this, if we would raise our rates.
The Board will discuss this again after Frank reads the agreement.
Selectman Laleme said that Root Restaurant is having the rec kid’s work on their garden. At the end of
the season Root will cook a meal for the kids with the veggies.
Fire Chief, Jack Anderson, gave an update on the Maplehurst. Mr. Anderson explained that this is a
process that has to happen and that there are many steps to follow. He said demolition of the big
building should be in a week to a week and a half.
Selectman Glavac asked what the deadline is. Mr. Anderson said the grant says it has to be completed
by September 30th.
Chairman Blanchard said that people are asking about the apt. building that burned and if it is going to get cleaned up. Mr. Anderson said the town doesn’t own it and neither does the bank. Mr. Anderson
has been in contact with the mortgage holder and has pleaded with them to do something with the
building. Mr. Anderson said it will be going to absolute auction and that whoever buys it will have to
cover the town’s expenses (taxes). Mr. Anderson feels if someone comes in and wants to negotiate on
back taxes that the town should put a stipulation in that they have to clean it up within 10 days.
Chairman Blanchard said how Mr. Reed just talked of cleaning up Main Street with the Façade
Improvement grants and how we have two empty lots that are not being kept up. Chairman Blanchard
said the owners should be made to do something about it. Mr. Anderson questioned whether our
attorneys should be consulted to see if we can do anything about the properties.
Selectman Laleme asked Mr. Anderson if he heard from the roofer yet about the repairs for the fire
dept. roof. Mr. Anderson said he had not.
Selectman Laleme said the parking lot paving looked great and thanked Mr. Anderson for his help with
that.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 06/14/12, 07/09/12 and 07/23/12. Selectman Laleme moved that we accept the minutes from 06/12/12, 07/09/12, and 07/23/12. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 3-0. Selectman Glavac abstained.
Chairman Blanchard went over the correspondence:
Central Paving bill – Chairman Blanchard initialed it.
Pool bills – Varney & Smith, Selectman Blanchard initialed it.
Selectman Laleme stated that LGC sent up a representative to look at our pool and playground. It was
stated that our high dive might be an issue. LGC said they will be able to help train the lifeguards. They will be coming back to look at the playground. They also said back in 2006 they advised the town that they needed to remove the round spinning ride.
Selectman Laleme moved to approve an increase in the amount for the welfare computer by $209.98 with a total purchase price of $809.98. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 4-0.
Chairman Blanchard read a letter from Ruth Murray about her concerns about houses that should be
demolished.
Selectman Laleme will check with LGC about what the town can do. Selectman Blanchard will talk to realtors of Sinclair lot and the Church lot about upkeep of those lots.
Chairman Blanchard read request for Sovereign Journey to switch the time and date of their use of the
meeting room from Aug. 1st to Aug. 8th from 9 to 11.
Chairman Blanchard read the quote for the letterhead from Harrison Publishing.
Selectman Laleme motioned to approve purchasing letterhead – 2 colors. Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 4-0. Selectman Laleme requested to see a copy of the proof before the order is made.
Chairman Blanchard read an update report from the pool committee.
Mr. Reed stated that they need to nominate new members to BRLF, does he need to send a letter? He was told yes.
Selectman Laleme moved to go into non public session per 91A for personnel.
Selectman Fiorentino seconded. Carried 4-0. Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed personnel issues.
Selectman Fiorentino moved that Selectman Laleme write a letter to Peter Roy eliminating his position
effective 09/01/12. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
At 7:55 Selectman Laleme moved to come out of non public session. Selectman Fiorentino seconded.
Carried 4-0.
At 7:55 Selectman Laleme moved to adjourn. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
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