Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
August 20, 2018
Present: Chairman Moritz, Selectman Moore, Selectman Ubaldo, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Glavac.
Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:00 pm and opened the public hearing.
Jamie Paine, Dave Garvey, and Ethan Ash from KW Commercial came to introduce themselves to the Board and discuss their services. Mr. Paine said the three options to consider with the country club are to sell, lease or hold the property. He said they will look for the best option. There was discussion about the cost for the analysis for the hold onto option. It was stated it ranges from $4,000.00 to $10,000.00 and is similar in cost to an appraisal. Selectman Glavac said the warrant article says to explore option of lease or selling and said if we do analysis there is a cost involved and we haven’t budgeted for that. Chairman Moritz said we shouldn’t halt everything due to funds and said if they looked at the budget they could find the funds, in professional consulting, for example. Mr. Paine said he could move as quick as the Board wanted and said the biggest window of opportunity is in warm weather. Selectman Glavac said professional consulting is in the general budget and the country club is self-funded. He said there would be a tax impact if there were charges to the general budget. Selectman Moore said that is not an operational expense. Selectman Boisseau said the Board needs to make the best sound decision for the municipality as a whole. He said it would be ideal if they could find money in the country club budget but should do it either way. Sandy Laleme said the Board has the right to use legal and/or professional consulting to explore options. She said they have to spend money to do that. It was pointed out the expense would be reimbursed if sold as part of the contract. Chairman Moritz said it is a seasonal business so is concerned with doing a mid-season transaction. Mr. Garvey said it is not unrealistic to do it either way. He said it would be less complicated if it wasn’t mid-season. There was discussion about whether to sell by bid, auction or open market. Clare Brown asked when they do the analysis if they will look at all sources and pointed out the benefactor’s club has put in a lot of money to the club. Mr. Paine said they would look at everything. David Wood said a buyer wouldn’t want to purchase in the middle of a season and asked if there would be any harm done to ask for proposals now as analysis is being done. Mr. Paine said the analysis gives information the Board needs to make a decision. Mr. Wood said it is unlikely to be sold or leased for 2019 season if not done before 2019 season. There was discussion on what the voters will be voting on – the final contract or whether to sell or lease after getting info from realtor. The Board agreed it was the final contract. Selectman Glavac said they do not have three options though and said they need to put $10,000.00 on Warrant to analyze country club. He said they need town vote to spend that on the country club. Selectman Moore said it is for the Board to make an educated decision. Selectman Boisseau said the best option is to move forward with the analysis. He also said it has been talked about for years and they are analyzing a municipal asset. Selectman Ubaldo said they rejected that at a prior meeting but are now reverting back to that. He does think it is in the best interest of the town to have that information. Selectman Glavac said he has asked for a 5 – 10-year plan for the roads and asked if they can spend on that. He said roads are just as worthy as this. Mrs. Laleme said the town has owned the country club for 69 years and feels the Board is doing the town a disservice by rushing it. She asked if they plan on subdividing the highway department from the country club before selling it and said they need an appraisal of the property. She also said the tax revenue from the sale is unknown and pointed out the buyer could default. Mrs. Laleme asked what they will do with the money from the sale and also said she is concerned about the clubhouse because there isn’t anything that says that has to stay. David Wood said it is worth what a willing buyer is willing to pay. Mr. Paine said the value is based on market conditions. Julian Czarny asked about the commission and was told it is 7%. Selectman Moore moved to hire KW Commercial to do an analysis of the country club. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Selectman Glavac said they didn’t have the money 3 months ago for this but agrees it needs to be done. He said it should be a warrant article. Selectman Boisseau said 3 months ago they didn’t do it but they looked into it and it makes sense that it is what needs to be done. He said he sees it as municipality spending money not the country club. The Board asked if they had a contract they could look at and see what the out of pocket expenses would be. Mr. Garvey said they could get them a contract. The motion and second were withdrawn. The Board will review the contract and vote on the analysis at the next meeting.
PUBLIC INPUT
Natch Greyes introduced himself to the Board and said he is running for Grafton County Attorney. He said he is currently the prosecutor for Littleton.
Dann asked what can prove laws are applicable to everyone. Chairman Moritz said he was being repetitive. Dann said he would like proof of why he has to follow rules. Chairman Moritz said the Board doesn’t have to answer that.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 08/06/18. Selectman Boisseau moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0 (Selectman Moore abstained).
The Board reviewed an abatement for map/lot 414-015-005 for $18.43 due to a camper being removed but still being taxed on it. Selectman Glavac moved to approve the abatement. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board discussed a request from Eversource to do tree trimming on Old Franconia Road for a span and a half near the water spring. Selectman Glavac moved to approve the trimming. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 4-1 (Selectman Moore opposed).
The Board discussed a liquor approval request from Wayside to serve alcohol on their new patio area. Selectman Moore moved to approve the request. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Ubaldo said the Transfer Station Committee met and there were issues with accepting a new member. Chairman Moritz said the full Board should vote on the new member. Tabled until 08/27/18.
Chairman Moritz announced the meeting will be at Profile School next week.
At 8:10 Chairman Moritz moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel and legal. Selectman Glavac seconded. Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
Dann objected to the non-public session.
Selectman Glavac moved to approve the hiring of WL for the Fire Dept. and ZP and JP for the Country Club. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board discussed a threatened litigation issue.
Chairman Moritz moved to accept all amount due minus penalty on all three properties by Thursday at 4:00 by cash or certified check. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
At 9:15 Selectman Glavac moved to adjourn. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
