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Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
Bethlehem Town Building Meeting Room
August 6, 2012
Present: Chairman Jerry Blanchard, Selectman Mike Culver, Selectman Sandy Laleme, Selectman Martin Glavac.
At 6:30 Chairman Blanchard opened the meeting.
Fire chief, Jack Anderson, came before the Board to give an update on the Maplehurst project. He gave the Board a copy of a contract from GZA for continuation of services as the environmental engineering company overseeing the Maplehurst project. Mr. Anderson said the estimated cost would be $40,408.00 and it would be paid from the grant funds.
Selectman Culver motioned that we sign the contract. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0. Chairman Blanchard signed the contract.
Frank Claffey said the warrant says 360,000.00 + 40,000. Mr. Anderson said no, it is 400,000.00
+ 40,000.
Josephine and David from the Department of revenue came before the Board. David brought Selectman Glavac up to speed on the assessing concerns. David explained the next step is going to Board of Land and Tax Appeals. He explained that if the town wishes they could have a joint motion and go together with the Dept. of Revenue. Josephine said they have to go to BTLA, they have no choice. David said the plan of action is to get 2013 update or complete reevaluation and get system updated. Selectman Glavac asked how long the process takes. David said if everything is in the system it will take a couple of months. Selectman Laleme said the assessing clerk said that all the property cards are in the system. Selectman Laleme said she thinks the town should join DRA in the motion. Josephine explained the town will have a say in who it gets to do the assessing if they file a joint motion with DRA, if they don’t the BTLA will assign someone to do it.
Selectman Laleme motioned to file a joint motion with DRA to go to the BTLA and begin the process. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Selectman Glavac asked the time frame for filing the motion. Dave said a month and that he will provide the documents to present to BTLA. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme said the town paid $34200.00 to our assessors last year. Selectman Laleme also said that we are holding 3 bills due to the assessors. Selectman Laleme motioned that we send to the town attorney the contract/letter renewing contract and other related material. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Josephine asked for a copy of the contract. Josephine said that the last town she did this with had to raise money for the project; she hopes the town will have agreement in time to explain to taxpayers the need for the cost.
Brett Jackson and the cemetery committee came before the Board with Marlena and Martin who have a request for the Jewish section of the cemetery. The Jewish custom requires burial within 24 – 48 hours after death so the request is to excavate 2 grave sites in November, cover them with plywood and remove the excavated materials from the cemetery. There was discussion about how to safely secure the sites. Clare Brown said that section of the cemetery is named the Bethlehem Hebrew Community section. Selectman Laleme asked that an agreement be written up that the Board can sign and have it attached to the minutes and be put in the policy book. Clare said she will do that. Marlena said that she appreciates this so much.
Police chief, Mike Ho-Sing-Loy came before the Board. Mr. Ho-Sing-Loy is looking to purchase a vest to replace an old one and will use the money that is in the general fund but is there for the vest and ½ will come from a grant. Selectman Culver motioned to approve the purchase of the vest. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0.
Chairman Blanchard went through the correspondence. He signed the lease document for the Country Club equipment.
Chairman Blanchard read the email from librarian, Laura Clerkin, about a wine tasting event in Oct. Selectman Culver will look into this.
Chairman Blanchard read the request of the use of the gazebo and concession booth for a substance abuse awareness event on October 25th. The Board said it was ok to use the gazebo but that they didn’t have any authority to ok the use of the concession booth; they would need to ask the friends of the library for that.
Chairman Blanchard read a letter from Len Reed resigning as a committee member and chairman of the BRLF. In Mr. Reed’s letter he recommended Ronny Lyster take his position of Chairman. Chairman Blanchard will call Mr. Lyster to see if he is in agreement with that position. The 2 opening on the committee will be posted on the town website.
The Board reviewed the minutes from July 16th 2012. Selectman Laleme motioned to approve the minutes. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed the minutes from July 30, 2012. The Board stated they needed another week to review these minutes.
The Board discussed the software program for the Rec dept. that they tabled last week. The Board discussed purchasing the software without the tuition express and card reader. Selectman Culver said that would save $260.00. Selectman Glavac asked if it could still be utilized for billing if it wasn’t going to be used for payments. Selectman Culver said it could and that the program is a good solution and it is fairly inexpensive. Selectman Culver motioned that we purchase the software without the module and reader with a fresh quote reflecting that. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Chairman Blanchard signed the bills for the pool (Bud Miller, Redimix) and remarked that Bud Miller’s bill was for parts only; he donated all the labor plus some parts.
Selectman Laleme motioned that the bill for the painting of the foyer to CNC Contracting for $7710.00 to be paid from the building maintenance capital reserve fund. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme motioned that attorney/client privilege be waived for question #1 on LGC document. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme read the email – the town cannot do anything about rundown properties.
Selectman Laleme went over two quotes we have to do the AED training. The first quote is $10.00 per person and each person would need to bring a mask ($10.00). The second quote is $500.00 and no masks are needed. Selectman Laleme motioned that we accept the 2nd quote (Bill Brousseau) for $500.00. Selectman Culver seconded. Rita Farrell asked if it was only for town employees. Selectman Laleme said primarily. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Glavac asked if the concern about the rundown properties could be brought to the Planning/Zoning board about having some zoning for this.
Rita Farrell asked about the noise ordinance and if it would be discussed by the Board again. She requested that it be brought before the Board. The Board will review it first.
Julian Z. asked about franchise fees with Time Warner. He thought an agreement was signed years ago. The Board will research this.
Julian Z. is happy with LGC’s response about rundown property. He said our flag represents freedom. Rita Farrell agrees with Julian. Selectman Laleme said she is not a big supporter of ordinances. Selectman Culver said when companies want to come into town we also don’t want zoning laws to prevent them.
Rita Farrell said that ordinances make people feel comfortable and they should be enforced and that some things make sense from a health standpoint.
Rita said that maybe it is time for another Master Plan. She said last time a survey was sent out. Selectman Laleme said the Master Plan is due to be updated.
Chairman Blanchard moved to go into non-public per 91A for personnel. Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.
Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
Selectman Laleme motioned to Increase by .50 cents Alan Demoranville’s rate of pay.
Selectman Culver seconded. Carried 4-0.
At 8:45 Selectman Laleme motioned to come out of non-public session. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme motioned to adjourn at 8:45. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
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