Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2018
Present: Chairman Moritz, Selectman Moore, Selectman Ubaldo, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Glavac.
Chairman Moritz opened the meeting at 6:05 pm.
The Board discussed the budget schedule and the direction and expectation to communicate with the department heads. Chairman Moritz said she would like to split all the departments into two meetings and then have a third meeting for total budget review. The Board agreed with that schedule. Selectman Moore said last year they asked the departments to cut their budget by 5% as an exercise. Selectman Glavac said twice they have done an exercise like that but they don’t put it on the ballot. He said he would like to know how many miles per year rotation for paving the roads. Chairman Moritz said they should talk about the highway block grant and plan to put that into the highway line item. The Board discussed the option of putting the highway block grant in a Capital Reserve Fund or a Special Revenue Fund instead of it going into the general fund. Chairman Moritz said she would like to know what big ticket items departments have and said she would prefer a flat budget. Selectman Glavac said he wants Brett Jackson’s thoughts on repaving the roads and a schedule. Selectman Boisseau said he would like to know which capital items are most important and said the only way budgets could be cut is by cutting personnel. Selectman Glavac said we are trying to make the town competitive and still not on par with surrounding towns. He said he wouldn’t want to stop that effort. Selectman Ubaldo said he doesn’t think we are that far behind in pay. Selectman Moore would like that info from the department heads. Chairman Moritz said they would be asking them to look at necessary expenditures that they have held off on.
The Board reviewed and discussed a letter about the bear issue. They discussed putting it on the website and posting it in multiple places instead of doing a town wide mailer. Casella will be contacted to confirm if they want their contact number in the letter or not.
Chairman Moritz gave an update on the Culvert project on Route 302. She said it will happen between the spring and fall of 2019 and will have an informational meeting before that. The Board has to sign a work zone agreement that they will review and sign at the next meeting.
The Board reviewed a quote for a new flag pole that includes the installation. The quote is for $3,977.40 and will be paid from the building maintenance fund. Selectman Boisseau said it has a 25-year warranty. Julie Seely asked if the warrant article includes grounds and buildings. Selectman Boisseau moved to purchase and install the quoted flagpole. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board discussed parking. Chairman Moritz said the Board could vote on the signs across from the gazebo to have them removed. Selectman Moore moved to remove the no parking signs across from the gazebo. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 5-0. Chairman Moritz said the parking map will be on the website next week.
Chairman Moritz said the transfer station committee has a change in member request and said Christina Zontini wants to be a member. Selectman Ubaldo said he wants to poll current members to see who is interested in still being on the committee. Chairman Moritz said the committee originally had 13 but have as little as 6 or 7 now. Selectman Ubaldo said they can put it out there looking for new members after it is determined who is interested from the original committee. Andrea Bryant said the committee thought the Select Board would be voting tonight on new member. Chris McGrath said they all were on board with new member and said some members have never come. He agrees they should poll current members. Selectman Boisseau said the Board agreed that everyone that applied be on the committee when it was created. He said if there is someone that wants to be on it then let them. Selectman Glavac said it needs to be posted. Julie Seely said discussion about Christina and the poll were independent of each other. Selectman Boisseau moved to accept Christina Zontini and to post an ad for new committee members. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 3-2 (Selectmen Ubaldo and Glavac opposed). Rita Farrell said when they were looking for people to be on the BR&E committee they only received one application and the rest of the people were recruited. Mr. McGrath said the committee has had a couple of speakers come in.
Cheryl Jensen gave an update on Northern Pass.
Mrs. Farrell told the Board how she would like to see the agenda’s and minutes done and how timely they get on the website. Chairman Moritz referred her to the Planning and Zoning Board Chair’s.
Mrs. Farrell asked about the Heritage building being painted. Selectman Moore said it will be put in the budget for next year.
Julian Czarny said with the electrical for the light not being included in the flag pole quote, should look into downlit low voltage LED.
Mrs. Farrell asked about getting a traffic study done. The Board informed her two more spaces have been eliminated in that area to help with pulling out of Agassiz.
The Board reviewed the minutes.
Selectman Glavac moved to approve the minutes from 08/20/18. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Glavac moved to approve the minutes from 08/27/18. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board discussed the lot that didn’t sell at the auction. They discussed whether to have another auction or to sell it by sealed bid. Selectman Glavac said they have always done much better with auctions and there is no cost to the town. Selectman Boisseau moved to sell the lot that didn’t sell at the auction and to sell by auction. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 5-0.
Selectman Glavac moved to hold the auction on the next available Saturday for the Auctioneer after 30 days from today. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 5-0.
Chairman Moritz said Bethlehem Trails memorandum of understanding is due. Selectman Ubaldo said this wasn’t on the agenda. Chairman Moritz said it is “other” but said they can table it until the next meeting. Selectman Glavac asked Selectman Boisseau to remember about the buffer for the south side of the property.
At 7:30 Chairman Moritz moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel, reputation and legal. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Chairman Moritz did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed personnel. Selectman Glavac moved to terminate DB. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board reviewed a new hire form. They tabled this due to an incomplete application.
The Board discussed a code enforcement issue and will follow up with Dave Wiley.
The Board discussed legal.
At 7:52 Selectman Boisseau moved to adjourn. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
