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09/23/2019 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2019

Present: Vice Chairman Moore, Selectman Jensen, Selectman Moritz.

Vice Chairman Moore opened the meeting at 5:15pm.

At 5:15 pm Vice Chairman Moore moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of reputation.  Selectman Moritz seconded.  Vice Chairman Moore conducted the roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.

The Board discussed a tax matter.

At 5:45 Selectman Moritz moved to come out of non-public session.  Vice Chairman Moore seconded.  Vice Chairman Moore conducted the roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public session.

There was a brief discussion on if the public part of the meeting could proceed immediately or if it needed to wait until 6:00 pm. The agenda state an anticipated time of 6:00 pm to return to public session. The presenters for the meeting and a small audience had already gathered. The board choose to proceed with the public portion of the meeting but decided to move the public input to the end in case anyone came at 6:00 pm and agreed to recap if necessary.

Ross Weaver from Energy Consulting Associates came before the Board with proposals for electricity contracts. Mr. Weaver gave the Board three handouts. The first handout showed six difference companies and multiple rates based on the length of contract. He also provided a handout showing the historical electric rates for Eversource and one showing the towns savings from November of 2016 to present and a projected savings for the future.

The current electricity contract is with NextEra and expires in November of this year. The six companies were NextEra, Constellation PSNH, Agera, First Point Power, Summer Energy, and Mega Energy. NextEra came in with the lowest price. Historically from November of 2016 to September of 2019 the Town has saved $11,224.85 and it is projected that the Town will continue to save about $2,200/year.

The Board reviewed the previous contract from 2016 and asked Mr. Weaver what the next step would be. Mr. Weaver recommended that the Town stay with NextEra as they are our current power supplier and they had the lowest quote. Selectmen Moritz noted that the generally tend of electricity prices is to increase and asked if there was any draw backs to entering into a longer contract of 60 months as opposed to the recommend 36 month contract with NextEra. Mr. Weaver said electricity price could potentially go down and that some towns to do not want to enter into a longer agreement however historically prices have risen and a 60-month contract could be a good way to lock in a lower rate.  There was a discussion on early cancellation of the contract. Mr. Weaver said that typically there are fees associated with early cancellation. Selectman Moritz questioned if this was different when dealing with a municipality, Mr. Weaver said he could not speak to municipal law but generally speaking early cancellation fees due apply.

Selectman Jensen inquired whether reducing electrical demand or implementation of solar panels would result in any fees or penalties. Mr. Weaver said as long as the accounts stay open early cancellation fees do not apply, it is a 100% swing contract and therefore we can use as much or as little electricity as we need and solar will have no effect on the contract.

Vice Chairman Moore asked Mr. Weaver were his fee comes from. Mr. Weaver said that the supplier pays his fee. It is similar to the way an insurance broker is paid, not by the individual seeking insurance but the insurance company.  What are the risks of going with a longer contract? The risk is that electricity rates could go down. What happens if the company we are contracted with folds? Mr. Weaver said that if that happens our accounts will go back to the utility.

What is the approximate cost difference of the NextEra 36-month contract to the Constellation 60-month contract? Mr. Weaver said based on our usage it is approximately $115 difference.  Our current rate is $.0732kWh, he said that was a very favorable rate that was locked in through our previous contract in 2016. Historically rate have increased, and he expects that to continue. Selectman Moritz feels that if it is anticipated that rates will continue to rise then she thinks we should consider the 60-month contract, it may cost approximately $115 more per year at the beginning but could save the Town money in the long term.  Selectmen Moritz motioned to enter into the 60-month term contract with Constellation, Vice Chairman Moore seconded, motion passed 3-0. Mr. Weaver will prepare the contract and mail it to the office. tomorrow. The Board thanked Mr. Weaver for his time.

AHEAD was invited to the Select Board meeting in response to complaints that the Town received from an abutter regarding construction noise. Mike Claflin and Larry Berg from AHEAD were at the meeting.  The Board said they had received some complaints regarding construction noise and work hours. At a previous meeting the Board discussed a possible ordinance or conditions on large project that would limit the times during which construction can take place.

Mr. Claflin said that AHEAD has worked very hard to be responsive to any complaints or concerns that have been brought to them. They have spoken to their contractors about keeping construction between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm but there are times when going over is unavoidable. They have started a log and real-time camera to monitor the situation and investigate any complaints received.

Selectman Moritz said that at times construction went as late as 8:00 pm and she feels this is too late and a 6:00 pm end time would be more appropriate and respectfully of the abutters. If it has to run over she understands however she thinks an attempt should be made to reduce or limit the construction noise as much as possible by 6:00 pm and thinks a 7:00 am start time is too early.  At this time the Board is not planning on pursuing an ordinance.

Mr. Claflin said that the contractors have completed their work along Route 302 and have been wrapping up most nights about 6:00 pm now that they are back on site. They will continue to be responsive to complaints and concerns and are willing to share relevant correspondence with the Board if they feel it will be helpful. The Board did not think this was necessary and thanked AHEAD for coming in.

Alex Belensz from North Country Council (NCC) came before the Board to review the parking committee recommendations. Mr. Belensz’s presentation gave an overview of why the parking committee had formed, its members, and its goals. The presentation also went over the parking committee findings, current parking challenges and recommendations.

Current challenges to public parking include parking availability, limited accessible parking, and lack of signage/information on parking. Current safety challenges include reduced sightlines due to on-street parking, design of road encourages high speed travel, no side walk from the elementary school to the town office.

To increase parking availability the committee recommend exploring adding parking on the Town owned lot next to the pool. Currently there are shipping containers blocking access, but this could be a relatively low-cost option to increase parking. The shipping containers would need to be moved and some clearing may be necessary.

There was discussion on converting the skate park into additional parking either in its entirety, partially, or under some flexible agreement based on anticipated need. Mr. Belensz recommended that the town find ways to inform the public about the availability of public parking.  Other recommendations included encouraging business to have shared parking agreements, utilizing private parking that is under-utilized after hours, and time restriction if they become necessary. Angled parking is something that was discussed as a way to increase parking capacity, but it can create potential safety hazards and has to be approved by the state before it can be implemented. At this time this was not recommended.

The Main Street sees approximately 7,000 cars per day. It is wide and straight because of this drivers tend to speed through. Low cost recommendations included increasing signage, painted speed limits on the road way, relocation or replacement of Welcome to Bethlehem Sign, and temporary curb extensions. Some of these options would require coordinating with the DOT region 1 office. NCC would be happy to facilitate meeting between the Town and DOT.  The Police Chief also met with the parking committee an expressed interest in creating a local speed ordinance which would generate some revenue for the town.

Mr. Belensz gave an overview of some possible funding sources. Parking project are not typically funded directly unless they can be tied to economic development. The Town could have an ordinance where Main Street parking is waived for businesses in exchange for an impact fee that goes towards developing public parking facilities. Some resources he recommended included the NH ten-year plan and the Transportation Alternatives Program. NCC can help the town explore their options. Vice Chairman Moore thanked Mr. Belensz and the parking committee members for their time. There was discussion on the best way to reach out the skate park committee. The Board liked the idea of additional parking near the Town Pool. It is estimated that 20-40 spaces could be put their depending on how much clearing the Town would like to do. They also liked the increased signage as a low cost strategy to reduce speeds on Main Street.

The Board opened the meeting to questions regarding the parking committee presentation. Dick Robie said the presentation was well done but that the Town needs to keep in mind that a lot of what was recommended has to do with the Bethlehem Village District. He wanted to make sure that people are aware that there are sewer lines under the skate park and if the Town plans to level that area for parking it could create a problem in the future. Sidewalks are maintained by the Village District and they will need to be part of the discussion, he wanted people to be aware of the expense both initially and future maintenance costs. They received a quote to put in a sidewalk to the school and the cost was roughly $23,000.  The Board assured Mr. Robie that this was just the beginning of the process and they would include the Village District as thing progress. He also had concerns about the same individuals utilizing Main Street parking all day, taking away from business and the use of handicap spaces by non-handicap individuals.

The next step for the Board would be to review the presentation and decide what they would like to pursue. Mr. Belensz recommended that if they want to explore adding parking by the Town Pool they start by working with the Town’s Road Agent.  If the Board is interested in implementing temporary curb extensions NCC can help facilitate a meeting with DOT. The Board will need some time to review the recommendations and then they contact Mr. Belensz when they are ready to move forward.

Rita Farrell said the parking signs that the Board has recently put up have already proven to be effective. She is not in favor of utilizing the skate park into additional parking and thinks more enforcement of parking violations is needed. She asked how much development potential does Bethlehem have?

The Board discussed an appointment to the Transfer Station Committee. Selectmen Jensen said that Nancy Strand attended the last transfer station committee meeting and that she was knowledgeable and eager.  Selectman Moritz motioned to appoint Nancy Strand onto the Transfer Station Committee, Vice Chairman Moore seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Selectmen Moritz asked Selectmen Jensen if the transfer station committee has still been experiencing committee members who do not show up for meeting. Selectmen Jensen said that this is still occurring. The committee has discussed it and reached out to these individuals they have indicated they are still interested in remaining on the committee.

Vice Chairman Moore read a letter the Town received commending the Town Road Agent Brett Jackson and the Bethlehem Highway Department. She summarized a letter from NH DOT in response to the Town request for a crosswalk at the Baker Brook development. The request has been assigned an engineering and they will get back to us, but it may take several weeks.

Selectmen Jensen said that Chris Brooks as expressed interest in serving on the NCC Traffic Committee, Bethlehem hasn’t had anyone on this committee in several years and Mr. Brooks is willing and eager to serve.  Selectman Moritz motioned to appoint Chris Brooks to the North Country Council Traffic Committee, Selectman Jensen seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Selectmen Jensen said that he has been trying to reach out to Consolidated Communication regarding improving board band in Bethlehem and he has not had much luck. He would like permission from the Board to reach out to surround towns to see if we may have other options.

PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Robie asked the Board if the Arlington is the only tax payer in Bethlehem that is delinquent on their taxes? He is upset that for the third time he has read about this in a newspaper including the Littleton Courier and does not feel that this is appropriate. The Village District does not publish who is behind on their water and sewer bills. If they are going to publish one, they should publish all.  He said the flag at the Maple Street Cemetery is in terrible condition and should be replaced. The Board thanked him for bringing the flag to their attention. They also said that they typically do not discuss taxes during the public portion of meetings except by Map and Lot number for privacy reason. However, it is all public information. The Arlington does have a large impact because their tax amount is much higher than a single-family residence. Selectmen Jensen said he feels there is a difference between a single-family home or a small business and a large corporation. A quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money in our community, Selectman Jensen said. If his concern is with the paper, Mr. Jensen recommended he reach out to them as the select board has no control or influence over what is printed.

Mrs. Farrell said it is not appropriate for the Town to tell the press what to do. If he has a problem, he should write a letter to the editor. $250,000 in taxes owed is a lot of money. Mrs. Farrell said the newspaper also wrote a story about the landfill’s reduced tax bill of approximately $200,000.

Mr. Robie said everything at these meetings turns into a discussion on the landfill and that is why he stays home.

The Board thank Mrs. Farrell and Mr. Robie for their input.

Vice Chairman Moore moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Moritz seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:28 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Nicole McGrath
Clerical Assistant