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Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
Bethlehem Town Building Meeting Room
September 23, 2013
Present: Chairman Blanchard, Selectman Culver, Selectman Laleme, Selectman Glavac.
Excused: Selectman Fiorentino.
At 6:10 Chairman Blanchard called the meeting to order at the new library site. Doug Harman,
George Brodeur, and Kevin from HP Cummings gave the Board a tour of the water drainage problems and damage. They discussed how the storm drains on Cottage Street are not working and how the pipes on Route 302 are not adequate. George said he sent photos and observations to the state. He will forward a copy of those emails to the Selectmen’s office. Doug said he believes it is a state problem. At 6:25 Chairman
Blanchard paused the meeting to be reconvened at the Town Hall.
At 6:35 Chairman Blanchard reconvened the meeting at the Town Hall.
Lutz Wallem came before the Board to discuss an electricity proposal he submitted. He explained to the Board that he lives in Lincoln and served on a committee in Lincoln to save on water and energy. He discussed the advantages of locking in to a 3 year agreement. He told the Board they should contact Sandy Stone from SAU 35 as a reference. The Board reviewed the 3 quotes (Energy Choice, North American Power, and NextEra Energy). Energy Choice has the lowest rate but it is unclear if they will do the streetlights. The Board tabled this until next Monday to see find out if Energy Choice will do streetlights.
The Board discussed the budget schedule and talked about the fact that the budget will increase because of the library and the pool. They want a memo sent to Dept. Head’s asking them to be extra cautious with their budgets because of the anticipated increase.
The Board discussed the bid for the Fire Dept. roof. The bid will be put out immediately.
The Board discussed the testing on the Cruft building for hazardous materials. It was noted that the testing has already been done. Selectman Culver moved to sign the contract with Lawson Co. for the testing of the Cruft Building. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0. Bruce Cunningham asked if the contract was open to the public. He was told it was. He also said the Fire Chief told him he could hire someone himself and he would like to submit that to the Board. The Board said the bill for Spears Brothers to stabilize and Demo the Cruft Building is $5,112.50. Chairman Blanchard moved to pay that bill out of the Capital Reserve fund for dilapidated buildings. Selectman Laleme seconded. Selectman Culver read the Warrant Article for dilapidated buildings. Cheryl Jensen asked why the Town has to pay this bill. Selectman Culver said it was an emergency situation and to have Spears Brothers come someone had to
agree to pay the bill. He also said the Town will be trying to recoup the money. Selectman Laleme said she has Legal Advice from LGC. Selectman Culver moved to waive the attorney/client privilege for that legal advice. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0. Selectman Laleme read the legal advice from LGC and said it was considered a Town emergency and the Town response from the Fire Chief was legal and appropriate. Bruce asked if the cost of the firefighter’s hours would be included in the amount the Town will be trying to recoup. He was told it would be. Julian said it appears to be an issue of neglect on the building. Chairman Blanchard said he was there the night of the collapse and if the building went down it could have taken down a transformer. He said if that happened nobody in the North Country would have been able to use a credit card. Selectman Laleme said the building was unstable and that legal will try to recoup the cost because of owner neglect. She said Jack had full authority to determine that it was an emergency. Julian said he agrees the building was a hazard but questioned how we got to this point, how it was allowed that the building got to that point. Carried 4-0.
Mary Jackson came before the Board to inform the Board that she talked with LGC about the properties that were pulled from the sale because of incorrect noticing. She said LGC suggested turning them over to the Town Attorney to investigate each one. Mary said the other option was to wait for the 10 years to sell. She said only 2 of the properties received bids. Selectman Laleme moved to refer the properties Map 406 Lot 21.3, Map 209 Lot 60.5, and Map 409 Lot 53 to Attorney to investigate. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Mary also mentioned a property on Mt. Cleveland Road that was deeded last year and asked the Board if we should send a plumber up to drain and winterize the house. Selectman Laleme moved to have Warren Miller drain and winterize the property on Mt. Cleveland Road. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed the minutes from 09/16/13. Selectman Laleme moved to approve the minutes as written. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 3-0 (Selectman Culver abstained).
Selectman Laleme explained that Tim Parsons from LGC recommended Rhienna be the Health & Safety Coordinator for the Town of Bethlehem to address workplace health and safety issues. The Town would get a $500.00 stipend if Rhienna did this and it will not cost the Town anything. Selectman Laleme moved to nominate Rhienna for the Health and Safety Coordinator. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme said dog control laws fall under the Select Board and that if we add to it we need to have a public hearing. Selectman Laleme moved to schedule a public hearing to add to the dog control law. Chairman Blanchard seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Laleme said the Cemetery Trust fund account is now all set and they can now fix the water line.
Chairman Blanchard said the Board received a letter from David Pilotte saying he is retiring. David said he will work with training his replacement and help with spraying. Chairman Blanchard said the Board appreciates his due diligence and his love of the Country Club. He said an ad will be going in the paper to look for a new manager. The Board said they would like the ad to go in the Laconia and Concord papers as well.
Julian said he talked with PSNH about dark sky street lights that run from dusk to midnight when a timer shuts them off. He suggested we look into that.
At 7:50 Chairman Blanchard moved to go into non-public session per 91a for matters of reputation and personnel. Selectman Laleme seconded. Chairman Blanchard did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed the Building Inspector/Health Officer position.
The Board discussed safety concerns at the Town Building
At 8:15 Chairman Blanchard moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
At 8:15 Chairman Blanchard moved to adjourn. Selectman Laleme seconded. Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
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