Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2019
Present: Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moritz, Selectman Moore, Selectman Jensen, Selectman Caplain.
Chairman Boisseau opened the meeting at 5:15 pm. Selectman Moritz moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of real estate and legal. Selectman Moore seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board discussed real estate and legal issues.
At 6:00 Selectman Moritz moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Moore seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public session.
Chairman Boisseau opened the public portion of the meeting at 6:05.
PUBLIC INPUT
Rita Farrell told the Board the preservation society submitted a letter with input about the country club and she submitted that to the Board. She also submitted documents about the future of landfill gas to energy and the public benefit document by Casella.
Dann said the voting thing that Cliff speaks about with Casella, he is in favor of that. He said we don’t own our property if someone else can tell us what we can do with it. He said that includes manufactured homes, landfills, etc.
Dann also said in response to being accused of avoiding paying taxes that people choose stores to go to based on price and deals; people itemize their taxes to save money; he asked if they complain when Vermonter’s shop in NH to save on paying taxes; he asked the Board if they shop wherever or look for best deal. He said taxation is theft. Dann said it was a Board member that accused him of avoiding paying taxes. He read the commandments.
Mary Jackson told the Board she needs a new photo copier and can get one this year with a 48 month lease for about $100.00/month with zero down, $1.00 buyout at the end of the lease and a $360.00 maint. plan per year. She explained only 2 payments would hit this year’s budget and did say there is a clause in there in case her budget doesn’t pass. Selectman Moritz moved to approve the lease of a new copier. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board discussed having a warrant article to create a separate fund for cemetery funds from revenue collected for gravesite sales, to use for maintenance. Selectman Moritz moved to accept the warrant article for cemetery fund. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
Angel Larcom told the Board that Bethlehem Events have been working on billboards and working with businesses where they are located but said they would like to take on the dilapidated one at the Heritage. She explained the culvert project is put on hold indefinitely so they would like to rebuild it and maintain it. She said the Heritage is all for them doing it. Selectman Moore moved to have Bethlehem Events rebuild and maintain the billboard. Selectman Moritz seconded. Carried 5-0. Selectman Jensen asked what will be on it and was told no corporate sponsorships will be on it that it will be for community events. Ms. Larcom told the Board about all the Halloween events happening the next weekend.
Angela Figallo-McShane came to give the Board an update on the Profile Trail. She said they have a MOU that is complete, the funding is complete, and wetland approval is complete. She explained the trail is now coming out onto South Road from the Rocks due to the wetlands. She said she would like some feedback for language on kiosk and asked the Board if they want any other signage on South Road or a crosswalk. She said they will need to clear the end of trail in the winter. Selectman Jensen said signage would be good because people go fast on South Road. Selectman Caplain said signage on the trail as well warning kids about road would be good. He also suggested painting a path or having signage on South Road to Lewis Hill Road. Michael Bruno said he is in favor of the project. He said he is an abutter but was not notified and said he is the last house on the right. He also said people go fast and he doesn’t want signage on his property.
David Van Houten from the Energy Commission came to follow up with the Board. He asked about using the software to track the energy use and was told that could be done. He also discussed a checklist for the building to track things that should be done like storm windows etc. He said he would love to see an electric car charging spot too.
The Board reviewed some changes to the building permit and some fee calculation changes submitted by building inspector, David Wiley. The Board was curious why he wanted to change the fee calculation from square footage to cost of construction and wondered if it was by honor system or if we would have to chase people after to determine actual cost. There were questions on what changed on the application so the Board tabled this so they could ask Mr. Wiley the questions.
The Board reviewed a quote from Verizon for new phones to replace our current phones. The Board again had many questions so this was tabled until more information is obtained.
The Board discussed the unanticipated municipal aid that was received due to the state budget being passed. The amount is just over $33,000.00. The Board explained they could have a public hearing to accept and expend it on something in particular or it could go to offset the tax rate. Selectman Jensen said they didn’t get the Tillotson grant for the marketing plan so wondered if that is something they should consider. Selectman Moore said she likes the idea of the marketing plan. Selectman Jensen said the Twin Mountain marketing plan would be an extra charge then what they applied for the grant. Selectman Caplain said they could possibly add the charging station for electric cars too. The Board discussed having Pam Sullivan come in to discuss the marketing plan. She helped come up with the estimate when applying for the Tillotson Grant. They will invite Pam for next Monday and schedule a public hearing for Nov 4th.
The Board discussed budget goal setting. Selectman Moritz said she would like to see flat budgets and if there are pay increases she would still like it flat so would like raises taken from somewhere else in the budget. Chairman Boisseau said they have brought pay levels up and done a good job at bringing those up. He agrees with keeping a flat budget.
The Board discussed money received from a class action lawsuit for not receiving money due to the town for the national forest. Selectman Moritz moved to accept $2113.00. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board reviewed a sign permit for Don Hilliard for Hilliard Real Estate. Selectman Moritz moved to approve the sign permit. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
The Board reviewed the minutes.
Selectman Moritz moved to approve the minutes from 10/07/19. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 3-0 (Selectmen Caplain and Moore abstained).
Selectman Caplain moved to approve the minutes from 10/11/19. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 3-0 (Selectmen Moore and Moritz abstained).
At 7:55 Chairman Boisseau moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of legal. Selectman Moritz seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board reviewed a legal contract. Selectman Moritz moved to extend the cable agreement. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
At 8:15 Selectman Moritz moved to come out of non-public session. Selectman Moore seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to come out of non-public session.
At 8:15 Selectman Moritz moved to adjourn. Selectman Jensen seconded. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
