Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
November 11, 2019
Present: Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moritz, Selectman Moore, Selectman Jensen, Selectman Caplain.
Chairman Boisseau opened the meeting at 5:40 pm and moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of personnel. Selectman Moritz seconded. Chairman Boisseau did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board met with Matt Courchaine to discuss the personnel matters for running the country club for next year.
At 6:05 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.
The public session began at 6:10.
PUBLIC INPUT
Rita Farrell said the newsletter is an amazing development that has taken place.
Chairman Boisseau said it was Veterans day and wanted to recognize all Veterans.
Chairman Boisseau said the Board needs to decide what to use from the unassigned fund balance to offset the tax rate and said last year they used $200,000.
Selectman Moritz said she knew they were going to need funds this year to keep it stable which will require $400,000 and will keep 10% in the fund. She said they will need another 14 million in assessed value. She said the budget went up $250,000 last year and want to keep budget flat this year and said it is hard to tell with warrant articles what more will be needed next year.
Chairman Boisseau said $836,945 will still be left in the fund and that is a healthy amount and historically it is more than it’s been except for last 2 years.
The Board discussed using $425,000 instead of $400,000 and all agreed. That still leaves $812,000 in the fund which is 9.67% and sets the tax rate at 26.73 with the municipal portion $5.68. Selectman Moore moved to used $425,000 from the unassigned fund balance to offset the tax rate setting the tax rate at $26.73. Selectman Caplain seconded. Carried 5-0.
Chairman Boisseau said since the company withdrew their offer on the country club, they will continue to run it as a country club and are already talking about use of that space. He said they didn’t operate the restaurant and are talking about leasing it and making plans for next year.
Rita Farrell said the preservation society was interested in talking about it. Selectman Caplain said he has tried many times to contact them and he is waiting to hear back.
Selectman Jensen said Brett Jackson is looking at new and used trucks to replace his broken one and is hoping to find a good deal on a used.
Chris McGrath said there are grants for diesel truck purchases from the state. The Board will look into that.
The Board discussed the draft RFP for a marketing firm. They will discuss on 11/18/19.
At 6:42 Chairman Boisseau moved to adjourn. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
