Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
December 3, 2018
Present: Selectman Moore, Selectman Boisseau, Selectman Glavac, Selectman Ubaldo.
Selectman Moore opened the meeting at 6:00pm.
James Mihelidakis came before the Board. He explained when he moved up here, he purchased a 4-unit building. He said he is a property investor and purchased property in Littleton, Bethlehem, and Thornton. He called NCES about curbside pickup and they delivered 4 sets of totes for his 4-unit property on Agassiz. Mr. Mihelidakis said when he purchased another multi-unit building in Bethlehem NCES said there was a mistake and they couldn’t pick up trash because the settlement agreement is for single family residences. He said he has been to law school and he reviewed the agreement and it doesn’t say single family residences. He said it says all Bethlehem residences have free curbside pick-up. He also said it says commercial enterprises are not included and Kevin Roy from NCES said his property is commercial. He asked the Board to review the agreement and if they agreed to call Mr. Roy to see if it can be resolved. Selectman Moore said they tried to obtain legal advice but didn’t hear back by the end of the day. Selectman Glavac said in the past rentals did not get garbage pick-up. Selectman Ubaldo said it has been the practice since the beginning that multi-family units including inns didn’t get the free pick-up. Mr. Mihelidakis said the building is his commercial enterprise, but they should pick up residents’ trash because they are not engaged in the commercial enterprise. Selectman Boisseau said he brings up some good points. Selectman Glavac said he agrees with going with past practice. Selectman Boisseau said just because something was done a certain way in the past doesn’t mean it is correct. The Board agreed to get legal input on this.
David Scott from Department of Transportation came to talk with the Board about a bridge preservation project they will be doing on the Bridge on Route 302 that goes over I93. Mr. Scott read a statement about the environmental policy (attached) and said he would need the Board to sign a work zone agreement. He said DOT has the authority to control traffic in work zones as they determine. Mr. Scott introduced Jackie Hozza to go over the project details. Ms. Hozza went over the scope of work which will include removing the concrete median, pulling up the pavement, A painted median put back in place of concrete. She said the utilities will be unmoved. She explained the traffic control will have 4 phases and said the right-hand lane on 93 south plus exit 40 south will need to be closed for 2 weeks and they are working on detour. She said the project will be done by October 16th, 2019. The Board was asked if they thought detour signs would be needed for pedestrians and/or bicyclists. It was decided they would have detour signs. Ms. Hozza said two-way traffic will be maintained the entire project which will take approximately 16-18 weeks. Cheryl Jensen asked what is wrong with the bridge and was told nothing, that it is regular maintenance. It was noted the bridge was last replaced in 1998. Chris McGrath asked if the state will do the work and was told they will put it out to contract. Dick Robie asked where the money will come from and was told 80% federal and 20% state from gas tax. There was discussion about the concrete barrier remaining at the end of off ramp from south exit 40. The Board said they would like to maintain that barrier, so traffic can’t turn left there.
Matt Courchaine came before the Board to discuss the country club budget. He went over quotes for carts. He went over purchasing versus leasing. Selectman Boisseau asked if there was a penalty to break the lease and Mr. Courchaine said it would be offered to the buyer if the country club is sold. Mr. McGrath said the town voted last year to sell so why enter into a 5-year lease and asked what happens if the buyer doesn’t want the carts. Mr. Courchaine said any buyer would want a running fleet. Selectman Ubaldo suggested the warrant article be re-read. Chris Jensen asked if 2019 would be subsidized by any other funds and was told no. Selectman Ubaldo moved to go with option 2 of a 5-year lease with Country Club Enterprises. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board discussed the Transfer Station Committee Liaison and who would take that over. Selectman Boisseau asked if they want to keep moving forward with this right now. Mr. McGrath said there is a complete report that the committee hasn’t discussed yet because they had to cancel the last meeting. There was discussion about how much they should put in the warrant article this year. Selectman Boisseau volunteered to be the liaison.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
The Board reviewed the minutes from 11/19/18. Selectman Glavac moved to approve the minutes. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Ubaldo asked about the light in front of the church and was told Eversource will be doing it soon.
The Board discussed the insurance % that is paid towards employee insurance. It was noted the town would save $3745.21 for 2019 if the % was changed to 85/82/80 from 87/84/82. Selectman Glavac moved to go with 85/82/80. Selectman Moore said she wouldn’t want to give the employees a hit to save $3700.00. Selectman Boisseau said the town is trying to be competitive. Selectman Glavac withdrew his motion.
The Board discussed an abatement. Selectman Moore moved to approve the disbursement of $250,283.00 for an abatement on map/lots 419-001, 419-021, 419-022. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed a list of refunds totaling $7,966.88. Selectman Moore moved to approve the refunds for all of them on the list. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed an abatement for map/lots 208/6,7,9 & 10. Selectman Moore moved to approve the 2017 abatement for $632.83 and the 2018 abatement for $534.98. Selectman Glavac seconded. Carried 4-0.
At 7:32 Selectman Moore moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91A:3 II for matters of Reputation, personnel, & Legal. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Selectman Moore did roll call with all members agreeing to go into non-public session.
The Board met with a taxpayer and his representative. Selectman Glavac moved to settle for $1,200.00 after proof of ownership. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0.
The Board reviewed new hire requests. Selectman Glavac moved to approve Richard Grima for the Fire Dept. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Ubaldo moved to increase MHSL Holiday pay to 11 and to pay the fitness bonuses. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Glavac moved to approve Amanda Daine for the Fire Dept. Selectman Moore seconded. Carried 4-0.
Selectman Glavac moved to let Walter Mitchell know they are supporting amending the easement. Selectman Ubaldo seconded. Carried 4-0.
At 8:17 Selectman Ubaldo moved to adjourn. Selectman Boisseau seconded. Carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
April Hibberd
Administrative Assistant
