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03/06/2023 SB Minutes

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

March 6, 2023

In person –Select person Hibberd, Select person Jensen, and Select person Morris

 

Public Input-No public input

 

Consolidated Communications Jeff McIver and Brian Lim– Select person Jensen introduced Consolidated representatives Jeff McIver and Brian Lim to discuss the grant they received to add fiber optic internet to an additional 624 households in Bethlehem. Nancy Strand asked how the residents would be charged and Jeff McIver said there would be an installation fee and a monthly fee.

 

Pool Grant Opportunity- Select person Jensen informed the board he found an opportunity for a possible grant to help offset training costs for the summer lifeguards.

 

Bretzfelder Committee-reappoint Liz Carter and Sarah Turtle

Select person Morris made a motion to reappoint Liz Carter and Sarah Turtle for a three-year term.  Select person Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.

 

Election Official- RSA 31:105- Select person Hibberd opened discussion on legal coverage for town employees, boards, and volunteers from frivolous lawsuits by adopting RSA 31:105.  The select board agreed that it be good to adopt RSA 31:105.

 

Select person Morris made a motion “The Board of Selectmen of the Town of Bethlehem hereby adopts the provisions of RSA 31:105 whereby the Town shall indemnify and save harmless for loss or damage occurring after the date of the adoption of this motion, to the fullest extent possible, any person employed by it and by any member or officer of the Town when that person is acting within the scope of employment or their official duties for the Town of Bethlehem. This shall apply to administrative staff, elected officials, and appointed officials, including but not limited to, Selectmen, Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Treasurer, Road Agent, Conservation Commission members, Historical Society members, Trustees of the Cemetery, Planning Board members, Zoning Board of Adjustment members, Supervisors of the Checklist, Moderator, Trustees of Trust Funds, and Election Officials from personal financial loss and expense. Such losses and expenses shall include but shall not be limited to reasonable legal fees and costs and the payment of damages, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of negligence or other acts resulting in accidental injury to a person, accidental damage to or destruction of property, or claims of misconduct. This policy of indemnification shall not apply to any action by an otherwise indemnified individual in the event that the conduct forming the basis of the claim was as a result of a wanton or malicious behavior or actions taken in bad faith which shall include, but not be limited to, conscious wrongdoing or behavior based upon a dishonest, immoral or improper motive. The omission by title of any municipal employee, official or board or committee member from the above enumeration shall not be

 

construed to deny indemnification to such individuals.” Select person Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

 

Sansoucy Contract- Select person Hibberd introduced the additional properties that would be added to the Sansoucy contract.  The board discussed the added increase that the town has seen as a result of Sansoucy assessing utilities and decided to move forward with the two additional properties.

 

Select person Hibberd made a motion to move forward with the two additional properties with the Sansoucy contract.  Select person Jensen seconded and all were in favor. 

 

Minutes –2/13/2023 Select person Jensen made a motion to approve the minutes from 2/13/2023.  Select person Morris seconded and all were in favor. 

 

Other-

Select person Morris updated the board on the Hawkers and Peddlers license stating that the town should hold off implementing anything until it is decided by the legislators in Concord.  Select person Morris suggested looking into the possibility of leasing town owned property.

 

Select person Hibberd updated the board regarding the increase credit card handling fee that will be charged for the Tax Collector and Town Clerk.

 

Select person Hibberd asked the board their availability for election day and it was noted Select person Morris is available afternoon and evening, Select person Jensen is available first thing and as needed, Chairperson Caplain is available first thing and as needed and Select person Hibberd is available during the day.

 

Select person Hibberd updated the board regarding the two abatements we received.

Select person Hibberd made a motion to approve the abatement for map lot 410-14-4.  Select person Morris seconded and all were in favor.

Select person Hibberd made a motion to approve the abatement for map lot 413-53-05.  Select person Morris seconded and all were in favor. 

 

Select person Hibberd introduced the anonymous donation that was made to the fire department and police department.  The select board thanked the donor for their generosity.

 

Select person Morris made a motion to accept the unrestricted donation in the amount of $250 for the fire department and the $250 donation to be used for safety purposes for the police department.  Select person Jensen seconded and all were in favor. 

 

Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Select person Hibberd made a motion to go into non-public per RSA-91A-3 for reasons of legal.  Select person Morris seconded and roll call followed.

 

Select person Hibberd made a motion to adjourn 8:00 pm Select person Morris seconded, and all were in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator