03/15/2021 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

March 15, 2021

 

Via Zoom – Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moritz, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen, Selectman Moore

Chairman Boisseau recited the attached statement regarding virtual meetings. – Roll call – no one in attendance except board members in their respective locations.

Chairman Boisseau opened the meeting at 6:00pm and reminded people to leave their microphones on mute.

 

Public Input:

Chris McGrath – Mr. McGrath asked if the board would consider opening the town hall and move to hybrid meetings.

Veronica Morris – Ms. Morris asked of the board had discussed pedestrian signage on route 302 near the Rock’s Estate end of town. Chairman Boisseau stated the board is investigating the signage in town and will have to find the right spots for signage and streetlights.

Selectman Moore thanked road agent and highway dept for putting up no-parking signs on Main St. in the downtown area.

 

Mural Project:

Jessica Bahrakis – The mural project in Bethlehem would like to add 2 more murals this yea.  They are working locations and suggested a few.  Various board members voiced their support for the project. Ms.Bahrakis mentioned there is possible grant money to include community herb gardens at the murals.

 

Bethlehem Cares:

April Hibberd – guidelines are created for the trust. The board asked about timeliness of distributing funds as needed if it is set up as a trust. Ms. Hibberd stated that there will be monthly meetings but can have emergency meetings as needed.  The board suggested that the guidelines be reviewed by legal. The project is funded by donations only, no tax dollars involved. Ms. Hibberd stated the committee would now be an official town committee and would post vacancies as they open up.

Veronica Morris suggested contacting the library as they receive donations currently. Ms. Hibberd contacted the Charitable Trust and they confirmed the trust fund through the town was the best bet.

 

Selectman Moritz – makes motion to move forward with proposal contingent on legal approval – Selectman Moore seconded – roll call – Boisseau, Moritz, Moore, Caplain – Selectman Jensen recused himself – Selectman Moritz amend to include any changes legal may make Selectman Moore seconded again – roll call – Boisseau, Moritz, Moore, Caplain – Selectman Jensen recused himself – motion passed as amended.

 

Complete Streets:

BC – circling back – signage and parking issues in town – good time to revisit program and add committee and move forward – repost committee info to get volunteers.

 

Solar Project:

Selectman Caplain – Barrington Power submitting info to USDA for approval – looking for letter of support from board – will draft letter if board is on board –

Selectman Moore makes motion to move forward with letter of support of Profile solar project – Selectman Moritz seconded – roll call – all – motion passed

 

EV Charging:

Selectman Caplain – energy committee discussed adding EV chargers to town. – They reached out to 3 different companies. Two types of systems were discussed. 1. Drive up and plug in, no time limit, or cost. 2. Software system that allows costs to be added and chargers to be reserved online. System 1 is cheaper to get into, roughly $3000, system 2 roughly $5000 plus $500 annual fee. All companies suggested 4 ports on 2 separate pedestals. If the town digs the trench and runs the electric lines it would save the town money. The board discussed adding signs to the highway, adding chargers to popular charging apps, possible locations, pros and cons of both systems, and the next steps.  The board agreed it is best to wait until the solar project moves forward to move forward with charging options.

 

Roadsides clean up:

Selectman Moore – Roadside clean up scheduled for May 8^th and rain date May 15^th, working out details but will do it COVID friendly.

 

Public hearing: – Unanticipated Funds – Chairman Boisseau – public hearing for $12585.53 Interlocal Trust voted to return funds – explain options to distribute – board discussion – cut check or offset future deductions.

Chris McGrath – not listed on public hearing web page – clarified by board.

Chairman Boisseau – made motion to accept $12,585.53 from NH Interlocal trust to distribute as payroll deduction – Selectman Jensen seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.

That concludes public hearing for unanticipated funds.

 

Other

Selectman Caplain – Sullivan Creative – savor and tour campaign going well – cover letter created– will pass along to board to see.

Selectman Caplain had questions on Main St construction project by state? – Selectman Jensen will check on progress

 

Minutes (3/01/2021)

Selectman Moore makes motion to accept March 1^st minutes – Selectman Jensen seconded – roll call – all – motion passed

 

At 7:08pm Chairman Boisseau made a motion to go to Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (a,c,l)  – Selectman Caplain seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.

Abatement from Rambling Woods – representative from Rambling Woods was present – board discussed – Selectman Jensen made a motion to approve abatement on 206-068-015 – Selectman Moore seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.

Abatements on 209-018-004, overpayment, and 415-057, lot merged prior to billing.

Selectman Moore move to approve abatements – Selectman Moritz seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.

Selectman Moore – move to hire Stephen Schmucker for the ambulance crew at $23/hr – Selectman Caplain seconded – roll call – all – motion passed

Board discussed legal matters and legal advice regarding proposed Dalton landfill.

 

At 7:56 pm – Selectman Boisseau made a motion to adjourn. Chairman Moritz seconded – roll call – Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moritz, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen – motion passed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Tim Fleury

Administrative Assistant

 

A Checklist To Ensure Meetings Are Compliant With The Right-to- Know Law During The State Of Emergency

 

As Chair of the Bethlehem Board of Selectmen, I find that due to the State of Emergency declared by the Governor as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the Governor’s Emergency Order #12 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this public body is authorized to meet electronically.

Please note that there is no physical location to observe and listen contemporaneously to this meeting, which was authorized pursuant to the Governor’s Emergency Order. However, in accordance with the Emergency Order, I am confirming that we are:

1. Providing public access to the meeting by telephone, with additional access possibilities by video or other electronic means:

 

We are utilizing Zoom for this electronic meeting. All members of the select board have the ability to communicate contemporaneously during this meeting through this platform, and the public has access to contemporaneously listen and, if necessary, participate in this meeting through dialing the following phone #646 558 8656, Meeting ID: 210 605 342 and Password: 087588, or by clicking on the following website address:

 

https://zoom.us/j/210605342?pwd=RlMyRVNKUWZIZk1wdFFYaWJFZ2dKdz09

 

1. Providing public notice of the necessary information for accessing the meeting:

 

We previously gave notice to the public of the necessary information for accessing the meeting, including how to access the meeting using Zoom or telephonically. Instructions have also been provided on the website of the Town of Bethlehem at www.bethlehemnh.org.

1. Providing a mechanism for the public to alert the public body during the meeting if there are problems with access:

 

If anybody has a problem, please email Tim Fleury at: admin@bethlehemnh.org

 

1. Adjourning the meeting if the public is unable to access the meeting:

 

In the event the public is unable to access the meeting, the meeting will be adjourned and rescheduled.

 

Please note that all votes that are taken during this meeting shall be done by roll call vote.

 

Let’s start the meeting by taking a roll call attendance. When each member states their presence, please also state whether there is anyone in the room with you during this meeting, which is required under the Right-to- Know law.

 

1 Many public bodies are utilizing video teleconferencing technology, such as Zoom, to ensure the electronic meeting comply with the Right-to-Know law and any applicable due process requirements. In certain circumstances, a regular business meeting of a public body may be conducted utilizing audio-only technology. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of the technology utilized to conduct your meeting, please consult your agency counsel or the Attorney General’s Office.