03/20/2023 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

March 20, 2023

In person –Chairman Caplain, Select person Hibberd, Select person Strand, Select person Morris, and Select person Bruno.

Chairman Caplain made a motion to go into Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II for reasons of personnel.  Select person Hibberd seconded and roll call followed. 

Chief Anderson- gear purchase – Chief Anderson presented his gear purchase that will be funded from the Fire Department Personal Safety Equipment capital reserve.

Chairman Caplain made a motion to purchase the six sets that had been requested and two additional sets if necessary.  Select person Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.

Chief Anderson informed the board that the estimate for the fire truck must be redone because       the height of the quoted truck will not fit in the station.

Vote in Chair and choose Liaisons There was discussion regarding who would become Chair.  Select person Hibberd nominated Select person Morris to become chair followed by Select person Bruno nominating Chairman Caplain to remain as chair.  Select person Strand, Select person Hibberd and Select person Morris voted for Select person Morris to become chair.  Select person Strand nominated Select person Bruno for Vice Chair and all were in favor.  Select board liaison:

 

Public Input- There was no public input.

Select Board Policy and Procedures- Chairperson Morris opened discussion regarding policy and procedure.  Select person Hibberd questioned the policy regarding legal and calling a meeting.  It was decided to have further discussion at a future meeting.

Calendar 2023-2024 and 2024-2025- The upcoming meeting schedule is April 3^rd, April 10^th if necessary, and April 17^th.

Discuss adopting annual Board Goals document- Chairperson Morris recommended postponing discussion for a future meeting and the board agreed.

Transfer Station Committee- appoint Chris Jensen to the transfer station committee:

Select person Strand nominated Chris Jensen to the Transfer Station Committee.  Select person Caplain seconded and all were in favor.

ARPA Funds- It was agreed to discuss ARPA funds at a future meeting.  Select person Caplain made a correction that $60,000 was allocated to the solar array project not $160,000.

Select Board Follow Up- The running list of items that require follow up was shared with the board as it will be discussed periodically during meetings.

Minutes –3/6/2023 and 3/13/2023-Select person Caplain requested the minutes change from: Ahead is planning on building 10 to 15 homes to be purchased at a subsidized rate.  To: The plan is to build 10 to 15 homes to be purchased at a reasonable rate that the workforce can afford. The minutes discussion was postponed confirming how to approve without an attending quorum with NHMA.

Other-Select person Hibberd updated the board she would getting a new quote for the solar lights to be added at the basketball courts, parking lot, and Little Free pantry.  Select person Caplain updated the board that the Energy Commission had reached out to Grafton Country regarding the $2 million ARPA funds that could be going back to towns located in Grafton Country for energy projects.  Select Caplain also had an opportunity to speak to Bridget from Bent Fork Farm regarding the possibility of offering fresh produce to the Free Little Pantry.  Select person Strand said she would contact out to Joe Whitten again, from Apparel Impact, to seek a bin with a closure.

Select person Hibberd made a motion to nominate Chris Jensen to be on the board of Bethlehem Cares. 

Chairperson Morris made a motion to go into Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Roll call followed.

Select person Caplain made a motion to accept Chief Anderson’s proposal.  Select person Bruno seconded and all were in favor. 

Select person Hibberd made a motion to adjourn at 9:00.  Select person Caplain seconded and all were favor. 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator