04/26/2021 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

April 26, 2021

 

Via Zoom – Present:, Vice Chairman Moore, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen,

Absent: Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moritz

Vice Chairman Moore recited the attached statement regarding virtual meetings. – Roll call – Vice Chairman Moore, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen

Absent: Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Moritz

 

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

 

Public Input:

none

Town Mask Mandate discussion:

Vice Chairman Moore – Town building or town wise? Selectman Caplain – the governor’s mandate was lifted at the state level, questioning if mask mandate should remain in town. Vice Chairman Moore – no town mandate set, followed state guidelines – Selectman Jensen – masks are still required at the post office and in the town buildings and stated the CDC is loosening restrictions on mask wearing outside.

Veronica Morris – Franconia put a mandate in in November – copy available on their website.

Vice Chairman Moore – keep mask requirement in town buildings – no issue in business’ in town – Selectman Jensen – currently 6 cases in town – keep requirements the same and revisit if cases increase. – Selectman Caplain – agrees – can change with business input.

 

Presidential Mountain Resort Signage

Vice Chairman Moore – passing along info from Chairman Boisseau and conversation with Mr. Rudich from PMR – Chairman Boisseau had a productive conversation with Yitz Rudich from the Presidential Mountain Resort – PMR would like to work with the Town to see increased signage to help slow down traffic and increase safety for pedestrians in the area. Mr. Rudich would like to see a joint letter from various town agencies to DOT. Selectman Jensen volunteered to draft a letter for DOT from select board – Selectman Caplain – will reach out to DOT via a phone call.

Public:

Veronica Morris: in Meredith – lit crosswalks – route 3 – installed in 2019 – blinking light to alert drivers – “Your speed is” signs roughly $5000 a piece – would free up mobile signs.

Margaret Gale – traffic both ways along that road is speeding, east and west.

Allegra Wright – a pedestrian bridge would be a great idea.

 

Liquor License Approval – Bethlehem Country Club

Vice Chairman Moore – move to approve letter of support for BCC liquor license for the Putter’s Pub – Selectman Caplain – second – roll call  – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – motion passed

 

Transfer Station Committee Addition

Selectman Jensen – committee formed in 2017 with 12 members, it’s now down to 7 – Betsy Phillips and Stephen Yancy are interested in joining.

Selectman Jensen – make motion to approve Betsy Phillips and Stephen Yancy to transfer station committee – Selectman Caplain – second – roll call – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – motion passed

 

Textile Recycling Collection:

Selectman Jensen – Transfer Station Committee asked the board to consider a bin from Apparel Impact in town – recycles textiles and keeps from landfill.

Selectman Moore – will need more info and come back to the next meeting. Selectman Caplain – great idea but would like to see where clothes go to – not in the Town Hall parking area, too congested – pool parking lot instead to clear room and not impeded traffic – Selectman Jensen will look into business background.

Veronica Morris – name of company? – Apparel Impact – Bedford NH – textiles sent to rag companies and some spots overseas.

 

Employee Handbook Update

Selectman Caplain – motion to remove free golf benefit from employee handbook – Selectman Jensen – second –roll call – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – motion passed.

 

Visitor Center Trash Discussion:

Vice Chairman Moore – Clare Brown emailed – trash from Irving dumpsters overflowing blowing onto Visitor Center property – Vice Chairman Moore – phone call or letter better? – Selectman Jensen – phone call will be quick – Selectman Caplain – suggested a warning from Chief DeMoranville for trash ordinance – Selectman Caplain will reach out to the PD.

Margaret Gale – where are the dumpsters located at Irving? Selectman Moore – Looking at Irving on the left – Margaret Gale – add fence to keep blow away trash from Visitor Center.

Rita Farrell – trash goes into stream along Cross St and comes down to Heritage Center – from Aggasiz and other spots.

 

Other:

Selectman Jensen – town note form Spectrum – Federal funds available now for broadband expansion – the topic was raised in the past but expansions covered by existing contract – new federal funds open possibilities – Vice Chairman Moore – in favor of 2 select board members meeting with Spectrum to make it more efficient – Selectman Caplain agrees – Selectman Jensen would get in touch and suggest meeting.

Selectman Caplain – Rek-Lis approached Chairman Boisseau – approval for food truck on property next to building – just checking with Town to see if support needed – private property – no issues

Selectman Caplain – Bethlehem nominated for energy award – 5 municipalities selected – didn’t win, Lebanon did, but honor to be listed with the other towns –

Nancy Strand – textile recycling – member of transfer station committee – can gather more information for the board.

Chris McGrath – textile recycling – if for profit, offer fee for placing bin on property – Public input – school board meeting in March, $150,000 towards solar project. Is it from general funds or warrant article? – Selectman Caplain from warrant article, not general fund.

Rita Farrell – master plan – great guide to look for ideas.

Veronica Morris – back parking lot – gets busy in pool season – also Little Free Pantry location – may be full – elementary school or high school may be better idea.

 

Minutes (4/12/2021)

Selectman Caplain – motion to accept minutes from 3/29/2021 – Selectman Jensen – seconded – roll call – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – motion passed.

 

At 6:50 pm Chairman Moore made a motion to go to Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel) – Selectman Caplain seconded – roll call – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – motion passed.

Discussed pool hire.  

Vice Chairman Moore made motion to hire Sierra Miller at $14 hr – Selectman Jensen second – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – motion passed.

At 6:54 pm – Selectman Moore made a motion to adjourn. Chairman Moritz seconded – roll call – Selectmen Caplain, Jensen and Moore approve – Selectmen Boisseau and Moritz absent – 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.