04/29/2024 SB Minutes
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574
Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
April 29th, 2024
In person –Chairman Bruno, Selectman Strand, Selectman Morris, and Selectman Hibberd.
Bretzfelder Reappointment: Nancy Czarny & Shanna Maziarz’s.
Selectman Morris motioned to reappoint Nancy Czarny and Shanna Maziarz to a three-year term on the Conservation Commission. Selectman Strand seconded and all were in favor.
Stella’s Dogs-Lynn Swirzewski requested to have her hot dog cart located at 2182 Main Street again for the 2024 summer season. Chairman Bruno noted Bethlehem would be celebrating the 250th Anniversary the weekend of August 8th.
Selectman Morris motioned to accept Stella’s Dogs at the same location starting in May. Selectman Strand seconded and all were in favor.
STR Committee-Selectman Morris gave an update on the recent Planning Board meeting regarding the STR ordinance. The planning board is still discussing the best way to streamline the process for existing STR which includes grouping STR who must come before the planning board during the same meeting for a conceptual to simplify the process. Chairman Bruno stated that the STR committee was formed for the purpose of transparency and allowing residents a voice in the process. Selectman Strand noted the committee is comprised of a select board member, planning board member, a person who is currently in the industry, STR property owner and two residents who are impacted by a STR. Selectman Strand continued that it should not be a requirement to be a Bethlehem resident to be on the committee. Julia Brabec commented that she felt the requirements of the STR could be duplicative of other requirements of the state. Chairman Bruno stated that the STR committee would discuss the requirements and present the recommendation to the select board. Chris Jensen commented that the two people representing the general public should not be affiliated with a STR. The board decided on May 17th as the deadline to submit a letter of intent for participating as a member of the STR committee and the board would vote on the committee during the May 20th meeting. The board also discussed Selectman Morris as the select board representation because she is the exofficio for the planning board.
Selectman Hibberd motioned to nominate Veronica Morris to the STR committee. Chairman Bruno seconded and all were in favor. Selectman Morris abstained.
Capital Improvement Committee- The board discussed the Capital Improvement Committee. It was decided to ask NHMA if a town employee could volunteer on a town committee. Sally Fitzgerald submitted to represent the Planning Board and Rich Southwell submitted to represent one of the resident member positions.
Chairman Bruno nominated Selectman Strand as the select board representation to the Capital Improvement Committee. Selectman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. Selectman Strand abstained.
Selectman Strand nominated Mary Moritz as the department representative to the Capital Improvement Committee. Chairman Bruno seconded and all were in favor.
Selectman Hibberd moved to nominate Rich Southwell to the Capital Improvement Committee. Selectman Strand seconded and all were in favor.
Town Line Bethlehem/Littleton- Selectman Hibberd updated the board on the recent meeting between Bethlehem and Littleton to discuss the boundary line. Selectman Hibberd stated that the two towns agree and are seeking legal advice on how to document the boundary line to resolve the issue.
Minutes 4/1/2024 and 4/15/2024- Selectman Hibberd moved to accept the minutes from April first. Selectman Strand seconded and all were in favor.
Selectman Hibberd moved to accept the minutes form April fifteenth. Selectman Strand seconded and all were in favor.
Updates and other business- Chairman Bruno updated the board that Chris Crowe would be seeking a DOT Driveway permit and because DOT still has Alderbrook classified as class 6 road Brett Jackson, Road Agent would sign off for the town.
Chairman Bruno updated the board that there were two abatements.
Selectman Morris motioned to approve the abatement in the amount of $350 because the common land was taxed incorrectly. Selectman Strand seconded and all were in favor.
Selectman Morris motioned to approve the abatement in the amount of $17.71 because they were taxed incorrectly. Selectman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.
Selectman Strand updated the board that the rec department was looking into scholarship opportunities for the summer program.
Selectman Hibberd noted that Mary Jackson, Tax Collector and Town Clerk, is requesting the board send a letter in opposition of HB 1124. Selectman Strand agreed noting she felt HB 1124 was a huge overreach of legislation.
Selectman Strand motioned to send a letter in opposition of HB 1124. Selectman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.
Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Chairman Bruno made a motion to go into non-public for reasons of legal, personnel, and reputation. Selectman Strand seconded and roll call followed.
The board discussed legal.
The board discussed reputation and personnel issues.
Chairman Bruno made a motion to adjourn at 8:00. Selectman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Moritz
Town Administrator