05/24/2021 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

May 24, 2021

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

Chairman Boisseau recited the attached statement regarding virtual meetings. – Roll call – all present

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

 

Public Input

Cheryl Jensen – update on PMR with conservation commission and DES – delay in DES wetlands permit process – will move to “other”.

Chris McGrath – 3 items – littering ordinance # of tickets? Given out – officer didn’t know littering ordinance existed – reading about building issues in paper against planning/zoning ordinances over last 6/7 months – thumbs up to Abbie Sawyer in rec director position – great addition to program. GIS maps from other’s towns have a liability screen when logging in, we should add to our website to cover any issues.

Textile Collection update

Nancy Strand – Apparel Impact – Joe Whitten present as well, owner of company – Selectman Jensen had questions about where collected items go. – Mr. Whitten explained Apparel Impact’s business plan.  They divert clothing from the landfills, clothing graders determine the condition of the clothes and roughly 85% of the clothes can be worn again and 15% needs to be recycled. They work with local providers in the US like Easter Seals and Goodwill and donate clothes directly as well as sell surplus to other US based companies.

Chairman Boisseau – looking for location for bin – Selectman Jensen – BES or Library may be a better location than Town Hall for traffic issues.

Selectman Jensen made a motion for the select board to endorse the concept and determine site later. If at Town Hall will come back to Select Board – Selectman Moritz – seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.

 

Bethlehem Reimagined

Chairman Boisseau – read Paul Greenlaw’s press release – attached below

 

Deliberative session logistics

Chairman Boisseau – discuss as board deliberative on June 4^th. Mary Lou Krambeer will be running the meeting, but the board will present as well – budgets – broad strokes from Chairman Boisseau – liaisons could answer questions for specific budgets.

Thoughts on in person meetings for future? – Selectman Moore would like to get back into swing of things – Selectman Jensen – Owl camera isn’t as good as it seemed – hard to hear public in planning and zoning meetings –

Chris McGrath – limitations with OWL but other boards have been successful with it, need to learn more about it, could be more successful with better users.

Selectman Caplain – see how deliberative goes and make decision after that – Chairman Boisseau agrees – agenda item in 2 weeks after deliberative.

Harry Newel will do research as well to get things working.

 

Other

Cheryl Jensen – DES and PMR (Presidential Mountain Resort)  – Conservation Commission (CC) and DES – delay in wetlands permit to continue construction in wetlands area. Eckman Engineering submitted an expedited wetlands permit. 30 days approval process if the Conservation Commission signs off on project. The application was submitted without Conservation Commission signature. Will take 50-75 days without signature on average with DES. The CC notified DES that they would comment on application due to high value wetlands. CC hired wetlands scientist, reviewed findings and sent to DES – DES asked PMR for more information on project. PMR contacted DES for site visit – Selectman Jensen asked if the CC had a chance to sign off on the project prior to being sent in. Cheryl Jensen – sent right to DES without going to CC first, delay is not fault of CC.

Selectman Jensen – approved little food pantry – update – close to putting structure in  – Building Professionals Inc – 8×12’ structure, electricity, lighting, no cost to town, located in the pool parking lot.

Selectman Caplain – PMR traffic – conversation with DOT – DOT willing to work with town and PMR – DOT reached out in Feb for driveway traffic flow issues – crosswalks and signage after driveways finished. All parties working to make as safe as possible.

 

Minutes (5/11/2021)

BC makes motion – MM seconded – roll call – all – motion passed

At 6:39 pm Chairman Boisseau made a motion to go to Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, legal) – Selectman Moritz seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.

Board discussed legal advice regarding water spring use.

 

Selectman Moritz – makes motion to hire Summer Guilmette as a substitute lifeguard at  $8.50/hr, Ann GUilmette as a substitute lifeguard and instructor at $10/hr and $13/hr respectively, and Jenna Doucette as a substitute lifeguard and instructor at $12/hr and $11/hr respectively. – BC – seconded – roll call – all – motion passed

 

Board discussed properties on derelict properties in town.

 

Board discussed personnel.

At   7:08 pm Selectman Boisseau made a motion to adjourn. Chairman Moritz seconded – roll call – all 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.