06/24/2024 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

June 24th, 2024

In person – Chairman Bruno, Select Woman Strand, Selectman Morris, and Selectman Caplain.  Select Woman Hibberd attended remotely.

Public Input- Dick Robie mentioned the new Highway Department Truck purchase and asked why it wasn’t voted on at town meeting.  Chairman Bruno explained the Highway Department has capital reserve to make purchases which allows the department to react to potential opportunities that will save the town money.  Chairman Bruno praised Brett Jackson, Road Agent, for is management of his department expenditures.

Martie Cook asked if properties in current use were looked at more frequently than the 5-year reevaluation cycle.  Mary Moritz, Town Administrator, explained that if a current use property files a building permit or does something against the current use requirements that would trigger the town to reclassify the property and charge the land use change tax outside of the reevaluation cycle.

Abatements- Chairman Bruno informed the board that the assessors provided additional explanation regarding properties 403-027 and 420-010.

Selectman Morris motioned to approve the assessors recommended property value for 403-027 and 420-010.  Select Woman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.

Traffic Calming Update- Selectman Caplain updated the board on the Traffic Calming Task force recommendations to slow traffic through Main Street based on the study done by North Country Counsel fall of 2023.  The recommendations are adding 2 new cross walks and painting all cross walks twice a year, adding 10 flashing cross walk signs, painting “Town Ahead” on the roads as you enter the Village, pedestrian crossing signs in the middle of the road, rumble strips as you enter the Village (Lewis Hill Road and before Elementary school) and adding a bike lane.  Selectman Morris had concerns regarding the safety of the bike lane.  Chairman Bruno recommended the board have a public hearing before moving forward with the recommendations.  Selectman Caplain said the next step would be to have a meeting with DOT and himself, the Road Agent, and Chiefs of Police and Fire Department.  The board thanked the Traffic Calming Task Force for all their efforts.

Capital Improvement Committee Update- Select Woman Strand updated the board on the work the CIP has completed.  The next step is the committee will recommend a plan to the select board.

Conservation Commission-Vivian Winterhoff and Joanne Jones as Alternates for a 3-year term ending on April 1, 2027- Select Woman Strand motioned to accept Vivian Winterhoff and Joanne Jones as alternates for a 3-year term ending on April 1, 2027.  Selectman Morris seconded and all were in favor.

Updates and other business- Select Woman Strand asked if the board was interested in having a joint candidate’s night with Franconia like the one held in October 2022.  The board agreed to contact Franconia and ask if they were interested.

Chairman Bruno updated the board that July 8^th the Historical Society was having a volunteer work project day.  He also updated the board he had an opportunity to spend time with Brett Jackson, Road Agent, reviewing highway department vehicles and riding around Bethlehem looking at roads.  Selectman Morris updated the board that the STR committee is in the process of scheduling the first meeting.

Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Chairman Bruno motioned to go into nonpublic per RSA 91A-3 II for reasons of personnel and reputation. Selectman Morris seconded and roll call followed.

The board discussed a personnel issue.

Chairman Bruno made a motion to adjourn at 7:30. Selectman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator