Skip to content

07/01/2024 SB Minutes

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

July 1st, 2024

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

Public Input- Clay Morris congratulated the Throttle Brothers for their organized and successful fund raiser at the Gazebo and he hopes the event continues.

RFQ’s Maple Wood Hill Road-Chairman Bruno explained that the town issued a Request for Qualification the end of May seeking Engineering firms to complete the preconstruction work necessary for Maple Wood Hill Road BRIC grant and received two responses.  Chairman Bruno opened SLR International, and the board completed the Consultant Selection Criteria form.  Chairman Bruno collected the SLR criteria forms and opened the next proposal from HEB Engineering. Chairman Bruno tallied the results of both sets of forms with HEB receiving 379 points and SLR 299 points and opened discussion with the board.  Selectman Morris noted HEB has significantly more experience working in New Hampshire and the projects listed were road specific and like the Maple Wood project. Chairman Bruno commented on Highway 112 projected noting the extent of the work done.

Select Woman Hibberd motioned to move forward wit HEB Engineering to complete the Maple Wood Hill project.  Selectman Morris seconded and all were in favor.

USDA Contract Renewal- Chairman Bruno updated the board that USDA is seeking a contract renewal for trapping, testing, and vaccinating wildlife for rabies.

Selectman Morris motioned to renew the contract with USDA Wildlife Service for rabies control.  Select Woman Hibberd seconded, and all were in favor. 

Minutes 6/17 and 6/24– Chairman Bruno motioned to accept the minutes from 6/17 as amended.  Select Woman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.

Select Woman Strand motioned to accept the minutes from 6/24 as amended.  Select Woman Hibberd seconded, and all were in favor.   

Updates and other business- Select Woman Strand updated the board that the Transfer Station Committee worked with Aries Engineering and noted that the transfer Station will have to go out to bid the end of 2024 to be completed by the 12/30/2026 NCES closure date.  Select Woman Hibberd recommended Dick Robie for a Bravo Award because of the unique benches he provides the Village of Bethlehem.  Chairman Bruno noted Mr. Robie also maintains the vintage signs around town.  Select Woman Hibberd also updated the board that the food pantry received a grant to buy produce.  Selectman Morris updated the board that she had attended the Army Corp of Engineers meeting regarding the proposed landfill in Dalton.  Selectman Morris continued her biggest take away was the Army Corp’s interest only relates to specifically permitting and disruption of wetlands using the construction of a culvert as an example and environmental justice.  The Army Corp of Engineers will not consider any environmental concerns such as PFAS. The Army Corp is looking for public comment on the proposed Dalton landfill and the deadline to submit is July 3rd.  Chairman Bruno updated the board that the motion on June 24th to purchase the new Highway Truck did not include the extended warranty so the motioned needed to be amended from $33,000 to $37,649.50.  Select Woman Hibberd asked if it was a manufacturer warranty and what the milage would be.  The board table amending the motion until the answer was received.

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, legal, and reputation. Selectman Morris seconded and roll call followed.

The board discussed a personnel and legal issue and agreed to enter into a tax payment plan.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator