08/12/2024 SB Minutes
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574
Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
August 12th, 2024
In person – Chairman Bruno, Select Woman Strand, and Selectman Caplain. Selectman Morris attended remotely.
Public Input- Allegra Wright thanked the town for an excellent 250th Celebration. Chairman Bruno continued, thanking Clare Brown, Linda Moore, Pam Sullivan, Dawn Ferringo, and Mary Moritz. Chairman Bruno also thanked the sponsors and partner businesses.
SEC Hearing 9/23- The board discussed who would represent Bethlehem for the SEC hearing and decided Selectman Morris.
Public Complaint- Camping on Public Property- Chairman Bruno stated the board received an email from a resident was concerned about camping on public property for safety concerns. Selectman Caplain suggested looking into an ordinance like the one Littleton adopted. The board thanked Lisa Jacobs, Aquatic Director, for her thoughtful response. Selectman Morris noted RSA 236:58 may be worth looking into regarding regulating camping on public property. Rich Southwell recommended considering an ordinance for town meeting to avoid having an issue with homeless encampments. The board will continue discussion at a future meeting.
Minutes 7/22- Select Woman Strand moves to accept the minutes from 7/22. Selectman Caplain seconds and all are in favor.
Updates and other business- Chairman Bruno motioned to accept the terms of the River Road Frant agreement and stated “The Select Board, in a majority vote, accepted the terms of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program as presented in the amount of $867,730.50 for the River Road Culvert project. Furthermore, the Board acknowledges that the total cost of this project will be $964,145.00, in which the town will be responsible for a 10% match ($96,414.50).” Any discussion. Selectman Morris stated the agreement is standard and she is in favor of moving forward. Selectman Caplain noted this was an opportunity to get the work completed and if the board did not move forward the town would be responsible for the total cost of the project. Chairman Bruno called the vote and all were in favor.
Façade Grant- Chairman Bruno stated Julia Brabec applied for a façade grant for 2855 Main Street and the committee recommended awarding the grant request.
Selectman Caplain motioned to approve the façade grant. Select Woman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.
The board discussed future meeting dates: 8/26, 9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, and 12/16.
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, reputation, and legal. Selectman Morris seconded and roll call followed.
The board discussed a personnel and legal issue.
Chairman Bruno made a motion to adjourn at 8:00. Selectman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Moritz
Town Administrator
