09/09/2024 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

September 9th, 2024

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

Visitor’s Center Roof Report- Chairman Bruno opened discussion on the Visitor’s Center Roof Engineering Plan noting the only change is removing the widows walk which the Historical Society is aware of change.

Chairman Bruno motioned to accept the Visitor’s Center Roof Engineering Plan as presented.  Select Woman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.  

Rambling Woods-CBDG Discharge- Chairman Bruno explained in 1998 Rambling Woods was awarded a CDBG grant, and the town acted as the fiscal agent.  In 2018 grant was closed and the last step is the discharge the lien.

Select Woman Hibberd motioned to discharge the Rambling Woods lien for the CDBG grant.  Select Woman Strand seconded, and all were in favor.

Basketball Quote- Chairman Bruno explained the town received two quotes to repair the crack at the basketball court.  The first quote was to solely fix the crack at $3,327.00 and the second quote was fixing the crack and resurface the entire court at $15,686.  The board discussed the benefits of resurfacing the entire court to prevent future cracks.  Dick Robie noted how many people benefit from the basketball courts and they are an important asset to the community.  Mr. Robie also mentioned the poles should be addressed as well. Rich Southwell noted town property should be maintained and if you consider how long it has been since major work has been completed on the court the amount is reasonable. Selectman Morris noted the poles should be addressed before the resurfacing.

Selectman Morris motioned to authorize $15,686.00 to repair and resurface the basketball court contingent on confirmation that the poles will be stabilized.  Select Woman Hibberd seconded, and all were in favor. 

Enforcement Letter- Chairman Bruno explained the board sent a letter to a business per the request of the Planning Board asking the business to comply with our site plan regulations.  The business has not responded so the next step is for the board to send a second enforcement letter stating if they do not comply the next step will be legal action.  The board agreed to send the second enforcement letter to the business.

Minutes 8/26- Select Woman Hibberd motioned to accept the minutes from 8/26.  Select Woman Strand seconded, all were in favor.

Updates and other business- Select Woman Strand updated the board that the CIP committee has been working on the spreadsheet templates that Rich Southwell developed, and the next meeting would be held on 9/17.  The Transfer Station Committee will be hosting the manager from the Lancaster Transfer Station.  Select Woman Strand asked if there was anything proactively the town could do regarding the Main Street property that accumulates trash and if the board wanted to discuss the housing issue at a future meeting. Chairman Bruno noted that Jarred Sullivan had been voted on as representing Bethlehem for the NCC Transportation Advisory Committee and the town administrator also needed to be voted on.

Select Woman Strand motioned to have Mary Moritz as a voting member of North Country Counsel’s TAC.  Chairman Bruno seconded, and all were in favor. 

Chairman Bruno continued with regret the town received Chief DeMoranville’s letter of resignation because he was retiring effective October 1st.  The board thanked Chief DeMoranville for his service.

Select Woman Hibberd suggested the board add the Master Plan goals to an upcoming agenda.  Selectman Morris noted the STR committee has completed the draft of the STR application and process and is waiting for final comments from the Building Inspector Code Officer.  Selectman Morris continued Eversource has petitioned the PUC to overrule the Planning Board’s denial of their height waiver, and the prehearing is scheduled for 9/16 and the Eversource SEC hearing is scheduled for 9/23.  The board decided to move the next select board meeting from 9/23 to 9/16 due to the SEC hearing.

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