10/02/2023 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

October 2nd, 2023

In person –Chairman Morris, Selectman Strand, Selectman Hibberd, and Selectman Caplain.

Minutes 9/11 and 9/25- Selectman Caplain made a motion to accept the minutes from 9/11/2023.  Chairman Morris seconded and all were in favor.

Voting on the minutes from September 25^th was postponed until 10/16.

Town Office Floors- The board discussed the proposal to refurbish the floors in the Selectman’s Office and Planning office.

Selectman Strand made a motion to approve the office floors being refurbished.  Chairman Morris seconded and all were in favor. 

Selectman Caplain recommended prioritizing projects to ensure the larger projects are also getting completed.

North Country Counsel TAC representative- Selectman Strand made a motion to nominate Jared Sullivan Bethlehem’s North Country Counsel’s TAC representative.  Chairman Morris seconded and all were in favor.

Crosswalk between Elementary school and town hall- Chairman Morris introduced Jared Sullivan to discuss crosswalks.  Mr. Sullivan explained to the board as a representative of Bethlehem the most common request for assistance from residents is a crosswalk to the library and possibly Super-Secret Ice Cream.  Mr. Sullivan continued he contacted DOT and the request has to come from the town.  Kristina Zontini, owner of Super-Secret Ice Cream, noted she has witnessed several dangerous road crossings near Irving and an additional crosswalk would be helpful.  The board agreed to contact DOT to request an additional crosswalk.

HEB Engineering Report sidewalk from Elementary School- Chairperson Morris moved discussion to the HEB Engineering report noting her appreciation for the report.  The board discussed the cost of doing the project and the fact that the report built in additional contingency costs and federal grant requirements that increased the overall cost.  The board decided to go back and ask the engineering firm to price lower cost material to see if the project would be more feasible.  Dick Robbie commented that the sidewalk had been discussed over the years and recommended doing the project with concrete if it is to be done.

Grant Discussion continued- Chairman Morris opened discussion on grant procedure.  The select board agreed to have better communication regarding grant submittals, create a database of grant information, and develop a policy for the town to adopt regarding submitting grants and sending letters of support for applications.

Liaison/Committee Update- Selectman Caplain updated the board that the Sustainability working group received the Tillotson grant in the amount of $2,000 and is partnering with the Colonial Theater for a movie event.  The SWG has also sent letters on climate change.  Selectman Caplain continued that the Safe Routes to School grant is moving forward with the sponsor/co-sponsor agreements.  Selectman Strand updated the board that the Transfer Station was seeking additional grants including the Mascoma Bank Foundation grant.  Selectman Strand also updated that there has been a request for a new Transfer Station Committee member Paul Karpawich.

Selectman Strand made a motion to nominate Paul Karpawich to the Transfer Station Committee.  Selectman Caplain seconded and all were in favor.

Chairperson Morris updated the board that the Conservation Commission did not receive the Fish and Wildlife grant.

Other- Chairman Morris updated the board that there is a new agreement to rehire Roberts & Green as the town’s auditors.

Selectman Caplain made a motion to rehire the auditors.  Selectman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.

Selectman Caplain updated the board that he is looking into finding a donor for fast EV Chargers for the town and would update the board as information becomes available.

Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Chairman Morris made a motion to go into non-public for reasons of Legal. Selectman Strand seconded and roll call followed.

The board discussed personnel.

Chairman Morris made a motion to adjourn at 8:00. Selectman Caplain seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator