10/03/2022 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

October 3, 2022

In person –Chairman Caplain, Select person Hibberd, Select person Queiroga, and Select person Jensen.  Select person Morris attended remotely

Chairman Caplain opened the meeting at 6:15.

Public Input:

Eddy Qi- Short term rental, New Hampshire Constitution, and right to privacy.

Barry Zitser- Recommended consideration of Marilyn Johnson for the cover of the annual report and authorizing Select person Jensen to apply for free transfer station posters from New Hampshire the Beautiful.

Chairman Caplain made a motion to authorize Select person Jensen to apply for free posters from New Hampshire the Beautiful for the transfer station. Select person Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.

Select person Morris revisited the Douglass Drive driveway permit

Candidates Night Logistics- Chairman Caplain stated that Bethlehem and Franconia would be holding a joint candidates night October 25^th.  The preferred location is Profile School, and it would be held from 6:00-8:00.  Each town would provide a moderator.

Short Term Rentals- Select person Hibberd gave an update regarding the short-term rental seminar she attended.  Select person Hibberd stated some of the examples given in which towns are regulating include:

Business Permits- follows the owner not the property

Distinguishing between residential versus tourists’ criteria

Select person Hibberd continued it is important to have short term rental plan that includes clear definitions.  There will be a need to be a public hearing in the future.

Food Pantry/Clothing Bin- Chairman Caplain opened discussion on the food pantry.  Select person Hibberd would like to get an estimate on a ramp to make the food pantry accessible.  It was discussed locking the food pantry at 10:00pm.  Select person Morris stated her concern for locking the food pantry.  Select person Hibberd noted the need for a public hearing to accept the food pantry.  Nancy Strand informed the board that Joe Whitten from Apparel Unlimited will be sending 2 new clothing bins with lever closures so people would no longer be able to steal clothing from the bins.

Shredding Quotes- Chairman Caplain made a motion to hire the least expensive shredding company to eliminate old documents.  Select person Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.

KRT Assessing Schedule- KRT requested starting the 2023 revaluation schedule as soon as possible

Select person Hibberd made a motion to allow KRT to start the 2023 revaluation immediately.  Select person Jensen seconded and all were in favor.

Minutes- Chairman Caplain made a motion to accept the September 12^th minutes.  Select person Jensen seconded and all were in favor.

Chairman Caplain made a motion to accept the September 19^th minutes.  Select person Queiroga seconded and select person Hibberd and Morris were in favor.  Select person Jensen abstained as he was not at the September 19^th meeting.

Other:

Select person would like the town to go out to bid for fuel and to look at the procurement policy.  Select person Hibberd also got two quotes on solar lights for the basketball court and updated the board on the water main break at the town building on the bottom level.

Select person Queiroga-RFP for Auditors

Select person Queiroga made a motion to move forward with the RFP for new auditors.  Chairman Caplain seconded, and all were in favor.

Select person Morris- discussed Christmas in Bethlehem.

Select person Queiroga made a motion to have Christmas in Bethlehem a town event.  Chairman Caplain seconded, and all were in favor. 

Chairman Caplain- 911 markers work with Brett Jackson and Chief Anderson with a process to ensure new properties have 911 markers

Chairman Caplain made a motion to go into non-public per RSA-91A-3 for reasons of personnel, reputation and legal.  Select person Queiroga seconded and Chairman Caplain did roll call and all were in favor.

Chairman Caplain made a motion to adjourn 8:30 pm Select person Queiroga seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Administrative assistant