9/13/2021 SB Minutes
TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574
Bethlehem Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
September 13, 2021
In person – Chairman Boisseau, Selectman Hibberd, Selectman Caplain, Selectman Jensen, Selectman Morris
Chairman Boisseau opened the meeting at 6:01pm and reminded people to leave their microphones on mute. He continued to remind in-person participants to use the microphone so Zoom participants can hear
- Public Input
Rita Farrell – Ms. Farrell brought various items found on Agassiz street to the front table– auto debris. Ms. Farrell and the board discussed what could be done to slow down traffic coming down Agassiz St into town.
Mary Jackson – Revolving loan fund committee – NCIC had a loan that was initially deemed too risky reworked to better terms for the town and the committee is seeking approval. – $46,500, down from $78,000 – new terms put it more in line with existing loans.
Selectman Caplain made a motion to approve the revolving loan committee fund request – Selectman Jensen seconded – roll call – all – motion passed
Nancy Strand – transfer station committee – textile bin should be installed in the next 2 weeks next to the side of the tiny pantry shed.
Nancy Strand – brought pictures of rental/distressed properties to board – Ms. Strand and the board discussed the procedures in place to report a distressed property and the following inspection process. The process is controlled by state RSA’s.
Nancy Strand – is board having special meetings for ARPA funds? Selectman Caplain informed her it would be during a normal select board meeting.
The board discussed the possibilities for routine inspections on rental properties. They consulted with Jack Anderson. There was a committee on distressed properties in the past that had started the work. The board made the decision to revisit the topic in 4 weeks.
Rita Farrell – thanked the fire department for services provided and inquired about a property in town not fitting setbacks. Selectman Caplain had discussed the property with the building inspector in the past. The building meets all required setbacks.
- Noise Permit Application – wedding on private property 1240 Prospect
Chairman Boisseau – wedding on private property, reaching out to board and neighbors – within noise ordinance limits – Selectman Morris asked if it needed to be approved if it is within the noise ordinance limits. Selectman Caplain – good if it does end up going over limits – The board noted that it was good that it was added in the permit that they are alerting neighbors.
Selectman Jensen made a motion to approve the noise permit. – Selectman Caplain seconded – Clay Morris – does PD get notification of permits? Board confirmed– roll call – all – motion passed.
- Abatement – from Mary Jackson – refund of overpayment from title company for 2017 lien – $831.10
Selectman Morris – made a motion to approve refund of overpayment – Selectman Hibberd seconded – roll call – all – motion passed
- Letter to state regarding gerrymandering
Selectman Jensen – Article 25 passed – to whom is it sent? Selectman Jensen drafted letter – board discussed who to send it to – Selectman Morris will find out who it should go to and pass it along.
- Bethlehem Cares – additional committee member
Selectman Hibberd – in process of stopping welfare position and Bethlehem Cares is set up to have the welfare director on the committee and one board member – Selectman Hibberd will get removed when her position ends unless approved. Additionally this will bring the committee to 9 members to prevent a deadlock.
Selectman Caplain made a motion to increase the Bethlehem Cares committee to 9 members – Selectman Boisseau seconded – roll call – all less Selectman Hibberd and Selectman Jensen – motion passed.
- Other
Chairman Boisseau – gun range discussion will be on agenda for next meeting, 9/27 – Selectman Hibberd – scheduled training on 9/21 – will reach out to people prior to training – The board decided to continue the range conversation at the meeting on 9/27.
Selectman Caplain – talked to DOT regarding signs at motel – sign group from DOT looked at site physically, nothing they can do.
Selectman Caplain – solar array RFP’s due back this week – reaching out to organizations for additional funding opportunities.
Selectman Caplain – bike advocacy meeting last week – expansion joints on 302 bridge repair rough on bike tires – reached out to Franconia and possibly Littleton to make additional bike friendly infrastructure.
Tim Fleury – board member stipend from leaving member and starting member. Board members are paid quarterly, and transition occurred in middle of pay quarter. – board discussed – prorated between the two members – Selectman Morris – declined pay for the quarter.
Selectman Jensen – sign mitigation for culvert work due to cultural losses from replacing the old stone culvert – DES asking for permission to erect sign, neglected to ask town.
Selectman Jensen made a motion to approve sign – Selectman Boisseau seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.
- Minutes – 8/23/2021
Selectman Caplain made a motion to accept minutes from 8/23/2021 – Selectman Morris seconded – roll call all – motion passed
- Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II @7:19 – Selectman Caplain made a motion to go into non-public – Selectman Morris seconded – roll call – all – motion passed
Fire Dept – board discussed new hire for FD – Chairman Boisseau made a motion to hire John Morrow – Selectman Caplain seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.
Highway Department – board discussed raises for existing highway personnel and retention strategies.
Selectman Caplain made a motion for $1.50 raise across board for all highway employees and $2.00 Scott Harris. Additionally, a $1000 bonus for all highway employees, including Brett Jackson with a $1.50 equivalent salary raise as well. Selectman Hibberd seconded – roll call – yes – Selectmen Boisseau, Caplain, Hibberd and Morris – no – Selectman Jensen – believes it should be higher
At 8:30 Chairman Boisseau made a motion to adjourn – Selectman Caplain seconded – roll call – all – motion passed.
