08/11/2025 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

August 11th, 2025

In person – Chairwoman Strand, Selectwoman Hibberd, Selectman Bruno, Selectman MacDonald, and Selectwoman Knowles.

Public Input- Dick Robie commented on the trash at the Sherman Inn.  Rich Ubaldo asked for an update on the how the town is planning on the upcoming closure of NCES.  Chairwoman Strand informed Mr. Ubaldo that the TSC has been diligently looking for grant funding to offset the expense of the transfer station and the board authorized the Town Administrator and Treasurer to start looking for either a loan or bond for the 2026 town meeting.  Selectman Bruno noted the town has asked NCES if their current transfer station would be an option for the town and they replied no.  Barry Zitzer expressed his support for the community orchard that BES is proposing through grant funding.  Selectman Bruno recommended asking for a commitment from the BES school board to maintain the orchard in case there is a future personnel change and the board agreed.

Selectman Bruno motioned to contact the Bethlehem Elementary School Board seeking a written agreement that they will resume maintenance of the trees after the 24 months.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Chief Galloway-Fire Department Job Descriptions- Chief Galloway informed the board he will be revising the Fire Department organizational chart and pay scale removing the stipend.  Chairwoman Strand asked if Chief Galloway thought he would receive pushback and he replied that the feedback he has received has been positive.

Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to approve Chief Galloway’s organizational changes and rate of pay.  Selectwoman Knowles seconded and all were in favor.    

Traffic Calming/Bike The North Country-Chairwoman Strand thanked Bruce Caplain for his efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and increase the bike trail system in Bethlehem.  Chairwoman Strand also thanked Bruce Caplain for helping with the Safe Routes to School grant and getting the Tri-Town Agreement signed.  Bruce Caplain updated the board that he would be taking over for Angela McShane who is no longer working for Profile.  Bruce Caplain also explained his intent is to apply for the Catalyst funding parallel to the DOT Safe Routes to School grant.

Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to write a letter of support for Bike the North Country to apply for funding for building a trail with the understanding that we are continuing the other grant until confirmation is received.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

Bruce Caplain continued that he had sent a letter to DOT, and the crosswalk signs have been approved, and he would be reaching out to the Road Agent to inquire about adding speed bumps to several town roads to reduce speeds.

Conservation Commission Appointment-   Chairwoman Strand motioned to appoint K.P. Peterson to the Conservation Commission.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and the vote carried 4-0.  

Bethlehem Events Permeant Sign- Chairwoman Strand thanked Bethlehem Events for Summerfest and all the work they do.  The board discussed Bethlehem Events putting a permanent sign near gazebo park to be maintained by Bethlehem Events.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to approve the use of town property for a permanent sign for Bethlehem Events.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Adopting 79-E- Chairwoman Strand provided a summary of the information gathered to determine if the board should put a warrant article forth to adopt RSA 79-E for 2026 town meeting.  Chairwoman Strand explained the research included the various parameters that can be set by the Select Board, involving criteria setting, determine how much work this involves for our administrative staff, and solicit feedback from potential property owners and/or developers on what impact 79-E would have on plans to increase housing.  Chairwoman Strand continued a district, and the tax incentive would have to be determined with 15% of the project cost up to $75,000 is most used.  Selectwoman Hibberd commented that projects should be mindful of ADA compliance. Rich Ubaldo asked if properties would still be responsible for some of the taxes and Chairwoman Strand explained property owners would be taxed as they were before the modifications were done and the tax break would only be for a period of time.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to move forward with RSA 79-E and define parameters and draft a warrant article for town meeting.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Social Media Policy- The board decided to postpone discussion until 8/25.

Minutes 7/28- Selectman Bruno motioned to accept the minutes from 7/28.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Updates and other business- Chairwoman Strand explained the board had sent an enforcement letter to the property owner of the Sherman Inn asking him to clean up his property.  The deadline to comply with the enforcement letter passed and now fines would start accruing. Mr. Rudich explained that he had sent an email on 7/30 to explain that the demolition would be taking place the week of 8/11.  Mary Moritz, Town Administrator, explained she had not received the email, and she had tried to contact Mr. Rudich.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to give the property owner one day of grace to confirm that the rubbish would be cleaned up the week of 8/11.  Selecvtman Bruno seconded, and the vote carried 3-2.

Selectwoman Hibberd noted she did not feel the property owner was treated consistently as other property owners.

Chairwoman Strand updated the board that the final cost to outfit the new cruiser was higher than the estimate due to some equipment that they weren’t able to reuse from the old cruiser.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to approve the cruiser outfitting in the amount of $27,109.40 to be paid from the Police Cruiser Capital reserve.  Selectman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Non-public Session per RSA 91A-3 II (personnel, reputation, and legal) Chairwoman Strand motioned to go into nonpublic per RSA 91A-3 II for reasons of personnel at 8:15. Selectman Bruno seconded and roll call followed.

The board discussed personnel.

Chairwoman Strand made a motion to adjourn at 8:25. Selectman Bruno seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator