10/27/2025 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

October 27th, 2025

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

Public Input- there was no public input.

Updates and other business- Chairwoman Strand stated there is a pending personnel matter in the fire department. The fire chief is on paid administrative leave, and there would be no further comment at this time.  Selectman Bruno noted the tax deeded auction went well on October 25^th.  Selectwoman Hibberd updated the board that the Planning Board voted to amend the Site Plan Review to reflect the proposed commercial industrial noise ordinance that will be a warrant article for 2026 town meeting.  Selectwoman Knowles updated the board that she would be meeting with NH Preservation Alliance on November 7^th to tour downtown and discuss the benefits of adopting RSA 79-E.  Cheryl Jensen asked the board to send an email to the Senate Commerce Committee in opposition of HB 639.

Selectman Bruno motioned to draft a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee in opposition of HB 639.  Selectwoman Knowles seconded and all were in favor. 

Chief Dube Police Department Budget- Chief Dube went over his 2026 proposed Police Department budget with the select board.  Chief Dube explained the increase to his budget can be attributed to adding funding to support part-time officers as we continue to be short-staffed.  Selectman Bruno asked Chief Dube to explain his prior request to purchase the storage container and taser contract.  Chief Dube explained that the town currently pays $1,200 annually to rent the storage container and he would like to purchase it outright instead of renting it.  Chief Dube continued there is 5 years left on the taser contract, and it is his preference to pay the contract off rather than budget for it annually from the surplus Police Department budget.  The board agreed to use a surplus from the Police Department 2025 budget to purchase the storage container and pay off the taser contract.

Selectman Bruno motioned to allow Chief Dube to use up to $5,000 to purchase the storage container.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to payoff the balance of the taser contract.  Chairwoman Strand 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 7:00. Selectman Bruno seconded and roll call followed.

The board discussed personnel.  Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to allow PD to rollover or opt to cashout at 100% of the value unused vacation time for 2025.  Selectwoman Knowles seconded and all were in favor. 

Chairwoman Strand made a motion to adjourn at 7:15. Selectman Bruno seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator