12/08/2025 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

December 8th, 2025

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

Nonpublic for Reasons of Personnel (5:30-6:00) Chairwoman Strand opened the meeting at 5:45 and motioned to go into nonpublic according to RSA 91A for reasons of reputation.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and roll call followed.

Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to accept the recommended payment for winter activities.  Selectwoman Knowles seconded and all were in favor. 

Public Input- Chris McGrath thanked everyone involved for making Christmas in Bethlehem a great event.  Mr. McGrath continued the board should consider using Muncibids when selling municipal assets.

Bethlehem Community Power- Dan Crosby and Marni Hoyle updated the board that Community Power is going to start offering the option of opting into Bethlehem Community Power when they conduct a refresh with Eversource.  The board agreed that Bethlehem Community Power was working as intended and no change needed at this time.

Highway Department Excavator Purchase-Chairwoman Strand opened discussion on the Highway Departments purchase of the excavator in the amount of $177,788.32 noting the reasons for the purchase were to increase safety and efficiency.  Chris McGrath stated that he felt the purchase should be voted on at town meeting.  Chairwoman Strand stated the revolving fund was created so the Highway department would be able to make purchases without requiring a warrant article.

Selectman Bruno motioned to purchase the excavator in the amount of $177,788.32 from the Highway Revolving fund.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Bids for 1977 Ford- Chairwoman Strand opened the four sealed bids. Chris McGrath bid $1251.01, Barry Moses bid $1977.12, Mark Bolasevich bid $1552, and Phil Bell bid $1151.

Selectman Bruno moved to accept the highest bid.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor.

Draft Budget Overview- The board reviewed the total 2026 municipal budget noting the Budget Hearing would be on 1/13/2026.

Updates and Other Board Business- Chairwoman Strand thanked all the volunteers who made Christmas in Bethlehem a great event.  Chairwoman Strand continued over 1,600 people were at the event and it was a great success.  Chairwoman Strand continued there are two items that need to be encumbered: The pool deck project and the Master Plan.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to encumber $3,383 for the Pool deck cement project with Bonnd Construction.  Selectman Bruno seconded and all were in favor.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to encumber $10,000 for the Master Plan project with Arnett Development Group to finish phase 1 of the Master Plan project.  Selectwoman Knowles seconded and all were in favor.

Chairwoman Strand continued there was a timber abatement that was recommended by the timber assessor.

 Chairwoman Strand motioned to abate Map 401 lot 19 in the amount of $239.67 for the yield tax on timber cut based on the recommendation from the timber tax appraiser. Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Chairwoman Strand motioned to put out to bid the 2000 FL80 Pumper with the deadline of 12/26 to submit a sealed bid.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Chairwoman Strand made a motion to adjourn at 7:00. Selectman Bruno seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz