03/09/2026 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

March 9th, 2026

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

Chairwoman Strand opened the meeting at 6:00 read the following statement:

“Mr. Galloway voluntarily resigned effective March 6^th and said that we will be posting the new position on Tuesday.”

Chris Jensen asked if the board asked Mr. Galloway to resign and Chairwoman Strand reiterated that he voluntarily resigned.

Public Input- Chris McGrath asked if we needed a full-time Fire Chief and it was explained that the full-time position was adopted at town meeting and would require a town meeting vote to rescind.  Selectman Bruno explained that the Select Board received input from the Fire Department.  Martie Cook asked the board if she could utilize the raised beds at the Elm Street Ball park and Selectman Bruno replied that he would contact the Elementary School to verify and get back to her.  Mark Morgan addressed concerns raised at a recent Select Board meeting regarding Cassella’s financial obligation to retain funds to complete the landfill closure process, reassuring the board that it’s a legal requirement of landfill operators to guarantee funds.  Rich Southwell asked how much Cassella had in the fund and Mark Morgan responded he would provide that information. Rich Ubaldo asked about the recent Conservation Commission’s mailer that did not include who paid and Cheryl Jensen apologized for the oversight.  Rich Ubaldo asked why the Transfer Station sent a letter to the editor regarding legislation to restrict local control on landfill projects and Chairwoman Strand continued the Transfer Station committee is comprised of Bethlehem residents who sent a letter of concern and was not affiliated with any other organization.  Jason Mooney asked the Select Board whose decision it was for candidates’ night not to allow zoom participation.  Chairwoman Strand replied that she was surprised that handwritten cards were not being used.  Jason Mooney continued that Veronica Morris made the decision and Mary Moritz explained that Veronica provided an option, however, did not decide how the candidate’s night should be managed.  Selectman Bruno noted candidate’s night was moved forward and modified because of availability.  Selectman Bruno continued moderating candidate’s night with handwritten cards also has drawbacks because cards are summarized and can be misinterpreted.  Jason reiterated his question of who decided and Selectwoman Hibberd explained that Veronica Morris sent a recommendation to Mary Moritz and it was reasonable to move forward with that format.   Mary Moritz explained that at the prior candidate’s night there were a lot of complaints from residents about the way the cards were summarized so when Veronica Morris, Moderator, provided a logical format to run candidate’s night, and given how complicated the meeting would be to manage with zoom participation, it was decided to not include zoom which is consistent with Deliberative.  Chairwoman Strand suggested looking at the format and consider what could have been done better in the future.  Chris McGrath stated he has attended a lot of candidate’s nights and there are complaints every year and he thought Veronica did a great job moderating.

Snack Shack Update- Abbie Sawyer, Rec Director, updated the board that the snack shack project will have to be modified because of NHDES and current grey water requirements.  The new construction would require a sewer hookup which would stall the project until after baseball season.  Jason Mooney and Sean Gawlick suggested meeting to find an alternative plan that would work for everyone’s timeline.  Cheryl Jensen suggested not expanding rec properties because it will be costly to maintain.

Transfer Station Update- Chairwoman Strand addressed some concerns on social media about the grant funding for the transfer station project.  Chairwoman Strand explained federal grants are reimbursement and the town has received other federal grants the town submits reimbursement requests once we have a paid invoice. Martie Cook asked when the RFP would be going out and Chairwoman Strand responded that the Transfer Station RFP had to be withdrawn based on USDA standard practices that have a separate engineering company complete the plans separate from the construction company.  Chairwoman Strand continued the way the RFP was written it would be one company completing both which would result in requiring a Clerk to the Work.  Chairwoman strand noted once we have the USDA’s requirements met, we would be moving forward with an RFP for the construction company.  Martie Cook continued if we had an invoice tomorrow would we have the money to pay for it.  Mary Moritz explained it would be too early in the process because USDA has not authorized us to spend money.  Selectman Bruno stated the appropriations to pay the bills have been raised in the capital reserve.  Crystal Gilman asked how secure the funding is given the government shutdowns and Mary Moritz responded USDA has had far less issues than FEMA and the money was appropriated as part of the law adopted to reopen the government in December.

Fire Department Grant- Chairwoman Strand thanked Deputy Chief Charland and Captain Doughty for attaining a grant to purchase forest fire equipment.

Chairwoman Strand motioned The Select Board, in a majority vote, has accepted the terms of the 2026 Volunteer Fire Assistance Funds as presented in the amount of $1,310.99 furthermore Mary Moritz, Town Administrator, is authorized to sign all documents related to the grant.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

The Select Board, in a majority vote, had previously accepted the terms of the Highway Safety Grant Agreement as presented in the amount of $8,500.00, and now comes the 1ST amended grant terms in the amount of $12,576.20, for MDT/ECRASH Equipment as presented in the Grant Agreement Amendment Notice for an adjusted total grant limitation of $21,076.20. Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

The motion was amended 4/6/2026.

Ahead release of mortgage 3/28/96 CDBG grant- Chairwoman Strand motioned to release the AHEAD mortgage from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority for map 207 lot 005 dated March 28th, 1996, in the amount $133,834.40.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Minutes 1/26, 2/9, 2/23- Selectman Bruno motioned to approve the minutes from 1/26,2/9, and 2/23.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz