04/20/2026 SB Meeting

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

April 20th, 2026

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

Chairman Bruno opened the meeting at 6:00.

Ammonoosuc Rail Trail Responsible Entity request- Marianne Borowski explained Ammonoosuc Rail Trail had been awarded $250,000 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant through Senator Jeanne Shaheen for the eastward extension of the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail in Bethlehem, from Oxbow Drive to just short of Wing Road. Ms. Borowski continued that the grant will be administered through HUD, and they have not yet received guidance for the 2026 funding, however she believes one of the requirements will be a neutral third party who must review and formally approve the NEPA documentation.  Ms. Borowski continued that she spoke with Michelle Moren-Grey at the North Country Council about potentially serving in this role who suggested that the Town of Bethlehem would be the most appropriate Responsible Entity, given that the project is located within the town. The Town’s responsibility would largely be to review the materials (prepared by NHBOT and the consultant), issue the required public notice, and provide formal certification.  Chairman Bruno asked Ms. Borowski to confirm that the role of the town would not be fiscal agent, and she confirmed that it would not.  Selectwoman Strand asked if the additional workload was feasible for the town and Mary Moritz, Town Administrator, replied she thought it would be possible.  Ms. Borowski said she would return when she had the specific requirements from HUD.

Town Building- Mary Moritz, Town Administrator, updated the board that she met with Adam Hodgkins from EMC Inc regarding the possibility EMC serving as the Clerk to the Work for the Town Building Façade work and front stairs repair.  Ms. Moritz continued, the next step will be a letter of intent and working on creating a plan for the entire project.

Bretzfelder Reappointment Liz Carter and Sarah Turtle 3-year term– Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to reappointment Liz Carter and Sarah Turtle 3-year term.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

Minutes 4/6- minutes were tabled.

Updates and Other Business- Selectwoman Strand updated the board that the Transfer Station was meeting on 4/28 and the Sustainability Working Group is looking for three volunteers to measure windows of residents interested in getting window inserts to help reduce heat loss.  Chairman Bruno updated the board that on April 8^th and 9^th the Visitor’s Center became a Granite State Ambassador host.

Selectwoman Strand motioned to appoint Brian Charland, Deputy Fiore Chief as Forest Warden.  Chairman Bruno seconded and all were in favor. 

Chairman Bruno motioned to go into nonpublic per RSA 91 A for reasons of personnel at 7:00.  Selectwoman Strand seconded and roll call followed. 

The board discussed the Fire Chief hiring process.

Chairman Bruno motioned to adjourn at 7:15. Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz