05/04/2026 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

May 4th, 2026

In person – Selectwoman Strand and Selectman MacDonald.   Selectwoman Hibberd attended remotely after nonpublic due to a last-minute emergency.

Selectwoman Strand opened the meeting at 5:30.

Selectwoman Strand motioned to enter nonpublic RSA 91-A for reasons of personnel. Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and Roll call followed.

The board discussed the Fire Chief hiring process.

Selectwoman Strand motioned to close nonpublic at 5:50. Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and roll call followed.

Façade Grant- Shane MacElhiney- Selectwoman Strand introduced Shane MacElhiney to discuss the two applicants for the façade grant.  The first applicant, Super-Secret, was applying for $5,000 to make the front entrance handicap accessible.  The second applicant, Lonesome Woods, is applying for $2,850 to complete a painting project on the front of the building.  Mr. MacElhiney advised the board that the Façade Committee was recommending the two projects to be awarded and asked the board for clarification if some of the criteria for façade grant should be reconsidered such as grant amount

Selectwoman Strand motioned to approve the recommendation of the façade grant for Super-Secret and Lonesome Woods.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

Agassiz Trail Association- Johnny Stevenson- Selectwoman Strand introduced Johnny Steveson, President of Mt. Agassiz Trail Association to discuss his request of using town property to continue the snowmobile trail to connect with Dalton.  Mr. Stevenson explained he has discussed the trail options with Brett Jackson, Road Agent, and he did not object to the location of the trail. Chris Jensen inquired if the conservation easement on the town owned land would allow for a trail and the board said they would investigate the easement to see if it would be allowed.

Traffic Calming Update- Bruce Caplain updated the board that the legislation that several bike organizations were trying to introduce to allow municipalities to reduce speed limits disappointingly did not pass.  Mr. Caplain continued that  several efforts were underway in Bethlehem to reduce traffic speeds on Main Street including adding an RRFP at the crosswalk at the elementary school, adding temporary rumble strips on Main Street in four locations, adding road paint warning of school ahead , and adding sharrows to allow bike traffic use of the entire lane.  The Select Board thanked Mr. Caplain for all his traffic calming efforts.

Minutes 4/6 and 4/20- Selectman MacDonald motioned to approve the minutes from 4/6 and 4/20.  Selectwoman Strand seconded and all were in favor. 

Updates and Other Business- Selectwoman Strand updated the board that the skate park project had begun and would take around 6 weeks to complete.  Selectwoman Strand continued that she and the Town Administrator attended the Dalton Select Board meeting to see if there may be a future opportunity to collaborate with the construction of our new transfer station.

Selectwoman Strand motioned to adjourn at 7:00.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz