03/31/2025 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

March 31st, 2025

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

DOT Route 142 N Bridge Repair- Chairwoman Strand introduced Jason Tremblay, P.E. Project Manager and Robert Juliano P.E. Project Engineer from DOT and Kim Smith, P.E. Project Manager and Fernanda Fischer, P.E. Structural Engineer from H&H Engineering to discuss the Route 142 bridge project.  Mr. Tremblay explained the bridge project was identified on the 2021-2030 10-year Transportation Improvement Plan because of the overall poor condition of the bridge.  Kim Smith from H&H informed the board that the bridge was built in 1928 with a single span of 120’ long and 21’ wide and 13’-8” clearance. Ms. Smith explained in 1977 the bridge knee braces were removed and in 1981 a rehabilitation took place including replacing the bridge deck.  In 1999 the bridge was painted, and the truss bottom chord was replaced followed by 2017 repairs completed on the truss vertical member. Lastly, in 2024 repairs to the stone wall and slope were completed. Ms. Smith continued part of the bridge project would be considering the current condition of the bridge, NEPA environmental and historical impact, and project development.  The next steps for the project will be to gather the information, consider alternatives to address the bridge, and hold a public information meeting to present the details of their research to get public input.

HB 639- Letter- Chairwoman Strand opened discussion on the draft letter to Senator Rochefort from the select board.  Selectman Bruno agreed with the intent of the letter but suggested adding a sentence explaining the board’s concern regarding the loss of local control if HB 639 passes.  Allegra Wright asked for an explanation of what HB 639 entails and Veronica Morris summarized what crypto mining is and that HB 639 limits a municipalities ability to enforce local ordinances.  Rich Southwell thanked the board for sending a letter with their concerns noting it is less expensive to push back on a proposed bill than have a legal issue after it is passed.

Selectman Bruno motioned to accept sending the letter to Senator Rochefort with the added sentence about local control.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor.   

Select Board Guidelines- Chairwoman Strand introduced the Select Board Guidelines and recommended the board discuss: adding a requirement for new select board members attend a NHMA training, adding an attendance policy, and adding a provision under electing the chair that the intent of the vice chair is to become the next chair agreed and voted upon. Chairwoman Strand also recommended adding an annual review of policies to the guidelines.

Minutes 2/24 and 3/17- Selectman MacDonald motioned to accept the minutes from 2/24.  Chairwoman Strand seconded and all were in favor.  Selectman MacDonald motioned to accept the minutes from 3/17. Selectman Bruno seconded and all were in favor.

Updates and other business- Chairwoman Strand updated the board that the Transfer Station would like to meet with Aries Engineering regarding the recommendations the consultants made to revise the conceptual plan.

Chairwoman Strand updated the board there had been another request to waive interest on a late property bill. Selectman Bruno noted the circumstance for the request was different than the prior request.

Selectman Bruno motioned to deny waving interest on the delinquent tax bill.  Select Woman Knowles seconded and all were in favor.

Selectman Bruno recommended the board discuss the Follow-up list at a future meeting.  Chairman Bruno also requested an update on the Traffic Calming implementation requests made to DOT.

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, and Legal. Selectman Bruno seconded and roll call followed.

The board discussed a personnel issue and legal.

Chairwoman Strand made a motion to adjourn at 8:30. Selectman Bruno seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator