10/20/2025 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

October 20th, 2025

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

Nonpublic for Reasons of Personnel (5:30-6:00) Chairwoman Strand motioned to go into nonpublic per RSA 91A for reasons of personnel.  Selectman Bruno seconded and roll call followed.  The board discussed personnel.

Public Input-Chris McGrath congratulated the Rec Department on their first annual golf tournament fundraiser.  Mr. McGrath continued with his annual request to the select board to keep the budget as low as possible.

HEB Engineering Eric Grenier Maple Wood Hill project update- Chairwoman Strand introduced Eric Greinier, HEB Engineering, to give an update the Maple Wood Hill Road BRIC grant project.  Mr. Grenier explained the project scope included providing options to address the issues with Maple Wood Hill Road.  Brett Jackson, Road Agent, explained that he had met with Mr. Grenier and believed the 4^th option was the best choice.  The fourth option stated: This alternative consists of widening Maplewood Hill Road to a paved width of 22 feet with the proposed centerline alignment generally following the existing alignment. A 1-foot gravel shoulder is shown in areas where the roadway consists of slopes less than 8%. Drainage improvements within this section of roadway will be vegetated swales with erosion control fabric. The roadway will then transition to granite curbing at the edge of the 11-foot travel lanes. Proposed drainage improvements will consist of a closed drainage system with new outfalls in the locations of existing culvert crossings. The board agreed with Mr. Jackson’s assessment and discussed the next step of the project would be engineering work to complete the fourth option.  The board also discussed the intent is to seek grant funding to pay for the construction project and noted this did not commit the town to completing the construction.  Chris McGrath and Chris Jensen agreed that in their opinion, the cost to rehabilitate Maple Wood Hill Road construction would be a waste of money.  The BRIC grant to complete the engineering work will be done by November 2026.

Selectman Bruno motioned moving forward with option 4 which would cost $3,031,000.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Updates and other business- Selectman Bruno updated the board that the first meeting for the Hazardous Mitigation Plan update took place and there would be several more meetings to follow. Chairwoman Strand asked the board if had interest in writing a letter on behalf of Coalition against the use of Bigger Trucks to support legislation limiting truck supply and it was decided more information was needed.

Mr. Ubaldo’s request to renegotiate with NCES- Chairwoman Strand opened discussion regarding Mr. Ubaldo’s request for the board to contact NCES and see if there was interest in Cassella expanding the landfill stating she is sure there are other residents who may have the same question. Chairwoman Strand continued she did not believe it was the place of the select board to contact Cassella with out a warrant article and the other board members agreed.  Rich Ubaldo thanked the board for addressing his question and thought that the board should discuss options with Cassella first and then decide if a warrant article is necessary.  Mr. Ubaldo continued, stating he felt the board had an obligation to consider all options and it was understood that the board would have to contact Cassella.  Andrea Bryant stated she believes the landfill is a ticking timebomb for the environment and she is very concerned about PFAS and the proximity to the river.  Ms. Bryant continued the town has voted several times and only in 2012 was an expansion approved because she believes residents were promised it would be the last expansion.  Cheryl Jensen stated she did not think the select board should open discussions with Cassella noting the long history including litigation in the past. Marc Morgan thanked the board for the opportunity to speak and updated the board that Cassella has a permit application with GLS and at this time is planning for capping and closure in Bethlehem.  Mr. Morgan continued from Cassella’s perspective there is no expansion plan for the Bethlehem landfill and all host benefits to the town will be ending at closure scheduled for 2027.  Dick Robbie noted he is concerned about taxes and if the landfill comes to vote again, he is voting to do what he believes is best is Bethlehem.  Rich Southwell is opposed to negotiating with Cassella and believes it would be out of line for the select board to act against prior town meeting warrant articles which did not authorize the select board to negotiate a new contract.  Selectwoman Hibberd stated she felt the board should honor the settlement agreement.

Selectman Bruno motioned that the board does not move forward with opening discussion.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Chris Jensen noted he agreed with Rich Southwell’s comments about environmental concerns of the landfill and future costs to the municipality.  Andrea Bryant asked the board to investigate the claim that NCES is over the permitted tonnage amount.  Chairwoman Strand agreed with Mr. Robie’s point that people are partcipate in the landfill conversation because they care about the town.

The board discussed sending letters to Senator Rochefort and Governor Ayotte in support of the moratorium on new landfill permits and opposition to taking away local control.

Chairwoman Strand motioned to send the letter to Governor Ayotte and Senator Rochefort.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Granite State Ambassador Program- Selectman Bruno updated the board that he had met with Kelly Bryer from Granite State Ambassador program and believes this would be a great opportunity to for the Visitor’s Center noting it would allow training for the two employees and better exposure for Bethlehem by utilizing the volunteers available.

Selectman Bruno motioned to apply for the Granite State Ambassador program for the Visitor’s Center.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

NHDES Grant Agreement-Chairman Strand motioned to accept the terms of the NHDES Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust – Granite State Clean Fleets Grant program as presented in the amount of $192,833 or 80% of eligible project costs for purchasing and operating a 2024 Freightliner 1085D plow truck. The Board acknowledges that the total cost of this project will be $241,041, in which the town will be responsible for a 20% match ($48,208). Furthermore Mary Moritz, Town Administrator, is authorized to sign all documents related to the grant.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Veteran’s Tax Credit Warrant Article for 2026– Selectman Bruno motioned to have a warrant article increasing the Veteran’s Credit from $2000 to $2500.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

PD purchase the leased container and buy out the taser contract- The select board discussed purchasing the Police Department container and the remaining balance of the taser contract.  Chairwoman Strand motioned to purchase the container and payoff the taser contract but later withdrew the motion.  Rich Southwell stated he believed both purchases should be budgeted for instead of using surplus from the budget.

North Country Counsil Road Study- Selectman Bruno motioned to accept the North Country Council’s contract for the road study for $16,000.  Chairwoman Strand seconded and all were in favor. 

Standard COLA Increase- The board discussed the COLA increase at 2.7% and 3%.  Selectman Bruno suggested reducing the budget to cover the increase.

Power of Attorney for Town Auction-  Chairwoman Strand moved to appoint Richard D. Sager and Weston R. Sager as power of attorney-in-fact for it and in its name and its behalf with special power to execute and acknowledge all deeds and instruments which may be necessary or convenient to transfer and convey the following described real estate owned by the Town for the auction dated October 25^th.  Selectman MacDonald seconded and all were in favor. 

Minutes 10/6 Chairwoman Strand motioned to accept the minutes from 9/22.  Selectwoman Knowles seconded and all were in favor.

Chairwoman Strand made a motion to adjourn at 8:10. Selectman Bruno seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator