12/01/2025 SB Minutes

Bethlehem Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

December 1st, 2025

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

Nonpublic for Reasons of Personnel (5:30-6:00) Chairwoman Strand opened the meeting at 5:30 and motioned to go into nonpublic according to RSA 91A for reasons of personnel.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and roll call followed.

Nonpublic for Reasons of Personnel (5:30-6:00) Selectwoman Hibberd motioned to accept the training reimbursement contract with the new officer.  Chairwoman Strand seconded and all were in favor. 

NHDES Opportunity for residents- Kurt Yuengling, Community Engagement Specialist NHDES, gave a presentation about the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Program, a $450 million EPA grant aimed at increasing heat pump adoption across five states. The program, which will launch in January 2026, will provide incentives to distributors and establish a resource hub to track data and share information. Mr. Yuengling also discussed energy-efficient programs including the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program that residents could benefit from.

Transfer Station Discussion- Chairwoman Strand opened the transfer station discussion outlining what has been accomplished in preparation including funding opportunities, reviewing the proposed timeline, and estimated future operating expenses and revenues.  Rich Ubaldo asked if the future operating expenses included full-time employees and if the construction was phased.  Chairwoman Strand explained estimated operating expenses did include a full-time manager and the Transfer Station Committee had hoped for additional services and resources including solar however the plan had to be scaled back because of funding.  Rich Ubaldo asked if D4 could haul our garbage and Chairwoman Strand explained the D4 quote of $8.00 a week per household was to take it to our transfer station.  Martie Cook expressed concern that there isn’t a concrete plan and Mary Moritz explained we have had to be somewhat flexible because of outstanding grants and we don’t have an exact closure date from NCES.

Highway Department Roadside Mower purchase- Brett Jackson, Road Agent, explained that the highway department had the opportunity to demo an excavator which he believes would help the department in efficiency and increase safety.  Mr. Jackson continued he met with the CIP committee, and they recommended purchasing with a 5-year lease to own. Rich Southwell explained the interest rate was 2.9%, which would be a better way to fund the purchase.  Mr. Jackson stated the purchase amount is roughly $177,000 and the annual lease payment would be $39,000 from the Highway Revolving fund.  Selectwoman Hibberd stated she believed entering a lease would require a warrant article or opt out clause.

Selectman MacDonald motioned to approve the 5-year lease to buy agreement contingent on it not requiring a warrant article or the agreement having an opt out clause.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Bike the North Country- Chairwoman Strand updated the board that Bike the North Country would be having a benefit ride September 2026 to raise money for mental health and Chief Dube has approved the race route.

Tax Collector Abatements– Chairwoman Strand motioned to abate Map 209-75 $78, Map 416-17-1 $438, 416-17-3 $486, Map 406-18 $2349, and Map 401-18 $31.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Minutes 11/17- Selectman MacDonald motioned to accept the minutes from 11/17.  Selectwoman Hibberd seconded and all were in favor. 

Updates and Other Board Business- Selectwoman Knowles updated the board that the Sustainability Working Group would be adding social media on Instagram.  Chairwoman Strand updated the board that Bethlehem Community Dinner provided 190 meals during Thanksgiving and had over 15 volunteers.

Chairwoman Strand made a motion to adjourn at 7:40. Selectwoman Hibberd seconded, and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Moritz

Town Administrator