BETHEL – Transfer station improvements, new American flags and proposals to expand the tiny skateboard park at Davis Park and to develop an ice-skating pond will be discussed at length tonight.

Both selectmen and the Budget Committee will decide what to do about the items and other budget matters at the board’s 7 p.m. meeting in the town office.

Two public hearings – one, a routine liquor license renewal for Pat’s Pizza, and the other, a review of the Funky Red Barn’s entertainment permit compliance – precede the joint meeting.

According to information given to selectmen by Town Manager Scott Cole, officials want to increase safety to the public at the transfer station. An additional need calls for efficiency in transporting loads of waste materials through creation of a “throw-down” system for construction debris and metals.

Newry and Hanover, Bethel’s partners in waste removal and recycling, would fund about 40 percent of the total project cost, roughly estimated at $40,000. Bethel’s share would be drawn from the town’s audited undesignated fund balance of $827,000, less $100,000 already encumbered for tax reduction.

“The new method will be safer for employees and the public alike, while allowing for heavier shipped loads through tighter loading of containers,” Cole said.

Additionally, the town’s operating cost would be reduced, since it would be paying for fewer total transports of material.

Regarding the flags, Cole said the town posts 80 of them throughout Bethel village for Memorial Day, Independence and Mollyockett days, Patriots Day and Veterans Day. Flags used since fall 2002 are faded and need to be replaced.

The requested price of $4,000 (90 flags at $40 each and $400 for anti-furl devices) to buy 3-by-5-foot high quality, nylon flags, would be taken from surplus money, Cole said.

Regarding the ice rink, the town drainage detention pond between the Parkway, also known as Route 26, and the Pathway walking trail along the Androscoggin River could become a decent, low-depth skating pond, he said.

The skateboard area, Cole added, should either be eliminated or expanded, with greater separation from the Pathway. Feasibility studies to do both and secure required permits would cost $10,000, which would be taken from surplus.

Those improvements and more are subject to special town meeting approval, which is anticipated to happen on Oct. 16; the regular selectmen meeting to follow.

Additional agenda items for tonight’s meeting, include reviewing bids in the fiscal year 2007 heating oil purchase and short-term borrowing, reviewing a requested waiver of the sewer system development charge, accepting deeds from SAD 44 regarding the Telstar sewer project, and discussing the Millennium Bricks installation delay. Action may be taken on some of these.

An executive session is also scheduled to discuss potential litigation by phone with the town’s attorney.