BETHEL — At the Nov. 2 Board of Selectmen meeting, the proposed demolition of the Ethel Bisbee School was at issue, again. Neighbor, Katie Getchell, of 39 Chapman Street, asked, “What happened to the August 2021 idea of a visioning workshop with all the members of the public? … I want to speak up on behalf of myself and neighbors… that we have a thoughtful inclusive process of what happens there after the demolition. In a logical process, you would think about what would happen there before you demolish, but if that’s past history that we can’t undo, then … I would appreciate a forum. I want there to be a process that takes in all of the town’s needs.”
Select board member Lori Swain responded, “In August of 2021, we were supposed to have a meeting with the public. The public never showed up. We made a decision to take it off the market.”
Having been for sale for a year and a half, the decision of the board was to proceed with RFP’s (requests for proposals) from contractors that will be due by the first BOS meeting in 2023. The board will decide whether to demolish after the RFP’s are received. On request by select person Meryl Kelly, the board decided to change the wording of the contractors’ required fill. After some discussion, it chose to leave the abutters’ notices at 150 feet from the border, since the scope had been enlarged just last year.
Board chair Lloyd Sweetster suggested Getchell go to the town office to get the forum on the agenda for a future select board meeting. Re-convening the former ad-hoc committee was suggested by Meryl Kelly. Town Manager Natalie Andrews clarified that the new ad-hoc would be about the future use of the property because the RFP’s have been already sent for demolition review.
Referring to a new matter, 507 Walkers Mills Road, an audience member asked, “Do we have a report on the junk yard?” Andrews said, “The squatters are not there. The sheriff’s department has been in. The locks have been changed. There is nobody living there.” Lori Swain, of the select board asked, “Do we have an update on when they’re going to get rid of those junk cars?” Kelly responded, “it looks like a car is moving [out] every couple of days.”
In her Town Manager’s Report, Andrews talked about her tour of Bethel Fire Department with Chief Jodrey. “the history and the commitment of the Bethel FD is evident throughout the building.” Andrews also visited Bethel Ambulance. Later in the meeting Frank Del Luca [who also toured both locations] and Andrews talked about the improbability of Bethel Ambulance finding space to share in the Fire Station’s nine bays. Andrews said that according to Chief Jodrey, when the [FD] plan was first developed, sharing the space with the ambulances was considered. But, “they couldn’t get along, so they decided to redo the plan.” Having areas locked containing medication within the fire station by the ambulance company was where the conflict lay. “That was way before the current people were there,” said Andrews.
Regarding an agreement for fiber optic network installation and access between the town and First Light, the board moved to postpone for clarification. Selectperson Meryl Kelly raised questions about two items in the contract that were not favorable to the town. The contract had arrived just that day and needed resolution by Wednesday, Nov. 9, for which the board will call a special meeting.
There was much discussion about contract renewal with Constellation Energy. They cover the town’s fuel and electricity and the rates have doubled in a year. The town had options to lock in for a one-, two-, three- or four-year contract. The board opted for the two-year contract.
In other business, the board approved a new Marijuana Dispensary permit for In and Out of The Garden We Grow and approved a renewal Marijuana-Manufacturing Permit for The Stoned Moose. Also approved were a liquor license and victualer’s application for Pete’s Griddle (formerly The Rooster Roadhouse). A renewal liquor license was approved for Modern Barn.
The board left the room for about 45 minutes to go into Executive Session to resolve two personnel issues.
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