BETHEL — About half way through another long selectboard meeting, approval of the town’s wastewater treatment plan budget (WWTP) was discussed.
Selectboard member Michele Cole said she wanted to see a proposed capital budget including the Mill Hill and Mayville projects before deciding.
In attendance with Cole were Board Chair Meryl Kelly and board members Sarah Southam, Patricia McCartney, and Frank Del Duca along with Town Manager, Natalie Andrews and Town Clerk, Jessicca Grover.
Finance Manager Amy Hanscom was seated in the audience and responded to some of Cole’s questions. She said the actual expenses for 2023 were $694,489.98 with part of the revenue increase due to the $50,000 received in a community resiliency grant. The actual amount expended was $736,000,00.
Cole questioned the general capital improvements of $30,000. Andrews said that last year’s capital improvements exceeded what was budgeted. ($30,000 budgeted and $47,000 spent). Cole wanted to know if the excess was triggered by engineering studies.
Responding to more questions, Hanscom said sometimes the general fund has had to cover sewer expenses. At one point Hanscom left the meeting room to get her spreadsheet from her office. She said in January there was a rate increase. Cole continued to ask questions about various line items and the interest rates.
Andrews left the meeting room to make copies of the capital improvement plan and schedule as requested by Cole.
Despite McCartney’s request at a previous meeting that board members limit their comments, the meeting continued on. Cole next questioned the math in the salary line item increase. Andrews and Hanscom both responded. The numbers were accurate. She then wanted to discuss the rate increase in tandem with the budget. Hanscom plugged in the numbers with .23 cents per cubic foot as the rate increase.
“If you want to balance that budget, those are the right numbers,” said resident Peter Southam.
Kelly suggested they pass the budget and discuss the rates at another time. Southam made a motion to pass the budget. All were in favor, except Cole.
Town Manager
Andrews said regarding the safety of the Route 2 bridge lights, the state is taking action. She said there will be poison ivy remediation in three public places in town.
WWTP incurred sludge damage, she said.
Outgoing CEO Randy Thurston reported that Bethel House of Pizza is being gutted. The intent is to rebuild and add two apartments. Parking needs to be addressed.
Andrews said John Steward can be appointed tonight as the new CEO but needs to pass an LPI or licensed plumbing test. He later was appointed unanimously by the board. He will have up to a year to get fully licensed.
Bethel Rescue has several new hires. Call volume was 35 in July.
Heavy rain storm-damaged roads that are being addressed by Public Works are: Skilling’s, Baker, Grover Hill, Flat Road, Meadow Brook Bridge, Barker, Annis, Paradise, Vernon, Chandler Hill, Intervale, Swan Hill, East Bethel, Bailey, Bird Hill, and Kimball Hill.
Andrews said she has received positive feedback from Angevine Park visitors regarding cleanliness and monitoring. Illegal dumping is still an issue.
No bids were received for the mobile home the town is selling at 5 White Court. Another option, said Andrews, is to demolish the building. When the town foreclosed on the property, they had to start paying rent. A third option is to use the mobile home as a shed since it can not be used as a home.
“This is our problem?” asked Cole. Andrews confirmed that it was. They held off on a motion to move the mobile home to the airport. Ultimately they may have to advertise it as free. They postponed a decision.
Appointments
The board received several applications for various town committees. Southam asked if there was criteria? There is none, said Kelly, but they could set policy in their procedures (at a later date).
Travis Brooks was appointed to the open seat on the Bethel Recreation board.
There were many applicants for the budget committee (two positions) Danna Wilson, Lloyd Sweetser, Jodi Everett, George Angevine, Lori Swain and Candice Casey. Del Duca made a motion to appoint Wilson to the one-year position “based on her application.”
McCartney made a motion to appoint Lori Swain to the same term. Lori Swain won the position 3-2. Del Duca and Cole voted for Wilson. Del Duca nominated Everett for the second position. She won 3-2 with Southam and McCartney voting for Sweetser.
Del Duca nominated George Angevine for the board of assessors. Cole seconded. McCartney nominated Sweetser. Southam seconded. Angevine won the seat with Cole, Del Duca and Kelly voting for him and Southam and McCartney voting for Sweetser.
David Jones was nominated and appointed unanimously for the school board seat. Kelly said that Jones was the write-in winner and was not elected because of a technicality.
The board voted to advertise the ordinance review committee and recreation board open positions.
Members discussed the Bethel Citizen agreement (lease). The Citizen offices are in the back of the town office building. A motion was made to postpone the decision until they find out more about the new ownership (of the newspaper) and the previous lease.
On Cole’s request, Andrews listed of each of the two dozen or more “Carry Forward amounts of FY24.” Cole asked that two items be moved from the list. The board voted to move them.
“Are you guys getting tired?” asked Kelly. They voted unanimously to postpone the Code of Conduct discussion.
Purchase orders
Cole asked (as she did at the last meeting) if Andrews could submit a separate sheet at each meeting of the purchases that didn’t have the town manager’s approval. They spent several minutes discussing the topic.
“So that’s in here,” said Andrews referring to the list of purchases she generates at each meeting for the selectboard, “If it’s under a thousand dollars. That’s what the town voted on. It is every purchase that’s under a thousand dollars,” said Andrews.
“So every purchase that’s under a thousand dollars.” said Cole. “I do not have to sign the purchase order for [purchases under $1,000],” said Andrews.
“I just want to know who I’m putting my butt out there for,” said Cole.
Hanscom elaborated, saying she reviews purchase orders, then Andrews reviews the warrant and checks are not released until after the selectboard approves them at the meeting. Only town department heads make purchases added Andrews.
“I understand those checks and balances… I am personally responsible for those purchases … ” Cole continued … Then, “thank you for the explanation.”
The board approved several warrants. They approved Kingston Brown as new interim CEO. He begins on July 31.
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