REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING _ December 18, 2006
Roll Call
Present at roll call were Mayor Danderson, Councilors Poulin, Danderson, Grenier, Roy, Lafleur, Nelson, Donovan; Councilor Chagnon was absent
Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the minutes of the 12/4/06 WS; 12/4/06 Regular Meeting; 12/11/06 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills, start date 12/5/2006, end date 12/18/2006, be paid for a total cash disbursement of: $2,785,643.86 Draft #1531. Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried
OLD BUSINESS:
Council Committee Reports _ none
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor's Report
Route 110. Mayor Danderson reported that a meeting was held last week with DOT regarding Route 110 and Option 4e. The historic evaluation was discussed and city officials were pleased with the view at the meeting.
Airport Master Plan Meeting. Mayor Danderson stated that he has no personal opinions on whether the airport should have an Instrument Landing System (ILS). If the airport is to be regional, then we need to have more financial input from the surrounding communities.
AVRRDD Appointment. Mayor Danderson nominated Councilor Lafleur to be the City's representative on the AVRRDD, effective January 1, 2007. He commented that the City is being charged for commercial tonnage that is being sent to other districts through our dues. Councilor Grenier indicated that every community has faced the issue. Councilor Grenier added that he will check to see that NADC debris is under a separate agreement and will not be charged to Berlin.
Councilor Roy moved to accept the recommendation of the mayor to have Councilor Lafleur as the City representative on the AVRRDD; Councilor Grenier seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Roy moved to accept the Mayor's oral report; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Communication from Ray Chagnon.
Councilor Chagnon sent a letter resigning from the Council and the AVRRDD effective January 1, 2007. Councilor Roy moved to accept the resignation of Councilor Chagnon effective 1/1/07; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried. There was a consensus of the Council to offer some form of recognition for Councilor Chagnon's service to the City.
Other
City Manager=s Report
Airport Master Plan Meeting. A number of people from the Town of Milan attended the meeting. After the presentation of the Master Plan by Airport Engineer Oest Associates, a significant number of people spoke against any installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) which might result in the impacting or acquisition of some or all of their property.
ATV Advisory Board Meeting. The State's Master Plan Consultant, Horizon LLC, reviewed the Master Plan for the State ATV Park in Berlin. The total miles of trail to be developed over time is in the range of 160 miles. One of the issues that must be overcome is that only about 70 miles of trail can be developed because of state legislated environmental restrictions written exclusively for ATV parks. DRED plans to work with DES to get the legislation changed. Councilor Grenier suggested initiating the support of Representative Robert Theberge, Chair of the County Commission
Route 110, Phase II Route Meeting. Another meeting was held last week on the alternative routes for Phase II. Kathy Laffey who is the New Hampshire Federal Highways Administrator, attended this meeting along with Pam Kocher from Senator Sununu's office and NHDOT officials working on the project. There is a need to develop and document the totality of the impacts of the alternative routes.
Sewer Capacity Notice. We received notice from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services that our WWTP has exceeded a certain threshold of capacity. Under State law, this means that any new permit for additional sewerage use in the City must be monitored and approved by DES. We are asking for clarification of the notice.
Rocket Snowmobile. Significant progress is being made in the clean up of the Rocket Snowmobile property on Rt. 110.
Leadership North Country Program. On the morning of December 6th, the Manager participated in one of the sessions of the Leadership North Country Program which was held in the Errol Town Hall. This Program, is like the Leadership New Hampshire Program, but geared to the North Country, and pulls together a number of interested people from the North Country and educates them about the State and the North Country, including how government works.
Airport Fuel Truck. Eric Kaminsky sent his thanks to Shop Forman Dan Belanger, Mechanics_Gary Peters_ Don Riff and all others involved in repairing the airport's Jet_A refueler truck.
Councilor Roy moved to accept the Manager's report; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Public Comments
Council Comments
Councilor Donovan asked if taxes were paid by Fraser or NADC. Mr. MacQueen confirmed that taxes have not been paid on the second half of the year.
Councilor Donovan commented that he and Executive Councilor Ray Burton held a breakfast roundtable last Friday morning. There was a general consensus that the cost of providing services in the municipalities is high. There is a need to consolidate services and cooperate in providing services. He asked if Gorham would be interested in a dialog to consolidate services. Councilor Donovan moved to send a letter to Town Manager Bill Jackson and the Gorham Selectmen asking them to join the Mayor and City Manager for a meeting to see if a plan for consolidating services could be initiated; Councilor Nelson seconded.
Discussion followed with Councilor Grenier asking why such a discussion would not involve the body of the city council if the Gorham Selectmen are being asked. Councilor Donovan clarified that if the Selectmen have no problem entering into a dialogue, then that will likely be done with the Council.
Mayor Danderson asked for a vote on the prior motion and it carried with all in favor.
Councilor Lafleur commented that he spoke with Ray Chagnon and Sharon Gauthier to get up to speed with AVRRDD responsibilities.
Councilor Donovan asked how the officers are chosen at the AVRRDD. Councilor
Grenier reported that the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary were all predetermined before the meeting
Mayor Danderson suggested having a meeting of the City Council about the district and what they do. Councilor Grenier proposed that this would be a proper time to choose an alternate to the AVRRDD. Councilor Roy volunteered. On a motion from Councilor Grenier and a second from Councilor Donovan, Councilor Roy was appointed the alternate to the AVRRDD with all voting affirmatively.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Nelson moved to adjourn; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:55 p.m.
A true record, attest
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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