January 29, 2007
Work Session
Present were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Lafleur, Donovan, Cusson, Roy, Grenier and Nelson; Councilors Poulin and Danderson were absent. Senator John Gallus, Representatives Paul Ingersoll, Yvonne Thomas, Ed Mears, Robert Théberge; Blandine Shallow, Sue Perreault, media and public were also present
Meeting with Senator Gallus and Representatives
Mayor Danderson thanked the delegation for coming. Mayor Danderson asked if it was possible to reintroduce the insurance bill that did not make it last year. The bill proposed to lien insurance proceeds on a burnt structure so that it could be repaired, razed, or removed.
The Mayor also noted that it is important to preserve or improve upon what we are getting in education funding. Representative Théberge indicated that there are different schemes being considered including one that would do away with targeted aid.
Councilor Lafleur asked about the courts being brought in to define adequate education if the Legislature cannot get it done. Senator Gallus commented that the court system could take over the process and increase the cost and the State and communities would have to fund what they come up with which may be impossible unless a broad based tax is implemented. Councilor Donovan reasoned that the local school department wages have kept up to the rest of the State and this area cannot support that
Councilor Grenier commented that a big issue is the indigent moving here from other parts of the state. Removing excess housing stock allows us to erase several problems. Rental prices have to double in Berlin or we will continue to have people moving here taking advantage of our school system, police department and fire department.
Mr. MacQueen clarified that programs with the State and Federal government are geared to promote affordable housing. Berlin has too much affordable housing and because it gives the appearance that the City is trying to lower the amount of affordable housing, the City cannot get money for demolition. Councilor Donovan added that policies on Community Development Block Grant money are such that they do not allow demolition.
Representative Mears commented that a meeting with the delegation should take place earlier in the session because it is too late now to enter bills.
Mayor Danderson noted that there is a bill most every year to add a representative from municipalities on the NH Retirement System Board but it is always rejected. Mr. MacQueen added that municipalities pay the bill but have no say on how the money is spent. The Legislature does not want to cut benefits so they have to choice but to increase the cost of which the vast majority will be paid for by the communities and the State.
Mr. MacQueen explained that RSA 80-89 is a very complicated law. If a property is privately owned and the property owner does everything right, it will be six years before the city can take action to sell the property. Six years is too long; it allows the property to become dilapidated.
Councilor Grenier stated that how the cost of County government gets passed on to the city has been an issue. He went on to say that Commissioner Stephens, in the last five years, has sent back 3 to 4 million dollars to the state coffers. Because of this, the State is leaving millions of dollars in Washington
Senator Gallus had a document from the Department of Education that says Berlin will get $8,642,713.00 in the upcoming year, then ten million in the following year.
Mayor Danderson mentioned Berlin’s ATV Park and the fine filter requirement implemented on ATV parks in the state. The Bureau of Trails will build 60 miles of trails in the next year; however there will need to be an exception made for Berlin’s park so that the 139 trails called for in the master plan come to fruition. Under the current rules of the state, there can be no more than 60 miles of trails. The rules are stricter on land to be used for ATVs than with any other recreational vehicle.
Representative Thomas stated that she has spoken with several people at the State level including George Bald and Chris Gamache who told her that everything is going well with Berlin’s ATV trails. Representative Ingersoll added that he would like to see Berlin create rules that allow atvs to travel down the side of the road, as long as they have insurance, registration and a helmet. Mayor Danderson noted that there is an effort to connect the trails from one side of the city to the other. Councilor Grenier added that unless there is “home rule” the City would not be allowed because State law prevents it. Representative Ingersoll suggested that perhaps Coos Country could be exempted from that law in the next legislative year.
Mayor Danderson related that someone can come from another community and go directly to apply for welfare. In other communities there are no rents available. It would help if there were a 90 day residency requirement prior to receiving welfare
Mayor Danderson stated that PSNH was willing to build a power plant in Berlin, Gorham and Groveton. Because of deregulation, they cannot build any new power.
Senator Gallus explained that he has a new bill that would bring casino style gambling to Berlin and Portsmouth. It would allow slots at the grand hotels and race tracks. Revenues would go to reduce property taxes for every community.
Councilor Roy reported that the Governor wants to increase the drop out age to 18. He added he does not feel we should spend money to keep children in school who dont want to be there to begin with. Mayor Danderson stated that the effort to keep children in school has to be concentrated at the middle school level.
Councilor Nelson noted that TANF rates are the same throughout the state. People are getting more for their welfare dollar in Berlin. The TANF rates should be based on the area where they live. Food stamps are also a challenge here because of jobs. In the southern part of the State, if job searches are not complete, food stamps are declined. In Coos County there are no such rules.
Mayor Danderson suggested randomly drug testing welfare recipients and declining benefits if they test positive.
Councilor Roy noted that he read the State wants to put a half way house in Berlin and he is completely against that. Mayor Danderson noted that he supports the addition of 500 beds to the current State prison but he would not support a half way house. He thanked the delegation for attending and hearing the concerns of the Council.
Quarterly Budget Review
Ms. Shallow reported that the City’s finances look pretty good. Tax collections are coming in; however there is approximately $1 million outstanding other than the mill’s non-payment. With regard to the mill, Mr. MacQueen indicated that he’s not been told that the taxes would not be paid.
The Airport Fund appears to be overspent; however there are grant proceeds to be reimbursed.
Councilor Donovan asked about the public works budget and whether there would be a savings due to the lack of snow. Mr. MacQueen indicated that the savings are in overtime but there has been cold and ice so PWD has been sanding and salting.
The ambulance service has been doing well with our contract costs stabilizing or going down. The contract ends June 30 of this year.
Councilor Nelson asked why BIDPA is over its budget and Ms. Shallow stated that the ISSI project was paid for from that budget. CDBG will reimburse some of the costs.
Proposed Valuation Agreement
Skip Sancousy sent a proposal for the valuation of utilities in the City. His proposal provides fixed costs for each of the City’s utilities. Mr. MacQueen indicated that as we choose pieces from the proposal, there will need to be a resolution each time taking the funds from Unappropriated Fund Balance. Making the information court ready costs an additional $30,000. He added that we still need to understand the proposal. It is not clear if the additional $30,000 is for all litigation. Councilor Grenier asked what would be provided under general services which are billed at time and material.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Grenier moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community; and RSA 91-A:2 (b) Strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
The City was asked to waive liens on a property at 177 Jericho Road. Mr. MacQueen indicated that he would like to respond with a letter stating that the City Council has no authority in this regard. Council members agreed.
Mr. MacQueen updated the Council on IAFF negotiations.
Councilor Lafleur moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Grenier seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Grenier moved to adjourn; Councilor Roy seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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