March 12, 2007
Work Session
Present at the meeting were: George Bald, Mike Walls, Greg Cyr, Bill Manzer, Sharon Gauthier, Ray Danforth, Blandine Shallow, Patrick MacQueen; representing the schools were Mitch Couture, John Moulis, Marion Huntley, Dan Record, Martha Laflamme, Beverly Dupont, Corinne Cascadden, Gary Bisson, Brian Leclerc, Nicole Plourde, Steve Michaud; media and public were also present
Request for City to Treat Dummer Yard Leachate
Mr. MacQueen reported that the leachate from Dummer Yard has been treated at the mill's treatment facility for years. With the mill's recent closure, Fraser would like to be out of the agreement and the State is looking to have the City treat the leachate. The issues are to determine the strength and volume of leachate that would be treated as well as its impact on a plant that is at 80% of capacity. The Sewer Fund recently lost the mill's revenue and the question becomes who will pay to treat the waste?
George Bald stated that he had a meeting last week where all parties were present. The State is looking for the City to take the leachate without payment as long as the cost to treat it is nothing that can be measured. There are protections for the city incorporated into an agreement that would guard against statutory, regulatory, or permit violations, water quality violations, exceedences, disruptions, or abnormal test. This is not a problem of anyones making and needs to be dealt with. The City would be treating for no revenues; however the intent of the agreement is that there is no cost to the City.
Mr. Bald gave some background to the situation explaining that everything was being done to assure that the mill would be sold. As part of those assurances, the State took ownership of the bottom of the river in one of the most accelerated eminent domain proceedings ever. The City, State, and Fraser did not do anything wrong. The City needs to give the State a hand and the State will continue to monitor.
Mr. Danforth commented that the quality of the effluent is very clean. Fraser is treating at no cost to the State and if something came up in the leachate, the State would take care of it. The contract would provide for yearly testing of the effluent to be sure it is not changing. The landfill has been closed for 14 years and the chemicals are at parts per billion and at extremely low levels. They would then be diluted and virtually undetectable at the plant. Councilor Danderson confirmed that testing is done to detect heavy metals. She questioned, what is the fail safe plan if something changed?
Mr. MacQueen noted that there are clauses in the agreement that would trigger the City's right to exercise its right to refuse to accept the leachate in the future in the event that the leachate meets the definition of “hazardous waste” under stocktickerRSA 147-B:2, stocktickerVII; in the event that the leachate causes significant harm to the Berlin WWTP; in the event that the treatment of the leachate requires the City to absorb additional costs in excess of $1,000 per year, or in the event that the leachate, even after treatment, causes significant violations of water quality standards. The City has asked the State to do an annual testing mostly to show that the new leachate is not doing anything to the plant. Councilor Cusson asked if testing has been done to make sure the leachate is compatible
with our plant, to be sure it does not eat away the beneficial bacteria. Ray Danforth assured that it will not affect the plant.
Councilor Grenier asked what if the city refuses to go along. Mr. Bald indicated that the State would then have to decide how to deal with the problem. Councilor Grenier went on to say that there are odor issues from the landfill and from Dummer Yard. People who are living in the area are living with putrid smells. The Solid Waste District will be spending a lot of money to address the issue for which they are waiting for DES approval.
As long as there is an odor, the Solid Waste District will be targeted as causing it. Some issues have been pinpointed as coming from Dummer Yard. We want something to help with the smell.
Councilor Cusson commented that the City received a lot of help from a lot of places and there is a need to give back. Mayor Danderson made the point that if the leachate were treated at the same rate citizens pay, it would generate $44,408. This agreement would help the AVRRDD and he believes they have an obligation to treat the leachate. Berlin suffers the smell and seagulls and should not add more burden to the treatment plant. There ought to be some token of good faith offered from the District.
Mr. Bald concluded by saying that there is a mood of cooperating with the State. Councilor Grenier indicated that something will be worked out and a vote can be done next week. Representatives of Fraser, State, and AVRRDD left the meeting at this time.
Supporters of Girl's Hockey
There were about 75 supporters of Girls High School Hockey at the meeting wanting to be heard regarding the School Board's decision to cut $26,000 of funding from the school budget that would have allowed them to become a sanctioned team
Councilor Grenier moved to suspend the rules to allow the group to give public comments; Councilor Cusson seconded and, with a unanimous vote, the motion carried. Mayor Danderson opened the floor to public comments:
Gerry Fillion, 433 Derrah Street. Nine years ago, he was approached by the girls to start a hockey program. The NHIAA has sanctioned the girls hockey program for next year; however last month the program was cut from the budget. The group is looking for the support of the City Council to have their 16 game schedule.
Gary Boucher, 32 Haven Ave. He thanked players and parents for making this effort and added that he has been associated with the program for 7 years. The group will do what is necessary; they have petitions going and have a multitude of signatures. There is never a good time for the money but this is the right time for the program.
Eric Thomas, 20 Williamson Ave. He's supported the school's sports programs and it is only fair for the girls who devote time, learn discipline and respect to have a sanctioned team. These are the students who cause the less trouble in the city.
Chris Martin, 170 Willard St. She lived in Nashua but moved back because she wanted to raise her children here. Both went to BHS and she feels she has two great kids who do the right thing and take part in activities. These girls and boys who participate are the good kids in the city and we need to stand up for them be sure they are rewarded.
Nancy Bisson, She moved here from Rochester and would like to see the girls have the same opportunities as the boys. Not all girls want to be cheerleaders.
Jensyn Dandeneau and Meagan Accardi. They are on the Mites team and when they grow up, they want to have girl's hockey.
Susan Lessard 1775 Hutchins Street. She supports the team. She has had three girls going through the program with a lot of support from the community so that it can get sanctioned. If the team is not sanctioned, the girls will not have the teams to play with.
Bronte Dandeneau, 27 Haven Ave. This is her first year playing and she really wants it to be a sport for the high school next year.
There being no further comments, Mayor Danderson closed the floor to public comments and moved the meeting to the school budget. Several members of the public left at this time.
Board of Education Budget
Mitch Couture asked the school administrators present to deliver the budget presentation. Marion Huntley started a Power Point presentation that gave an overview of the entire school budget. The total budget request is $19,219,960 for an increase of $1,717,871. Total anticipated revenues are $15,239,708 which anticipates an additional $1,544,506.
The needs of the schools exceed the request; however the School Board is trying to work with the city. This budget anticipates the Department of Education published numbers for State Aid.
Tuition costs are based on the per pupil cost for the two previous years. Councilor Grenier confirmed that cross charges from other departments such as recreation, sewer and water are entered into the tuition formula. Councilors were concerned that the schools charge the actual cost of educating a tuition student
Ms. Huntley stated that if the board wants to look at another formula, it has to be mutually agreed upon and has to be agreed on by the state. Mitch Couture added that there is a system in place and any change would break an area agreement. The schools have signed on for five years with Milan. Councilor Grenier pointed out that the tuition is a significant revenue. Mayor Danderson reasoned that there should be a way to maximize the amount to make sure we reflect what it is costing to educate each student
There are no new positions in this budget. It includes the adjustments of 3% for all non-union employees. Councilor Grenier questioned an 11% increase in electricity. Ms. Huntley said that there will likely be additional energy cost when Honeywell brings in outside ventilation.
Capital Improvements
Beverly Dupont reported that a major expense is to replace an outdated reading program from 1994. Staff is piloting 4 reading programs.
Councilor Grenier asked for 15 years of oil consumption for the schools and Ms. Huntley confirmed that she has the last 11 years readily available.
Mr. MacQueen asked why the reading program did not show up in the City's capital program. Ms. Huntley voiced that there is a disconnect between the board and those who submit the CIP.
In addition to the reading program and the Honeywell project, the schools are asking to include a telephone system in their capital expenditures.
Councilor Danderson mentioned a large expenditure with cell phones. Ms. Huntley noted that cell phones are made available for buses; the off site custodian; and building trades. Anyone placing a call on a land line that is not business related has to pay the charge. Ms. Huntley responded that with personal cell phones, it does not seem to be a problem. Brian Leclerc reasoned that the cell phones are used for safety reasons.
Hillside School
Hillside School has one of the most fiscally conservative budgets ever. Councilor Greneir asked if the closing of the Catholic school will have an impact and it was found that there will only be an additional five students and will have no impact on the junior high. In grades K-3, there will be an additional 38 students.
High School
Councilor Grenier voiced his opinion that the varsity soccer coach should not be asked to leave his position to be the athletic director
Mr. Bisson noted that he has a room full of equipment with no teacher for Digital communications /computer repair curriculum. Womens hockey at $26,000 was cut from the budget. Athletic equipment was cut. Councilor Grenier went through an itemized list of the equipment needed but going unfunded. Sports generate revenue. Gates tend to be used for officials and game expenses.
Special Education
Steve Michaud reported a significant increase of 23.53%. The FY 07 Budget is $2,894,918; the FY 08 Requested amount is $ 3,575,994 for a total increase of $681,076
He reported that Special Education came into effect in 1975. The Federal government promised to fund 40% of the program and they have not even funded 20% since the law was established. It is mandated that a student be provided with free and appropriate public education or no cost to the parent.
Mayor Danderson noted that the Special Education students are taking a bigger and bigger chunk of the pie. Mr. Michaud clarified that there are few students who make no progress at all in the special education program.
Councilor Cusson asked if special education cost is factored into the tuition rates and Mr. Michaud assured him that they are.
Brown School, Marston, Bartlett
Corinne Cascadden explained that the elementary schools have a big grant project. It is hoped that it will decrease the amount of need in the upper grades. School Department representatives left the meeting at this time.
White Mountain National Forest Project
Mr. MacQueen indicated that the Council took a strong position on the plan with regard to harvesting. There are certain interests who are opposing any harvesting in the WMNF. Councilor Grenier moved to send a letter of support for the plan; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Retirement System Reform
Mayor Danderson reported that he went to a NH Municipal Association meeting about the retirement system. The AFLCIO will support this agreement and it has a good chance of passing. They want a council vote on the issue. Councilor Grenier moved to support the retirement system reform document of March 6, 2007; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Inspections
The inspection process will happen Wednesday and Thursday of this week. We are requesting the use of about $500 from Council Contingent to pay for lunches for both days for about 20 inspectors from all over the State. Councilor Grenier moved to allow; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
The meeting ended by mutual consensus at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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