April 9, 2007
Work Session
City Council members present were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Cusson, Grenier, Lafleur, and Nelson; absent were Councilors Danderson, Donovan, Poulin and Roy. Staff members present were: Peter Morency, Brian Valerino, Lisa Arguin, Wade Goulet, Dan Buteau, Jen Cloutier, from the Police Department; Randall Trull, Pamela Laflamme, Blandine Shallow and Patrick MacQueen. Police Commission members: Jim Wagner, and Tony Urban were present as well as media.
Police Budget
Chief Morency commented that the Police Commission delivered a responsible budget. He reported that the crime rate is rising in the City and stated that the numbers are supported by data from the Department's computer system. The Police Department needs to be proactive to make Berlin safer.
Motor vehicles stops and violations are decreasing because there are not the resources to do that work. There were 620 calls coming from Milan. Berlin Wards I, II and IV have had increases in crime. Chief Morency explained that his proposal was to add two officers so that most calls could be responded to with two officers. Without these additional officers, the compromise would be to build up the auxiliary force.
Councilor Cusson asked if the Police Department has seen an increase in criminal activity associated with the changing face of the City. Chief Morency noted that the mill closing has not had an effect; however the lack of jobs and low cost rental units bring in people with a lot of time on their hands. There have not been any arrests due to the state prison facility. Commenting on Chief Morency's data that shows a decline in the number of police officers over several years, Councilor Cusson reasoned that technology has come a long way so that the department is far more efficient per person and can get more done with fewer people. Chief Morency acknowledged that they are more efficient per person; however the court system is more time consuming.
Mayor Danderson asked to get information regarding what the conviction rates are. When convictions match the arrests, then we will see crime decrease. Councilor Grenier established that the court does not think that Coos County deserves a full time justice.
Mayor Danderson suggested a meeting with the Chief Justice, Coos County representatives and the Police Department to address the problem with the court system.
Mayor Danderson asked if the Berlin PD is underpaid for the services provided to Milan. Chief Morency noted that there were 620 calls from Milan and they pay the City $6,000 for dispatching as well as providing a car for use in the Town. Councilor Grenier voiced that the revenue from Milan is fair for both communities.
Councilor Grenier stated that, in the past the city was on a rotation of buying cruisers and last year the PD should have bought one and two were purchased. He went on to say that he can only support purchasing one this year. He questioned the Chief's salary request of $101,500. Chief Morency reported that this request includes his insurance benefits. He asked that the salary discussion take place in non-public session and noted that he has a contract with the Police Commissioners. Councilor Grenier questioned the Police Commissioner's ability to approve contracts. The issue will be scheduled for an upcoming meeting.
The increase in the training budget was explained by Assistant Chief Valerino. He stated that ammunition is ordered in early spring or summer and the expense would not yet show on the year to date expenses. The department is losing veterans who have a lot of experience and new people have to be trained for specialization. Chief Morency added that the State now requires 8 hours of training to maintain certification and they are considering increasing that amount to 40 hours. The budget is based on 16 hours per officer.
Councilor Grenier confirmed that the school department will not likely fund the school resource officer. He questioned a 25% increase in social security Medicare and Lisa Arguin responded that the amount includes non-group II employees such as dispatch, clerical, janitors, and crossing guards.
Mr. MacQueen was of the opinion that a non-public session to discuss pay that is already set does not fall into the qualifying exceptions. Jim Wagner voiced that creating a team to meet with the court system is important and should be followed up on. Police Department representatives left the meeting at this time.
Fire Department
Chief Randall Trull reported that his department responds to an average of 620 calls for service per year. There have already been two more major fires than in the previous year. Inspections for multi-family dwellings done recently, in conjunction with the Fire Marshall's office, took 500 man hours.
To Councilor Cusson's question about what drives the inspections, Chief Trull reported that the City has embarked on an annual inspection program for multi family dwellings. Fees for service were discussed. Chief Trull reported that if the city has an ordinance establishing a fire service fee then it could be collected from some insurance policies.
Councilor Grenier asked if we are allowed to charge a fire service fee of $5,000 per unit unless the owner can provide an insurance binder with the city named.
Chief Trull noted that he is working on a vacancy ordinance, a fee structure, and insurance requirements. Council members voiced their support for the work the Chief has done with regard to burnt and dilapidated structures. Mayor Danderson asked if the City could bond to tear down buildings. It is such a big problem; it would be nice to get a lot of them down.
Chief Trull reported that his department has 18 firefighters, two officers and one administrative assistant. Councilor Cusson asked if the lieutenants could have additional administrative abilities and the Chief noted that they could but it would be at the expense of the duties they already have. He added that the firefighters have day to day duties that include house duties, testing and maintaining rescue equipment. There has been more training and the department responds to crashes, hazardous materials, weather related incidents, high angle rescue, river rescue, and boiler inspections.
Chief Trull expressed that he had added two firefighters in his original budget request but they did not make through the City Manager's cuts. Adequate coverage for Berlin would be six per shift. The Chief asked council members to sign two requests for 155-B orders that, once accepted by the court, will allow for removal of the fire properties on Main Street. There being no further questions, Chief Trull left the meeting at this time.
Conservation Service Communication
Mr. MacQueen explained that the Soil Conservation Service sent a communication asking that the City sign off on closing out a project from some forty years ago. The Dead River Project had channeling as part of the original project to mitigate flooding that occurred in the past in the downtown. There is a need to have channeling done in the area of Moxie Alley but the Conservation Service has said that the cost benefit is not there to justify the project. They will close out the project whether the City signs off or not.
Their study says there is no flooding problem; however the property owners in Moxie Alley would like to see something done. Mr. MacQueen suggested inviting the property owners to have a meeting with the Soil Conservation Service so that they are both aware of each other's positions. Councilor Lafleur moved to accept the Manager's recommendation; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Charter Amendment
Mr. MacQueen reported that the City Clerk provided dates to meet the timeline for getting a charter amendment on the November 16 ballot. The process needs to start by August 17. He went on to say that, even with a charter amendment, the domicile issue is in the State law and only they can clear that up. Councilor Nelson suggested a change that would have one councilor from each ward and four at large.
Councilor Grenier asked for copies of City Charters as they deal with residency. If there are several issues, it may be time to have a charter commission.
Councilor Nelson moved to adjourn; Councilor Cusson seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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