August 13, 2007
Work Session
Present at the meeting were Mayor Danderson, Councilors Lafleur, Cusson, Grenier, Poulin, Nelson, and Donovan. Patrick MacQueen, Ralph Collins, Nicole Plourde, media and public were also present. Candidates for the Ward I position, Carl Gagnon, Robert Theriault, Harold Bigelow and Lucie Remillard were present.
Interviews for Ward I Position
Candidates were interviewed individually.
Carl Gagnon indicated that he was born and raised in Berlin. He was in the Air Force and has been married for 29 years. He stated that Berlin is at an important crossroad and he has an interest in being part of a team that will lead Berlin in a new direction. He's served on the zoning board for 3 years and the board of Theatre North. To Councilor Lafleur's question about his vision for the city, Mr. Gagnon replied that the City has suffered and his vision is to get it booming again. There is a need for business and industry so that we can keep our young people here.
Councilor Lafleur asked for comments regarding the City's deficiencies and Mr. Gagnon noted that the City has been in decline and the budget keeps growing. He wants to work with the council to limit spending. Mr. Gagnon was asked for his view on the quality of education in Berlin. He stated that education in Berlin is exceptional. It is where his children were educated. Councilor Lafleur asked for the candidate's perception on economic development in Berlin. Mr. Gagnon stated that transportation dollars are not distributed evenly between the northern & southern parts of the State. He would like to see an expansion of 93 north so that it comes closer to Berlin.
Mayor Danderson asked how Mr. Gagnon would relate his business experience to the City Council. He responded that as a manager he has to work within a budget. He's grown the business since becoming manager and he would like to take that experience to the City Council. Councilor Nelson asked how the out-migration of the City's youth could be prevented and Mr. Gagnon responded that we have the infrastructure to keep kids here with the college. Creating jobs is key.
Mayor Danderson noted that the Council has taken a position in favor of Alternative 4e for the Route 110 Project which is parallel to the railroad and the federal government has said that the alternative is not feasible because of historical buildings. Mr. Gagnon commented that there is not anything of historical value in the area with the exception of Abellis Market. He is for the most direct route which is along the railroad. He also felt that impact on the tax structure should be considered in the decision.
Robert Therriault stated that he was a councilman for six years and worked on industrial development for ten years. He helped in the development of the industrial park. He stated that the city's economic decline started when the International Paper closed in 1948. He has seven children and has lived in Ward I for over 40 years. He explained that he has used different approaches to get what he wants. He feels that having an industrial agent is the way to get businesses here. Through his business, he has been exposed to new inventions and knows several companies. Berlin is the ideal place for carbon fiber.
To a question asking why he wants to be a councilor again, Mr. Theriault responded that he believes the council is coming into major problems. There are no jobs and there are many people who want out of Berlin. There is nothing here to attract people. He added that he does not agree with the job projections to be created by the prison. He stated that he wants to help the council with his long term experience. Councilor Cusson asked if Mr. Theriault would run in the next election. He responded that he is not sure if he would run. Councilor Cusson also asked about Mr. Theriault's house being for sale to which Mr. Theriault commented that his house is no longer useful to him and he is still planning to live in Ward I.
Harold Bigelow put together a resume and background sheet for the Council. He commented that he wants to make a positive contribution to the community. He chose to live in Berlin and purchased a home in 2003. His vision for the city is to improve the infrastructure, improve the City's revenue base and work toward property tax relief. He sees light manufacturing, tourism and perhaps eco-tourism working for the City. To a question regarding the citys deficiencies, Mr. Bigelow stated that they include parochialism and the condition of the roads. He feels the education system in Berlin is mediocre. There is room for improvement but no need to despair.
With regard to economic development, Mr. Bigelow noted that in the short term, we have to focus on making the City attractive for tourists. Berlin is hard to get to and we have to give people a reason to come here. Councilor Donovan asked about the focus point to start from and Mr. Bigelow suggested starting with the Internet and getting people who do come to come back. Mayor Danderson asked for Mr. Bigelow's opinion on bio-energy and he noted that it will help but is not the answer. He is all for using the assets of the North Country for biomass.
To Councilor Nelson's question about his opinion on the federal prison, Mr. Bigelow stated that he has mixed emotions. To develop jobs, he would prefer that they come from private industry because, whether federal or local, public money comes from the taxpayer. Mayor Danderson asked for comments on zoning and Mr. Bigelow noted that the City should be as cooperative as possible without giving up the integrity of the community.
Mayor Danderson stated that housing has been a priority of this council. In what way could we expedite the process and ways to finance? Mr. Bigelow suggested posting a bond against the lien. We could petition to expedite the process for unsafe structures.
Lucie Remillard stated that she's lived in Berlin most of her life. She did property management for 13 years and now works full time with Gallus and Green. Her vision for the city is that there will be changes that will make a big difference but it's a process and will take time. She believes in the development of the ATV Park and feels that Route 110 will become developed. She supports the prison though it would not be her first choice for development, but there are not a lot of choices. The residual effects of the prison are that people will be moving here.
Mayor Danderson asked how Ms. Remillard felt about the City's new ordinances dealing with multi-family dwellings. She stated that she agrees with upgrading the buildings and feels it was long overdue. To Councilor Lafleur's question about the City's deficiencies, Ms. Remillard indicated that people are upset about the increase in taxes. To a question about the quality of the City's education, Ms. Remillard commented that we have a strong education system and she believes we need sports and music. With regard to economic development and how to promote the area, Ms. Remillard commented that Berlin will be ripe for tourism when the ATV trail is fully developed we will be booming on the weekends. The City will need a motel. We should promote what we have here which is hiking, fishing and
the outdoors.
Councilor Cusson asked if there is still a demand for the junk properties in the City. Ms. Remillard stated that about four houses are being sold per month. The junk properties are waning. To a question about how to stabilize the tax rate, Ms. Remillard responded that it would be beneficial to get something of value on the mill property that would pay taxes. She went on to say that she has a strong belief that we need permitting to mandate what goes on in certain areas
Mayor Danderson asked if Ms. Remillard would run for office in November and she responded that if the flow is right, she would run.
Council members voted with four votes going to Harold Bigelow and three votes going to Lucie Remillard. Mr. Bigelow is the new councilor for Ward I.
PWD Request to Purchase Salt Truck Cab
Mr. MacQueen reported that the Public Works Department found a used cab for the salt truck that could put the truck back on the road. The recommendation is to waive the bidding process and accept the quote for this cab. The quoted price is $19,721.46. Councilor Grenier confirmed that it is the cab, with doors. Councilor Cusson stated that the unit is mechanically sound and would likely serve for the next ten years with a new cab. Its replacement cost is $150,000. It is used only for spreading salt and it is a 4 wheel drive. Councilor Lafleur moved to ask the City Manager to look into options other than the outright purchase of the cab such as the bidding process; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. Councilors Grenier and Donovan were opposed.
Establish Trustees of Trust Funds
Mr. MacQueen explained that we sent in the MS 9 to the State and they noticed that the City Manager and Finance Director signed it. We have been put on notice that we need to have Trustees of Trust Funds who are an elected body of 3 or 5 who are charged with investing trusts. By State law, the Trustees are put in charge of trusts.
Mr. MacQueen went on to say that he's spoken with City Auditor Bob Vachon who does not feel that the city has to establish a capital reserve fund as a result of the notice. Trustees would be established according to state law. The Council would decide whether they want 3 or 5 trustees; an election process would decide to whom all trusts of the City would be inferred. Councilor Cusson confirmed that unexpended funds at the end of the year do not become capital reserves; they are simply a re-appropriation of funds. Mayor Danderson stated that we should take our time with this and should not act quickly.
Councilor Nelson moved to adjourn; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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