August 20, 2007
Work Session
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Lafleur, Bigelow, Grenier, Poulin, Nelson and Donovan; Councilor Cusson was absent. Jim Wagner, Marion Huntley, Blandine Shallow, Pamela Laflamme, Patrick MacQueen, John Moulis, media and public were also present.
BAA
Mayor Danderson informed Berlin Airport Authority members that Coleman had contacted the Airport Manager wanting a reduction in the price of sand from $3 to $2. There was no interest in lowering the price.
Heritage Park Update - Jim Wagner
As chair of the Heritage Park, Mr. Wagner reported that there are several activities that are scheduled for summer through the winter. The Park will host Leadership NH, Artisan/Cultural activities, Norwegian Festival, Lumberjack Festival, Riverfire, and Festival du Bois. The Park has been reaching out to schools, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The Cook House and boat rides have been ongoing. The gardens are in bloom and the park will be hosting an open house in the near future.
Office space has been created for the United Way and Chamber of Commerce and there are other tenants that want to come in. Artifacts from the mill are in storage at the park. Mr. Wagner thanked Council members for their continued support.
Review of Appropriations Resolutions
Mr. MacQueen noted that three resolutions were prepared for carry over funds from the City, grant funds and school funds. Segregated funds will be referred to as capital appropriations. Councilor Grenier asked about money for the Jericho upgrade and Mr. MacQueen stated that the deed to Jericho Park has not been transferred yet. In the event that the transfer is slower than anticipated, the money will be there if something comes up. Mr. MacQueen went on to say that funds that were segregated in prior years continue to be carried over. Councilor Grenier questioned an operational expense from the Avitar contract. Ms. Shallow noted that the carry-over is requested because appeals to the BTLA for tax assessment are unknown. Mayor Danderson suggested putting the city hall security money
into street rehabilitation. Councilor Lafleur agreed that the funds should be re-appropriated to another cause but felt that it should be put into a building since most are in need of some repair.
Councilor Lafleur asked if the bridge collapse in Minnesota had an effect on bridge repairs in the city and Mr. MacQueen noted that State gives us a bridge report every year and the worse bridge in the City is the one over the Dead River on Cole Street. He also explained that funds set aside for bridge repairs are in anticipation of bridge repairs.
Jericho Lake Donation Deed/BIDPA Easement
Mr. MacQueen expressed frustration that, after working with the City for 18 months to acquire Jericho Lake and an easement from BIDPA over the 300 acres on Route 110, the State sent the agreed to documents to the AG's office and they re-wrote it. The work involved city attorney time and staff time as well as considerations the City was expecting. In the quit claim deed they have taken out the right of reversion; taken out mineral rights and made substantive changes
The idea that we can spend 18 months negotiating and then have it thrown away is appalling. Mr. MacQueen's recommendation is not to continue with the donation. Councilors suggested calling the Governor, Ray Burton and George Bald. Councilor Bigelow asked if this would halt the creation of the park and the thought was that it could set it back a few years. Mayor Danderson noted that we want to be firm but the project is important to the city.
Mayor Danderson mentioned that he would like to see the ATV trails on the west side of the City connect with the east side. We are missing extra value dollars by having no place to fill the bikes with gas. In order to create a destination for ATVs, we will have to work this out.
Ratification of Vote for 155B Order for Rockingham Street
Mr. MacQueen stated that he is asking the Council to ratify two 155-B orders previously signed by the Mayor and City Council. The orders are for properties at 537 Rockingham Street and 534 Rockingham Street. Councilor Nelson so moved; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Rheims Street and Need for Easement
Mr. MacQueen informed Council members that there is a water line in the street we would need to retain a water line easement. The language can be added as an amendment to the resolution. Ms. Laflamme reported that she notified all the abutters and they did not have a conflict.
Update on Master Plan
Ms. Laflamme stated that the request for proposals for the master plan went out and it has been posted on a national web site. There should be a consultant on board by mid October. Both DRED and Tilotson grants are funding sources who have agreed that they would fund an entire master plan for the city in place of looking only at the mill property which is under private control. There is about $100,000 for the plan. Some chapters in the plan will be written by staff to keep cost down and so that the plan will better reflect the city's goals. Andre Caron will do the housing chapter of the study. Wildfire mitigation, worked on by the fire department, will be a chapter and the hazard mitigation plan will be a part as well
Councilor Bigelow asked if there are objectives for the plan and Ms. Laflamme responded that there is a spreadsheet of data that needs to be included in a plan by law including population, housing but the rest is up to the community. Mr. MacQueen commented that the goals are up to the planning board and the council. State law has the planning board doing the master plan without the city council approving; however the Council will be asked to review.
Ms. Laflamme noted that the rfp asks for consultants with expertise in communities with recreational trails, prisons, and housing issues.
Zoning Amendment
Ms. Laflamme explained that the zoning language in the current ordinance is likely targeted to downtown signs. It does not take into consideration businesses with green space where the set backs can be met. There seems to be no reason not to allow signs in these areas and they are the subject of the zoning amendment on the agenda.
Mayor Danderson asked about signs along Route 110 and Ms. Laflamme stated that the Planning Board is aware of the need. There has been a suggestion to allow blue signs, similar to the State's. Another suggestion is to do a turn off and kiosk at the entrances to the City.
Retirement Notice
Mr. MacQueen announced that he has received a retirement notice from Ernie Allain who will work until February 29, 2008. Councilor Nelson moved to enter into the hiring freeze committee; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried.
Mr. MacQueen requested the authority to fill the public works director position in 2008. Councilor Donovan asked if the foremen could run the department and Mr. MacQueen stressed that there has to be someone in charge of the department. Councilor Grenier noted that if an engineer is hired, there may be a need to raise the salary level. Councilors discussed the need for a professional engineer in the position as well as the possibility of combining the water and public works departments
With the Water Commission handling the Water Works, there would be no choice but to give the existing commission more authority and the commissioners dont answer to the public, the council does. There would be a lot of things to work out.
Councilor Grenier pointed out that there is a long range issue of combining the departments and short range issue of replacing the public works director. Councilor Grenier moved to give the City Manager the authority to hire a public works director; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved to come out of the hiring freeze committee; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Donovan voting against.
Councilor Grenier moved to adjourn; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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