Work Session
October 1, 2007
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Lafleur, Bigelow, Donovan, Cusson, Boucher and Poulin; absent were Councilors Grenier and Nelson. Staff members attending were: Patrick MacQueen, Randall Trull, Blandine Shallow, Laura Viger, and Pamela Laflamme. Media and public were also present.
Mayor Danderson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Vote to Authorize 155-B Order on 97 Grafton Street.
Chief Trull explained that the building at 97 Grafton Street is not in such deteriorated condition that it needs to be torn down. Work at the building had begun where it was gutted and new porches were constructed; however all work has stopped and timelines are not being met. Councilor Lafleur moved to authorize the 155-B order as presented; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Chief Trull indicated that there is a work plan in place but it has not been carried through.
Grading Rotary Park
Laura Viger reported that to completely renovate Rotary Park, re-grade and reseed, it would cost $2,056. She requested funding from Council Contingency. In the discussion that followed it was confirmed that the park does not belong to the city but to Heritage Park. All work is to be done by city staff with the exception of the tilling.
Council members suggested that test pits be done to determine what is underneath. Councilor Cusson questioned whether the area is wetlands and if special permitting might be necessary to work on the park. Councilor Bigelow cautioned that this was quickly becoming a project of more than $2,000 and that perhaps more planning is necessary.
Ms. Viger acknowledged that the season for growing grass has gone by. She asked that the funding be approved pending favorable outcomes with test pits, and a determination that no wetland will be disturbed. With that, the work could commence in the spring. Councilor Lafleur moved to approve taking $2,056 to fund the grading of Rotary Park out of the Council Contingency account pending what is found in the subsoil and obtaining the necessary permission from the Heritage Park; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Hiring Freeze Committee
Councilor Lafleur moved to go into the Hiring Freeze Committee; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Donovan voting against. Blandine Shallow explained that there was a resignation in her department and she would like permission to fill the position. Councilor Donovan asked for a description of the job and asked if the position could be absorbed. Ms. Shallow explained that the position works at the counter taking in motor vehicle registration; taxes; dog licensing; sewer bills, etc. There are only two positions that work the counter.
Mayor Danderson commented that the position has been open five times in the last five years and he suggested that an exit interview might offer insight. Councilor Donovan suggested making it a policy of the committee to have justification of the position. Mr. MacQueen made the point that if there are positions to be cut in the city, the finance department is the last place to make those cuts.
Councilor Bigelow suggested automating as much of the process as possible and allowing payments on line. Councilor Donovan moved that in the future an exit interview be done for a specific file and that justification for the position be brought to the hiring freeze committee at the time of requesting a new position; Councilor Cusson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Lafleur moved to hire an account clerk in the Finance Department, a budget neutral position; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved to come out of the hiring freeze committee; Councilor Cusson seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Donovan voting against.
Fraser Deed
Mr. MacQueen explained that Fraser has offered to donate a narrow piece of land they own on the west side of East Milan Road to the city. The Public Works Department feels we should accept the piece because there is a wall built by the City on the property. Councilor Donovan stated that he can see no benefit to owning this property. Ms. Laflamme added that she did not find any evidence of an easement for the land surrounding the wall. It was determined that taxes on the land are minimal. Councilor Cusson moved to accept the offer of the property from Fraser; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried. Councilors Donovan and Bigelow voted against.
Columbus Day Meeting.
Councilor Donovan moved that the October 8, Columbus Day meeting be cancelled; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Lafleur moved to go into non-public session per 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; Councilor Bigelow seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
No decisions were made in non-public session
Councilor Lafleur moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Boucher seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
