October 22, 2007
City Council Work Session
Present were Mayor Danderson, Councilors Cusson, Poulin, Bigelow, Lafleur, Boucher, and Grenier; Councilors Nelson and Donovan were absent. Staff members present were Patrick MacQueen and Ernie Allain; others present included Tim Cayer, Rodney Bengsten, media and public.
Mayor Danderson asked to add two items to the agenda. The Water Works wants to cut trees on city property at the industrial park and comments on recent newspaper articles. Councilor Grenier moved to add both items to the agenda; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Solid Waste Discussion
Councilor Lafleur stated that he wanted to talk about solid waste pick up on holidays. The garbage is not picked up Monday due to the holiday but picked up Friday of the same week, then again on the coming Monday. Mr. Allain provided a calendar showing the dates for pick up. If recyclables are not picked up on the Friday, then it would be 26 days before pick up. Councilor Lafleur expressed that his concern is that the trash crew could be used for other work when there is a holiday.
Councilor Grenier voiced that things are going well the way they are and it is not a good idea to upset the current schedule when it is working.
BOP Sewer Negotiations
Mr. MacQueen reported that he wanted the Council to be aware that connecting the new prison to the citys sewer system has become an issue. The appropriation for the prison started at $179,000,000 and has been increased to $249,000,000. There was an additional $9 million for waste water but it was not written into the legislation. The City's engineering firm has done a detailed analysis of what is needed and how it will impact the current system.
In June of 2006, the Bureau of Prisons put out a solicitation which we responded to. They are looking to award a contract for a specific amount of money; however without knowing what the project will cost, we are not prepared to come up with a final number. If the waste water improvements cost more, the City has to absorb the cost and if it costs less, we profit. The City submitted a proposal in July of 2006 and we received no response until September of 2007. The BOP expected to award a contract in September of this year.
The BOP has responded with faxes and conference calls where there has been a lot of posturing and not a lot of progress. Council conceded that the City will hold out for all the costs that will be prison related, including I & I. Once the City takes on the prison, lowering I & I is essential to increase capacity.
The Water Works has agreed to a contract in the amount of $2,088,000. Mr. MacQueen stated that the last communication from the City asks for a copy of the contract that they are proposing.
BWW to Remove Trees
Mr. MacQueen reported that there are a number of pine trees that will be in the way of an easement for the water line to the new prison. Water Works is asking for permission to remove the trees that are in the right of way. Councilor Grenier moved to grant permission; Councilor Cusson seconded and the motion carried.
Misinformation
Mayor Danderson wanted to clarify misinformation that he is hearing. He stated that changing the zoning to stop Laidlaw or other business on private property would be a legal trap for us. The City is paying a bond on $5.1 million of litigation costs as well as a $1.2 million on litigation relating to the retirement case.
He went on to say that he would support a clean wood chip plant. There are laws in the State that regulate what can be burned. Anything coming out of the stacks will have to meet pollution guidelines. Green power is very important to the future and wood chip plants are green. Utilities are paying the highest taxes of any type of industry. There are local loggers, vendors and three machine shops who would welcome the additional business.
Laidlaw officials have indicated that they would consider allowing access to trails for atvs and snowmobiles as well as hosting tours that would help the Heritage Park.
There have been reports that there are no downtown wood chip plants and there is one that exists in Concord. They are looking to expand but it has to be in downtown Concord, no more than 1 mile from the city's center. To those who say that a wood chip plant should be far removed, it should be known that any major plant needs water, and it needs to be near a substation.
PSNH, GLH, and Fraser are some of the highest taxpayers with Smith Hydro paying 7% of Berlin's total tax. With the new assessments Brookfield Power and PSNH are 15% of the total tax and those plants are less than 30 megawatts. With assessments based on generation, a 50 to 70 megawatt unit would generate $1.6 million of tax money or $6.00 on the tax rate.
Councilor Grenier stated that he knows nothing will happen on that sight for a hundred years if electricity is not generated there. Councilor Lafleur said that there is not a deal with Laidlaw. There is not enough information to offer support or dissent. Councilor Bigelow stated that he asked Laidlaw to provide information about emissions, generation, etc and they have not been forthcoming. He added that he has not taken a position yet because there is not enough information.
Non Public Session
Councilor Grenier moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (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 Lafleur seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Clean Power Option
Mr. MacQueen explained that the option agreement has been re-worked to meet the needs of the City and of Clean Power. The option is $5,000 for each of two years. A third party appraiser would set the price on the option if exercised. There is protection of an easement to the AVRRDD land. If the city were to vote out of the agreement, it would have to return the cost that Clean Power has incurred.
Council members agreed to move forward with making the deal public with a presentation by Clean Power at the next meeting, October 29. The option would be on the agenda November 5 with a public hearing and final passage on the 19th .
Property Donation
Paul Cusson reported that he and Councilor Bigelow met with the Library trustees and toured the building next to the Library. Councilor Bigelow indicated that it is evident the building is not worth rehabilitating; however it would be a worthwhile acquisition since it is the only viable space near the Library. Mr. Kelley, who would be donating the property, asked that a bench be set up in honor of his parents. The property can be accepted at a public meeting on the 29th.
Councilor Cusson Lafleur moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Cusson seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Grenier moved to adjourn the meeting; Councilor Cusson seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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