REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:45 p.m. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard, Donovan, McCue, Lafleur, Goudreau, Boucher and Poulin. Councilor Evans was absent. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, FCCLA members & the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the minutes of the 01/21/08 WS; 01/21/08 Regular Mtg; 01/28/08 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 1/22/08; end date 02/04/2008 for a total cash disbursement of $1,528,194.31 Draft #1559.face="Courier" size="+0" color="#000000" style="font-family:Courier;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Mayor's Report
AVH Meeting. Mayor Bertrand attended and was honored to speak at the AVH Auxiliary meeting. They discussed the donations received for the Impressions of Care Walkway. The Mayor spoke about childhood obesity which is a concern. Once the budget process is over, he plans to sit with the Recreation Director to see what programs can be initiated to get kids moving.
Meeting protocol. Mayor Bertrand plans to keep the meetings moving forward and try not to get bogged down on a particular subject. It is important to deal with the task at hand.
Proclamation: Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Week Feb 10-16, 2008.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to accept/file the Mayor’s Report.="font-family:Courier New;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Councilor Jennifer Boucher submitted a resignation letter effective February 19, 2008 due relocating to another ward.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to accept with regret, the resignation of Councilor Boucher and to have the City Clerk advertise for a replacement for that position. So moved, the motion carried.
6. Other. Nothing in other.
7. City Manager's Report.
HB 1573. Fire Chief Trull, Andre Caron, City Manager Macqueen, Hudson Fire Chief Murphy and Cordell Johnston from LGC testified in favor of this bill. The Banker’s Association and Realtor’s testified against the bill. This bill contains basic tools for municipalities to deal with burnt out properties where the municipality is left to clean up debris.
HB 1364 another bill to track also affects municipalities and deals with arbitration.
Vehicle Registration Transition. MAAP software utilized which allows the Collection Division to issue plates and also register vehicles weighing up to 26,000# for better customer service.
Jericho Lake Deed. Signed copy received from the State
BIDPA Easement. Signed copy received from DRED for a 300 acre easement on the northeast side of RT 110 adjacent to the State Park land.
Bureau of Prisons Utility Coordination. PSNH, Verizon, Keyspan, NHDOT, BWW and the City met to discuss providing utilities to the prison site which must be installed by July 2009.
Master Plan Meetings. Scheduled Feb. 6, March 5 and May 3.
Green Street Project. Road should open later in Feb and then reclose in April or May.
Budget Review Meetings. Most Departments have met with the City Manager who will then submit budget to the Mayor and Council in early March.
LGC Legislative Dinner on Retirement Issue. Feb. 12, 6:15 at T&C in Shelburne.
Proposed Wireless Antennae in flagpoles at Mt Washington Hotel. Notice provided.
PSNH Rates. Published rates are lower than average electrical rates in New England.
Telephone Service. MetTel three year service contract expired. Proposals from other providers have been reviewed. No decision has been reached.
Manager’s Time. Attached
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the City Manager's report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
8. Public Comments: No public comments
9. Council Comments:
Councilor Donovan read an impressive full-page article in the Union Leader about the Berlin Housing Authority. He went on to say that since Mary Jo Landry has taken over the Executive Director position that body has been very active and effective in the community.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Boucher to send Mary Jo Landry and the Housing Authority Board a letter of commendation for their work and efforts from the Mayor and City Council. So moved, the motion carried.
10. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting. | 
