April 28, 2008
Work Session
Present at the meeting were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Cayer, McCue, Poulin, Evans, Lafleur, Goudreau, Remillard and Donovan. Pete Morency, John Moulis, Marion Huntley, Mitch Couture, Carol Miller, Blandine Shallow, Jim Wagner, Jon Edwards, Norm Charest, Patrick MacQueen, media and public were also present.
Mayor Bertrand called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
AVER Request for a Referendum
For discussion is a letter from AVER addressed to the Mayor and Council requesting a referendum on the re-use of the mill property. Councilor Lafleur asked for the names of the members of the AVER Board. Carol Miller thanked the Mayor and Council for considering a referendum on the mill property and stated that AVER is very neutral about what goes there while keeping in mind that the site is the focal point when anyone comes into Berlin.
Mayor Bertrand asked if there is a specific question like: Are you in favor of biomass on the former mill property? Ms. Miller stated that AVER does not want to take a stand and they are not against having a biomass plant but they feel the site may not be the right one for this industry. She added that the issue needs to be discussed more among AVER members.
Councilor McCue clarified that the letter sent to Council was dated April 25, 2008. He went on to say that the Council has an ongoing effort to deal with concerns over the mill property. He expressed concern about misinformation that is out among the public and he stressed that it is important to educate the public
Councilor Lafleur indicated that he wants the names of the AVER members because he is concerned that a group of people who do not live in Berlin would be driving a referendum. Though the issue affects the valley, it is Berlin who should be making the decision about what is in our back yard. It would be a Berlin referendum, not a valley referendum.
Councilor Goudreau questioned flat-lining budgets and then considering the approval of $3,000 to $5,000 for a non-binding referendum when we already know what the public wants.
Councilor Donovan clarified that a question for referendum has to be specific. He stressed that this is a regional issue and we need to cooperate with the rest of the county. He added that this is not the right time for a referendum.
Councilor Cayer commented that the idea of a referendum is not bad if it achieves the goal of letting the people know where we are. There is a need to get educated on what needs to get done in terms of the property. His understanding was that the purpose of sending Mr. Charest to gather the information was to inform the Council and report to the public.
Mayor Bertrand stated that there is no reason to sit on this and we should let the people of Berlin speak. Councilor McCue noted that the referendum is non-binding and an avenue to allow people to speak in the privacy of a voting booth. If enough input can be gathered from the public in some other way, perhaps a proclamation or resolution could be passed.
Councilor Goudreau made the point that Master Planning is going on at the same time and that is an avenue for the public to express their views. He added that he does not want to spend money we don’t have. Mayor Bertrand maintained that whatever happens at the mill site will affect the city for generations to come.
Councilor McCue reported his concern that an energy facility that will generate over a certain amount of power would have its site evaluation in Concord, trumping local control. Councilor Cayer suggested finding out exactly what influence the city will have and how this will proceed.
Jim Wagner stated that AVER is available to help in whatever way possible. Norm Charest added that there are two paths the city can follow and it is very important that the community stand behind what is decided. We need a plan for a future with a biomass plant on the site and a plan for the site with no biomass plant.
Property Liability Multi-Year Contract
Mr. MacQueen reported that the City has an offer from Primex to extend its contract for property/liability insurance to run until 2011. This change would make it concurrent with Worker’s Compensation insurance. Councilor Donovan so moved; Councilor McCue seconded. Councilor Poulin questioned whether the City shops for insurance quotes. Mr. MacQueen explained that NHMA and Primex provide insurance through municipal pools and shopping is usually between the two. The motion carried with all in favor.
Budget.
Mr. MacQueen indicated that he has worked on two options to achieve a flat budget. The major difference between the two is that Option B makes allowances for the rising cost of fuel. If either scenario fits with what the Council wants, it would be given to departments so that they can work within the number.
Council members decided to continue with the discussion held at their budget meeting Sunday, April 27 where they reviewed each department’s budget.
The Library had produced a reduction and it was brought up to a flat budget in the Manager’s proposal. Their original amount requested by the department would be considered.
Schools. Councilor McCue indicated that in years past there has been an agreement that if the school comes in with surplus, the council would put that toward the budget they were working on. Mr. MacQueen acknowledged the tradition and added that surplus funds go into fund balance and the Council can do what it wants with those funds.
It was suggested that departments get together to review the work load to see if savings can be achieved among them. Councilor Donovan thought that between the Recreation Department and PWD, the school’s parking lot could be plowed to avoid the school department’s purchase of a truck with plow.
Councilor Lafleur confirmed with school officials that there were no expected changes in out of district placement and that there were nine staff members retiring this year.
Debt Service - no questions
Mayor Bertrand acknowledged that the City Manager has asked for direction with regard to the options provided. It was clarified that BIDPA, as an Enterprise Fund should be paying for itself. Mr. MacQueen indicated that none of the funds have an effect on the tax rate with the exception of the airport.
Councilor Poulin voiced that a flat budget is good because we are trying to hold on to what we have. He is optimistic that things will get better because there are a lot of positive things going on in the City. Capital items that can be postponed should be.
Mayor Bertrand stated that we are contractually obligated to pay the employees left what is in the contracts; however the number of employees can be reduced. Councilor Remillard moved to present Option A to the department heads; Councilor Goudreau seconded. The motion did not pass with Councilors Remillard, Goudreau, Evans and Poulin voting for and the remaining councilors voting against.
Councilor McCue commented that heating oil has to be dealt with. Councilor McCue moved with a second from Councilor Donovan to present Budget Option B to the department heads; So moved, the motion carried with Councilors Donovan, Lafleur, McCue, Cayer and Mayor Bertrand voting for and the remaining councilors voting against
Budget Work Session
A budget work session was set for Sunday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
Economic Development
Norm Charest addressed the Council and asked to give his reports to the Council every two weeks and preferably in non-public session. Mayor Bertrand stressed that the budget has to be the priority for the May 12 agenda and the agenda should be limited to only the two items.
Councilor Donovan moved to amend the agenda to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A(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. So moved the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Remillard; on unanimous roll call vote the Council voted to come out of non-public session.
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur; on unanimous roll call vote the Council voted to seal the minutes of non-public session.
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Remillard; on unanimous vote the Council voted to adjourn at 9:21pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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