Public Hearing – February 2, 2009
Resolution 2009-03 to Accept $6,269.00 from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation.
Mayor Bertrand opened the public hearing at approximately 7:31 pm for public comments. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the subject matter at this time, Mayor Bertrand declared the public hearing closed at approximately 7:32 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:33 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.To make exempt the railroad crossings at Willard & School Streets; Pleasant Street; High Street; Main Street.
b) To remove the school zone signs near St. Michael’s School due to its closure. The city will take down the school zone speed limit signs in that area.
c) Truck Routes. To draft an ordinance designating new trucks routes.
Mayor Bertrand asked who is responsible for the exempt railroad signage. The city is responsible.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the Safety Committee recommendations as presented. So moved, the motion carried.
2. 2009-03 Resolution accepting a grant form the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation in the amount of Six Thousand, Two Hundred Sixty-Nine Dollars, ($6,269.00) and appropriating such funds to Airport Grant Fund 30 for use as a portion of the Airport’s share of the purchase of a four wheel drive loader. (tabled 1/19/09)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows:
- Whereas, the Berlin Regional Airport is applying for funding from the Federal Aviation Administration, and the NH Department of Transportation for the purchase of a four wheel drive loader to be used for snow removal at the Berlin Regional Airport; and
- Whereas, the Berlin Regional Airport is responsible for 2.5% of the cost of the loader; and
- Whereas, a successful grant application was made to the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for 85% of the Airport’s share of the cost of the loader. Now Therefore Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: The Berlin Airport Authority hereby accepts a grant from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for Six Thousand, Two Hundred Sixty-Nine Dollars ($6,269.00) and these funds are hereby appropriated to Airport Grant Fund 30 for use by the Berlin Airport Authority for the purpose of the grant. Be it further resolved that the Chair of the Berlin Airport Authority is
authorized to do all things necessary to effectuate the grant. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to have the resolution read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to pass the resolution. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution passed.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Ordinance 2009-02 amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Traffic and Vehicles, Article II. Specific Street Regulations, Section 15-37. Truck Routes (1st read)
Councilor Evans moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on February 16, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
4. Resolution 2009-05 amending the 2008-09 budget by revising Fund 10, School Department Federal Programs and appropriating additional grant funds to reflect the changes in the following table. (1st read)
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor McCue to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on February 16, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
5. Resolution accepting the sum of Twelve Thousand, One Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars and Five Cents ($12,199.05) from the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI ) and ap propriating such funds to the IT Infrastructure Account (01-425-460-0000) for the purpose of integrating multiple data sources and standardizing the City’s data platform for the day to day use of such data. (1st read)
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on February 2, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
6. Lorraine Leclerc Biomass Communication.
Ms. Leclerc suggests that the Mayor and Council hold a public forum to educate the people on the subject of biomass. She thinks the citizens should hear both sides of the story.
Mayor Bertrand replied that Lorraine has a great idea and it will be given serious consideration. Nothing is formalized yet but the Mayor and Council are taking steps in the right direction.
Councilor McCue added he thinks a public forum should be handled by the private sector and not the Mayor and Council.
Councilor Goudreau stated that we have public forums every week. There is a specific work session each month and the public is always welcome to attend. He is not against a public forum but affirmed that the Mayor and Council conduct a public forum each and every week for those who wish to attend. Councilor Goudreau appreciates Ms. Leclerc’s letter and encouraged her to not only attend meetings but to push others to attend as well.
Mayor Bertrand concurred and added there is too much information to be absorbed in just one night. It makes sense to break the info down into manageable bits.
Lorraine affirmed that the Mayor and Council are doing a great job and added that City Manager Pat MacQueen is an asset to the city. She explained that the reason for her letter is to get the Mayor and Council to keep an open mind and hear both sides. It seems as though they want Clean Power and are not giving anyone else a chance. Ms. Leclerc wants the Mayor and Council to stay open minded and concluded that we have to do anything we can to attract new business to this area.
Mayor Bertrand agrees with that sentiment and that the public has a right to know both sides. He personally thinks, for future generations, there is a better use for that property. A biomass just is not the right fit for the heart of the city.
Councilor Remillard remarked that Clean Power has been informative from the start and we know where we stand with them. It is hard to support Laidlaw since they have not provided the city with any information along the way.
7. Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Pelchat Biomass Communication.
The Pelchats wrote a letter encouraging the Mayor and Council to welcome, with open arms, any effort by outside entities and any interest in business ventures to come and grow with us. “What we need here, and soon, is an industry that is willing to buy into Berlin as it is and work with Berlin, be a viable employer and a taxpayer.”
Mayor Bertrand would like the record to show that he appreciates the Pelchats’ concern. He encourages citizen interaction since many interesting points are brought to Council’s attention.
8. City Manager’s Report.
- Chamber of Commerce Director. Bill York new director. Max Makaitis new Economic Development Director.
- HEB Engineering Agreement. To work for the six projects that were identified as “stimulus” funding projects.
- Congressman Hodes. Met with local communities regarding the proposed stimulus funding.
- DES/NCC Meetings. Both on February 6 to discuss stimulus funding.
- Displaced Fire Tenants meeting. Downtown tenants met to review resources available to them.
- DES Notice of Compliance and Release of Recordation for the Order. Property located at 240 Jericho Road. Rocket Snowmobile has been evicted from that property.
- Public Works Report. Attached
- Legislation. HB 641 would modify the “spiking” provision of the retirement bill.
- Time Warner Cable. Copy of negotiations with programmers and broadcasters.
- Manager’s Timekeeping. Attached
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the City Manager’s report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Paul Grenier reiterated that the Mayor and Council should take his comments seriously about Wright-Pierce because as a sewer ratepayer, we can’t afford to lose any reductions.
10. Council Comments:
- Councilor McCue was one of forty who attended a meeting at NHMA to discuss legislation which affects our local economies. Ideas for revenue raising measures like taxes and fees which can be increased were exchanged. The next meeting is in March. Councilor McCue, on behalf of the Ward 2 citizens, thanked the Safety Committee for the new truck routes.
He also thanked the City Manager, Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer for assisting the fire victims. He understands how slow the 155B process is. Councilor McCue expressed his concern over using energy and cutting down our great north woods. He would like to direct the biomass to use our resources for heating and not for power.
- Councilor Lafleur acknowledged the BHS Civics Class in attendance as well as members of FCCLLA.
- Councilor Remillard stated the City of Berlin is lucky to have a qualified Police and Fire Department we can be proud of.
- Mayor Bertrand hand delivered a letter of appreciation to the Fire Department this week.
11. Mayor’s Report
Proclamation: FCCLA Week - February 8-14, 2009
Plaque Presentation to City Planner. Congrats/ NH Business Weekly Professional Award
-Mayor Bertrand appreciated input from the citizens and encourages public participation.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the Mayor’s report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
12. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before Council at this time, Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor McCue to adjourn the regular meeting. So moved, the meeting ended at approximately 8:57 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
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