March 23, 2009
Work Session
Present were: Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Lafleur, Remillard, McCue, Evans, Cayer, Goudreau, Poulin and Donovan (6:40 p.m.)
Others present included David Brooks, Mary (sister) Lorraine Leclerc, Blandine Shallow, Chief Randall Trull, several firefighters, Dick Huot, Civics class students, media and public.
Wind Project
Mayor Bertrand introduced David Brooks of Jericho Mountain Wind Company Inc. Mr. Brooks explained that the opportunity to purchase Christian Loranger’s project on Jericho Mountain is a good fit for him due to its small size. He anticipates that the project can produce 1.4 megawatts of power and he hopes to get up to 3.8 megawatts. The company will purchase a turbine once they have permits in hand.
Mr. Brooks stated that the main goal of the company is local generation for local consumption, meaning that his company would prefer to sell their power to the city or local businesses. He added that he does not want to create a situation where power generation does nothing for the community. He said that a letter of intent or letter of agreement from the City to purchase power could help a lot to implement a program. If the city does not feel it is in their best interest, he will still pursue the project and sell to the grid.
Mr. Brooks went on to say that he has a good site and he is trying to align with the University of MA or MIT to do turbine testing at the site. That would provide additional jobs. The key to that is to have the ability to put up turbines for a limited amount of time and not have to define the exact size of the turbine.
The project is on track to go to the ZBA on Wednesday of this week. Councilor Donovan entered the meeting at 7:40 pm. Mr. Brooks noted that a turbine will be installed in the spring and it will generate power in late summer.
Councilor Lafleur asked what happened to the CA generators that the previous investor purchased. Mr. Brook responded that they are in Berlin; however his interest is to have new turbines to lessen maintenance cost.
To a question from Councilor Remillard regarding supplying power to the city, Mr. Brooks noted that the most logical place to supply power would be to the water treatment plant at the bottom of the hill from their location.
Councilor Remillard questioned the size of blades and why more than one size would be needed. Mr. Brooks indicated that he wants to use the land properly to get the most out of the machines. The size of the blades and position on the mountain contributes to the performance of the unit and could be the difference between a 10 and 18 megawatt plant.
Councilor Cayer verified that 3.8 megawatts of power could power approximately 1200 homes. He questioned whether PSNH has agreed to take power from Jericho Mtn Wind Co and Mr. Brooks stated that PSNH has to take the power. Councilor Cayer asked if the purchase agreement has to be approved by the PUC and Mr. Brooks did not have the answer. He confirmed that there are State permits needed for this project.
Mr. Brooks described several projects throughout New England that his company has been working on. Councilor Remillard asked about whether there is a plan in place to deal with vandalism. Mr. Brooks established that there are no guide wires holding up the towers; he is most afraid that someone would shoot at the blades with a rifle and that could cost $30,000 to fix.
Mr. Brooks introduced his sister Mary and noted that the investors in this project are his family and a friend. He promised that he has a moral obligation to do the right thing rather than being financially motivated to do the right thing. He thanked the Council and left the meeting at this time.
Fire Department Budget
Chief Trull opened by saying that after repeatedly looking at the budget he could not come to cutting staff. It is critical to keep or add to the existing staff. In FY 2008 there were 94 calls for service and already in FY 2009 there have been 103 calls for service. He added that injuries cost the department in dollars and manpower. He felt that most injuries happen in the first 5 minutes of a fire when firefighters are multi-tasking.
In the proposed budget, increases were in training and two new personnel. He is also trying to replace two retirements that will occur in 2010. Equipment listed in the budget can be reduced due to a grant from the RDA. The Department is always looking for other ways to do business and an ordinance charging for inspections may be brought to the Council soon to generate funds.
Chief Trull outlined the procedure for a four man crew from their arrival at a fire scene. He reviewed the training line items and added that call firefighters are trained to firefighter I status. To clarify the staffing needs, Mr. MacQueen noted that there are currently two shifts of five and two shifts of four. The request for staffing is to bring all the shifts up to five and to have two additional to cover sick and vacation time. Ideally, the Chief noted he would like to have two additional firefighters, for a total of six to replace two retirements that will occur in 2010.
Councilor Poulin asked to get a copy of the real numbers. He confirmed that overtime will be decreased by increasing staffing. Councilor Donovan stated that certain areas of the budget cannot be reduced due to life safety issues.
Councilor Lafleur asked about insurance on unoccupied buildings and Chief Trull indicated that, to his knowledge, there is nothing in the State law that says a building has to be insured. Chief Trull and the firefighters left the meeting at this time.
MRI Contract
Councilor McCue established that the agenda item comes from his question at a previous meeting asking if the other party in the contract was on board to reduce the City Manager’s hours to 30. Mr. MacQueen clarified that MRI agrees to reduce the contract if the Council so chooses. The 30 hour alternative was an effort to meet the Council’s directive to cut 7.5% from administration. He added that the contract would be for 30 hours; however he would be available, as he is now, by phone all the time.
Council members voiced their disagreement with the reduction in hours. Councilor McCue commented that the Council may want to consider level funding the City Manager line item. Councilor Remillard noted that last year the budget remained the same for the City Manager; could the budget remain the same again this year? Mr. MacQueen indicated that the 40 hour position would cost $150,706.
Councilor Poulin related his opinion that if the Council doesn’t change the head then nothing will change. Councilor Cayer questioned what direction would be given to a new manager. He asked, “how does he know what we want if we don’t tell him?”
Councilor McCue suggested that those councilors who want a new manager should get a search committee together with criteria and work on it. Councilor Donovan recommended that the City send notice to MRI that the contract will expire and start interviews. Councilor Goudreau expressed the need to formalize the process and proceed in methodical order. He acknowledged the need for someone who understands municipal government
Councilor Evans indicated his goal is to have a budget with no impact on the tax rate. He noted that decreasing line items can be done by a majority of the Council however increases to the City Manager’s budget require a 2/3 vote.
Mr. MacQueen related that he sat through one of the best economic development successes in the Manadnock region. After studying other communities, the Keene City Council made a calculated decision to not hire an economic development director because they concluded that mixing politics and economic development was a recipe for disaster. Instead a non-profit was set up and the first and second hires did not succeed. The third hire was the person for the job and he was able to accomplish a lot of little successes. Keene now has one of the most diverse economic bases in the state. The City needs to set up the right conditions to invite success.
Councilor Cayer wanted to know where this conversation would go from here noted that the subject continues to come up but no action is taken. Councilors discussed having a weekend session beginning in the afternoon and going on into the evening to come to some conclusion. Mayor Bertrand indicated that he would send out possible dates for the session.
Economic Development
Councilor McCue noted that he wanted to be sure the other party to the contract is willing to go along with the proposed cuts. Mr. MacQueen established that Larry Kelly is willing to do whatever the city wants in relation to the contract. Councilor McCue voiced that he is not interested in hiring anyone in the near future due to the crisis with the NH Retirement System. The Council should be thinking in terms of a contract rather than hiring an employee.
Councilor Cayer voiced that he is not sure he is in favor of a full time economic director. He talks with Norm Charest often and Norm is local and knows who to talk to. Councilor McCue urged Council members to speak to Cathy Conway and John Freeman of NCIC about the economic development position that Max Makaitis occupies.
Councilor Donovan stated that the body should be instrumental and fund an economic development position but never direct it; that is a recipe for failure
Councilor members agreed to hear from Lorraine Leclerc. She commented that it would be a big mistake to keep economic development with CAP. She encouraged the Council to give Max a chance and see what he can do as his position is funded through a grant.
Request for Letter of Support from Nancy Bell, Conservation Fund
There was still some question about the scope of the request. Councilor Donovan explained that they are seeking funding for phase II. The letter would support Ms. Bell’s efforts to raise more money to complete work to secure the land. Mr. MacQueen cautioned that the Council has talked about Success and the possibility of a connector to Sunday River. He said that a letter of support should include a statement to that effect. Councilor Donovan suggested not sending the letter at this time and discussing the issue further with the County Planning Board.
City Councilor on Superintendent Search Committee
Councilor McCue agreed to serve on the Superintendent Search Committee.
Other
Councilor Goudreau wanted confirmation that the School Board needs to pink slip by April 15. He suggested asking them to come back to the Council for additional discussion so that they would be prepared if they are level funded. The school board will be asked to come back on March 30.
Councilor Cayer said that he was contacted by a representative from the State who is willing to come and talk to the Council about a pay as you throw program. Councilor Donovan noted that he would not support anything but subcontracting the status quo.
Councilor Donovan moved to adjourn to a non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2 I (c) legal consultation; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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