Work Session
April 20, 2009
Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Evans, Goudreau, Cayer, Remillard, Donovan, and McCue; Councilors Lafleur and Poulin were absent.
Others present included: Drew Hoffman – NHDES; Matt Robbie – E2 ; Darryl Luce & John Podgurski – EPA, Region 1 – New England Offices; Pamela Laflamme, Michael Perreault, Ernie Allain, Marion Huntley, Mitch Couture, Robert Théberge, Paul Ingersol, Norm Charest, Jon Edwards, Debbie Patrick, media and public
Chlor-Alkali Presentation, EPA, NHDES and E2 Inc.
John Podgurski explained that EPA hired E2 to work with the community to do a planning study for the cell house site. Part of site cleanup is to try to understand the potential uses for the site so that it can be put back on the tax roles for productive uses. The process involves investigation, design and remedy. Resources are provided to the municipality for the planning process and they are city driven. The study was done through a committee of individual citizens and it is important that management is aware of the report. Acknowledgement of the proposal by the governing body is critical; however there is no legal obligation to this process.
Matt Robbie of E2 Inc. stated that the cell house property is abandoned property and in an area zoned industrial business. The committee reviewing the site for possible re-use set the following reasonable goals: industrial/commercial, residential, office, community facilities, recreation space, heritage corridor, trails, and river access. The most supported use was commercial and least supported was residential.
Daryl Luce indicated that he has traced 600 to 1,000 tons of mercury coming into the site and the EPA will be doing remedial work to see how much mercury is moving through the site. It will likely be 2015 before the site is cleaned up. Mr. Robbie added that a strategy for initiating a trail system could be developed in the interim. Ownership of the property is unclear and it would take an effort to take the property out of abandonment.
Mayor Bertrand theorized that this piece of land is the worse culprit as far as pollution and if it can be remediated, the rest of the mill property parcel could be developed for mixed use.
Mr. Robbie acknowledged that this is the beginning of a process and though there are many decisions to be made, the group wanted to be sure the study is fundamentally consistent with what the council wants. Mayor Bertrand confirmed that there would be no cost to the City. The EPA is funding the research costs and the Superfund will pay when there is no responsible party.
Mr. MacQueen asked why it is important for the EPA to limit the scope of the clean up. Mr. Podgurski responded that the EPA will look at all reasonable land use options; however they may not clean the property to residential standards.
Councilor Donovan commented that the Council is being asked for a decision on uses for the site; however without the benefit of knowing what those uses will be, he was not prepared to make such a decision. Ms. Laflamme added that the Committee was charged with determining what the most reasonable uses would be. She confirmed that the plan will be open for revision through the process.
Mayor Bertrand likened this to the discovery period and noted that it would likely take years to do the research and write the document. He advocated that Ms. Laflamme write a letter for council to consider acknowledging best uses but not precluding anything at this point.
Dummer Tuition Agreement
Mitch Couture explained that the Town of Dummer has sought out a tuition agreement where they could send their 7th to 12th grade students to a school other than Berlin. In response to a question from Councilor McCue, Mr. Couture noted that a three year agreement will allow for budgetary numbers to be known. The School Board has considered the terms of the agreement and Mr. Couture indicated that if a special education teacher were to be hired in response to having a Town of Dummer student, it may benefit the Berlin schools in that they could offer smaller class sizes. Councilor McCue confirmed that if a student withdraws the tuition does not continue.
Paul Bousquet, Superintendent of School Schools for SAU 20 reported that he has been working on this for 2.5 years. He added that he would like to see a decision so that parents have the opportunity to make an informed decision and the Berlin School District has solid numbers to work with.
Councilor Donovan established that for years there have been committees put together for a cooperative school district. The response that inevitably comes from these committees is that due to Berlin’s legislative make up, where the schools are a department of the City, there is no interest from the other communities. However, at no time has the question been asked to the council. Mr. Bousquet voiced that he does not disagree with the statement; however in the process of consolidating schools, State law has to be followed.
Mayor Bertrand confirmed that the School Board would sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
Noting the School Board’s due diligence, Councilor Goudreau moved to enter into a three year tuition agreement with the Town of Dummer; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried. A letter will be drafted to that effect. School representatives left the meeting at this time.
Public Hearing
Mayor Bertrand opened a duly advertised public hearing at 7:38 p.m. He called for public comments on Ordinance 2009-03 Prohibiting Parking on Main Street from 650 Main St. to 730 Main St. There were no comments. Mayor Bertrand closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m.
State Representatives to Discuss Biomass Initiatives
Mayor Bertrand recounted that the City has two potential biomass projects, Clean Power and Laidlaw. The Mayor and Council have clearly stated their positions and wanted to hear the Representative’s position as well. One concern was that it was clear in a discussion with the Governor that he had not heard the Council’s views. It does not seem like the message put forth by the body is getting to Concord.
Representative Théberge reasoned that citizens seem to be in favor of biomass energy. Mayor Bertrand clarified that the Council is in favor of biomass in general and most Councilors have come out in support of Clean Power and not in favor of Laidlaw due to its location.
Representative Théberge stated that the Council is favoring one biomass project over the other. He added that regardless of what is thought of Laidlaw, if they want to proceed there is nothing we can do to stop them. They have the responsibility to be a good neighbor.
Mayor Bertrand affirmed that the body will take the opportunity to file as an intervener so that citizens are protected from emissions, dust, and noise.
Councilor McCue emphasized that the issue with Laidlaw is location; it is the wrong place for such an industry. He is still grappling with the viability and appropriateness of cutting down and chipping the Great North Woods to provide power.
Mayor Bertrand added that he wanted to be sure that what the Mayor and Council say is not being twisted. There is a greater use of the property and in the long term future of Berlin; biomass on the site is not the best use.
Councilor Goudreau expressed that he has the same concerns as Councilor McCue. He fears that we will allow the Great North Woods to be used as biomass and get no benefit because of forty jobs. Councilor Donovan remarked that Laidlaw has not given and details of the jobs they will be offering. He could choose to believe that those jobs will pay $9 or $10 per hour and nobody is telling him otherwise.
Councilor McCue advised that as Legislators are confronted with issues and party leadership, they need to keep in mind the interests of the municipality. There is a tremendous burden being passed to cities and towns through the State budget.
Representative Ingersoll voiced that action against a company as a body will send a message that may frighten off other business. Councilor McCue reasoned that though the City is trying not to come across as anti business, we do not want to seem so desperate that anything is accepted here. Councilor Cayer added that there may be companies who are waiting to see where the biomass project will go before making a move. Representatives Théberge and Ingersoll left the meeting at this time.
Invitation to Bid
Mr. MacQueen reported that he and Mike Perreault worked on a conceptual bid package for garbage collection services. The purpose of the document is to tell, as clearly as possible, what we have been doing so that there is as little disruption in service as possible.
Mayor Bertrand noted that if a change is to be implemented in this budget year, the bid would have to happen quickly. Mr. MacQueen indicated that the bid could go out and if it comes back being more expensive than the budget, we would not go with the bid. However, if the bid were to come back less, it could be implemented at any time during the year.
Councilor Donovan did not feel that this would be ready to execute until the next budget cycle.
Mike Perreault stressed that the employees who pick up the garbage are also used for snow removal and other duties. The Council will have to consider modifying services if personnel are lessened. Mr. MacQueen added that a contract is generally for five years to generate interest in bidding. The Council will have to think about the impact on existing services and at the end of five years, it is not easy to get the service going again because the city will have sold off its equipment.
Mayor Bertrand addressed the Public Works employees in the audience and stressed that the Council understands the ramifications and will not make such a decision lightly. He added that it is incumbent upon the Council to do what they can for taxpayers. Mr. MacQueen asked Council members to review the document and offer feedback on its contents.
Street Names for Riverside Home Park
Ms. Laflamme reported that the Planning Board reviewed street names for the Riverside Heights Manufactured Home Park and agrees with the following recommendations. These streets are private drives and the City is not taking the responsibility of maintenance. The City Council makes the final decision on street names.
Councilor McCue moved to accept the street names only: Victoria Lane, Skipper Lane, Connor Drive, Burnham Hollow all located within the Riverside Heights Manufactured Home Park; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Mayor Bertrand advised that the next agenda be kept light so that budget discussions can occur. North Woods Animal Rescue will come to give an update and the remainder of the work session will be devoted to the budget. Councilor members also decided to keep April 30 open for a budget work session.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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