Work Session
May 4, 2009
Present were: Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Remillard, Evans, Lafleur, Goudreau, McCue, Cayer and Poulin; Councilor Donovan was absent.
Others present included Max Makaitis, Andre Caron, Dana Willis, Jim Tamposi, Barney Valliere, Lucy Mears, Yvonne Thomas, Lorraine Leclerc, Steven and Zona Graham, Patrick MacQueen, media and public.
Meeting with State Representatives Lucy Mears & Yvonne Thomas
Mayor Bertrand opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. He reiterated the sentiments the Council expressed at recent meetings with Senator Gallus and Representatives Ingersoll and Théberge. The Council wants to be sure representatives have an understanding of the Council’s positions on the two proposed biomass plants. Mayor Bertrand went on to say that he feels there are better and higher uses for the mill property; the Council has every intention of respecting property rights but they have to look out for long range future of Berlin. Councilor Poulin agreed.
Councilor Goudreau thanked the Representatives for coming and stressed that the Council’s message should be heard in Concord. The Council has a different vision for the parcel. He questioned how much wood we want to strip from the forest and the projected tax revenue which he said has been overestimated.
Councilor Lafleur noted that Representatives and Senators in Concord will dictate what is best for Berlin and they don’t come here to ask what we want. Mayor Bertrand explained that Laidlaw will have to go before EFSEC and Berlin will participate as an intervener to represent the environmental and financial issues pertaining to Berlin.
Representative Mears reasoned that citizens have signed a petition and there are a lot of people who want to see the project go forward. The boiler could be on the site for generations, rusted and dilapidated. She went on to say that forty jobs could be forty families.
Councilor Remillard stated that the Council wants to be sure representatives are voicing what the Council supports.
Councilor McCue thanked the Representatives for coming and resolved that the City does not want to come across as anti-business. We need to stay focused and not appear so desperate that we will take anything. As we try to address short term needs, we can’t lose sight of long term consequences.
Representative Thomas stated that the City is being presented with an opportunity of lifetime by being able to recreate ourselves without a chimney in the center of the city. She urged the Council to be patient. She added that the Legislature does not hear about Laidlaw one way or another.
Pleasant Street Noise Complaint.
Mayor Bertrand referred to an event that took place at the Big Scoop on Pleasant Street, where an outdoor concert was held that upset the neighbors. There was no prior notification to any city department. Mr. MacQueen noted that City departments have not looked at this yet and he recommended that they be given the opportunity to do so.
Mayor Bertrand explained that the concert attracted 80 to 90 concert goers. He proposed that the ordinances be reviewed and if there are no prohibiting ordinances, then the Council needs to enact something to protect the rights of the people in the city. Barney Valliere added that there were several complaints from several areas throughout the city on the night of the concert and there was no notification that the concert was to occur and no permits were obtained.
Mayor Bertrand questioned whether the City has the equipment to measure decibels as depicted in the noise ordinance. With confirmation from Lt. Valliere that there is not such equipment, Mayor Bertrand asked to have the cost of a decibel meter available for review.
Mayor Bertrand suggested that a letter be written to the organization that put on the concert and respectfully request prior notification of any future concerts as well as consideration for the neighbors. It was determined that concerts in previous years were family oriented and done to promote business with proceeds going to different charities.
Mrs. Graham, a neighbor from the street, commented that four foot speakers were being brought in and it looks like the area is being geared up for another show. She added that there were strobe lights for five hours and they could not get comfortable in their own home. Councilor McCue reasoned that the property owner should be made aware as well. Mr. MacQueen noted that staff will come back with additional information on what is needed.
411 School Street
Dana Willis and Jim Tamposi proposed to buy 411 School Street (Notre Dame High School) and rehabilitate the building to an assisted living facility. Mr. Willis complimented City staff and commented that everyone has been helpful and easy to deal with. He went on to give a brief history of the building which was built as Burgess School in 1906. His goal is to restore the building to productivity; restore the property to the tax rolls; design a use that will fit the site and compliment the neighborhood; complete an aesthetically pleasing restoration of the building and grounds, incorporating its history in the redevelopment.
Mr. Willis went on to say that the project will provide tax revenue to the community and will create jobs in the medical field and that will work well with existing Community College courses. Project Rescue Notre Dame also needs to be recognized for their efforts in stabilizing the building
Mr. Willis explained that the plan calls for 28 to 32 individual assisted living apartments. Mr. Tamposi and Mr. Willis are still looking for an end user to partner with. Individual apartments would be supported with centralized food preparation, counseling areas, medical therapy and everything needed for a person to remain independent for as long as possible.
Councilor Goudreau commented that it would be nice to see the building used for investment and development which is needed and welcome. Mr. MacQueen gave credit to Lorraine Leclerc who was a “spark plug” who put together volunteers and had a vision for the building.
Councilor McCue asked about the time line of the project and how long before the groundbreaking. Mr. Willis indicated that he wants to start as soon as possible. Because of Brownfield clean up, the building will not transfer until October. The developers have already talked with two different companies regarding operating an assisted living facility at the building.
The Work Session recessed at 7:40 p.m. for the Public Hearing on the Sale of 411 School Street. Following the hearing, the work session resumed.
Discussion of Proposed Ordinances.
Mayor Bertrand gave a brief description of the proposed ordinances recommended by the Traffic and Safety Committee.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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