Work Session
June 22, 2009
Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Poulin, Remillard, Lafleur, McCue, Landry and Cayer; Councilors Evans and Goudreau were absent. Michael Perreault, Mrs. Rolande Blanchette, Mrs. Louise Giroux, Peter Riviere, Patrick MacQueen, and media were also present
Sewer Abatement Requests
Mayor Bertrand explained that the sewer bill is based upon the amount of water that goes through the water meter. Some of the applications have more information than others. Mr. Perreault noted that it is up to the person making the application to show the documentation to prove that the bill is wrong. Mayor Bertrand went on to say that if water goes into the City’s sewer system there are costs to treat that water.
Councilor McCue asked how big a task it would it be to meter for sewer service. Mr. MacQueen responded that he is not aware of any community that is using such a system due to what it would cost to operate. Mr. Perreault noted that the residential bill is based on 80% of consumption and three quarters of the year. Councilor Cayer confirmed that billing for three quarters was due to the running water program to prevent freeze-ups in the winter. Mayor Bertrand acknowledged that there are now very few homes running water in the winter and billing should be changed to reflect all four quarters.
Councilor Landry affirmed an increase in the sewer rate of 14%. He questioned whether meters are tested and regulated. Councilor Lafleur assured him that the Water Works verify the consumptions received and paying the bill is part of being a homeowner. Councilor Landry questioned whether there is any recourse for these homeowners and Mr. MacQueen stated that this committee is the recourse. He added that very often there is a leak that can be going for a year and it amounts to a lot of water consumption. Councilor McCue established that the Water Works will sometimes abate on the assessment portion of their bill but will rarely make a change on consumption.
Councilor Remillard noted that the sewer rate is based totally on the consumption. Councilor Landry argued that if it is no fault of the homeowner, there should be some consideration. Mayor Bertrand commented that then the remainder of the ratepayers would be paying for the error because the water has already been treated.
Councilor Poulin questioned the math on Mrs. Blanchette’s bill when compared to another consumption presented on Mr. Perreault’s memo.
1. Nellie Hansen, 319 Norway St. Billing appears to be appropriate. Councilor Lafleur moved to deny the request; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried.
2. Rolande Blanchette, 297 Coos St. Councilor Lafleur moved to table the decision so that Mr. Perreault can look into it further; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried.
3. Great Lakes Hydro. Mr. Perreault noted that city water is the back up to their cooling system. The company has indicated they would put a meter on the backup system so that the consumption could be subtracted from the sewer bill. Councilor Lafleur moved to deny the request; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
4. Roland Gagnon, 291 First Ave. Councilor Lafluer moved to deny the request; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
5. Richard A. Nadig for 441 Willard St. Councilor Lafleur moved to deny the request; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried.
6. Guy Poulin for 416 Glen Ave. Councilor Lafleur moved to deny the request; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Poulin abstained from the discussion and from the vote due to a conflict.
Mayor Bertrand commented that some requests are beyond the 30 day deadline set up by the ordinance.
Councilor Lafleur moved to deny requests for abatement from Rene & Brenda Tremblay, 210 Grafton St; Rene Chabot, 1936 Riverside Drive; Lucie Wyatt, 59 Norway St.; Louise Giroux, 567 Rockingham St; Robin Lavertue, 113 Shepard St; Betty Croteau, 371 Wescott St.; Kevin St Onge, 800 Kent St.; and Simon Marquis, 77 Poplar St; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried with Councilors Landry and McCue voting against.
Request to Waive the Bid Process for Centrifuge Reconditioning Services.
Mr. MacQueen explained that the Pollution Control’s centrifuge is out for reconditioning and in the course of their work, Andritz found that there is an unanticipated repair that would need to be done. Both centrifuge units have over 9,000 hours of service and it is the manufacturer’s suggestion to have them reconditioned at 4,000 hours.
Mr. Perreault reported that in order to repair the unit, it would need to be cut in half and then welded back together. He recommended that a new unit is purchased for $24,600, instead of welding the old component. Councilor Landry confirmed that the life expectancy of a new unit should last longer than a repair.
Councilor Remillard moved to waive the bid process and allow staff to order a new conveyor at
$24,636; Councilor Landry seconded and the motion carried.
Thunder in the Mountains & Rally – Peter Riviere
Councilor McCue reported that Thunder in the Mountains will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 18 & 19 from 10 to 6 Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4. Both Main and Pleasant Streets will be closed and vendors would be allowed to set up for both days on Pleasant St. At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday motorcycles will be asked to parade to the NFHP for entertainment, food, and a beer tent. On Sunday there will be a motorcycle rodeo in the Tondreau lot and the Vertical Outlaws have a scheduled performance.
Peter Riviere described how the New England Forest Rally will be in Berlin on the same weekend. Mr. Riviere noted that the rally is being promoted as a “grand adventure” and there is a three year plan to increase the number of spectators. Rally drivers will be doing the Success Pond loop again. Stages of the rally are tightly monitored so that there is no one in the roadway. Promoters have Laidlaw’s permission to use the mill yard as a gathering area for spectators, drivers and vendors. The group will not shut down Hutchins Street. A certificate of insurance coverage for $8 million will be forwarded to the City.
Mr. Riviere indicated that he met with City officials including the Fire Chief whose main concern was for a trapped driver. Mr. Riviere assured the Chief that the cars are equipped with fire suppression systems that can blanket a car with foam; they are required to carry a spill kit in addition to having a safety plan.
It is expected that the Berlin portion of the rally will be complete by 1:00 pm; the group will then travel to Errol.
Councilor Cayer asked if the rally and Thunder in the Mountains will coincide every year and Mr. Riviere noted that the rally is locked into a date due to it being on a national schedule. Councilor McCue also thought that Thunder in the Mountains is appropriately scheduled considering other motorcycle events in the State.
CIP
Mr. MacQueen presented a spreadsheet that depicted the proposed projects that would be funded through a bond issue. He noted that the review of the CIP revealed a number of mistakes that need to be corrected. Funding was not allocated for assessing across the years; bridge funding at 80% was left out and we may need $2 million of matching funds for Route 110 at a more accelerated pace than originally thought.
He suggested that the best way to see what the two bond issues would look like is to proceed through the normal CIP procedure and go through each project updating with the most recent information possible. The updated CIP would then come to the Planning Board and City Council with refined allocations and all departments having bought into the proposal. The CIP process would normally start in August or September; it would be on an accelerated schedule to be completed as soon as possible.
There are items that are not in either bond issue and those were not considered assets that depreciate. Mr. MacQueen added that he will be searching for the best interest rate; not yet knowing if that will come from the bond bank, a regular bank, the Business Finance Authority or through ARRA bonds.
Councilor McCue asked when some of the projects might break ground. Mr. MacQueen admitted that it will depend on how long it takes to put this together.
Mayor Bertrand commented on boiler replacements and noted that district heating should be considered when upgrades are made. Mr. MacQueen agreed noting that downtown Berlin is ideal to district heating.
Other
Councilor McCue mentioned a fax from the NHRS, indicating that the City Manager had looked into the issue of full time versus part time employees and retiring from the State system.
With no objection from the Council, Mayor Bertrand indicated that there would be no work session on June 29th. The next meeting is July 6.
Councilor Poulin moved to adjourn; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:10
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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