August 3, 2009
Work Session
Present were: Councilors Lafleur, McCue, Remillard, Cayer, Poulin, Landry and Evans; absent was Mayor Bertrand and Councilor Goudreau
Others present included, Corinne Cascadden, Patrick MacQueen, Max Makaitis, Lucien Langlois, Roland Viens, Dick Huot, Eric Eisele Berlin Reporter, Gail Scott Berlin Daily Sun
Councilor Lafleur called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In the absence of Mayor Bertrand Councilor Evans moved to have Councilor Lafleur as Mayor ProTem; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Loan/Grant Application for BWW
Roland Viens reported that BWW applied for a $4 million loan/grant package in January. At that time it was anticipated that the loan would be 75% and grant 25%. Since that time, the funding agency has confirmed that the conditions are reversed to $3 million grant and $1 million loan and Water Works is requesting that the Council approve a resolution for the debt. Mayor ProTem Lafleur asked how this will affect BWW’s debt ratio.
Mr. Viens indicated that in January he and the Board of Water Commissioners were very concerned that the water rates would need to go up. With these additional grant funds, and the infusion of an additional $4 million grant and two EPA grants, there will be close to $10 million new dollars which will carry the BWW through to 2014 when the existing bonds will be retired.
There will be a lot of work to do prior to the grants’ deadlines in 2011 and by next year, there will be a need for an additional crew with excavator. Mr. MacQueen clarified that the Council is authorizing a bond issue for $1 million with this resolution. This is a much better scenario then when the grant was authorized in January.
Request for 155-B Order for 360 High Street
Mayor ProTem Lafleur noted that the Council has seen these orders before and noted that the City Manager is looking for a motion to authorize the 155-b at 360 High Street. Councilor Remillard moved that the City Manager is hereby authorized to sign an RSA 155-B order substantially similar to the draft RSA 155-B order before us tonight relating to the property at 360 High Street; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor McCue established that this individual has two other properties that the city will be able to lien.
Report from School Accreditation Meeting of 7/30/2009
Councilor Evans stated that the school district has been identified as a district in need of improvement. Through yearly testing, it was found that there is a gap between special needs students and non special needs. To maintain federal funding, the schools had to form a committee to identify how to remedy the problem. The committee worked under the assumption that there was no additional funding from the City and by shifting existing personnel, they believe they will be able to close the gap and improve the test scores.
Councilor Remillard asked how long it will take to meet the criteria and Councilor Evans responded that it is not known; however as long as there is progress, and a plan moving toward enacting change, the mandate would be met. Ms. Cascadden added that within two years the District has to make progress. Councilor Remillard questioned whether the district usually meets the criteria and Ms. Cascadden reported that she is aware of at least two other instances where it was not met. She added that schools in need of improvement are some of the most effective schools because they are striving to achieve.
Non-Public Session
Councilor McCue moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-a:3(2) land matters; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call. Dick Huot, Max Makaitis, Roland Viens and Lucien Langlois were additional participants.
Mayor ProTem Lafleur asked the Council to suspend the discussion in favor of the public hearing duly scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Councilor McCue moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor McCue moved to go back into non-public session per RSA 91-a:3(2) land matters ; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Evans moved to seal the minutes as releasing them may render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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