Work Session
September 21, 2009
Present were: Mayor Bertrand, Councilors McCue, Lafleur, Poulin, Goudreau, Landry, Cayer, Remillard and Evans. Others present included several members of the local ATV Club, Michael Perreault, Patrick MacQueen, media and public
Mayor Bertrand opened the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
ATV Ordinance Recommendations
Mr. MacQueen reported that the Traffic Safety Committee is recommending further amendments to the ordinance which are represented in Revision 2 (R-2). Amendments are designed to give more flexibility, allowing a rider to travel a short distance to get to a fueling station. Another amendment would close the trail when there is snow and there would be no ATV traffic on streets when the snowmobile trail is open.
Councilors were concerned that the trail closing in the winter would cause confusion to riders from outside the area. Councilor Poulin noted that he will support the proposal because he wants something to happen but he is not happy with the current route and having to re-route the trail during the winter.
Councilor Lafleur stressed that the Safety Committee has a real concern for safety of riders on snow covered streets and they made their recommendation after considerable debate and discussion. Councilor Goudreau noted that he does not want to put safety aside but this trail is not only designed for local riders but to invite visitors.
Councilor McCue reiterated that the trail through the City works but cannot be accomplished in the winter. Councilor Cayer acknowledged that this concept of a trail through the City has been discussed and worked on for years. The best accumulation of knowledge from the ATV Club, State Trails Bureau, City staff and Police Department has come up with this proposed ordinance. The situation is not perfect because ATV’s cannot get through in the winter but this is a workable solution. The hope is to get something going now and landowners will see what this is bringing activity to the community.
Mayor Bertrand agreed that the trail is not perfect and noted that once the ordinance is passed, more negotiations with the land owner may result in the trail being revised. He went on to say that discussion with the landowners should continue so that ATV’s are off city streets as much as possible.
Councilor Landry commented that the City needs a draw and this could be it. He asked if residents would have the ability to travel on the street to get to the trail near their homes. Councilor Cayer replied that the committee wants to address local access but they wanted to have the trail opening as their first priority. He added that the trail should open officially with a media event inviting dignitaries from the Governor on down.
Rename Unity Street
Mayor Bertrand established that the Council talked about renaming Unity Street and there is an option to introduce a resolution to rename the East Milan Road as well, making Hutchins Street from Glen Avenue to the City line. He weighed the efficiency of having the entire street with one name against the inconvenience to businesses and residents. Councilors advocated for leaving the East Milan Road out of the change to have minimal impact to the constituents. The corresponding resolution would have its first reading.
Wind Energy
Mr. MacQueen reported that in response to the Council’s request, he received comments regarding energy exemptions from Avitar, the City’s assessing service. They indicate that they have not seen enough value on wind systems to assess them any value. They felt that adopting the exemption with the value of the windmill as the amount of the exemption could lead people to the misconception that they are getting an exemption when in fact they are not, if no value is placed on the windmill. They suggested that if the Council wants to place an incentive, they should give people a real number.
Councilor McCue noted that by assigning a value to the exemption, the amount would come off assessment and not off the tax bill. The Council should not provide an incentive by giving exemption on taxes. Councilor McCue indicated that there is already an exemption for solar. Mayor Bertrand acknowledged that solar is being treated differently than wind.
The meeting was moved to the public hearing at 7:35.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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