Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Evans, Cayer, Poulin, Remillard, Landry, McCue and Lafleur; absent was Councilor Goudreau
Others present included Bill Gabler, Sally Manikian, Corinne Cascadden, Paul Grenier, Michael Rozek, Andre Caron, Pamela Laflamme, Patrick MacQueen, Jake Hallgren, Michael Castaga, Dana Willis, Steve Binette, Dennis Binette, Tim Sappington, Steve White, President Mahoosuc Initiative; Jim Mitchell, Executive Director Mahoosuc Initiative, Mitch Couture School Board Chair, media, and several members of the public
CDBG Funding for Notre Dame Rehabilitation – Michael Castaga
Andre Caron introduced Dana Willis & Michael Castaga who are looking to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for the rehabilitation of Notre Dame. Mr. Castaga stated that he is a Program Management Consultant from Manchester who is representing the limited liability corporation formed for the rehabilitation of Notre Dame. Catholic Charities is looking at leasing the space created by the rehab to open an independent care facility and final negotiations with them are underway.
Mr. Castaga mentioned that the LLC is going to NH Finance Authority for tax credits. There is a preliminary design in place for 48 single and double units that are targeting below 50% median income, to 80% of median income as well as some units to be made available at market value. The first application for CDBG is due January 26 and the hope is to meet that deadline.
Mayor Bertrand indicated that his understanding is that the property will remain on the tax rolls. Mr. Castaga clarified that the tax status is up in the air and it will depend on how the numbers work. He added that the full application for tax credits is due March 3 which is the only funding round for 2010. There will be heavy competition but this is one of six competing for senior services.
Councilor Landry wanted to hear more about taxability. Mr. Castaga reported that Catholic Charities may qualify for tax exemption; they are not sure and neither is the developer. Councilor Landry again noted that the Council has always been under the impression that the building would be put on the tax rolls. Dana Willis stated that Catholic Charities is making motions that they may want to buy the facility. He felt reasonably certain that the tax credits would make the building taxable for at least 10 to 15 years.
Mr. Willis noted that this project is intended to be a full service nursing facility with housing as well as food services and health care on site. There would be overnight staff to care for residents. He said that they are looking for a project that would be beneficial to the city and its people by providing re-use for the Notre Dame building which would create jobs and improve the neighborhood.
Councilor Lafleur confirmed that Catholic Charities is the only organization that showed interest. Councilor Cayer agreed with Councilor Landry feeling that hearing about the property not being on the tax rolls is like the rug has been pulled out from under. Mr. Castaga commented that Catholic Charities typically doesn’t pay taxes because of their diocese connection. If taxes are going to be paid, the amount will have to be put on the pro-forma and will have to be figured into their cost. They have prudently said that they would look for a reduction in taxes or tax exemption.
Mayor Bertrand confirmed with Mr. Caron that the Notre Dame building is still under the City’s ownership. Mr. MacQueen suggested that the CDBG be conditional on the property being taxable. Councilor Landry noted that he would support the suggestion. He felt it is imperative that the City get tax dollars for this project; and he stated that he would not support it if it is not taxable. Councilor McCue commented that this evening is only the first reading and there would be a public hearing in two weeks to hear more.
Conservation Easement Proposal
Sally Manikian explained that she wrote a formal proposal giving a general overview of proposed conservation easements for Mt. Jasper and Mt. Forist. Through collaboration with the Mahoosuc Land Trust there is an opportunity to put Mt. Jasper in conservation which would promote stewardship of the land. The Mahoosuc Land Trust would hold the easement and it would be used to mitigate wetland infringement from the Clean Power project.
Mayor Bertrand asked if there is a snowmobile or ATV trail on the property and if it has been considered. Ms. Manikian indicated that the snow machine trail is the only designated motorized trail on the property and the easement negotiated between the City and Mahoosuc Land Trust would not affect a pre-existing trail.
Ms. Manikian admitted that the Mt. Forist parcel would be slow and hard to tackle because it is under private ownership. She said that landowners have been approached and she’s had good conversations with them. Mayor Bertrand asked if this slow to move forward would negatively impact Clean Power’s wetlands mitigation plan and delay their wetlands permit. Ms. Manikian replied that only Mt. Jasper is needed for the mitigation. Mayor Bertrand noted that the decision for Mt. Jasper is not a difficult one; however Mt. Forist is under private land ownership. Ms. Manikian clarified that she is asking about Mt. Jasper for now; Mt. Forist is a vision.
Councilor Lafleur confirmed that Mt. Jasper’s archeological aspects and its place on the National Register of Historic Places would not change. Ms. Manikian asked for a letter of support stating that a conservation easement to Mt. Jasper is an acceptable mitigation to the Clean Power mitigation needs and that it is generally a good idea that the Mahoosuc Land Trust holds the easement.
Steve White, President and Jim Mitchell Executive Director of the Mahoosuc Land Trust introduced themselves and noted that they were prepared to answer any questions. Councilor Evans stated that he pictures the land under conservation as having interpretive signs and a trail. Mr. Mitchell agreed and added that the Trust would also visit the property every year and use volunteers to walk the area and take photos of the property to ensure that terms of the easements are met. Mr. White stated that easements are granted so that land remains the way it has been used in perpetuity.
Mayor Bertrand summarized that an easement would be granted that would satisfy the mitigation needs for the Clean Power wetlands impacted and if this were to proceed, current uses would be allowed to continue.
Councilor Poulin asked if Mt. Jasper will be enough to mitigate the use of wetlands by Clean Power. Bill Gabler responded that DES would look very favorably at having Mt. Jasper in conservation.
Councilor Evans moved to authorize the City Manager to send a letter of support to the Department of Environmental Services in favor of mitigating wetlands in the Clean Power project with a conservation easement for Mt. Jasper held by the Mahoosuc Trust; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried.
Sally Manikian & Bill Gabler will draft a letter and send it to Mr. MacQueen. Councilor Poulin asked about the $40,000 budget and Ms. Manikian stated that it is a stewardship to be paid by Clean Power to DES and it is more than enough to carry the project.
Eagle Scout Project - Jake Hallgren
Mr. Hallgren explained to the Council that as part of his Eagle Scout project he would like to establish a memorial to the Civil War veterans of Berlin and the entire North Country. The memorial will include a walkway made of granite brick where the regiments would be honored and a pyramid shaped stone with two spruce trees would honor the veterans. Mr. Hallgren made the argument that though it may not seem like the City needs another war memorial, Civil War veterans should be recognized.
The proposed memorial is not expected to be large with the pyramid being about 3.5 to 4 feet high and the spruce trees not growing to more than 4.5 feet tall. There are 257 veterans from the North Country. Mayor Bertrand confirmed that the granite memorial would not likely need much maintenance. Mayor Bertrand asked if funding would be sought from the City and Mr. Hallgren indicated that he would be seeking donations and does not anticipate coming to the City.
Councilor Landry asked where the memorial would go in the park and Mr. Hallgren noted that the memorials are in chronological order and he sees the Civil War memorial in the front. Mr. MacQueen reported that Laura Viger, as the Parks Director is very concerned that Veterans Park is crowded and there may not be room for another memorial. Councilor Evans stated that he could not think of a better place for the memorial. He confirmed that individual names will not be engraved on the stone. Mayor Bertrand stated that this is a noble effort and the first step would be to coordinate with the Parks Director and the Council conceded. Mr. Hallgren stated that he would like to start his project in the spring.
Update on DT properties.
The clean-up of the fire properties on Main Street is in the final stage and backfilling has been done but there is still a need to clean up the building to the north. The cost for will be approaching $130,000 of which $40,000 is insurance money. The balance will be from federal grant funds once we meet the requirements of the grant.
To Councilor Remillard’s question about putting liens on the properties, Mr. Caron commented that whatever is liened will go to the federal government.
Other
Bartlett School. Mayor Bertrand asked where the City would we be if it retains ownership of Bartlett School. Mr. Caron reported that the school has been weatherized and so far the heating system is running on oil from last year. It is likely that it would cost $15,000 to $20,000 to put in security cameras and pay for oil and maintenance
Councilor Poulin asked about Granite Street and asked if it would be boarded soon. Mr. MacQueen reported that the boards were removed when there was a subsequent fire. Mr. Caron indicated that the property will be re-boarded.
Respectfully Submitted
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
