February 1, 2010
Work Session
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Danderson, Evans, Remillard, Landry, Cayer, McCue, Rozek and Poulin
Others present included Dick Lafleur, Mike Perreault, Walter Hanson, Jon Edwards, several students from Mrs. Watson’s Civics Class, Eric Eisele Berlin Reporter, Jon Edwards, Patrick MacQueen, media and public.
Mayor Grenier welcomed students from Mrs. Watson’s Civics Class. Questions on agenda items can be addressed at public comments during the meeting.
Proposed Amendment to Snow Removal Policy
Mayor Grenier indicated that an amendment to the snow removal policy was discussed at a Traffic Safety meeting. Mr. Perreault reported that in the current policy snow is removed first from the downtown and Glen Avenue; schools and truck routes are the next priorities. If there is a second snow event prior to the schools and truck routes having the snow removed, the priority is still the downtown. This amendment would continue the rotation of downtown, schools and truck routes but in the event of a second storm where not all snow has been removed, the rotation would start wherever it was left off in the previous storm. The rotation would take priority over the downtown.
Councilor Rozek noted that Route 16 is not mentioned under truck route and Mr. Perreault clarified that it is picked up under the downtown priority which encompasses Upper Main Street up to the Dairy Bar. Councilor Rozek questioned whether the priority should go as far north as the college. Mr. Perreault stated that sidewalks going to the college were moved up in priority last year clarifying that the sidewalks are priority 2 and the roadway is priority 3 in the area of the college.
Councilor Remillard explained that the issue was raised with the Traffic Safety Committee and in the interest of safety, the committee made this recommendation. In the event of back to back snow storms, the downtown was getting snow removal two or three times, where the schools were left without pickup. Children couldn’t be seen with the tall snow banks and pick up and drop off areas were congested with traffic and snow. The committee felt that continuing with the rotation would help solve the problem. Councilor Danderson asked how much overtime would be needed to implement the new policy and Mr. Perreault stated that he would attempt to get it done without overtime.
Councilor Danderson moved that in the event a second storm requiring snow removal from a prior storm which required snow removal around the schools (Priority 2) is completed, then completing that snow removal around the schools will become the top priority until such school area snow removal is completed; truck routes shall be listed in the policy. Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
City Seal Discussion
Mayor Grenier confirmed that he put a discussion of the city seal on the agenda to get a feel of the contentious issue. He stated that a local vendor provided the city with a seal which is now being used. He noted that the City Clerk received a complaint from another vendor in the community asking why they were not provided with the opportunity to bid on the work. Mayor Grenier contemplated whether the City Charter was violated.
Mr. MacQueen clarified that the City has not purchased anything from anyone. The art work provided by Seventh Street Graphics was gratis with no obligation to the city. Anything to be bought is open to all vendors. We are not at a place where we’ve spent any money yet.
Councilor Landry established that the seal was changed in August and to save money, the Council wanted the new seal to be used once we have used the old inventory. The donation would speed up the process of the change. Councilor Danderson stated that there will be cost once we change the seal on vehicles; new stationary and envelopes. Though he understands what the Council was trying to accomplish, the seal is not a logo. He focused on several seals from other communities including Lincoln that have stacks and asked the council to reconsider its decision.
Councilor Rozek asked to see the sample source of what was offered as examples of a new seal. Mayor Grenier added that Claremont changed their seal and engaged the community in the process. He suggested that a request for proposals be put together and to have the public decide on a new seal by putting a response card in with tax bills or by adding a question to the next general election ballot.
Councilor McCue pointed out that special elections are expensive and are a lot of work for the staff. He added that this issue has been raised, discussed, voted on and to be reconsidered, a member that voted on the winning side would have to make the motion for reconsideration. The issue is done and decided.
Councilor Remillard noted that most people she speaks with don’t care about the seal as long as it doesn’t cost the city money. Councilor Remillard moved to reconsider the decision made on the city seal; there was no second and the motion died.
Mayor Grenier established that the issue of multiple vendors will not go away. Mr. MacQueen stated that as the purchasing agent he assured that any purchase will be competitive and in accordance with the City’s purchasing ordinance.
Councilor Poulin made it clear that in any dealings he had with Seventh Street Graphics he made them aware that everything goes out to bid and the job will come to whoever has the better price. There was no assumption that they would get work. Mr. MacQueen added that Laura Viger came up with the seal and it was adopted. 7th Street Graphics took her drawing and cleaned it up. Councilor Danderson commented that the Council should not to get involved in the administration’s business. The chain of command is to go to the City Manager.
Councilor Landry indicated that the change was never intended to insult anyone and no one is ignoring the past. It was felt that it was time to move the city forward.
House Bill 1439 Water and Air Pollution Exemption
Mayor Grenier commented that with two potential biomass plants coming to the City, this legislation could prove to be costly. State law makes the State the final arbiter of how much tax revenue the city will collect on these boilers. If we get one or both of the facilities, we have to maximize the tax benefits for Berlin. Mr. MacQueen acknowledged that the Local Government Center would like to see RSA 71:12a repealed. The law has been on the books since the 70’s and was meant to encourage companies to voluntarily add pollution control facilities prior to there being laws that made them mandatory.
Today federal and state regulations mandate pollution control and having communities give up tax dollars for this is ludicrous.
Councilor Evans moved to direct staff to write a letter to the Regulated Revenues Committee to encourage them to repeal RSA 72:12a; Councilor Remillard seconded. Councilor Danderson suggested an amendment that the City Council is against HB1439; Councilor Evans accepted the amendment and in the vote on the motion, it was unanimously approved. Councilor McCue encouraged each Councilor to call the representatives and committee members.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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