Work Session
May 17, 2010
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Landry, Remillard, Danderson, Evans, Rozek, Cayer and Poulin; Councilor McCue was absent.
Others present included Chief Pete Morency, Michael Perreault, Wayne Paschall, media and public
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
York Pond Repair Work
Mr. MacQueen explained that the City received a letter from NH Fish & Game informing us that they want to lower the water level of York Pond in order to do dam repairs and RSA482:13 requires that the municipality in which the dam is located hold a public informational meeting. Mr. Paschall was present to speak to the work that is to be completed. The water level will be lowered and dam boards will be repaired. There is also measuring on wells that needs to be done. Mayor Grenier confirmed that the pond is not being reclaimed. There were no further questions from the Council and Mr. Paschall left the meeting at this time.
PD Severance
Mayor Grenier commented that in budget deliberations it was brought up that police severance was an operational expense in a capital improvement account. Chief Morency explained that in 2005 the PD asked to have some severance money brought forward in segregated funds and Mr. MacQueen asked that it go in capital because it was a large expense. Mayor Grenier reported that in his review of GASB, he found that personnel expenses don’t belong in a capital account. He suggested that it be carried in 410 where personnel benefits are reported.
Mr. MacQueen explained that the City has gotten away from segregating operational funds and police severance was shown as capital item because it was such a large amount. We first thought the number would fluctuate; however it has in fact leveled out and is expected to be stable and if that is the case it should be in the operating budget. Mayor Grenier made the point that if the amount is in the regular budget, it could be used for something else. Chief Morency stated that the money is there for its intended purpose which is to fund severance for retiring officers.
Councilor Danderson noted that there was $87,000 last year and there is $29,000 left. He confirmed that these funds are not automatically carried over unless requested by the department. Councilor Evans indicated that if the remaining funds are not re-appropriated, they would come back to the general fund at year end.
Councilor Landry asked how severance is paid out and Chief Morency explained that employees who do not use all of their sick leave are entitled to receive half of their sick time up to 100 days at retirement. There were two retirements in the current year budget and the PD has planned on two for next year; however that number could change. Sick time is accumulated at one day per month or 12 days per year. Mayor Grenier added that contracts address sick leave because if it is not used it was lost, which encouraged employees to call in sick and the City had to pay overtime to replace the employee. Mr. MacQueen said that it is in the public works contract and it is common for there to be some sort of reimbursement for sick leave.
Councilor Danderson reasoned that he was reviewing the PD’s credit card expenses and he found a restaurant expense that did not have the itemized slip. He wanted to be sure that the accompanying documentation shows what is being bought and the amount of people being served. In addition, Councilor Danderson mentioned that Police Commission meetings are at a time that he feels are not appropriate for the public to attend.
Councilor Landry established that the Council is looking for an opportunity to trim the budget and inquired about the effect of cutting the item back would be. Mayor Grenier stated that it equates to $29,000 per person and it is prudent to budget for three people leaving. When the budget is adopted, police severance will be transferred to the 410 account.
I & I Engineering Agreements
Mr. MacQueen reported that the proposed agreement is with Wright Pierce to get going on inflow and infiltration in the city. Mike Perreault noted that a study was done in 2007 that focused on an area from the College to the Dairy Bar pump station.
The areas of concentration this time will be between the Dairy Bar and Armory and on the east side where flat roofs and sump pumps are connected to the sanitary sewer system. The work would be done this summer with another phase later on. The scope of the project involves going into the houses and changing the plumbing to be sure that roof and cellar drains are not connected to the sewer system. There is $2 million for this project. Mayor Grenier commented that many of the homes are in substandard condition and some are owned by elderly people who would not be able to pay for this.
Asked how much capacity could be gained by removing the I & I, Mr. MacQueen stated that he hopes it will be 500,000 to 600,000 gallons per day. Mayor Grenier indicated that it is enough capacity to provide for the federal prison, two biomass plants and District projects. Mr. Perreault noted that in a perfect world, Water Works provides 800,000 gallons of water per day and the waste water treatment plant should be treating less than that when in reality the plant is treating 2 million gallons per day. He added that there are nine catch basins on the east side that go to the treatment plant.
Mayor Grenier asked if the City can use its own people to do this work and Mr. Perreault confirmed that most of it will be contracted out. Councilor Rozek asked if Public Works hires summer help and Mr. Perreault stated that his resources are limited now; however if he had the money he could hire summer help.
Mayor Grenier established that we will not be able to get more customers into the waste water system until we get more capacity and the way to do that is to take something out.
Councilor Poulin asked about white crosses on sewer covers and Mr. Perreault acknowledged that the collection system was going to be mapped where we would have GIS and aerial photographs; however the fly-over has not happened yet.
Councilor Danderson moved to enter into an agreement with Wright Pierce for I & I engineering; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried.
Memorial Day Schedule
Mayor Grenier noted that Memorial Day is the 5th Monday of month and there is a budget hearing on Wednesday, May 26. He suggested that unless there is a serious emergency, the Council will forego the meeting on May 31st.
Mayor Grenier added that during the summer, in June, July and August the Council can forego meetings on the second and fourth Mondays, provided there is nothing pressing. He added that according to Robert’s Rules the Chair can call a meeting or a majority of the City Council members can call a meeting.
Mayor Grenier reminded Council members of the invitation to the dedication of the street to Randy Rosenberg which is to occur on Monday, May 31 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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