City Council Work Session
October 4, 2010
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Remillard, Danderson, McCue, Evans and Cayer; Councilors Landry, Rozek and Poulin were absent.
Others present included Andre Caron, students from the BHS Civics Class, media and public.
Recommendations for Sale of Tax Deeded Properties
Mr. Caron reported that each tax deeded property needs to be mentioned in a vote on the proposed recommendation.
There was some discussion about having the Phase 1 environmental study done for 97 Main Street. Mayor Grenier indicated that BIDPA may be interested in this building. There is trash in and around the building that could be removed. Mr. Caron noted that if the City is to obtain federal money to do the environmental studies, it cannot be shown in any way that the city contributed to its condition and therefore it is better to wait until after the studies are complete to do any clean up of the site.
Mr. Caron established that several buildings will be coming down in the next few weeks because of contracts for four buildings that were scheduled and the Department of Historical Resources issued their notice to proceed which was holding up the demolition of five buildings. In total nine buildings will come down.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second from Councilor McCue that the City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions as indicated for each property or take the appropriate action as otherwise indicated:
Map/Lot 128-0190.0000, formerly 687 Main Street and Map/Lot 128-0191.0000, formerly 695 Main Street: The properties will be merged by the City and then the merged parcel to be put out to bid for to the general public for a minimum bid of $14,300 (the taxed valuation of the combined properties).
Map/Lot 118-0092.0000, 796 Western Avenue: The property to be retained for future demolition.
Map/Lot 119-48.0000, 97 Main Street: The building to be retained by the City for a Phase II hazardous materials investigation and possible redevelopment by Berlin Industrial Development Park Authority.
Map/Lot 130-0353.0000, 407 Champlain Street: The property to be retained for future demolition.
Map/Lot 120-273.0000, formerly 360 High Street: The property to be put out to bid to the general public for a minimum bid of $10,188.31 plus interest and expenses.
Map/Lot 130-0146.0000, 216 Grafton Street: The property to be retained for future demolition.
Map/Lot 130-0124.0000, 290 Grafton Street: The building is to be sold for a minimum of $15,635.33 + expenses and interest. The purchasing party will be required to renovate, make the property habitable and code compliant within 1 year of the purchase date. The sale of this property will subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 110-0143.0000, formerly 767 Sixth Avenue: The property to be put out to bid to the general public for a minimum bid of $4,200, the current tax valuation for the property.
Map/Lot 127-0230.0000, 124.5 Norway Street: After intestate issues are resolved, building is to be sold for a minimum of $17,228.14 + expenses and interest. The purchasing party will be required to renovate, make the property habitable and code compliant within 1 year of the purchase date. The sale of this property will subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 130-0278.0000, 349 Burgess Street and 130-0277 abutting lot: Building and abutting lot to be sold for a minimum of $9,560.95 + expenses and interest. The purchasing party will be required to renovate, make the property habitable and code compliant within 1 year of the purchase date. The sale of this property will subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 130-0391.0000, formerly 450 Goebel Street: The property to be put out to bid to the general public for a minimum bid of $4,200, the current tax valuation for the property.
Map/Lot 119-0449.0000, 692 Second Avenue: The property to be retained for future demolition.
Map/Lot 119-0327.0000 off First Avenue: This property to be retained for future sale; may combine with 119-449.
Map/Lot 119-0135.0000, formerly 105 Granite Street: The property to be offered to abutter for $1,764.01.
Map/Lot 117-0098.0000, 653 Western Avenue: The property to be retained for future demolition.
Map/Lot 404-0039.0000, 19 Chalet Road: After intestate issues are resolved and removal of trailer is completed, the land to be sold for a minimum of $3,260.02 + expenses and interest.
Map/Lot 130-0176.0000, formerly 276 East Mason Street: The property to be retained by City for its NSP infill project.
Map/Lot 120-0280.0000, land off High Street: The property to be retained by City at this time for future use.
Map/Lot 130-0234.0000, 249 East mason Street: The property to be retained for future demolition.
Map/Lot 11900405.0000, 761 Second Avenue: The property to be retained for future demolition.
So moved, the motion carried. Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Caron for his work and noted that Berlin is becoming a model city.
Conway Bypass Discussion
Mr. MacQueen reported that he went to a meeting last Thursday sponsored by North Country Council regarding the Route 16 bypass. The meeting was attended by DOT and several North Country towns including Conway, Albany, Randolph, Gorham and the City of Berlin. Conway expressed concern that if the southern part of the bypass is built and the other parts are not built, they will have traffic bottleneck in the center of Conway. The only segment of the project in the State’s 10 Year Plan is the southern section.
There was general agreement from all the towns that this area needs to speak with one voice to the legislature. It was suggested that each town pass a resolution to be endorsed by all the towns stating a position of support; meet and organize the legislators in support of the bypass and that the group have a strong presence at the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT).
Councilor McCue confirmed that the group, through North Country Council, will be reaching out and asking other communities for their support as well.
Councilor Evans moved endorse the draft resolution that will be sent to surrounding towns for approval; Councilor Danderson seconded and the motion carried.
Non-Meeting
Councilor Danderson moved to enter into non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2 I (b) Collective Bargaining; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried by roll call vote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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