Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Danderson, Remillard, McCue, Landry, Evans and Rozek; absent were Councilors Poulin and Cayer.
Others present included Police Chief Peter Morency, Police Commissioners Tony Urban, Steve Griffin; School Board Chair Mitch Couture, School Superintendent Corinne Cascadden, Public Works Director Mike Perreault, media and public.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Public Works Update
Mayor Grenier stated that he’s received several calls from constituents who have a lot of questions. He inquired about the policy of leaving a trench open for 90 days before filling for compaction asking if that time could shortened. Mr. Perreault explained that past practice has been to remove the trench patch prior to the overlay. The Department is now seeing how it works to leave the overlay patch on and pave over it; this may shorten the duration for compaction. State Street to River Street as well as High Street and Willard Street are due to be done this week. Mayor Grenier asked about the area between the prison and 12th Street and Mr. Perreault indicated that testing in that area for the new sewer main found one bad piece of pipe which delayed paving. Pressure testing is now
complete and there appear to be no leaks; paving is scheduled to go forward.
Mr. Perreault confirmed that it is his hope to have the slip line by the technical college complete in this construction season. Mayor Grenier asked where the additional appropriation of $200,000 for paving was spent. Mr. Perreault noted that there is a bid out for the Cleveland Bridge to Mason Street to grind down the travel lanes, then shim and overlay to the shoulders. Highland Park is the second project and paving will be from the top of Finland to where it meets with Poplar Street or about 1,700 feet of road. The road will be reclaimed to 24 feet which keeps the tonnage down and will narrow the road and perhaps slow the traffic. Mr. MacQueen noted that bids will be open on these projects Thursday, 10/14.
Councilor Danderson questioned the progress on the 12th Street Bridge. Mr. Perreault reported that the deck was poured and there is 30 days of cure time on the majority of the deck. Mayor Grenier asked for the advantages and disadvantages of not adding an asphalt layer on the bridge. Mr. Perreault noted that the membrane between the asphalt and concrete had worn away. The sealant proposed for the deck is more durable; however it will need to be hydro washed and sealed every three years.
The tie for the sewer line under the 12th Street Bridge has been tested and the tie to the main line went well. The pump station on the east side is almost complete and will be hydro tested. The crews will be working the next few weekends to catch up. The entire project needs to be complete by July. Councilor Rozek confirmed that a drain line on McGee Street will be relocated across Route 16 in the spring. He wanted to be sure that Route 16 would not be excavated in the winter. Mayor Grenier asked the press to report on the progress of the projects and the approximate paving dates for the trenches.
Police Commission
Mayor Grenier congratulated Steve Griffin on his re-election as chair of the Police Commission. He indicated that there has been discussion about changing the hours of the Police Commission meetings to accommodate the public. Mr. Griffin noted that the 7:30 a.m. meeting time works well for the commission because they can get it done before the start of the business day. He offered to hold a quarterly meeting in the evening adding that the Commission used to meet that way and never had a visitor. Council conceded that it would be good public policy to offer a quarterly meeting in the evening. Mr. Urban added that minutes of the meetings are available within 48 hours.
Request for Budget Appropriation
Chief Morency explained that the Milan account was reduced at budget time on the expenditure side and it only makes sense to appropriate the remaining amount needed for the year. He noted that there will be an increase of 4.2% in the upcoming year.
Chief Morency indicated that funds would have to come from salaries if the Council asked the PD to operate with existing funding until May or June. Councilor Evans asked why the revenue was budgeted but not the expense. Mr. MacQueen reported that it was clear that there was going to be a reduction in the police budget and the Police Department chose to take the cut from the Milan contract. The cut was made on the expense side of a revenue generating account. Chief Morency responded to Councilor Rozek who asked why the decision was made to cut from that line item by saying that they had enough to operate in the first quarter but not enough to complete the year. The PD was able to accomplish the cut and keep the jobs.
Mayor Grenier affirmed that a 2/3 majority vote is needed to pass the increase. He noted that he would support the increase at $22,500 hoping to have something returned back to the city at year end. Mr. MacQueen noted that the resolution will be corrected to show that the funding comes from unappropriated fund balance.
Cops Grant Program
Chief Morency explained that the PD applied for a COPS grant and though notification has been received there has been no grant offer yet. He noted that the PD will try to work within the program and the City’s budget expectations.
Councilor Evans indicated that he thinks a flat line budget is optimistic for next year and he would like to see $1.5 million cut or a cut of 4 to 5%. Commissioner Griffin stated that the Commission will try to keep a flat budget. Councilor Rozek confirmed that there are now 21 full time officers; and 7 to 10 part time and special enforcement.
Generator Purchase
Chief Morency reported that there have been electrical issues at the PD which also serves as the dispatch center, emergency shelter and emergency operations center. It was found that there is a problem with the generator which causes a surge. It is expected that a FEMA grant could cover the cost of a new generator which may be in the range of $100,000.
York Street
Mayor Grenier mentioned that he received a letter from the residents of York Street who have not been contacted about their issue of ATV’s on York Street. Mr. MacQueen indicated that the ATV Trail Committee is meeting on October 20 at 10:00 a.m. and he is hoping the York Street residents can air their concerns.
Councilor Remillard noted that the issue could be dealt with through Traffic & Safety. Councilor Danderson suggested routing ATV traffic to Green Street where they would have access to gasoline, convenience stores and Dunkin Donuts.
DOJ Grants
Chief Morency reported that resolutions for grant for bullet proof vests will be coming forward. He also noted that the unoccupied structures ordinance has been reviewed by staff and has been forwarded to the city attorney. Mayor Grenier thanked members of the Police Commission for coming and added that a meeting with the Council every 3 or 4 months would keep both Council and Commission informed.
School Board
Mitch Couture and Corinne Cascadden joined the Council at the table. Mayor Grenier stated that the plow truck from the airport will not likely get to the schools until January. He then affirmed that the schools had received preliminary figures from the Department of Education indicating $500,000 less in State Aid for the upcoming budget cycle. In Berlin $10,000,000 is funded through State aid and $5,000,000 is generated from the community. Mr. Couture noted that in most communities State aid is the lesser amount; however Mr. MacQueen established that State aid is high in Berlin because the property values are the lowest in the State, income is the lowest in the State; and unemployment is among the highest.
Ms. Cascadden reported that the schools will be negotiating two contracts this year. Councilor McCue suggested that the Council do everything possible to make the City’s position known with regard to education aid including inviting legislators and School Board to a joint meeting. Ms Cascadden acknowledged that there are 84 less students than last year with the count at 1,345 as of 10/1. Councilor Danderson clarified that the ad for a supervisor of buildings is a new position that combines two positions and it is expected to be budget neutral or better.
It was noted by Mr. Couture that Calculus and Statistics are not offered this year. Other avenues to later re-introduce these classes are being reviewed including having a combined class with Gorham where the costs would be shared or on line classes or using the college to offer courses at a reduced price. Something as easy as aligning our class bells with Gorham’s may help the process along. Mayor Grenier reasoned that eliminating block scheduling may help when looking at these alternatives; however Ms. Cascadden confirmed that it could not be considered this year.
Councilor Rozek praised the school system for doing a great job. He stated that not only is the school system providing a great education but the Federal government has forced schools to do health care as well. The Vocational Technical Center offers automotive technology, welding, building trades, drafting, early child care, and health care. Mr. Couture mentioned that Milan and Dummer are considering educating their 7th & 8th graders there because of their concern for the direction that Berlin schools are going. That could be a $250,000 loss of revenue.
Councilor Landry agreed that the schools provide a great education for students. He questioned the socio economic background of the 84 less students in the school system. Mr. Couture felt that professionals are not sending their children to Berlin because of the perception of a lack of quality of education. Councilor Remillard established that it is time for the City to promote itself and for the community to see the strong school system we have.
On the good news side, Ms. Cascadden explained that there was an opportunity to expand a career technical career program to get students interested in science, technical, engineering and math (STEM). There was seed money available to renovate a classroom and Berlin is now offering a pre-engineering program for 6, 7 & 8 graders. WMUR will be doing a story on Thursday. Students will study all the components of a project, from the design, to fabrication.
There will be a tour of completed projects at school buildings beginning at 5:00 next Monday at Brown School.
Mr. Couture informed the Council that the School Board met to refresh their goals. The two academic goals are to improve achievement for all students; and to offer alternative learning strategies.
Goals were set in the following categories: facilities-improvements to buildings; safety-maintain; communication-promote parental and community involvement; collaboration-work with other communities
Other
Mr. MacQueen mentioned that Fraur Grier from Berlin Germany would be visiting the City at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 13 and any councilors who wanted to meet her could come by at that time.
Diana Nelson has requested that traffic from Main Street be re-routed for Riverfire next Saturday from Noon to 10:00 p.m. Councilor Danderson so moved; Councilor Landry seconded and the motion carried.
Adjournment
Councilor Danderson moved to adjourn; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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