Work Session
December 13, 2010
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Remillard, Landry, Danderson, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Cayer and Poulin. Others present included Police Chief Morency, Corinne Cascadden, David Moore, Nathan Morin and the press.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at approximately 6:47 p.m.
David Moore
Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Moore for submitting such an extensive resume. His first question to Mr. Moore is why does he want to serve on the board of education?
Mr. Moore: previously taught at BHS, now teaches at the local college and knows lots of people. Some of the students he has known since the seventh grade are now at the college. He has lots of information which could be put to good use. He lives here and pays taxes here. He would bring a positive approach to the board.
Mayor: How were your interactions with the senior management team at the schools?
Mr. Moore: Was busy teaching but had no problems and rarely interacted in meeting with others.
Mayor: Education Board members are elected. If selected tonight, would you run for reelection in the fall?
Mr. Moore: Yes, definitely.
Councilor Danderson: What did you do for work at Harvard Pilgrim?
Mr. Moore: Wrote training manuals and was a technical writer for in-house people. Created phone scripts to read and made information booklets.
Councilor Danderson: What did you do at Ratheon?
Mr. Moore: Fourteen teachers worked for him. He taught classes so people could advance in their positions. While he was there, over 5,000 people advanced through his efforts.
Councilor Danderson: What budget experience do you have?
Mr. Moore: Have written technical documents but never did that type of actual budget. He would interview the panel and make formal presentations.
Councilor Danderson: Says in resume you are a Veteran.
Mr. Moore: Served two years overseas in Germany, was a sergeant and a squad leader.
Councilor Remillard: Resume shows that in 2007-09 you were a full-time teacher at BHS. Why did you leave?
Mr. Moore: Was not in the union at that time and the schools downsized and laid off teachers. He added that he then got a job at the college and taught science, does tutoring and mentoring and will be working with the nursing program in the spring.
Councilor Remillard: While at BHS did you attend school board meetings, were you active and an advocate of the board?
Mr. Moore: No, did not attend an actual school board meeting. Did lots of stuff with the school and worked with Tom Sweeney, not formally but for after school programs.
Councilor McCue: What do you mean by ‘misrepresentative of material’ ?
Mr. Moore: Wrote 4 books mostly about the Civil War which is a twenty volume set on one disk and covers around five thousand pages but his last book is about humor which is a twist for him.
Councilor McCue: What do you sell on Ebay?
Mr. Moore: Mostly stamps and coins probably 1-2 sales per year.
Councilor McCue: What are your thoughts about the Board of Education budget and what can happen to make improvements.
Mr. Moore: Does not know but needs to get the actual facts or figures. It is all just speculation at this point. He would work to improve the student situation at this time.
Councilor Danderson: What are your teaching degrees?
Mr. Moore: Certified in Biology and Science. Assist with Math and tutor students.
Councilor Poulin: Glad Mr. Moore put his name in the hat. From what he has heard, the students that know him say he is brilliant and intelligent. We would be lucky to have him on the board even though he does not have much budget experience.
Councilor Remillard: Letters of recommendation are dated 2009. Why didn’t he get more current letters?
Mr. Moore: Has worked with the current college staff for a short time but could get new letters if needed. He thought about it but it was after he had put his resume packet together and it was too late. He said that was a very good point she brought up.
Councilor Landry: The recommendation letters appear to be from senior teachers but did you use them for another teaching job?
Mr. Moore: Was lining up another job so just asked them for a letter of reference.
Councilor Rozek: What about your family life?
Mr. Moore: He came up with his girlfriend from Manchester who works at the School Department in the Office. He bought Dave Lauze’s house, loves the place and plans to stay here. No children.
Councilor Rozek: What personal strengths can you offer the school board and which would be most effective?
Mr. Moore: Good at analyzing information and making something difficult seem very simple. He can factor the human element and cost. He is good at making decisions and is able to get extra information out to people. He would be one out of five but could present information for more informed decisions.
Nathan Morin
Mayor Grenier: Welcome and thanks for putting your name in and showing interest. You previously had positive, extensive history and experience on the board. After years of service given to the City, why did you choose to apply now?
Mr. Morin: Misses being on the board after serving 2 terms. Did not run for reelection since he was pursuing a degree at Duke University. Education is a high priority for him. He was brought up in the Berlin school system and would like to give back.
Mayor: If selected, would you consider running for a term in the fall?
Mr. Morin: Yes!
Mayor: Mr. Morin is a known entity here and we know what he brings to table.
Councilor Danderson: Please give us a brief resume.
Mr. Morin: Received a Bachelor Degree from Plymouth State University. Worked to achieve a Paralegal Certificate and finished in January. Presently work at the Rite Aid Pharmacy.
Councilor Remillard: Being involved in the last budget with the schools and union, her memory is not clear about how he feels now and how difficult it will it be to make the budget work. Also, how would he contribute at this point.
Mr. Morin: Has previous experience, is an advocate of the school system and unions and is diligent in assessing what the schools actually need. In areas of duplication, he can figure out what they could do to consolidate although, as with any budget, there are many variables.
Councilor Remillard: Not being on the board, have you become more educated in it?
Mr. Morin: It was interesting being off the board. It gave him time to step back and see other sides.
Mayor: While he was on the Council he was impressed with Mr. Morin’s service on the School Board. Nathan was aggressive in getting grants for the school system. A primary reason he got the grants is that the issue did not go away but he worked tirelessly, pushed and stood up for the kids of the school system. The Mayor was skeptical at first since it was federal money and he was concerned what the city requirement would be but it was not an issue. Mr. Morin did a huge job for the schools.
Councilor Danderson: What do you see your role as after serving 4 years and what is your goal?
Mr. Morin: He is someone that makes sure to do his homework and asks the necessary questions. He said the current superintendent works to develop policies to achieve these goals.
Councilor Landry: Thanks for coming but why step down after four years?
Mr. Morin: Had to focus on his own education at the time while trying to earn his degree.
Councilor Landry: Who is now doing the grant work at the schools?
Corinne Cascadden: Has been taking care of grants. She said Nathan managed to obtain a $250,000 reading grant for six years.
Councilor Rozek: If you are coming back, something must be missing. What are you interested in?
Mr. Morin: He missed being on the board and is an advocate for the school district.
Mayor Grenier: Learned after over 16 years on Council that he doesn’t like board members who lay down due to political pressure. If an issue begs close attention to the City we don’t want a lap dog on a board. We need someone to advocate and give Council all the info needed. People ran for Council seats to make hard decisions. In the past some board members could sense political pressure and would not bring items up. Although they bucked heads a couple of times, he always knew Mr. Morin was in the room. Boards need advocates and it is up to the Mayor and Council to make the hard decisions.
- Vote of School Board Position:
Councilors voting for Nathan Morin: McCue, Danderson, Rozek, Remillard, Mayor Grenier
Councilors voting for David Moore: Landry, Evans, Cayer and Poulin
The City Clerk swore Nathan Morin in as the new Board of Education member for a term to expire January, 2012.
- PD Outside Overtime Resolution Discussion.
Police Chief Peter Morency explained that years ago they had an outside overtime line item officer on traffic details revolving account and turned the surplus in to the city. The Auditor advised that was not the way to go and that it should go into an account. Last year they used a good portion of the budgeted $40,000 between the prison and construction and the left over amount went to the City. This year, the outside overtime appropriation was adjusted to $10,000 in anticipation of decreased outside details but the appropriation is already 92% expended. Through this resolution, they are seeking the additional sum of $15,000 to be appropriated to their budget for payroll expenses related to outside overtime (01-420-116-3000) and the additional sum of $2,963 to be appropriated to the Group II Retirement appropriation
(01-420-713-3000) for outside overtime retirement-related contributions and that the sum is in addition to all other previously appropriated funds for the PD FY’11 budget.
Mayor Grenier said that if the Police Department comes back for $18,000 they will need a 2/3 vote and if the Department does not come up with $22,000 in revenue, it will not be worth it. Council would not deny outside detail as long as revenue was there to back it up.
The City Manager is not sure it is the same thing as with Milan since they took out the expenditure side. They have to follow the state budget act which balances revenues and expenditures.
Mayor Grenier explained that at the County level if you spend to offset, it is a loss. If they can’t generate $22,000 - $24,000 it does not make sense.
Chief Morency replied they are making money off of every hour worked and with each cruiser. His intent is to find ways to bring in more revenue.
The City Manager added if it is a new revenue then they don’t have to do anything according to the resolution.
Mayor Grenier said the risk is if a line item is fully expended, do they stop spending money?
According to the City Manager, there is no effect on the tax rate. The only way to reduce the budget is to reduce non-revenue producing items. They should be fine but they do need a resolution.
Councilor McCue asked what was budgeted for revenue for outside overtime and to pass the resolution should it say that the revenue line will also be increased?
The City Manager asked the Police Chief to amend the resolution to read correctly for its first reading on Monday night.
- PD Primex Grant Resolution for ERT Safety Equipment Discussion.
Chief Morency told Council this grant is to receive equipment that they don’t have funds for. Sergeant Gendron works with them and thought it would be a good opportunity to pick things up. It is a zero match.
Mayor Grenier asked the chief if the Emergency Response Team (ERT) is still made up of the Coos County Sheriffs, Berlin and Gorham Police Departments. Chief Morency replied that is correct.
Mayor Grenier then asked who responds to a crisis within county or in the immediate area. Is there any organization set up in the Western County?
The Chief replied that in a crisis, mutual aid would help and he is willing to work with anyone who will work with us.
Councilor McCue asked why specify 4 helmets and 12 gloves?
The Chief said that is the amount stated in the grant and they already have some equipment.
Mayor Grenier asked the Chief how often they train their men.
According to Chief Morency, it is recommended that they train eight hours per month. In order to meet the standards, they incorporate training through various associations like schools, the college, the new court house and the National Officers Association. The Officers are flexible and donate time to train but not to work.
Councilor McCue thanked the Northern Forest Heritage Park for their update and schedule of events for next year. He mentioned the letter Council got requesting to rename the 12th Street Bridge. This is something Council needs to hear more about and it should be placed on a future agenda. Mayor Grenier and Council agreed to revisit this issue at a later date.
Mayor Grenier reported that last Tuesday he received notice from AVER and NCIC that due to limited funding, Max Makaitis’ position was eliminated since they have no money until February. Technically, Max worked for the NCIC but was let go because they could not secure funding. Tri County CAP recently hired Max as their new Economic Development Director/Housing Coordinator. As a courtesy, Mayor Grenier wanted Council to be informed before they read the news in the paper.
Non-Meeting/Adjourn
Councilor Danderson moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to adjourn the work session and enter into Non-Meeting per RSA 91-A:2, I, (b) Collective Bargaining. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. Mayor Grenier declared the work session adjourned at approximately 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk
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