City Council Work Session
February 14, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Danderson, McCue, Remillard, Rozek; absent were: Councilors Landry, Evans and Poulin
Others present: Cimbria Badenhausen, Better Buildings Program; Pamela Laflamme, Mike Perreault, Henry Noel, Elaine Belanger, North Country Health Consortium, Elizabeth Domino, media and public
Better Buildings Program - Cimbria Badenhausen
Mayor Grenier introduced Ms. Badenhausen and noted that she was hired to implement an energy grant that the City of Berlin received. Ms. Badenhausen stated that she moved to Berlin before Christmas and has been warmly welcomed by everyone. The US Department of Energy gave grants to states and the NH Office of Energy and Planning was given $10 million. The money is initially to offer loans for people in Berlin, Nashua and Plymouth and at the end of 2013 other communities will have the opportunity to receive loans with the money that is remaining. Agreements with Woodlands Credit Union and Guardian Angel Credit Union are being finalized and the program will offer $7,500 residential loans at 1% interest. The grant will buy down the interest and provide loan loss reserve giving credit unions half the amount owed
in a reserve account. Bob Tortorisi has also been hired as a technical advisor.
Ms. Badenhausen acknowledged that people in Berlin don’t like to take out loans but they are being encouraged to go through the process to take advantage of the technical assistance available through the Better Buildings Program. Under the program, a building will be audited by a professional who will provide a report of what should be done to make it more energy efficient. A building owner can get bids to do the work or they can use a qualified person or company of their choice.
Ms. Badenhausen went on to say that the generous marketing budget from this grant will be used to give away $600 per month on an energy audit and $5,000 quarterly towards a project. Grant funds are specifically for Berlin. The commercial properties will be offered loans at between 2 and 4%; however agreements with banks have not yet been finalized. There are currently ten commercial projects that are interested.
Mayor Grenier asked for a definition of commercial property and Ms. Badenhausen indicated that a multi-family over four units, businesses or a property that will cost more than $50,000 to renovate would be considered commercial. Council members expressed concern that absentee landlords not in good standing on their taxes could have the opportunity for these loans. Ms. Badenhausen stated that applicants have to be able to produce one year’s worth of electrical and fuel bills; abandoned properties would not qualify. Councilors asked if criteria could be added that applicants are current on taxes and Ms. Badenhausen said she would communicate the request adding that it would not be in the best interest of the program to assist landlords that are not making a commitment to the community.
Mayor Grenier asked if the program is specifically for low income or if anyone can qualify for the low interest loan. Ms. Badenhausen indicated that applicants have to meet the credit union’s guidelines for the loans. She mentioned the Jim Cain Foundation that started Project Green Heat. They provide pellet stoves and wood stoves to people who want them and who qualify. Through Project Green Heat, the Better Buildings Program will buy pellets to be provided to the people of Berlin who need them.
Councilor Danderson commented that he likes the program for individuals but he has no interest in helping the multi-family housing saying that the last thing we need is to attract low income residents. Their problems then come back on the community including welfare, and special education. Ms. Badenhausen noted that if the property resides in Berlin, it is eligible. She invited anyone interested to visit her office. Councilor Remillard stated that some landlords have owned buildings for a long time and they cannot afford renovations. Mayor Grenier added that he is sympathetic to those landlords who are struggling.
Waste Water Treatment Plant Update
Mr. MacQueen gave an update of the waste water treatment plant projects. He said that he was introduced to the new warden at the Federal prison, Deborah Schult. She wants to be included in weekly calls to Bureau of Prisons for updates on the sewer connection to the prison. The East Milan Road portion of the project has gone well with Sergent Construction doing the work. The gravity main is being used at this time and the force main should be complete in May. Insituform was awarded the contract for I & I and they are cleaning pipe that will be lined with plastic liner. Value engineering is also being worked on with completion expected in May and their report due in June. From there, the design can move forward.
Bidding on the project is expected in September or Octorber of this year with a 2013 completion. Mr. Noel mentioned that there is potential for new loading from the landfill that will increase the need for treatment capacity. Mayor Grenier asked when the added capacity will be added to the NIFTA permit. He stressed that some steps should be taken to assure that the EPA will increase the capacity. Mr. MacQueen stated that the presumption is that we will be licensed by the EPA for the added capacity.
Route 110 Realignment Project
Ms. Laflamme reported that the DOT is working on its complete acquisitions of properties for Phase 2 of the Route 110 project first and then they will work on right of way acquisitions. Half of the 33 homes have been purchased and DOT hopes to have a demo contract in April. Each home has to be historically documented. It is expected that there will be a fall round of demolitions as well.
A design charette is part of the project and it is expected to occur in April. It will study the effects of the new realignment on the neighborhood that has historically had a truck route going through it. The Historic Preservation Alliance also wants to provide assistance for some focus on those who want to remodel their homes in an historic manner. Aerial photography was completed as part of the project.
Councilor Remillard commented that there are only two who disputed what they were going to get for their houses. The State has been paying around market value and higher.
Mayor Grenier confirmed that there is $2 million in the bond issue for the 110 project and since the bond is a line of credit rather than a traditional bond, the money has not been taken out yet.
Hutchins Street
Ms. Laflamme reported that the Hutchins Street project received funding in the amount of $800,000 from Senator Shaheen. The EPA was contacted because of the work they have planned in the area. Nobis Engineering was hired by the EPA to do sampling and they are now taking in the results and correlating.
Mayor Grenier confirmed that the project has not been engineered. Ms. Laflamme commented that we did not want to do the final design if the property is not buildable. Councilor McCue affirmed that this delay does noy have an effect on the funding from Senator Shaheen.
Mayor Grenier stated that it is expected to be a $2.3 million project of which we bonded $1.6 million. He noted that if Laidlaw is approved there is $500,000 of new market tax credits to be used in the public’s best interest. He advocated for having the money allocated to these two projects, Route 110 and Hutchins Street, indicating that the community will get more benefit from two highway projects than a donation to the Heritage Park.
Councilor McCue clarified that the tax credits will be available because of a five month extension.
Request for a Letter of Support for Lead Grant
Elaine Belanger representing the North Country Health Consortium explained that her region is from the Canadian border to the Woodsville/Haverhill area. One of the programs offered by NCHC is the Molar Express which is a dental and oral care program to children adults who are offered services on a sliding fee scale.
She requested a letter of support for a $6,000 grant that is being offered to cities and towns in NH who have high cases of lead poisoning. Berlin does because of the older housing stock.
The Healthy Homes promotion is done through collaboration with Coos County Health Services. This grant is not a lot of money but the program would be specifically for Berlin. Mayor Grenier confirmed that 10% would go to administration. Councilor McCue affirmed that the City is being asked for a letter of support and no matching funds are requested.
Councilor Danderson moved to send letter of support from the City to the Healthy Homes Lead Prevention Program on behalf of the North Country Health Consortium’s request for funding; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Position Approval
Mr. MacQueen reported that the payroll clerk in the Finance Department has given notice and now there is a vacancy in addition to the Assistant Comptroller position. The request is for approval to replace the position. In discussion, Councilor Rozek confirmed that all municipal employees are members of the NH Retirement System by state statute.
Councilor Remillard moved to replace the payroll clerk; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Rozek voting in opposition.
Energy Grant
Ms. Laflamme asked the Council for a letter of support for a HUD grant that would work to increase skill in energy efficiency fields. There is $300,000 available over three years to get people trained and out there to do energy audits. CDFA will manage the grant and White Mountain Community College will be the recipients and provide the education to help to train an energy work force. Councilor Rozek asked who is qualified on tomography and Ms. Badenhausen replied that she will find out.
Councilor Danderson moved to send a letter to HUD supporting CDFA’s application for funding from the Rural Innovation Fund Program; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
NHMA
Councilor McCue reported that he is on the NHMA Government Affairs Committee and they are meeting on 2/18 meeting. He confirmed that he has the authority to vote on behalf of the city.
Adjournment
Councilor Remillard moved to adjourn; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:47 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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