Work Session
March 21, 2011
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Remillard, McCue, Rozek, Nelson and Evans (6:42)
Others present: Carl Gagnon, Russell Otis, Roland Théberge, Joseph LaPuma, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Nicole Plourde, Andre Caron, Joe Vigue, Jim Michalik, Kathy McKenna, Laurie and Dennis Carrier, Patrick MacQueen, media, several school employees and public
Ward 1 and 4 Councilor Interviews
Councilor Remillard suggested that each candidate be interviewed without the other candidates in the room. She also suggested that the council vote by ballot. Mr. MacQueen made the point that the Council cannot vote privately and it was argued that the process is all done in public.
Mayor Grenier reported that Beverly Ingersoll may not be aware of the interview date and her not being here should not be construed as a lack of interest.
Ward I
Russell Otis – Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Otis for applying and asked him to describe himself and his reasons for applying. Mr. Otis noted that he applied once before when Councilor Donovan resigned. He is a lifelong resident of Berlin and feels lucky to have found a good job in the City. He has one child and wants the City to stay intact so that his son will be able to stay. Mayor Grenier asked for Mr. Otis’ position on taxes, the city budget and whether he considers himself pro development. Mr. Otis said that he considers himself pro development. Berlin has to make itself attractive so that people will purchase properties, keep taxes down and cover the cost of services.
Councilor Remillard established that lack of time has been the issue with resignations and she asked if the time commitment will interfere. Mr. Otis commented that he works Monday through Friday and feels he could make 90% of the meetings. Councilor McCue asked for Mr. Otis’ view on what Berlin could become? The response was that it depends on who wants to invest in the community. We should look at everyone and the evolution of the tourist industry. The Community is focusing on a niche of four wheelers, and motor sports with the only down side being that there is no major highway. Councilor Rozek asked Mr. Otis to prioritize segments of city government asking how to juggle education and public safety. Mr. Otis commented that all segments are important and the formula being used
is accurate. As the city shrinks, departments have to shrink to remain in balance. Education is important, roads, hospital, fire, police are important to the community and we have to make changes to meet the shrinking population.
Carl Gagnon – Councilor Evans entered the meeting at 7:42. Mr. Gagnon stated that this is his second attempt at filling a vacant seat. He’s lived in Ward 1 all his life growing up and then just out of the military and still now. He has two grown children, both who live outside of Berlin. He feels the City’s biggest export is its youth. He added that he understands the importance of bi-partisan politics and working toward a common goal.
Councilor Nelson asked if Mr. Gagnon had any suggestions of how Berlin’s youth could be retained. Mr. Gagnon suggested a four year college. He said he would have liked to look at other uses for Bartlett School such as a private school with specified classes and labs. He went on to explain how he lost his job because the customer base left. He stated that he knows how to manage a budget and deeply cares for the community. He said there should be someone from the city calling all manufactures. He asked what packages have been put together by the council to take care of the Hexaport building.
Councilor McCue thanked Mr. Gagnon for stepping forward and for his service to our country. He asked for Mr. Gagnon’s vision of Berlin going forward. Mr. Gagnon indicated that urban renewal in the 70’s eroded the City’s tax base. The best thing that’s happened to the City is Andre Caron and getting blighted housing down. The character of the city has changed and as blight goes away, the character will travel parallel and we will see a quality of life that we have not seen since 1977.
Councilor Rozek asked for Mr. Gagnon’s views on taxes. Mr. Gagnon said that there is no greater responsibility than the use of taxpayer money and he said that he is a fiscal conservative. He knows what it is to live within a budget. It may require a change in the charter but he supports a line item veto for the Council on the budget so that taxes are not raised.
Ward IV
Joe LaPuma of 71 Wood Street stated that he’s lived in Berlin since 2006. He did two tours in Vietnam and has lived in NH since1977. He ran against Mr. Poulin in the last election. He related that he can spend the time and has no problem going door to door to see what people want. Councilor McCue asked how Berlin would look going forward. Mr. LaPuma mentioned that he would work to find businesses for Berlin. He thought that businesses come in and get a tax break and then move out. He suggested giving a gradual increase.
Councilor Rozek asked what Mr. LaPuma brings for worldly experience. He replied that he can devote all the time that is needed. He felt that the tax rate has to be adjusted so that people want to move here. He’s gone door to door and found that the people’s major concern was Laidlaw and they backed the project and they wanted jobs. He said the elderly are losing their homes because of taxes and others because of jobs. The City can’t afford to lose people.
Roland Théberge—informed the Council that he was born and raised in Berlin and has two children who both live here. He went through the Berlin school system and has an associate degree from the local college and he worked at the mill as an electrician. He’s been married 40 years. He would like to see industries and investors coming to invest in the city. He met Mr. Hallee of Cate Street Capital and feels confident such an investor will help the city. He’s had positive feedback from several people who have approached him about his comments to the City Council. It is a good opportunity for Berlin to be one of the largest employers between biomass and Gorham Papers and the new prison as well.
Councilor McCue thanked Mr. Théberge for his persistence. Mr. Théberge commented that he’s read the minutes of previous meetings and he can see room for improvement. Departments could work together with the EMT working for the fire department. Councilor McCue asked what Mr. Théberge sees for the future of Berlin. Mr. Théberge replied that recreation will grow. As the City expands its sewer system to Jericho Road, taxes will come and people will spend more money. He added that if the school could reduce its budget by 4% taxes would be going down in the City. He suggested merging things together and hiring a part time librarian. Everyone has to take part in a short term sacrifice.
Councilor Rozek asked how much time Mr. Théberge will devote to being a Councilor. Mr. Théberge said that he wants to wants to learn; he’s been reading minutes and the Charter to better familiarize himself with the workings of the Council. He stated that he knows a lot of people and they are comfortable with approaching him.
Androscoggin Valley Public Access Committee - Jim Michalik and Kathy McKenna
Mr. Michalik explained that the AV Community Partners are a consortium of groups involved with human services and health care. At a meeting, his group was discussing the many positive pieces of information that are under the surface and not all are aware of these. The thought is to use the public access channel as a venue to get this information out and to get the ball rolling from there. The public access channel will be able to broadcast civic events, documentaries and the group views this as an opportunity to run civic programs, health care information, and to use as a centralized tool to disperse information. It will be an educational tool and something that can help get an accurate prospective out to the public. Each government has been asked to support the program. Mr. Michalik said that
the group will be looking for foundation money but all that is being requested of the Council is a nod of approval. As they reach out for funding, it will be helpful to inform funders that the governing bodies are supportive. Councilors had no questions; however Councilor McCue recognized the irony that the Council will be voting to fill the unexpired term of Councilor Poulin and this was one of his pet projects.
Council Vote on Ward 1 & Ward IV Councilors
Mayor Grenier commented that Beverly Ingersoll is not here this evening and that should not be construed as disinterest. She was not informed of the interviews when her letter was turned in and telephone calls to her today went unanswered. She is active in the community and her absence is not disinterest in the position. Voting would be done by ballot in public. Councilor Evans objected to voting by secret ballot and elected to not participate in the process.
Ward I - On a 3/2 vote, Councilor Rozek moved to accept Russell Otis as the Ward 1 City Councilor; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Ward IV - On a 3/2 vote, Councilor Rozek moved to accept Roland Théberge as the Ward IV City Councilor; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Account Clerk Position
Mr. MacQueen reported that the City has lost two clerks to the State in the last month. This health department position is critical because if we don’t have the position, we don’t get money from Medicaid and Medicare. The position is in the OPEIU and is not paid well. Councilor McCue confirmed that the position is carried in the budget. He also suggested that the City look at outside firms that do Medicare billing. Mr. MacQueen indicated that we have not found an outside company yet and if we were more digitally advanced, it may be easier to accomplish.
Councilor Rozek asked if the health department functions are duplicated in another venue. Mr. MacQueen stated that the visiting nurse aspect of the health department is also provided by AVH and another service. Mayor Grenier stated that Medicare and Medicaid used to make money for the city; however there is now a consortium of services and perhaps the hospital by its nature, would be the provider of choice. This decision will need input of the public and users of services. We have to ask ourselves how acute are the services we provide and can they be duplicated by others?
Mayor Grenier noted that as long as we are in the Medicare/Medicaid business, we need a savvy clerk. Councilor Rozek suggested a meeting soon after the budget and Mayor Grenier agreed that a meeting should be set with other providers.
Councilor Evans asked if the City could get a better rate if it combines with the schools for Medicare billing. Mr. MacQueen stated that all avenues will be reviewed but he thought the services were different.
Councilor Nelson moved to fill the account clerk position in the health department; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Evans voted against.
Other
Corinne Cascadden reported that she came to answer questions that were brought up at the schools budget meeting. She offered to educate the new councilors and encouraged them to call with any questions. She provided a handout that answered three primary questions about the number of personnel in administration, principals, directors and office management; number of full time and part time employees; number of students enrolled in classes and courses.
The meeting moved to the regular session.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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