Work Session
May 9, 2011
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge
Others Present: Betty Domino, Pete Morency, Yvette Leighton, Thom Bennett, Patrick MacQueen, Angela Martin Giroux, Michael Caron
Request to Hire Health Department Nurse
Angela Martin Giroux explained that a full time nurse has given notice and she is requesting to replace the position. She noted that to maximize billing potential with Medicare/Medicaid, there are services that can only be done by a registered nurse.
Councilor Remillard moved to continue funding to replace the position; Councilor Otis seconded. In further discussion Councilor Evans asked what services are done by the RN. Ms. Giroux said that the public health nurse supervises the clinic at City Hall. Ms. Leighton added that there are several Medicare and Medicaid forms that can only be done by an RN including coding. Councilor Evans asked what the impact would be if the position were not funded. Ms. Leighton indicated that she would have to use per diem RNs and there is not a large pool to choose from. Councilor Rozek summarized that citizens would be shortchanged if the position is not funded.
In the vote that followed discussion, all voted in favor of the motion.
BIDPA Proposal for Bickford Park
Mike Caron stated that BIDPA had a budget for the Bickford Place project that they did not want to exceed. When cuts had to be made, furniture was cut from the park project. He described the furniture as tables and chairs that can be moved around for the middle of the park. Mayor Grenier said that there are two entities willing to put up one third of the funding including a local business and the Main Street Program. The City is being asked for $2,500 and the Mayor felt it is appropriate to be part of the project.
Mr. Caron approximated that BIDPA invested $410,000. Councilor Otis confirmed that chairs will be left out during the summer but will be stored during the winter. The park is secured with cameras throughout.
Councilor Rozek added that he would support funding for cameras to feed directly to the PD which was estimated at a total of $12,000 which including the cost of cameras at the time. Mayor Grenier asked for a vote on the furniture and Councilor Rozek moved to expend $2,500 from contingency for the furniture; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Rozek said that it is the responsibility of the city to keep its citizens safe. He agreed with former Councilor Danderson who thought the park may be used for illegal activities and it could be a threat for those who want to use it. He thought the cameras need to be live monitored to protect folks. Councilor Théberge asked if there is grant money to fund the security measure. Council members agreed that Chief Morency could speak to the topic. Chief Morency said that there may be school grants that tie in with children and safety. He will look into it.
Councilor Evans confirmed that these cameras will be monitoring the park. Chief Morency said that rules are more stringent when cameras are used to monitor motor vehicles.
PD Recommendation on Exotic Pets
Chief Morency reported that he was asked to research exotic pets as they pertain to the safety of the community. He commended the Council for insight because in his research he found that ordinances are changed after something happens. He said that there are 14 states that have banned exotic pets. There are many issues that could arise from contact with exotic animals including zoonotic diseases. Reptiles carry salmonella and it can be transmitted to humans and should not be in a park. Chief Morency felt that there are enough court cases that have been ruled on to ban pets from the parks for those reasons.
He recommended changing the existing dog ordinance that speaks to dogs in parks and adding the Fish and Game Administrative Rules section referring to exotic pets to chapter 13. Signs can be changed to “no pets allowed”. His research also revealed that we don’t know what the exotic animals need for shots or what diseases they may have or if they have been immunized. It makes those who come in contact with the animal subject to testing.
Mayor Grenier mentioned Drive in 50s on June 2 and some who bring dogs on leashes; he asked if there is a way to control the situation. Chief Morency noted that the ordinance could prevent pets from being in parks and at community events with working dogs being the exception. To a question about enforcement issues, Chief Morency said this would give the Police Department the tools needed. The proposed ordinance will be ready for first reading Monday.
Discovery Letter
Mr. MacQueen reported getting a call from Craig Malloy who proposed to do a television spot for Berlin. He said the show wants to focus on communities that could become gems; they have Terry Bradshaw as their spokesperson. The proposal is to feature the City on the Travel Channel and do 5 minutes clips that would be shown on CNN. The City is being asked to pay $20,000 to show dedication to the cause. Mr. MacQueen asked if there is interest from the Council for him to pursue. More information can be found at http://insightswithterry.com . Councilor Rozek commented that at some point in the future, we may be ready but at this time it does not fit with what Berlin has to offer. He suggested that Max Makaitis could work on something like
this in the future.
EFSEC Letter
Councilor Rozek suggested that the City send a letter signed by the Council supporting the four issues that the final hearing on Laidlaw is supposed to address. He acknowledged that many of the Council are new and he felt that a letter signed by individual councilors would send a strong message toward completion of the project.
Councilor Rozek so moved; Councilor Remillard seconded and discussion followed.
Councilor McCue expressed concern saying that very few of his constituents have changed their minds about the project and he is in a difficult position. He sees the benefits to the community but has to represent the people in Ward 2. He did not feel it was fair to the new members of the Council. He made the point that these new members were appointed by the Council and not elected, saying that appointment is not a referendum on Laidlaw. The City is on record as supporting the filing with EFSEC and the Committee wants to hear about the four amendments to the site certificate. He stated that he is disappointed that the subject has to be rehashed here. He is eager to get back to the business of making Berlin a livable community, regardless of whether there is a power plant downtown. He does not
think the letter is necessary.
Mayor Grenier established that he did not appreciate the suggestion that new members of the Council who were appointed and not elected somehow have less of a representative voice saying that is patently wrong. Councilor McCue said that his statements were in no way meant to denigrate and he apologized if it was taken that way.
Councilor Théberge indicated that the people who talk to him are in favor of Laidlaw. He said that he is in favor of writing a letter and he thought it would be sad if not unanimous. Councilor Evans asked for clarification of the motion saying that he did not know what amendments are proposed for the Laidlaw project. Mayor Grenier reported the amendments are increasing capacity from 70 to 75 megawatts; to change fuel supply contractor to Carrier rather than Cousineau Forest Products; change/transfer of certificate to Burgess Power; change in major contractors providing construction and operation services.
In the vote that followed, all Councilors with the exception of Councilor McCue voted affirmatively to send the support letter.
Budget Proposal
Mayor Grenier explained that the budget proposal he thought would raise taxes .88 per thousand actually upon review, increases taxes by .50 per thousand. Unspent funds and overages in revenues are still undetermined. He said that it is his hope to reduce taxes by .25 when all is said and done. Mr. MacQueen added that the City is looking at a positive surplus; not large but positive. To a question about how much is in unappropriated fund balance, Betty reported that once segregated funds are removed, it is likely around $2 million. Mayor Grenier confirmed that sharper figures will be available on the night that the budget is to pass.
Mayor Grenier explained that he will accept a motion for each department and he will ask for discussion after each motion. He added that for funding to go over the City Manager’s proposal, a 2/3 majority vote is needed and reducing the line items takes a majority vote. Councilor Nelson confirmed that the Council is voting to publish this budget.
Councilor McCue commented that he agrees with the goals but is concerned with cutting positions. Councilor Rozek said that he supports the Mayor’s budget and he hopes that they will find the money to fund positions. Mayor Grenier stated that the City is negotiating with several bargaining units and there is no upside to adding positions now. Positions will be considered when the budget is passed, if the money is there.
Councilor Nelson stated that she is not in favor of funding the economic development position with $15,000 unless the money is there for other city positions as well.
401 Mayor and City Council
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $47,608; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
402 Administration
Councilor Rozek moved to raise line item 01-402-121-0000 Economic Coordinator by $15,000 as proposed by the Mayor’s budget; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion was defeated with a 4/4 vote.
Councilor McCue commented that he would be in favor of putting the money back in if the three positions being cut are put back in.
Councilor Rozek moved to approve $1,085,555.86 for Administration; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
403 Elections
Mayor Grenier commented that a checklist purge is needed this year and the increase is necessary.
Councilor Rozek moved to increase line item 01 403 105 0000 Salaries Election Officials by $400; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $15,310.00 for Elections; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
404 City Hall & Other Buildings
Councilor Rozek moved to accept $45,122.22 for City Hall and Other Buildings; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
406 Property & Liability
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $176,179.00 for property liability insurance; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
407 County Tax
Councilor Rozek moved to increase the County tax to $1,400,000; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
408 Central Services.
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $218,080.00; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
410 Personnel Benefits
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $210,500.00 for Personnel Benefits; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
411 Contingency
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $9,600.00 for Contingency; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. Councilor McCue commented that the number represents a 4% reduction.
412 Outside Agencies
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $64,786.88 for Outside Agencies; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
413 Cemetery
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $11,911.48 for cemeteries; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
414 Transfer Out
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $51,770.00 for Transfer Out; Councilor Remillard seconded and the
motion carried. Mayor Grenier noted that this is grant money that comes in as revenue to the City that is sent to the sewer department
420 Police Department
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $2,845,282 for the Police Department; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
421 Fire Department
Councilor Rozek moved to reduce the following line items: 01 421-132-2000 Salaries Call Dept by $1,886 to $1,522; 01-421 135-0000 Salaries Extra Days is reduced by $31,000 to $49,104.62; 01-421-216-1000 Training Schools is reduced by $500 to $4,500; 01- 421-913-2000 New Equipment is reduced by $2,380 to $7,620; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor McCue stated that those numbers reduce the department by two current personnel. Councilor Rozek moved to accept a total fire budget and subsequently withdrew the motion.
Councilor Rozek moved for a total of $1,815,557.00 for the Fire Department; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. Councilor McCue voted against
422 Street Lighting
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $122,100 for Street Lighting; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
423 Ambulance Service
Councilor Rozek moved to publish the increase to $240,000 for Ambulance Service; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
425 Housing Coordinator
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $66,607.50 for Housing Coordinator; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried
430 Public Works
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $1,801,317.24 for Public Works; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried with Councilor McCue voting against. He commented that this eliminates two positions.
431 Engineering
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $117,211.02 for Engineering; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
436 Solid Waste
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $858,679.00 for Solid Waste; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. Councilor McCue voted against stating that one position is eliminated from solid waste.
440 Health Department
Mayor Grenier indicated that software for Medicaid billing services will be in the Capital budget rather than operating.
Councilor Rozek moved to reduce 01 440-989-0000 Medicare Computer Transition to zero; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $483,503.00 for the Health Department; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried
441 Welfare
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $119,391.80 for Welfare; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
450 Recreation & Parks
Councilor Rozek moved to increase 01-450-250-5500 Arena by $1,500 to $5,000 and 01-450-429-5500 Program Development by $500 to $1,000; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $386,182.60 for the Recreation Department; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
451 Library
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $170,362 for the Library; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried
460 School
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $16,275,124 for the School Department; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
470 Debt Service
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $1,508,262.91 for Debt Service; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
470 School Debt
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $787,779.24 for school debt; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
480 Capital Improvements
Councilor Rozek moved to reduce the storm drain account 01-480-913-0016 by 50,000 and funded by 50,000 and reduce the Housing initiative from $200,000 to $150,000; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Rozek moved to publish $386,300 for capital improvements; Councilor Remillard seconded.
Councilor Evans confirmed that capital money already appropriated is not being taken away, only new capital money.
480 School Capital
Councilor Rozek moved to reduce the line item to zero; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Mayor Grenier commented that this is what will be going to the public for a public hearing and it is a worst case scenario. He added that he can’t support a tax increase with a 10% unemployment rate in the City.
Councilor McCue thanked everyone for their work on the budget and encouraged the public to attend the budget hearing on the 25th.
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn to non-meeting; councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call. The meeting ended at 8:35 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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