Work Session
May 16, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge
Others Present: Pete Morency, Betty Domino, Dick Lafleur, Max Makaitis, Dori Ducharme, Mike Perreault, Paul Blais, students, media and public
Ward II City Council Interviews
Mayor Grenier explained that voting for candidates can be done by ballot as long as the vote is affirmed publicly. Councilor Evans said that he will accept whatever the Council goes with; however he feels that transparency of government and how things are done is very important. He added that voting for friends and neighbors publicly is uncomfortable but he feels it is necessary to achieve the level of transparency for open government.
The consensus of the Council was to vote by secret ballot and then move and affirm the person selected.
Mayor Grenier introduced two wonderful candidates who have applied to serve until January, Dori Ducharme and Richard Lafleur
Dori Ducharme, 398 Willard Street
Mayor Grenier asked Ms. Ducharme to tell a little about herself and she indicated that she was not born and raised in Berlin; her father was in the military and her family vacationed in NH. In 2003 she relocated her family this way because she can’t stand tornadoes. She took a position at CAP in Berlin and originally lived in Intervale and commuted. In 2005 she bought a house on Willard Street. Ms. Ducharme stated that she is married to Marc Ducharme and has five children with four in the Berlin school system.
She is on the AVER Board and has worked with Heritage Park and the Chamber of Commerce. She has served on Leadership NH and went through leadership North Country. She was chosen by NH Business Magazine as a 40 under 40. As the CFO of CAP she is aware of community needs.
Mayor Grenier asked what else Ms. Ducharme has done for work and she noted her first job in NH was at the accounting firm of Dineen and Craig and from there, she went to CAP. Her children range in ages from six to fifteen and she has one in high school, jr, high, middle school and elementary. Councilor Remillard commented on the busy schedule and asked how the Council seat will fit in. Ms. Ducharme assured that she is willing to make the investment and has it under control.
Mayor Grenier asked if not selected, would she be willing to serve in another capacity of government and would she consider running for election in November. Ms. Ducharme commented that she is a team player and would be interested in running in January as well as in other positions.
Councilor Théberge asked about Ms. Ducharme’s opinion on Laidlaw and she said that she is for it because jobs are important to the area.
Councilor Rozek asked, what positive attributes could she bring to the City Council? Ms. Ducharme responded that her profession of accounting makes her aware of budgets and budget constraints; she is willing to collaborate, and is a team player. Councilor Rozek asked if there is a tough question, and her view is in the minority of the Council, would she change to go with the majority? Ms. Ducharme replied that she would listen to the reasoning to form an opinion but would never vote just to go with the majority. Councilor Rozek confirmed that Ms. Ducharme is conservative with spending. Councilor Rozek asked if there are specific issues that Ms. Ducharme wants to work on and she responded that she just wants to be involved.
Councilor McCue thanked Ms. Ducharme for putting her hat in the ring and for her work with CAP.
Councilor Nelson asked if Ms. Ducharme has reviewed the budget and she answered that she has not reviewed it in detail; however the Council has done due diligence.
Richard Lafleur, 400 High Street
Mr. Lafleur indicated to the Council that he was born, raised and educated in Berlin and he was part of the first graduating class of what is now White Mountain Community College in 1968. He was in the National Guard and retired from Verizon. He served on the City Council for 11 years. He said he’s been married to Linda for 41 years and has two grown daughters.
Mayor Grenier asked why Mr. Lafleur wants to come back. He replied that he misses doing for the public adding that he is known in the community and still gets questions. He misses educating the public. Mayor Grenier asked if Mr. Lafleur would serve in some other capacity if not chosen for Council and also asked if he would run for office in November. Mr. Lafleur agreed to both saying that he feels strongly about his community.
Mr. Lafleur said that he is a proponent of industry and infrastructure. Councilor Nelson asked if Mr. Lafleur had reviewed the budget. He replied that he reviewed what was published and is eager to hear what the public has to say about it.
Councilor Rozek asked Mr. Lafleur, in his observations, what is the Council doing wrong or right. Mr. Lafleur answered that is it not for one individual to say; the Council is working together to come to a common point. Councilor Rozek commented that the schools took a cut in their budget and he asked how Mr. Lafleur felt about that. Mr. Lafleur said that there is an elected school board and we have to work with the administration and school board and agree with a direction. It is important to work with the board to keep education and keep the talent that graduates from our schools.
That concluded the interviews and Council members were asked to vote for their choice of candidates. Mayor Grenier announced a 7/1 vote in favor of Ms. Ducharme. Councilor Rozek moved to affirm the vote; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried.
Ms. Ducharme was sworn in by City Clerk Debra Patrick.
Ordinance Prohibiting Pets in Parks Discussion
Chief Morency said that he was asked to come up with language that would prevent exotic pets such as snakes from events and city parks. Language changes were made and reviewed. Chief Morency said that the City Clerk suggested removing the specific listing of parks and Councilors agreed that was the better option.
The language was revised to include “all city property” and will be read that way for first reading. Councilor McCue commented that he liked the reference to both State statute and the Fish and Game regulations.
Councilor Rozek asked Chief Morency about the cost for cameras for Bickford Park. The Chief noted that he has looked into school grants and perhaps another grant source as well. Councilor Ducharme affirmed that the source is the Department of Justice.
Councilor Evans mentioned that it may be nice to have an exception that would allow dogs in one park.
Payroll Clerk Position Request
In a memo to the Council, Betty Domino reported that the City’s Payroll Clerk has given notice and has taken a job with the State effective at the end of this month. Her new position will pay $1 more per hour and the health insurance employee contribution is less, amounting to take home pay of $100 more.
Councilor Otis asked if there is a lot of cost in retraining and Ms. Domino noted that it is mostly time. Councilor Ducharme asked if a portion of the payroll work could be outsourced and Ms. Domino reported that she is going to get a proposal from Northway Bank to do that. Ms. Domino is asking to rehire for the position.
Councilor McCue moved to approve replacing the payroll clerk; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Review of Park Inventory
Mayor Grenier asked that this item be reviewed at the next work session.
College Field Discussion
Mr. MacQueen reported that in November of 2010 he came to the Council regarding a Parks and Recreation project that went over budget and did not go through the sealed bid process. He said that it is a project that got away from us and it will not happen again. He asked the Council to waive the bidding requirements for this project. Mayor Grenier added that the reason for getting approval is that not getting the approval will end up as a black mark on the city’s audit. He added that the operating budget will offset the additional cost of the project. Councilor Evans said that the Council has voted not to grant the waiver and Mr. MacQueen clarified that he is asking for reconsideration.
Councilor McCue asked why the city maintains the college field Paul Blais confirmed that there is a shortage of fields for high school soccer practices. Councilor Ducharme asked if there is a policy and procedure in place and Mr. MacQueen affirmed that the purchasing policy is in the City Code. Councilor Ducharme agreed that it would be good to do a waiver. Mayor Grenier noted that this fell through the cracks and did not go through a formalized bid process. He added that the last time the request was made of the Council; it was uncertain whether there would be enough money in the budget to cover the overage. Councilor McCue made it clear that he could support the waiver in this instance and only for this one time.
Councilor Nelson moved to waive the bidding requirements of the purchasing policy on the work done on the college field; Councilor McCue seconded the motion carried unanimously.
Larry Richards Art Display Discussion
Mayor Grenier mentioned that Councilor Remillard was approached by Larry Richards about putting an art display in the City Hall lobby commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The art work is 4 x 4 and would be displayed from 7/1 through 9/11.
There was some question about whether there is room in the lobby and Councilor McCue suggested checking with the Fire Department to be sure.
Councilor Rozek moved to allow the art work to be displayed from 7/4 to 9/15; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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