Work Session
June 6, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge
Others present included: Mike Perreault, several students, Angela Martin Giroux, media and public
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm
Request to Replace Health Department Clerk
Ms Martin-Giroux made the request to replace the health department clerk explaining that this position is the clerical person for both health and welfare. She noted that this is the fourth person to move to a position with the State. Councilor Rozek asked if there is a plan in place to stop this from happening. Mayor Grenier noted that the benefits and salaries paid by the State make it attractive. Councilor Evans asked what the impact would be on operations if the position were not replaced. Ms. Martin-Giroux stated that case management in Welfare would likely suffer. Councilor Evans asked if there is another position that the functions could be rolled into and Mr. MacQueen replied that he is not aware of any. Ms. Martin-Giroux added that there used to be a clerical person for each of the two
departments, health and welfare.
Councilor Remillard moved to allow staff to replace the Health Department Secretary; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Budget Discussion
Mr. MacQueen gave an update of the changes that are expected from the public hearing budget. The total needed to restore positions and get to a flat tax rate is projected at $734,022. Mayor Grenier noted that he is meeting with Betty and Pat on Wednesday evening to review year end numbers so that positions can be restored with the ultimate goal being to reduce taxes.
He went on to say that auditors have a figure for undesignated fund balance and it would be good to help citizens by using some of the ufb to reduce taxes. Next Monday, before the budget is adopted, there will be a presentation to explain what is to be added to the budget and where the money is coming from. Mayor Grenier stated that he feels it is criminal to carry $2.6 million of fund balance when the community is hurting; it is more than needed.
Councilor Remillard confirmed that 5% to 17% is recommended and the City has over $2 million which is within that range. She added that she would hate to fall below the recommended amount.
Councilor McCue affirmed that $68,000 had been left out of the school budget for Worker’s Comp and will need to be added. The first reading of the budget resolution is this evening; the public hearing has already been held and the final reading will be next Monday at a special meeting. Mayor Grenier reiterated his plan to meet only on the first and third Mondays during the summer unless there is an emergency.
Councilor Ducharme confirmed that there would still be an opportunity to review the school budget and look at line items.
District Leachate Agreement
Mr. MacQueen explained that the City had been working with the Waste District on an attempt to deal with their leachate from the landfill. They had originally decided against going with the city and then 6 months ago decided to go with the city. The agreement covers everything the District would pay for the City to treat their leachate. There is also a draft easement for approval that would get their pipe to our plant. The agreement has been vetted by engineers, the City Attorney, District’s attorney, Mike Perreault, and Henry Noel. Mr. MacQueen asked for approval of the documents subject to final review by the City Attorney.
Mayor Grenier commented that he and Councilor McCue are representatives on the AVRRDD and recused themselves from voting at the District’s level so that they could vote on the city side. He explained some of the history stating that the EPA sent a letter to the District that their license would have to be altered to continue to use the Burgess Treatment Plant which was designed to treat 15 to 20 million gallons per day. The leachate from the landfill is a fraction of that but is strong in content. The original engineers had put together data that had the District building a new treatment plant as its best alternative to deal with the leachate. When value engineering was done, there was a finding that the data used was faulty and Mayor Grenier advocated going to the city. The District will spend only a
fraction of what it would have cost for a new plant. The City gets a new user and the District spends less capital money. The only down side is that the NPDES permit will be lost and when developing industrial sites, it is a valuable permit to have.
Councilor Rozek asked if the easement for access covers paving and Mr. MacQueen indicated that pavement would have to be patched to the condition of what it was. He added the Shelby Street is not a city street. Councilor Théberge confirmed that the easement would be for City property only. Councilor Otis questioned whether any thought had been given to fit the pipe so that in the future, both treatment plants could be combined.
Councilor Rozek moved to accept the agreement with the AVRRDD to treat the leachate coming from the Mt. Carberry Landfill subject to minor alterations the City Attorney may want to add; Councilor Otis seconded.
Councilor Rozek moved to modify his motion to include accepting the easement deed also subject to minor alterations the City Attorney may want to add; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
At 7:05 p.m. Councilor Remillard moved to go into non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2, I(b) Collective Bargaining; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call. The meeting reopened publicly at 7:15 p.m.
Other
Councilor Théberge asked about SB75 as proposed in the Senate by Senator Gallus. Mr. MacQueen explained that he had spoken with the Senator and the bill was put in to assure that part time employees are not eligible for the retirement system.
The meeting recessed until 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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