Work Session
July 18, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge. Also present: Stuart Arnett, Pamela Laflamme, Peter Morency, Brian Valerino, Dan Malone, Rene Boutin, Sue Warren, press, and public.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:40 and made the request to add a report on the upcoming ATV Festive from Dan Malone to the agenda. Councilor Rozek so moved with a second from Councilor Otis and the motion to add ATV Festival to the agenda carried.
Moving Downtown Forward – Stu Arnett
Mr. Steward Arnett clarified that he is not an attorney but the owner of Stewart Development Center, and he is working as part of a team led by HEB Engineers to look at both economic and aesthetic sides for downtown. John Wacker who is a landscaping engineer is the other team member.
Mr. Arnett stated that he will be reviewing employment and property values in the downtown as well as visiting with merchants. The meetings with business owners will be confidential and owners will be identified only by number. On September 15, there will be the second of two public forums. The first meeting was for design to outline what downtown will look like and the second forum will review the pros and cons of the business side. In early winter, the report should be complete.
Mr. Arnett stated that he worked for two four year terms as the economic development director for the North Country and as an outsider looking into Berlin; he sees that everything looks better and sounds better. It is clear that there has been progress with street signs, curbing, and parks that look nice. Mr. Arnett acknowledged the limits on a community’s ability to do a lot when its assessed values are low.
Councilor McCue stated that he is pleased that interviews will be done with individual merchants as it is great to hear their viewpoints. Mr. Arnett noted that he has a “not to exceed” contract and if two days is not enough for the interviews, he will schedule more. Mr. Arnett thanked the Council and left the meeting at this time.
To accommodate Mr. Malone and Mr. Rene Boutin from the ATV Club, Mayor Grenier moved the order of the agenda to address the ATV Festival Update.
ATV Festival Update – Dan Malone
Mr. Malone thanked the Council for allowing him time on the agenda with such short notice. He reported that last year the ATV Festival had 2500 participants over two days and the hope is to double that number. He added that the sponsorships have better than doubled. The State has been helping to prepare the course, the mud pit and the road to accommodate the sponsor trailers. There will be a food vendor; helicopter; and the mud pit has been fixed to be muddier than last year.
Mr. Malone went on to say that safety services have been notified so that Gorham ambulance will be on standby and the Sheriff’s Department will police the event. Mayor Grenier asked if enough money was raised to do a good job and Mr. Malone noted that Alliant Partnership has been helping with the sponsorships and working hard to get the job done.
There will be parking at the old Bass Shoe building, Budweiser, Knights of Columbus and municipal lots throughout the City. Councilor Rozek asked if there will be a shuttle for spectators and Mr. Malone indicated that spectators without atv’s will be allowed to park inside the park in the upper parking lot. It is anticipated that those with an ATV will ride to the event from the parking venues. Mr. Malone added that the atv’s do not have to be registered to ride but participants have to pay for a $3 admission fee to ride.
Mayor Grenier commended Mr. Malone and Mr. Boutin, as well as the ATV Club for a job well done. He said they represented the city very well.
Meeting Times for City Boards and Commissions
Mayor Grenier reported that there is an ongoing issue with volunteer boards meeting between 7 and 5 when a lot of people are working and cannot attend. The Police Commission and Water Commission have the unanimous agreement of their membership to meet between the hours of 7 and 5. The Board of Assessors has a member of the board that cannot attend during business hours and the matter is not being resolved and it is patently unfair.
Mayor Grenier proposed to remedy the situation through ordinance saying that a board can meet between the hours of 7 and 5 if the members are unanimous in their decision to do so but if there is no unanimity they would have to meet after 5:30. Mayor Grenier feared that members of the public will lose interest.
Councilor McCue commented that it is a shame to have to go through the ordinance process because the board is being less than professional. Mayor Grenier anticipated receiving resignations from the board and said that he will find someone in the community who is willing to work with the community. The proposed ordinance will have its first reading the first week of August with final passage August 15. Mayor Grenier commented that he would prefer to leave such matters to the board; however the situation is not going away on its own.
Use of CopsMore Program – Pete Morency
Pete Morency and Brian Valerino explained that the PD applied for and were one of two communities who were granted CopsMore money to put more officers on the street. The Program fully funds an officer for 3 years and the City will have to fund the position for one year. It is a tedious process to apply and it was unsure if the restrictions of the grant could be met under the current budget conditions. Funding was included in the city budget for $249,100. It is not allowed by the grant to reduce the budget and supplant with a grant; however the budget conditions were present in other departments that were cut or level funded. Chief Morency was looking for the Council to give the “go ahead” to hiring and utilizing the grant to bring another person on board.
Councilor Ducharme confirmed that the City would have to keep the person on for one year after the funding is complete. Mayor Grenier affirmed that the PD would have been one person short. Chief Morency credited the smooth operation of the Police Department with the employees who are willing to move from administration to patrol to best cover when needed.
Mr. MacQueen commented that the resolution approving the grant is likely in place and there should not be any further need for Council approval. Councilor Ducharme cautioned that additional action if there is already a vote in place could raise red flags. Mr. MacQueen noted that we would review the original resolution and move forward accordingly.
Other There was not additional business under “other”
There being no further Work Session business on the agenda, Mayor Grenier concluded the Work Session at this time.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
PUBLIC HEARING – JULY 18, 2011
Mayor Grenier opened the duly advertised public hearings at approximately 7:30 p.m. to receive public input regarding the following subject matters:
- Ordinance 2011-04 Timed Parking; with no comments, the hearing was closed at 7:30
- Ordinance 2011-05 Coos/Howland Three Way Stop; the hearing was opened at 7:30; there were no comments and the hearing was closed at 7:31
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011
Mayor Grenier called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:32 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard, Otis, McCue, Ducharme, Evans, Rozek, Nelson and Théberge. Also present: Pat MacQueen, Connie Richards, Pamela Laflamme, press and public
Minutes, Previous Meeting
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to accept the minutes of the July 5 Work Session/Regular Meeting. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims to pay all bills dated 6/30/2011 for a total cash disbursement of $2,426,956.72 Draft #1644 and bills dated 7/1-7/20/2011 for a total cash disbursement of $676,702.63 Draft #1645. Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Connie Richards, 1 Francis Street commented that she’s lived in Berlin all life. She came tonight to direct the Council’s attention to numerous safety issues at 1 Francis Street. She said that there is a blind spot to get to her home at the top of Church Street and there is hardly time to avoid parked cars; and the fire hydrant is often blocked. She said she fears for her life due to present conditions at the residence of Paul Croteau.
Ms. Richards stated that her devalued property and house will not allow her to sell due to the present conditions at Paul Croteau’s residence. It is a visible junk yard and has contaminated the once valued neighborhood. There are cars, trailers, trucks parked illegally making roadway passage a safety issue. At times the fire hydrants were blocked with an unregistered boat, boat trailer and two cars.
Ms. Richards went on to say that upon calling the police, Sargent Arsenault stated that he could not site/ticket any vehicle because it was a private road. Her further inquiries confirm that Francis Street is a city street. Ms. Richards said that there needs to be an ordinance for No Parking to be put in place as soon as possible. She further stated that Officer McClure told her that on Francis Street there was no garbage ordinance in effect. She asked that Mr. Croteau be fined and ticketed for his violations of the law and that Officers McClure and Poulin need to be educated as to the ordinances.
Mayor Grenier thanked Ms. Richards for her patience and willingness to bring the issue forward. He added that this man is breaking the law and has to be sited.
Mr. MacQueen acknowledged that this is a very difficult situation with a difficult person.
Mayor Grenier noted that he will meet with Chief Morency and the City Manager and will then meet with Ms. Richards. Ms. Richards invited all to come up and see and appreciate what she has to go through.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Council Committee Reports. There were no reports.
2. Ordinance 2011-04 Timed Parking (tabled 7/5/2011)
Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
Amend Section 15-70 through 15-71 and repeal Section 15-72 through 15-74 in their entirety of Article III Stopping Standing and Parking of Chapter 15, Traffic and Vehicles as follows:
"Sec. 15-70. Two-hour parking zones. Parking zones are established on the streets or parts of streets in this section where signs are erected permitting parking thereon for not more than two (2) hours during those hours of the day specified herein. The provisions of this section wherein the duration of parking is regulated, shall apply between the hours of 8:00 a.m., to 6:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday. The provisions of this section shall not apply to holidays and shall not apply where posted otherwise pursuant to ordinance. Parking is prohibited at all times in any crosswalk or pedestrian area.
Exchange Street, both sides, from Pleasant Street to the crosswalk at Green Square.
Main Street, from Green Square to the intersection of High Street, on both sides of said streets; thence along the southerly side of High Street to Pleasant Street.
Mechanic Street, both sides.
Pleasant Street, both sides, from the intersection of Main Street to the intersection of Diana Street except for the section of Pleasant Street on the west side from Green Street to Mt. Forist.
East Mason Street, south side between Burgess and Champlain Streets.
Glen Avenue, east side from the southern border of 5 Glen Avenue (Map 118; Lot 113) to the northern border of 5 Glen Avenue.
Sec. 15-71. Fifteen-minute parking zones.
(a) There are hereby established fifteen-minute parking zones as follows:
Main Street, west side, in front of the premises located at 737 Main Street.
Green Street, from Gilbert Street to corner of First Avenue, south side.
Pleasant Street, west side, one parking space in front of 283 Pleasant Street."
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to remove the ordinance from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to have the ordinance read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to have the ordinance read a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to pass the ordinance. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Grenier declared the ordinance now passed.
3. Ordinance 2011-05 Coos/Howland Three Way Stop (tabled 7/5/2011)
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Berlin, as follows:
Sec. 15-33. Stop intersections.
Any person operating a vehicle on a street upon which a stop sign has been placed by authority of the mayor and city council shall bring such vehicle to a complete stop before crossing the line of pedestrian traffic on such street. The following streets and squares are designated as stop streets:
Howland Street at the intersection of Coos Street in both directions
Sec. 15-33 a. Three Way Stop intersections.
Howland Street at the intersection of Coos Street
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to remove the ordinance from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to have the ordinance read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to have the ordinance read a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to pass the ordinance. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Grenier declared the ordinance now passed.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Resolution 2011-26 Laura Lee Viger Community Gardens (1st read)
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Otis to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on August 1, 2011. So moved, the motion carried.
5. Communication from Community Bible Academy Requesting Crosswalk
In a letter signed by Marshall Santy, the Community Bible Church is requesting a crosswalk across Sullivan Street to the playground across the street.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to accept the communication and refer it to the Traffic Safety Committee for recommendation. So moved, the motion carried.
6. City Manager’s Report
Fire Department Integrated Alarm Monitoring System
The Contract for this new system has been completed by the Contractor George B. Allen in the amount of $51,950. This old mechanical system alarm monitoring system was failing and has been replaced by an up to date digital monitoring system for the Department.
Police Emergency Generator
The contract to replace the emergency generator system at the Police Department is complete. The Contractor was Pow'r Point Generators from Oquossoc, Maine. The work is being funded by a grant through the State from the Dept. of Homeland Security in the amount of $51,890.
Housing Coordinator Position
I am happy to report that after two attempts to fill the position, Linda White has been hired for the Housing Coordinator position to replace Andre Caron. Linda, who is from Colebrook, has significant experience in management, managing multiple programs and building renovation and we expect is well equipped to carry on the program. She will start this Wednesday.
We first hired Andre into the position in 2004 and he has had incredible success at developing and implementing the City's overall program for removing the sub-standard surplus housing stock in Berlin, and along the way, the renovation of many houses and neighborhoods in Berlin, not to mention assistance with IT and phone systems. Linda will be continuing the housing work with the benefit of Andre's guidance and with the same goal of eliminating the surplus of substandard housing in the City, and Andre will be reducing his role to finishing out old programs and providing some consultation. Linda has big shoes to fill, and I don't believe I can overstate the debt the City owes to Andre for his very productive and successful service to the City he grew up in.
WWTF Letter of Deficiency
NHDES makes regular inspections of the WWTF each year. From time to time they find matters that can be improved, changed or corrected. Attached is a letter of deficiency dated June 6, 2011, the response from PWD Director Michael Perreault dated July 6, 2011, indicating the steps we are taking to correct the concern and finally the acknowledgement letter from NHDES dated July 12, 2011 acknowledging Berlin's actions and finding the matter resolved.
Unemployment Statistics
Attached is an unemployment statistics sheet from the NH EMLI which shows that the Berlin area not surprisingly in May had the highest unemployment rate in the State of New Hampshire. In terms of just municipalities, that honor went to Lincoln which had a rate of 10.2% vs. Berlin's of 8.4%. Our rate is still almost 60% above that of cities like Manchester and Nashua and even Claremont, Franklin and Somersworth.
Berlin Better Buildings
Attached are two fliers announcing energy workshops aimed at educating the Berlin Public about how they can better deal with energy issues in their homes and businesses. The first of these seminars for which an RSVP is required is providing for a free lunch to go along with the one hour seminar from 11:30am to 12:30pm this Wednesday, July 20th, at the T-Bird's building on Main Street which is where the Better Buildings Office is located. The second one is scheduled for this Thursday in the City Hall auditorium and is aimed at local businesses.
National Forest PILT
Attached is a letter from the US Secretary of the Interior notifying us of this year's (FY11) PILT payment for the National Forest which is located in Berlin and takes up close to half of our geographic area. The amount of this payment will be $39,240 which is a little under the amount we budgeted this year of $41,500. Don't worry that they refer to us as a County. They do that every year…
Farmer's Market
The Farmer's Market sponsored by WREN continues in its second year with a great following each week. Mechanic Street is literally filled with people taking advantage of the market each Thursday evening.
Legislative Matters
Budget: The State passed its budget (HB 1 and 2) by super majorities in the House and Senate. The Governor let it go without his signature. Beyond the obvious impacts of the freeze on Meals and Rooms Distributions, the reduction in Highway Block, the retirement system changes, it will take some time to assess the impact of this budget in the area of human services and the reductions to the HHS budget. Some of that will certainly end up falling on municipalities as the provider of last resort, but we will not know this until we experience it.
Some of the other state budget changes which may affect us are:
• Reduction of staff at the Department of Revenue Administration.
• Reduction of staff and cuts in grants at the Officer of Energy and Planning for land use board training and regional planning committees.
• Diversion of money from the vital records improvement fund to the state general fund.
• Elimination of grant funding for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP).
• Continuation of the suspension of RSA 167:11 relative to funeral expenses for recipients of public assistance.
• Reduction in flood control reimbursements to municipalities.
• Reduction from four to three members of the Board of Land and Tax Appeals and repeal of the requirement that at least one member be an attorney.
• Merging of the functions of the Equalization and Assessing Standards Boards.
Pole Tax Exemption is finally Dead: It appears that the pole tax exemption (SB 133) is finally dead after many years of municipalities trying to get the legislature to do the right thing and get rid of it. Now we will need to begin the assessment of poles and conduit for tax purposes.
Manager's Time-Keeping
Attached.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Théberge to accept the Manager’s Report and place on file. So moved, the motion carried.
7. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Grenier confirmed that City Auditor would be coming in August to do the City audit and he asked for a preliminary report.
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Otis to accept the Mayor’s report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
8. Public Comments There were no public comments.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor McCue commented that he is pleased to see the art work in the lobby.
He further stated that the City owes Andre Caron a great debt and he would like to do some acknowledgement of his efforts. He wished Andre’s successor well. Mayor Grenier suggested a plaque.
Councilor Rozek asked about the tie in of work between PWD’s I and I work and that of the Water Works on Route 16. Mr. MacQueen responded that the work is not scheduled yet but it is intended to coordinate the street opening. Councilor Rozek asked what street areas would be involved and Mr. MacQueen replied that the work is in the area of McGee Street; he also confirmed the work is expected to be done before frost.
Councilor Rozek mentioned that the North Woods Off Road Club used to put on the Stump the Hummer event. The group has made Councilor Rozek aware that that they would like to re-establish the event. They suggested the northern area of the NADC property as a venue for this non-speed event. Councilor Rozek suggested that the event could be held in conjunction with a Heritage Park promotional weekend. The site has accessibility for parking and viewing. Council members conceded that it is a good event and that the club should request the necessary permissions from the land owners.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business before the Mayor and Council at this time, Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Rozek to adjourn the meeting. So moved, Mayor Grenier declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
A true record attest,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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