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Work Session
June 13, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Rozek, Remillard, McCue, Otis, Théberge, Evans, and Nelson; Councilor Ducharme was absent.
Others Present: Randall Trull, Thadeus Solstice, Corinne Cascadden, Rene Boutin, Bryan Lamirande, Betty Domino, media and public
Mayor Grenier welcomed all and stated that the meeting would move to the main floor for the budget.
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Request from ATV Club for Contribution to ATV Festival
Mayor Grenier introduced Rene Boutin from the ATV Club. Mr. Boutin stated that he has been busy garnering support for the upcoming ATV Festival. He explained that the festival was well received last year and there was grant money to do the mud race. The group needs $16,000 to put on the mud race at the festival and so far $6,500 has been raised from Can Am and $1140 has been raised by visiting businesses. Councilor Théberge suggested that other dealers such as Polaris could be asked to participate.
Councilor Remillard noted that a $500 request is very reasonable and she moved to contribute $500 from contingency as requested; Councilor McCue seconded. In discussion Councilor Nelson said that she would not be opposed to $1,000. Councilor Remillard withdrew her previous motion; Councilor McCue seconded and subsequently Councilor Remillard moved to contribute $1000 to the ATV Festival; Councilor McCue seconded.
In additional discussion, Councilor Evans asked what the money would be used for. Mr. Boutin reported that it would go toward the costs associated with putting on the festival such as generators, security, porta- potties, etc.
Councilor Rozek said that last year’s event drew a crowd and was an overwhelming success. This makes the City visible in a good light. He noted that we should do what we can to promote the park. He said that he would not be opposed to contributing more. Councilor McCue noted that he is comfortable at $1,000 and if we contribute to this, what about the next event? Other groups will look to the city for funding their events. Mayor Grenier commented that there are no State funds and no professional staff to help with this year’s event. He said that he would like a report back as to how the money was spent. This is not a donation but helping promote the City.
Mayor Grenier suggested that after the festival, the group organize a committee to see what went well and what did not and then take 12 months to plan the next festival. This is a group of well intended citizens that are not professional fundraisers and they need to be supported.
Councilor Remillard amended her motion to contribute $2,000; Councilor McCue seconded. In further discussion Councilor Evans asked if there is an intention to generate revenue at the festival. Mr. Boutin stated that they will charge $3 that will offset some of the cost and they will hand out bracelets to get an accurate count of participants. Councilor Otis asked if the City could get recognition acknowledging their support and Mr. Boutin asked to get a copy of what should be printed. Councilor McCue clarified that the City is not running the event
In the vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Request from Schools for Funds from the Sale of Surplus
Ms. Cascadden explained that school closings have resulted in a stockpile of discarded items that need to be removed from the schools. A list of what is good has been put together and the items have been offered to city departments and non-profits. Scrap metal was put aside and one bin has been sold. The idea is to sell the unwanted items at a yard sale or auction and to use the money generated for a sound system for the auditorium.
Mayor Grenier indicated that he doesn’t want to break creativity. Councilor Rozek noted that the schools should be commended for cleaning out the educational debris so that they can use the heated space for something else. They should be able to keep the money generated.
Councilor Otis said that he is familiar with the existing sound system at the Jr. High and he asked if it could be transferred to City Hall for events. Mr. MacQueen indicated that the system could be used elsewhere; however it would not likely work at City Hall because the acoustics are not good.
Councilor Nelson moved to sell surplus school property and to appropriate the revenue generated for a sound system in the Jr. High auditorium; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Budget Resolution Discussion
Mayor Grenier reported that the proposed budget with amendments meets the Council’s goal, reduces taxes by .25 and maintains $2.3 million in Unappropriated Fund Balance (UFB). Mr. MacQueen went over the changes made from the published budget. There are adjustments and corrections proposed and revenue from the Laidlaw PILT is still unknown as are solid retirement cost amounts. Mr. MacQueen noted that the deputy clerk could go for training at a cost of $400 and become a certified clerk and that was not in the published budget. $50,000 was added to the county tax. Mayor Grenier stated that he added paving the school lot across from Brown School.
Mayor Grenier stated that 4.5 positions would be restored at a cost of $272,000. This budget uses funds from the proposed surplus and some from the unappropriated fund balance to reduce the tax rate by .25 to $31.45. This proposal still leaves $2.3 million in the UFB. Mayor Grenier thanked the school board and school administration for turning back $275,000 saying that the difference is smart, hard management in the school system.
Councilor Evans clarified that at this year’s year end the UFB is $2.65 million, of which $342,000 in addition to the $940,000 of surplus is being used to reduce taxes. Councilor McCue confirmed that there is not much change expected from assessments this year.
Councilor Rozek said that the city manager and Mayor have done a fantastic job of cooperation; this is a terrific opportunity to drop the tax rate and he fully supports it. Mr. MacQueen acknowledged the late hours that Betty Domino has been putting in and thanked her. Mayor Grenier proposed that if there is a general consensus to the changes, the entire budget can be passed with the 2/3 vote that is needed. Councilor McCue asked about the economic development contract with CAP that was proposed at $15,000
Councilors conceded that it should be added to the budget with a request for quarterly updates from the economic director. Councilor Nelson noted that a monthly activity report to the BIDPA board was provided by the previous director and Max should let the BIDPA board know what is happening.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011
Mayor Grenier called the Special Meeting to order at approximately 7:45 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Remillard, Otis, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson and Théberge; Councilor Ducharme was absent. Also present: Pat MacQueen, Elizabeth Domino, IAFF Local 1088 members, Terry Letarte, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, media and public.
Resolution 2011-20-R1 Budget 2012
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to remove Resolution 2011-20 from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to amend Resolution 2011-20 as proposed; so moved, the motion carried.
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows:
That the following budget be adopted and accordingly, the sum of Thirty-Eight Million, Forty-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred Eighty-Three Dollars ($38,049,783.00) be appropriated to defray the expenses of Berlin’s City Government for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, less expected revenues, with the balance to be raised by taxation on real estate of the municipality
ACCT. NO. |
ACCOUNT TITLE |
FY2011 |
FY2012 |
01-401 |
Mayor and City Council |
47,608 |
47,608 |
01-402 |
Administration |
1,130,231 |
1,085,556
1,119,802 |
01-403 |
Elections |
15,200 |
15,310 |
01-404 |
City Hall & Other Bldgs |
49,368 |
45,122
53,122 |
01-406 |
Insurance |
179,062 |
176,179 |
01-408 |
Central Services |
334,080 |
218,080
249,580 |
01-409 |
Exemptions and Abatements |
- |
- |
01-410 |
Personnel Insurance Benefits |
140,151 |
210,500
306,500 |
01-411 |
Contingency |
10,000 |
9,600 |
01-412 |
Outside Agencies |
67,089 |
64,787 |
01-413 |
Cemetery |
15,289 |
11,911 |
|
Total General Government |
1,988,078 |
1,884,653
2,054,400 |
|
|
|
|
01-420 |
Police Department |
2,729,052 |
2,845,282
2,768,774 |
01-421 |
Fire Department |
1,928,495 |
1,815,202
1,952,996 |
01-422 |
Street Lighting |
122,100 |
122,100 |
01-423 |
Ambulance Service |
234,000 |
240,000 |
|
Total Public Safety |
5,013,647 |
5,022,584
5,083,870 |
|
|
|
|
01-425 |
Housing Coordinator |
41,696 |
66,608 |
|
Total Housing Coordinator |
41,696 |
66,608 |
|
|
|
|
01-430 |
Public Works Department |
1 ,824,815 |
1,801,317
1,821,013 |
01-431 |
Engineering |
104,100 |
117,211 |
01-436 |
Solid Waste |
955,287 |
858,679
898,980 |
|
Total Public Works Services |
2,884,202 |
2,777,207
2,837,204 |
|
|
|
|
01-440 |
Health |
531,574 |
483,503
519,135 |
01-441 |
Welfare |
124,367 |
119,392
85,881 |
01-450 |
Recreation & Parks |
399,816 |
386,182
378,771 |
01-451 |
Library |
177,472 |
170,362
171,862 |
|
Total Community Services |
1,233,229 |
1,159,439
1,155,649 |
|
|
|
|
01-470 |
Debt Service |
1,933,696 |
1,508,263 |
01-480 |
City Capital Improvement Projects |
534,000 |
386,300 |
|
Total Debt, Capital Improvement Projects |
1,467,696 |
1,894,563 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total City General Fund Approp. |
13,628,549 |
12,805,054
13,092,293 |
|
|
|
|
01-460 |
School |
15,775,124 |
16,275,124
16,311,124 |
01-470 |
School Debt |
791,948 |
787,779 |
01-461 |
School Capital Improvement Projects |
22,000 |
0
23,400 |
|
Total School General Fund Approp. |
16,589,072 |
17,062,903
17,122,303 |
|
|
|
|
01-407 |
County Tax |
1,305,955 |
1,400,000
1,450,000 |
|
Total County Tax Appropriation |
1,305,955 |
1,400,000
1,450,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer Out - Sewer Fund Grant |
|
51,770 |
01-414 |
Transfer Out |
- |
51,770 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total City General Fund Budget |
31,523,576 |
31,319,727
31,716,366 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other City Funds |
|
|
10-405 |
School Grants/Donations |
182,281 |
182,281
36,285 |
10-479 |
School Education Grants |
2,631,307 |
1,992,658
2,342,596 |
11-464 |
School Food Services |
670,800 |
700,000 |
13-400 |
Trust Funds |
- |
- |
13-468 |
Recreation Activity Fund |
32,000 |
32,000 |
21-400 |
BIDPA Fund |
555,311 |
514,742 |
30-400 |
Grant Fund |
100,383 |
254,485
395,187 |
31-400 |
Neighborhood Stabilization Fund |
37,678 |
37,678 |
59-400 |
CDBG |
- |
- |
60-432 |
Sewer Fund |
1 ,573,237 |
1,819,433
1,793,180 |
63-437 |
Cates Hill Landfill |
10,000 |
10,000 |
64-400 |
Mt. Carberry Landfill |
~ |
548 |
65-434 |
Airport Fund |
185,127 |
460,907
461,907 |
66-100 |
District Court Fund |
18,567 |
8,294
9,294 |
|
Total Other City Funds Budget |
5,996,691 |
6,013,026
6,333,417 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CITY BUDGET |
37,520,267 |
37,332,753 38,049,783
|
This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to have the second reading of Resolution 2011-20 as amended. Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to have the third and final reading of the resolution as amended. Councilor Nelson with a second from Councilor Remillard moved to pass Resolution 2011-20 as amended. The motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Mayor Grenier recognized each council member for their work on the budget saying that there are a lot of hours involved and all are to be commended for their hard work.
Adjournment
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn with a second from Councilor Evans. So moved, the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:54 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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