September 6, 2011
Work Session
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Rozek, Remillard, McCue, Evans, Ducharme, Théberge, Nelson, and Otis
Others present were: Andre Caron, Roland Viens, Lucien Langlois, Corinne Cascadden, Nicole Plourde, Pamela Laflamme, Linda White
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. He asked that “Francis Street Recommendation” be added to the agenda. Councilor Rozek so moved; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Regionalization Discussion Forums
Corinne Cascadden, Nicole Plourde presented a brief report on enrollment that stated K-12 on opening day of school was 1280 with 252 employees. That is the lowest in the last five years shown. It was noted that the schools downsized employees based on the decrease.
Ms. Cascadden explained that SAU 3 and SAU 20 were successful in getting a Tillotson grant to gather citizen input regarding regionalization of schools in the Valley. Two outside facilitators were hired to lead public forums and summarize their findings in two debriefing sessions for the public in October, one at BHS and one at GHS. These forums are meant to gather information with no pre-conceived notions on the outcome. SAU 20 and BHS have collaborated to follow the same calendar and have similar bell schedules so that students can benefit from each school’s programs.
Ms. Plourde reported the discussion at the school board in the past has centered around dependent and independent school systems with Berlin being a dependent and most local towns have independent districts. Towns have not necessarily wanted to join if the City can have final say on the school budget. Ms. Cascadden pointed out that there has been movement from other communities in both directions.
She reported progress with Berlin and Gorham working on joining sports teams to achieve numbers; however sports are governed by the State Associations and they have not looked favorably on the idea. The exception to that is a new girl’s hockey team from Berlin High and Gorham High that will be starting this year. in the spirit of cooperation, Berlin and Gorham administrative units will meet to discuss best practices.
Ms. Cascadden made the point that the City Manger did research outlining the different forms of school administration with SAU; Cooperative school districts; regional schools and each organization has it own governing structure, and it is all very complicated. The State Department of Education has advised regionalization should not be done to save money. Ms. Plourde established that it is not acceptable to put a B division student in an upper level class so it is the brightest students that suffer when not enough can be offered. She asked what Berlin has to gain by working with others and one of the reasons is to offer as much as possible to the students.
Mayor Grenier commented that the public should be given the opportunity to weigh in before the elected officials give their opinion. The idea is to maximize the education money in the valley. Ms. Plourde added that the key is to work together. She asked what the process would to overcome the issue with Berlin being a dependent school system, saying that as long as we remain dependent, regionalization will not be as viable.
Mayor Grenier stressed the importance of working within existing political structures. Councilor McCue commented that in an independent school district, whoever shows up at the school meeting decides its budget. In our way there are two representative bodies weighing in on the process and it is governed by the City Charter.
Councilor Rozek indicated that he was on the School Board 15 years ago and the issues were much the same. Children can only learn with interaction with professionals which costs money. He added that consolidation does not mean building a new school; we have tools here to work with and we should work with what we have. He said, we are not moving out but others can move in.
Councilor Rozek questioned whether there would be room for additional students when the prison opens and Ms. Cascadden reported that the high school was built for 1,000 students and there are less 500 there.
Councilor Remillard asked if we know what the benefits of regionalization are to Berlin. It seems that it would be more beneficial to others to consolidate with the number of students they have. Ms. Cascadden replied that we will have to wait and see what comes from public input. We have to collect information and decide at what price are we willing to put this together. Mayor Grenier commented that regionalization has to work within the existing structure to the benefit of the valley adding that he would not want to do all this work and have to count on a charter change to move forward.
Ms. Plourde added that each community would have to vote to agree on regionalization. Mayor Grenier encouraged all to attend the upcoming forums.
School Bus Garage Discussion
Ms. Cascadden established that the long term goal of the schools is to build a bus garage behind the high school. Keeping sights on having a biomass boiler, there would need to be an access road created. The dirt parking lot adjacent to the high school came into question as a possibility for a two bay garage. She added that the neighbor would prefer buses than having students parking there.
The schools currently pay rent to have a bus garage. Ms. Cascadden added that she will ask a staff person to do a cost analysis and if there is no financial gain, there is no point in doing. Mayor Grenier noted that there would likely be a problem if students are parking in front of people’s homes. Ms. Cascadden concluded by saying she brought it up because she wanted some feedback on the idea. Ms. Plourde and Ms. Cascadden left the meeting at this time.
Contract for Phase II Study of Dummer Yard
Andre Caron reported to the Council that the scope and size of Dummer Yard has been unused for over a decade. The City has not tax deeded because of possible contamination. He’s been working with NHDES to find a solution so that the city can take over a usable property by tax deed. Through funding available from the North Country Council a Phase I environmental study was done on the property and DES has done greater research to dig out what the history is.
The studies done so far have brought up more issues bringing into question a waste area that was set up years ago that should be tested for heavy metals. Working with DES, they can fund $90,000 of a $120,000 study for wells and testing around the garage for pcb’s, oils, and other contaminants in an all inclusive study. The study would look at the contaminated area as well to see what could be done with the property. Mr. Caron asked if the Council would consider the use of existing budget demolition funds for the remaining $30,000 needed to complete the study. He added that this is the largest piece of land left in the city for future development.
Mr. MacQueen indicated that the belief is that 1/3 of the property is landfill and 2/3 has remained untouched; however the study is needed to confirm. He sees this as an opportunity to spend $30,000 of demo money and get a Phase II study worth $120,000. The City could end up with the property and not know what the liabilities are. He asked for the authority to sign the agreement.
Councilor Remillard asked what would be sacrificed and Mr. Caron responded it would be the demolition of one house. Councilor Ducharme asked if it costs more, is there additional money and Mr. Caron indicated that the scope of the project would be cut to fit the funding. Councilor Théberge confirmed that the garage on the property is privately owned. Mr. Caron noted that the City is a beneficial benefactor and not contributor to any contaminants.
Councilor McCue questioned whether there would be money next year to demo the one less house that would be done because the money is being used for a study. Mr. Caron noted that the City has just been awarded NSP 3 funds and there is $200,000 there for demolition.
In the contract, the city is agreeing to be the generator of hazardous waste so that the waste document goes to the city. We are doing necessary exploratory work prior to tax deeding a property pursuant to RSA 80:19 a. and examining what liabilities we are opening ourselves to. Mr. MacQueen established that the property was never acquired by Fraser; it was abandoned land through bankruptcy. What we propose is doing this work with DES to determine what liabilities can be identified and known.
Councilor McCue affirmed that NADC acquired the building and the building may have a covenant not to sue; however none of the land has this covenant. Mayor Grenier confirmed with the Council that Roland Viens could offer pertinent information and there was no objection to having him speak. Mr. Viens stated that the Water Works’ attorney went through the process of taking the property out of abandonment so that an easement could be created and it was then re-abandoned.
Councilor Rozek concluded that if the study is not done, we can’t move forward on this property and we could get stuck with it. Councilor Rozek moved to allow GZA to proceed with a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried.
White Mountain Suites Request for P & S Extension
Mr. Caron reported that the Binette’s need the additional time to complete their financing. They have applied for an energy loan and then bank financing. They have availed themselves of the SBA and developed a business plan. Councilor McCue commented that, given the progress made, he has no problem extending the p & s. He questioned whether it should be extended to December 31 and Councilor Remillard voiced her preference to honor the request and extend to November 15. Councilor Rozek moved to extend the purchase and sale agreement on Bartlett School to November 15, 2011; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Land and House Sales
Mr. Caron came forward with recommendations for properties at 349 Burgess Street and 240 Grafton Street. Ms. White explained that there is also a small piece of land that is landlocked and it could be merged with the 349 Burgess St. piece. Councilor McCue affirmed that the requirement to merge the acquired parcel with the abutter’s own abutting property still stands.
Councilor Rozek moved that the City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions as indicated for each property or take the appropriate action as otherwise indicated:
Map/Lot 130-0278.0000, 349 Burgess Street: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable with 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will be subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Map/Lot 130-0277.0000, Land Burgess Street: This parcel will be merged with M/L 130/278 and sold as one entity and the minimum bid request being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses.
Map/Lot 130-124.0000, 290 Grafton Street: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable within 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will subject to a reverter if the conditions of sale are not met.
Councilor Remillard seconded. In discussion, Councilor McCue confirmed that the right to reverter would be put on the piece with the house; the Burgess Street properties will be merged prior to going out to bid. In the vote that followed, the motion was unanimously approved.
Other - Francis Street
Mr. MacQueen recommended that the issue on Francis Street should be referred to traffic safety. He stated that Police and Fire will suggest fire lanes. Councilor Nelson moved to refer to Traffic Safety; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried.
Mr. MacQueen noted that there are several similar areas in the City and there is a proposed city wide solution by Police and Fire and the traffic safety committee’s input is requested
Non-Meeting & Non-Public Session
Councilor Nelson moved to go into Non-Meeting per RSA 91-A:2, I(b) Collective Bargaining and Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3II (a) The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interest are adverse to those of the general community; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to seal the minutes as divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the body or agency itself, or render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
There being no further business in the work session, Mayor Grenier moved on to the Regular meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
