Work Session
September 12, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Rozek, Remillard, Théberge, McCue, Ducharme, Otis, Nelson; Councilor Evans was absent
Others present: Debra Patrick, Walter Nadeau, Mike Perreault, Ray Daigle, Civics Class students, media and public.
Moffet House Support Letter Request – Walter Nadeau
Mr. Nadeau explained an event that would bring 33 Arabian horses to Berlin to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of Maynesboro Stud Farm by W. R. Brown in 1912. The name is still synonymous with the lineage that was developed in Berlin.
The event would be an endurance horse ride over 2 days, 50 miles per day and the last day is a recreational ride. Riders accumulate points and at the end of the season a winner is named. There is grant money available to host such an event and it will be a teaching opportunity as well as a riding experience. Mr. Brown was the first to create a partnership to save the paper mill in the 1930’s between the State, Federal government and private; however he had to sell the stud farm.
The tentative plan is to hold the races in existing ATV/snowmachine trails with the horses starting at the high school and while the contest is going on there would be equestrian educational programs at the schools including the community college, St. Kieran Center for the Arts and others. There would be a parade of horses downtown. If the event is successful, it could be done every other year or so.
Mr. Nadeau indicated that he would be looking for a letter of support from the City to help get grant money. BIDPA or the City would be asked to mow the grass on seven to eight acres of field at the Brown Company barns. The event would begin with an opening ceremony dinner at the Chalet.
Councilor Rozek confirmed that there is enough room at the industrial park and Mr. Nadeau indicated that not all the landowners have been contacted but there is more than enough land available. Councilor Théberge asked if the race track is still active and Mr. Nadeau stated that it is not as there is hay harvested there. Mayor Grenier affirmed the City’s support and said that he or the City Manager could sign a letter of support on behalf of the city whenever needed. Mr. Nadeau and Mr. Daigle left the meeting at this time.
Ward Redistricting
Pamela Laflamme explained that she was charged with balancing the number of people in the wards as a result of the 2010 US Census which determined that Ward III needs to have less people. The acceptable range of deviation among the wards is 5% and at the last census our wards deviate by 40%. Ms. Laflamme indicated that the legal tool to move people is census blocks provided to the City by the Department of Energy and Planning. Some census blocks follow city blocks but others follow any acceptable boundary lines including lot and range lines, rights of way for PSNH , rivers, and streams.
Ms. Laflamme presented maps that show the existing ward map. Her first option to balance the wards presented in August moved a large geographical portion at the north end of the city to a new ward; it encompassed moving people from all wards with the exception of Ward IV. She was asked to come up with an alternative option at the last meeting where redistricting was discussed.
Ms. Laflamme established that she worked on an option proposed by Councilor Rozek. Changes must follow census blocks and the geography must be contiguous. Option II moves people from every ward to achieve the balance. The western side of Goebel Street will move to Ward I; a portion of Champlain Street also goes to Ward I. Councilor Rozek thanked Ms. Laflamme for her work. He asked to have a copy of the law that says that prisons have to be counted in the wards.
Ms. Laflamme reported that moving the prison to Ward IV has been suggested; however that would mean moving 750 people out of Ward IV.
Ms. Patrick commented that the Primary election is in January and in order to avoid a special election, the Council has to have a decision made on an option by early October to conduct public hearings and have the Secretary of State review. Councilor Théberge asked if the federal mandate will affect counties and Ms. Patrick noted that the Secretary of State has to work on reorganizing State representation based on some of the information we provide. She emphasized that all of this is driven by federal law.
Councilor McCue confirmed that for the upcoming municipal election, no changes will have been made. Ms. Patrick stated that the first election to be affected by redistricting will be that of September 2012. Mayor Grenier commented that this may create the impetus to get a charter commission to look at how we elect officials in the city. It may be time to have four at large councilors or to have only two wards.
Mayor Grenier asked for a more detailed map of the areas that will be affected. He affirmed with Ms. Patrick that a Council final decision by October 17 would meet the necessary deadlines.
High Street Sidewalk
Mr. MacQueen explained that sidewalks on High Street are not at the top of the priority list; however Mrs. Davy has made a compelling plea to have the sidewalk in front of her garden repaired. She has done her part to revamp the area and has brought up the neighborhood. The proposal is to saw-cut and tear out a portion of the sidewalk and rebuild an asphalt sidewalk.
Mr. Perreault outlined the costs of different options for the sidewalk saying that this is the least expensive option that will last a good number of years. There was discussion about paving High Street in the next paving season. Councilors were concerned about paving not being done curb to curb stating that they would like to see a cost estimate for doing the work curb to curb.
Councilor Otis asked if consistency matters since Hillside Avenue is done with concrete sidewalks. Mr. MacQueen indicated that it is a matter of cost. Mr. Perreault said that City employees would be doing the work. Councilors asked that from this point forward, paving is done curb to curb.
Request from Senator Gallus Regarding Upcoming Legislative Session
Mayor Grenier asked if any Councilors had issues that would need legislative action. He suggested that the effect prisons have on redistricting may warrant review. Perhaps legislation could be brought forward that would allow redistricting to work around big groups of population that can’t vote. Councilor McCue made the point that it is federal law. Mayor Grenier noted that the municipality should be able to set its electoral boundaries. He added that the Council should get Chris Boldt’s opinion as well.
Councilor Théberge mentioned the condition of Hutchins Street and the promise from the Federal government of money to repair the street which never came. He questioned whether there should be pressure to keep their promises. Mr. MacQueen clarified that though we were under the impression that there would be money to improve the road, there was not a written commitment. The BOP expected the State to fix the roads and they did not have the money.
Councilor McCue commented that the Senator should know that the City feels strongly that the poll tax exemption should not be granted again. Sometimes reminders are needed because the issues come up again. Mayor Grenier mentioned the proposed legislation to have election officials asking for voter identification and having the city clerk referee who can vote. It would also delay certifying an election for 3 to 4 days. He said it interferes in the democratic process. Councilor Remillard agreed in part but added that she can see where voter identification has its place. The law has to be statewide.
Councilors mentioned welfare laws changing and costs being passed down to municipalities. Mayor Grenier suggested asking Senator Gallus and the delegation to the next meeting.
Other
Councilor Rozek informed the Council that the AV Fish and Game Club has been an active supporting volunteer organization in Berlin. They have been having a problem with Little People’s Pond that is stocked with the intent that it is for children 12 and under to learn how to fish. This year adults decided to fish there and they have fished it out. Councilor Rozek thought the land is owned by Dillon; however the Fish and Game Club is looking for help from the Council to go back to 12 and under and not allow adults. Mayor Grenier stated this would be an item for the delegation to review and that perhaps the pond could be designated through the NH Fish and Game Department.
Non Public Session
Councilor Théberge moved with a second by Councilor Otis to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A: (a) the dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him… So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Otis to come out of non-public session per RSA 91-A: (a) the dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him… So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Otis to seal the minutes of the non-public session 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. So moved, the motion carried. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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