City Council Work Session
November 28, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors, Remillard, McCue, Evans, and Théberge; absent were Councilors Otis, Nelson, Rozek, and Ducharme
Others present: Peter Higbee, Michael Perreault, Patrick MacQueen, media and public
Public Works Update – Mike Perreault
Mayor Grenier stated that he wanted Council members to know how the Public Works Department operates in the winter, how salt barrels are handled, equipment call outs, and priorities. Mike Perreault explained that the city has a snow policy established by the Council and the department follows it. The City does not have a black road policy which is treating the road until it is black; we can’t afford it. PWD is dispersed based on forecast and call in from the Police Department. Prior to a storm, roads are salted to prevent the snow from adhering to the road surface.
The City uses an average of 600 tons of salt per year. There are 4 salt trucks that put treatment to all roads; one truck per ward. The City is separated into ten plow routes that are done with 8 loaders and 2 graders. The graders are used on East Milan Rd and Cates Hill. Each snow route takes at least 4 hours to do one time, longer depending on traffic.
Mr. Perreault noted that snow is picked up in the downtown which is Priority 1; Priority 2 is the schools. A recent change in the snow policy addressed back to back storms, where PWD will now alternate among the schools and the downtown in the case of a back to back storm. A snowstorm requires 16 people and in the last storm, due to vacations and sick time, there were not enough people. Recreation & Parks employees were utilized.
Councilor Remillard asked about the salt shack. Mr. Perreault noted that he will be asking to reallocate segregated funds to get the salt shed started. To build a shed that will meet the needs of the department, it is estimated that it will cost $210,000. Councilor Remillard acknowledged that the money we would save on fuel due to doors being open to fill salt trucks, could be going to the salt shed.
Councilor Théberge asked about having a day-time parking ban on one side of the street during snowstorms. Mayor Grenier said that it had once been contemplated; Mr. Perreault added that people tend to park even when there are warning signs of snow pick up. Councilor Théberge confirmed that the hospital takes care of the upper part of Page Hill Road with the City going about 2/3 of the way up. Councilor McCue made the point that the PWD has been getting hit with cuts in the budget process.
With regard to solid waste pickup, Mayor Grenier established that Berlin could be doing a better job with recycling. He suggested that the public needs to be re-educated. There is significant room for savings and recycling is just good for the earth. He went on to say that this is a community problem, not a PWD problem. Councilor McCue commented that the Council and the public would likely benefit from seeing the reports on avoided cost provided by the AVRRDD.
Mayor Grenier asked for help from the Public Works Department, City Manager and Police Chief to enact punitive penalties for landlords who don’t participate. Mr. MacQueen stated that Berlin is one of the only communities he knows of that provides free commercial service for garbage pickup. An ordinance could be developed to eliminate commercial pick up. There is also “pay as you throw” which has been talked about. If people are paying per bag, they will recycle.
Mayor Grenier indicated that it may cost money to educate the public; however it will be money well spent. Mr. Perreault suggested including the schools in an education campaign and Councilor Théberge noted that those who register cars should also be reminded of their free pass for tires.
Councilor Remillard said she likes the idea of educating the public but she did not agree with holding a landlord accountable for their tenants’ actions. The landlord should not be responsible if a tenant does not recycle. She suggested that offenders be prohibited from registering their cars until fines are paid in full. Mr. MacQueen said that he doubts we can do that since state law does not provide for it.
Mr. Perreault noted that the law has changed and “sharps” are now taken in the garbage. He said that they are picked up; however they need to be contained in a hard plastic container such as a laundry detergent bottle for the safety of the employees.
Mayor Grenier asked for clarification on capital projects. He asked if Hutchins Street would be done next year and Mr. MacQueen said that the project could move forward once the tax case gets resolved. Mayor Grenier asked for a cost estimate to grind and pave Main Street from Kelleys to Twelfth Street. Mr. Perreault said he would get that number adding that it is not the street in most need.
Mr. MacQueen clarified that Route 110 is in the CIP over several years and it is hard to guess what the State’s construction schedule will be. There is funding for all but $470,000 of the project which is projected to be due in 2015.
Discussion of Inauguration Ceremony
Mayor Grenier noted that this is the first time in history that four women were elected. He asked what kind of ceremony is preferred. Councilors including Councilor-Elect Higbee spoke in favor of keeping things simple. Councilor Remillard suggested that the Mayor speak and leave it at that. Mayor Grenier suggested that he would give direction to the City Clerk to spend up to $1,000. There would be flowers for the women; finger food; invitations. It should be done right and not extravagant. There were no objections from the Council. The inauguration will be held January 16, 2012 in the City Hall Auditorium.
City Council’s Holiday Schedule
It was the consensus of the Council to skip the December 26th work session. January 2 will be the last business session of this council and though it is a holiday, Councilors decided to meet on that day.
Mayor Grenier asked for clarification on whether Peter Higbee can remain on the BIDPA board and Council. BIDPA’s ex-officio is Councilor Nelson.
Councilor Remillard moved to adjourn; Councilor Théberge seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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