Work Session
December 12, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, McCue, Evans, Rozek, Nelson; Councilor Théberge was absent
Others Present: Peter Higbee, Tony Urban, Gerard Nault, Angela Martin Giroux, Peter Morency, Michael Perreault, Linda White, Patrick MacQueen, media and public
Funding Campaign for Flowers
Mayor Grenier explained that Will O’Brien had a family emergency and could not attend this evening. Mr. MacQueen noted that Mr. O’Brien has led the charge on the City’s botanical gardens and he was proposing to send a letter asking for donations to the Recreation Department for flowers. If the Council approves, there will need to be a resolution to appropriate any monies that come in. He added that the gardens are a critical part of the community and this is not a bad way to raise money. Mayor Grenier confirmed that the money collected would be treated like a grant account.
Councilor McCue questioned going through Recreation and Parks asking if the Botanical Club is a 501(c) 3. Mr. MacQueen indicated the Mr. O’Brien can be invited to another meeting to best answer the Council’s questions. Councilor Ducharme commented that she welcomes the opportunity to speak to Mr. O’Brien; however the work is done on city property and bulbs or plantings become the property of the City so she is comfortable with the funding campaign going through the Recreation Department. Councilor Nelson made the point that an affiliation with the City could help with the donations and she has no problem with the letter. Mr. O’Brien will be invited to the January 9 meeting.
Welfare Department Funding Shortfall
Angela Martin Giroux reported that she has just over $400 left in general assistance. Mr. MacQueen stated that this is not a request for additional funding but is being presented for information. Ms. Giroux administers the welfare budget as tightly as possible. Ms. Giroux commented that the City is being affected by downshifting of cost from the State and Federal government. No money has been received for fuel assistance and the assistance will be for those 125% below the poverty level. Mayor Grenier asked Ms. Giroux to document any additional costs that are attributed to Federal and State cuts. He added that the City made a good faith effort to fund welfare and it is not our problem to fund what Concord and Washington refuse to fund.
Councilor Ducharme asked about Salaries/Longevity that is over budget and Ms. Giroux responded that she was not sure but would follow up. Councilor McCue confirmed that if the welfare department pays property taxes for a client, it results in a lien on their property. He asked how the deficit is handled and Mr. MacQueen responded that typically charges continue to be made and the difference is made up in the overall budget. Mayor Grenier asked what happens if we stop spending on welfare and Ms. Giroux noted that case law indicates that the City would be in violation of the law.
Councilor Ducharme agreed that it would be important to track how many clients need additional assistance due to cuts in State spending and perhaps with that information, the City could get some relief. Councilor McCue agreed about case law and added that we need to do something about it. At a minimum a letter should go out to State Representatives and Senator Gallus making sure they are aware of costs coming down to communities; this is clearly an unfunded mandate. Mayor Grenier added that the Speaker of the House is the architect of all this.
Mayor Grenier asked Ms. Giroux for an estimate of how much more it will cost the City and she anticipated an additional $30,000. Councilor Nelson asked if all the items in the budget are required and Ms. Giroux explained that they are for basic needs. Every effort is made to control cost.
Councilor Ducharme stated that other communities are facing the same problem and there is likely room for collaboration from a legal perspective. Mr. MacQueen reasoned that NHMA would do a class action.
PD Liaison Officer Grant Proposal
Mayor Grenier noted that Commissioner Griffin could not make the meeting. Chief Morency reported that in the aftermath of 911 a commission was put together to assess what could be done better. Information sharing was seen as a problem. There is a federal program to come up with a fusion center or NH Information Analysis Center that would compile information in a central location. Berlin has been asked to be the North Country liaison for anything going on in the county.
Chief Morency said that the Police Department does not have a spare hour to put on this; however there is grant money available from the NH Department of Safety. It has been agreed that with $45,000 of grant money, 20 hours of Special enforcement could put us in a position to take on the liaison position. Mayor Grenier confirmed that the grant would commence January 1. Councilor Nelson asked if an officer is being taken from the street to achieve this and Chief Morency assured her that this would supplement patrol on the street.
Councilor McCue asked what happens after year 1; will the City be asked to fund the position. Chief Morency stated that he’s made it clear that if there is no funding, there is no position. He added that this is 2007 funding and there are funds for an additional 5 years.
Councilor McCue asked if the PD is incurring extra cost due to there being fewer judges and having to travel to other counties for court. Chief Morency affirmed that his officers have had to travel to Colebrook, Ossipee, Concord, Lancaster and that is adding cost.
Councilor Ducharme asked about the scope of hiring someone part time and Chief Morency stated that there would not be any new hire as there are certified officers or people who have retired that are available 24 to 40 hours per week. Commissioner Urban assured the Council that no additional funding will be required. Chief Morency noted that had this not been funded, they would not have taken it to the Council.
Mayor Grenier asked about recent expensive investigations for the PD. Chief Morency mentioned the Guardian Angel robbery that was solved quickly but still cost $10,000 over usual costs. The Chief added that overall there is reduced criminal activity; however the department needs to stay on top of thefts, and crimes relating to drug abuse.
The Police Department’s highway safety grants have increased from 90 to 120 hours. Fatal accidents in the State were reduced from 120 to 75. Counterfeit money has been passing around the area in denominations of $100, $20 and $10. The Secret Service is compiling data on that. The State is in danger of losing major funding because they have failed to take steps to comply with Adam’s Law.
Councilor McCue commented that he has high regard for the Police Department and he can’t say enough about their professionalism when it comes to taking control and defusing a situation.
Councilor McCue asked if the PD has seen improvements with the efforts of neighborhood stabilization and housing initiatives. Chief Morency commented that there are fewer high needs people moving to the area and that gives the PD more time to devote to other matters.
Councilor Rozek asked about the status of the agreement with the Town of Milan saying that each trained officer is about $90,000 and patrol vehicles $100,000. We provide the Town with professional service and want to be reimbursed fairly. Chief Morency clarified that Milan has their own car and he indicated that they met 2 weeks ago and he would prefer not to go into details. Councilor Rozek asked if the PD has thought about providing law enforcement to Gorham since they are under budget constraints as well and Chief Morency confirmed that he has.
Mayor Grenier asked about the landlord tenant ordinance and how it has been working. Chief Morency established that violators have taken care of problem before court proceedings took place. Mayor Grenier thanked the Chief and Commissioners for the work they do. Commissioner Nault commended the Council for pursuing landlord tenant issues saying that the effort is far reaching. Commissioners Urban, Nault, Chief Morency and Ms. Martin Giroux left the meeting at this time.
Public Works Department
Mayor Grenier said that there were questions about the funding proposal for the salt shed. Mr. Perreault reported that when he came to the City there was a 40’ diameter dome salt shed proposed. He took the plans to his crew and it was determined that it would not meet the needs of the department.
Currently salt is stored in the basement of the Public Works garage and during a snow event trucks are in and out of the garage and the door is left open. The boiler for that building is burning 26 gallons per hour. The salt shed being proposed is 60 x 80 with 3 different bins; one for salt; one for sand and one for a mix. Salt could be unloaded directly into the shed while it is now done by dumping the salt on the ground and then moving it again with our equipment to its destination.
There is enough room now to store enough product to do 2 storms and this new shed will give 4 times the capacity. Councilor Remillard asked if it is necessary to have a structure that big. Would it be cost effective to double the capacity? Mayor Grenier said the he originally thought $209,000 was steep; however he wanted to know how much would be saved. Would there be a reduced price on material due to being able to accept more at once; oil savings; savings on manpower.
Mr. Perreault said that the shed would pay for itself in fuel costs alone in 15 years. Using less man hours for handling would make the operation more efficient.
Councilor McCue confirmed that the building would be constructed of concrete; galvanized steel; and wood. In terms of size, he asked if the building’s size could be reduced since they need the width to come in with a loader. Mr. Perreault noted that the building was designed for a truck to be able to dump.
Councilor Remillard asked what the capacity was on the original salt shed why was that alright. Mr. Perreault stated that it did not accommodate for salt. Councilor Remillard asked what storm drains and retaining walls will be sacrificed for this shed. Mr. MacQueen said that it is a matter of priority. Storm drains and retaining walls are needed all over the city; however this salt shed is a higher priority. Councilor Rozek questioned whether the loader will ft to the end of the shed. Mayor Grenier stressed the importance of getting this project out to bid. He added that the resolution will need a 2/3 majority vote to transfer the capital funds.
Councilor Nelson commented that the Council needs to look at the bigger picture and it is a good idea when it will pay for itself in 15 years. Councilor Rozek added that equipment could be kept under cover in place of salt in the basement which would preserve the equipment. Councilor Remillard commented that we need the shed but we should be looking at a way to relieve cost. Mayor Grenier informed the Council that the resolution to fund this project would have its public hearing and he asked that the Council approve its funding with the provision that the Council has a final vote on awarding the contract.
Request for Sand Barrel on Blais Street
A request for a sand barrel came to Councilor Théberge for the end of Blais Street. There is a spring there that causes icing over the road. Mr. MacQueen stated that sand barrels are in the snow policy and if this one is to be added, the snow policy should reflect that.
Councilor Remillard moved to amend the snow policy to add a sand barrel at the end of Blais Street; Councilor Otis seconded. Councilor McCue questioned whether there was a sand barrel there before and was one removed and could a barrel be moved from another location. The motion carried with all in favor.
Other
Councilor McCue commented that the Board of Education will be presenting their budget January 5 and he recommended that councilors attend the meeting.
Non-Public Session
Councilor McCue moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II(d) Land Matters; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call. Linda White participated in the non-public session.
Councilor McCue moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor McCue moved to seal the minutes of the non-public session as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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