Work Session
March 5, 2012
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek Nelson and Théberge
Others present included: Corinne Cascadden, Angela Martin Giroux, Patty Chase media and public
Regional School Discussion
Ms. Cascadden updated the Council with regard to community meetings that were held last fall to see if there is interest in regionalizing schools or services in the valley. Using money granted from the Tillotson Foundation and working in conjunction with SAU 20, community forums were held in each town where a total of about 125 people attended. Each town had a straw vote and everyone that attended thought it would be good idea for one SAU for the valley.
The top 3 choices among participants were: to combine SAU 3 and SAU 20 into one SAU with no changes to elementary school; combine SAU 3 and SAU 20 to one SAU making no changes to any school/district; and finally participants were undecided. A survey will be developed and posted to the school web site that will be available to gather input from local citizens.
Ms. Cascadden noted that consolidating is never about money; but about quality of education. She hopes to collect surveys and find the next step. The schools in the area have been collaborating to help each other. She mentioned several questions that were raised in the community forums that will need to be addressed.
Mayor Grenier asked about having a tuition agreement for grades 9-12 with Gorham. Ms. Cascadden felt that there would have to be a greater need. Mayor Grenier noted that the City is not ready to change its Charter to lose fiscal control of the school system. He added that it may be time to revisit block scheduling to see if it benefits students, since staff and building are at 65% utilization.
Attitash Donation to Ski and Snowboard Program
Mr. MacQueen reported that money was donated from Attitash a.k.a. Wildcat and donated to the Berlin Recreation Department’s Ski and Snowboard Program. A resolution is on the agenda for first reading that will bring the money into the budget.
Filling Assistant Comptroller Position
Mr. MacQueen thanked Patty Chase for the work she has been doing reorganizing in the Finance Department. Ms. Chase commented that the position has been challenging and rewarding. She gave credit to her staff saying that they are a true testimony to hard work; they have rallied together and been outstanding.
Mr. MacQueen asked if the assistant comptroller position could be filled from existing employees. The last request was to fill a clerk position and it is now becoming important to find an assistant that will serve as back up to the finance director.
Councilor Rozek moved to fill the assistant comptroller position; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Wright Pierce Proposed Resident Construction Contract
Mr. MacQueen stated that this contract came up two weeks ago and what the engineer will do and how the payments will be made has been clarified.
Councilor Rozek moved to accept the terms of the engineering contract with Wright Pierce to provide the general administration of construction and full-time inspection for a fee not to exceed $1,249,000; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Combined Sewer Overflow
Mr. MacQueen explained that by order from the EPA, the Waste Water Treatment Plant needs to develop a long term plan to deal with its CSO events. The funding agency is Rural Development and the $161,386 contract will be carried out over 2 years.
There are flow meters needed for the I & I work that has yet to be completed. To lower the overall cost the City could acquire flow meters rather than leasing. It does not make economic sense to rent a flow meter for 18 months. It is recommended that six ISCO meters be purchased using funds from the sewer funds. Mayor Grenier noted that the bid process would have to be waived if the meters are bought as recommended.
These are the same meters that Wright Pierce uses and they have familiarity with them. It is important to get the meters in place to get the information that spring runoff will bring. Mr. MacQueen also asked if flow meters could be rented at a cost of $1,800 per month for all six in anticipation of the purchase and since time is of the essence to get the meters in place. Councilor Remillard established that the City has been like this for years she did not want to be leasing for an extended period of time. Mr. MacQueen did think the lease would be needed for more than one month but to be on the safe side, he asked for two.
Councilor Rozek moved to authorize a contract ($161,386) with Wright Pierce for combined sewer overflow plan and to waive the bid process to purchase 6 ISCO flow meters ($26,475.) provided they can be purchased in a time expedient manner and the authority is granted to rent the same type of meters for up to 2 months at the cost of $1,800 per month for six; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Councilor Rozek mentioned that the Committee on Accounts and Claims had questions on purchased items that have not been answered. Mayor Grenier noted that questions should go to the City Manger. Mr. MacQueen indicated that he will forward the answers by e-mail.
Councilor Rozek said that some councilors were interested to hear how much it would cost for a contract for trash pickup. Mayor Grenier scheduled the discussion as an agenda item for the next work session.
There being no further Work Session business on the agenda, Mayor Grenier concluded the Work Session at this time.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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