Work Session
March 26, 2012
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge
Others present: Thadeus Solstys, Bill Madelena, , Roland Berthiaume, Justin Jacques, Noah Hallgren, Linda White, Pat MacQueen, Lisa Michaud, Max Makaitis, students, media and public
Fire Department Budget
Assistant Chief Thaddeus J. Soltys II presented the Fire Department budget in place of Chief Trull who was ill. He went through the Fire Department’s annual report stating that their mission is to offer the highest level of protection to the public. In FY 2011 there were 429 calls for service which is 15 calls more than in 2010.
There are 18 full time firefighters who work in two shifts of four and two shifts of five, ten hour days and fourteen hour nights for an average of 42 hours per week. At this time the two additional firefighters are filling in to avoid paying overtime. The call department is at 9 now; they carry pagers and respond when called.
The report shows calls broken down by category and percentage. There were promotions and two retirements. Fees projected to be generated from inspections done by the department fell short partly because they were implemented late in the fiscal year; however $12,000 of fees from the alarm system will be billed next month and the money should be in by the end of this fiscal year. Councilor Ducharme confirmed that there are two streams of revenue, one from inspections and one from false alarms.
Asst. Chief Solstys said that the department is looking at Assistance to Firefighter Grants for $20,000 of training; $6,200 for mobile repeaters for vehicles, supply lines and fire helmets. The City would be responsible for 20% match. Councilor Théberge confirmed that the City participates in emergency response mutual aid with surrounding towns. Assistant Chief Solstys noted that assistance happens if there is a call for it; however there is nothing in writing or agreed upon.
Mayor Grenier asked if $38,000 was an unreasonable expectation for this year in fire alarm user fees. He stressed that there needs to be a concerted effort from management and some assurance that projected revenues will be collected. He commented that the replacement of equipment is a reasonable request; however clarification is needed on where the grant funds and match money are shown in the budget. Assistant Chief Solstys noted that he will get back with an answer.
Councilor Remillard was informed that the call department firefighters are paid a flat fee of $20 per month and then $9 or $10 per hour when called in. Councilor Rozek asked if having a mutual aid agreement would make us more eligible for grant money and Assistant Chief Solstys said that it would not. The Assistant Chief indicated that the Department is working with Code Enforcement on inspections to bring properties into compliance; mainly following up on the 2007 buildings inspected by the State Fire Marshal’s office. These are not random inspections but those based on violations of the Life Safety Code.
Councilor Higbee questioned fire responses of 642 in 2002 through 2007 and asked if the difference in the number of responses has been identified. Mayor Grenier commented that we may be seeing some result of the housing initiative. In closing, the assistant chief indicated that the Department is looking at other fees such as pellet boiler inspections. Mayor Grenier thanked the assistant chief for the presentation and fire department representatives left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Red Cross
Lisa Michaud representing the NH Red Cross gave the Council an overview of the Red Cross’ mission which is to prepare, prevent and respond to disaster. They provide trained personnel who provide support victims in the form of food, water clothing and shelter. The organization is mandated by Congress but is not funded by them. They operate in NH with 14 paid staff and 740 volunteers. Funding for the organization comes from the generosity of the people. More information is available at www.nhredcross.org Ms. Michaud left the meeting at this time.
Housing - Linda White
Linda White presented the Housing budget stating that salaries are staying the same. Legal fees incurred by the department will be reviewed and if they are associated with a grant, they will be charged to the grant. Mayor Grenier questioned $30,000 for Housing “other” and Mr. MacQueen clarified that the line item is currently for upkeep of Bartlett School. It was suggested that the line’s title be changed to Bartlett School and property maintenance.
Councilor Théberge suggested that non-toxic anti-freeze be used in the fire suppression system at Bartlett School and Mr. MacQueen noted that he will see if that can be done so that the building can be kept cold. Mayor Grenier asked if there has been any interest in the building and Ms. White said that there have been two interested parties and she is not sure where it stands. Mayor Grenier confirmed that the city may have an interest in keeping the lower portion of the lot for city purposes.
Ms. White stated that she will be working on properties that the city takes by tax deed. The final number will not be known until May though there are 101 properties that have a tax lien. Mayor Grenier thanked Ms. White for her interest in working with BIDPA as a staff person.
Councilor Remillard asked where we are with properties that did not get sold. Ms. White explained that 567 First Avenue had a successful bidder and 819 Fourth Ave and 290 Grafton had no bidders. These two will put out to bid again along with a number of other properties the city owns.
Economic Development – Max Makaitis
Mr. Makaitis updated the Council on economic projects he is working on for Berlin and the region saying that he faces going forward two steps and taking one step backwards. The biomass plant and the opening of the Federal prison are seen as the positive steps and Isaacson’s closing is the step back. Mr. Makaitis has been working with Mr. Presby who purchased ISI at the Industrial Park, trying to get the business to be profitable. Business was lost in the transition.
With regard to ISSI on Route 110, Mr. Makaitis said that he is working with prospects to retain jobs including Counsel RB Capital who will be the owners as of March 27th. Hopefully they will utilize the facility to create jobs. He went on to say that he is dealing with potential prospects for Bickford place. There is still interest in a pellet plant that would ideally situate itself at the same site as the Burgess Biomass Plant. Morneau Movers may have a buyer and Mr. Makaitis is helping the seller work through liens on the property.
Al McClain presented a package to an investor to build a hotel on Route 110. The proposal to rehabilitate the Cote Block was presented with a stumbling block in that DES reported finding pcb’s in the building at a cost of $450,000 to $600,000 to abate.
The Gorham Paper and Tissue facility is expanding and may look at storage space outside Gorham. The Notre Dame Senior Housing Facility is still being worked on and may be funded this year. There will be a need to re-apply for CDBG, tax credits and additional grants. Mr. Makaitis spoke of a Coin Shop that wants to find space on Main Street and there are no available, usable retail spaces. The Research and Development building has received more grant money. The east wing is cleaned out and the west is not yet done. There are plans for construction of the interior.
Hearing that an FCI employee had to travel to Portland ME to find a dentist who took the Federal insurance, Mr. Makaitis reported that he contacted local dentists to see if he could get them to accept the Federal dental plans.
Gorham has developed an economic development team who will work on developing the Shaws building. The group has been in contact with grocery store chains. Councilor Ducharme noted that the population’s disposable income is what drives businesses to come to a location. Historically, the area had disposable income. Councilor Ducharme suggested putting the information in a Power Point Presentation that would be ready to show potential new businesses. Mr. Makaitis established a group of all eight Coos County banks who meet in a roundtable setting. Banks can be drivers of economic development.
He commented that BIDPA is active in the downtown and the Board has developed a specific mission. Mayor Grenier acknowledged that these are people who know how to make money in the community and he worries that there is no specific mission for BIDPA and he wants to put their talents to work. Mr. Makaitis agreed that the Board is committed and dedicated and they have considered developing facilities owned by the city. Councilor Nelson stressed the importance of having an accurate list of business space available in Berlin. She said it is a critical piece to getting new business in.
Councilor Remillard questioned why there was no follow through with the plan to create incubator space at Bickford Place reasoning that she had no doubt that small spaces could be leased. Mr. Makaitis replied that the board decided not to spend the money unless there was a potential buyer. Councilor Higbee added that BIDPA looked at the cost to put up walls and plumbing with no potential lessee and then face someone who wants to use the whole space and the work would have to be removed. It was a Board decision not to spend the money until there were definite tenants.
Mayor Grenier asked if there is progress on the Groveton Mill and Mr. Makaitis indicated that it is a facility that could develop something equivalent to the biomass because there is a 10 megawatt hydro and rail that is functional. Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Makaitis on behalf of the Council.
Adjournment
Councilor Nelson moved to adjourn; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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