Work Session
April 2, 2012
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson, and Théberge
Others present: Laura Jamison, Rene Boutin, media and public
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. He asked to add a request from North Country Council for representatives from Berlin. Councilor Rozek moved to add the item to the agenda; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Farmer’s Market
Laura Jamison explained her role in organizing the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN) Farmers’ Market. It was determined that the market has outgrown its location on Mechanic Street and a group including Pamela Laflamme, Pete Morency, Marilinne Cooper, Sylvia Poulin and Mayor Grenier recommend closing a portion of Pleasant Street for the market. There is a letter to the Council requesting the road closure.
Ms. Jamison stated that WREN has a USDA Rural Development Grant that will keep the market funded for the next two years. Mayor Grenier noted that the Berlin Farmer’s Market has grown to be the second largest in the State. They were struggling to find a suitable area and Pleasant Street is the most logical since traffic can easily be re-routed to York, Cole and Green Streets.
Councilor Remillard asked if the proposal has been discussed with businesses that could be affected by the road closure. Ms. Jamison indicated that Coos County Family Health Services, NH Works, Cooper, Deans and Cargill have all be contacted and have no issues. Cooper, Deans & Cargill asked that the front of their building be kept open and that does not present a problem. The music will be in front of Coos County Family Health and the vendors will be kept clustered together.
Councilor Higbee questioned how storage will be handled and Ms. Jamison stated that if the old City Hardware storefront were available, it would be ideal to rent; however storage may be arranged on the lot owned by the City. Councilor Higbee commented that there was $90,000 in sales the first year and Ms. Jamison thought it was $120,000 in sales last year. She added that the 5% of sales contribution from the vendors pays for the EBT machine and music; however signage and advertising are covered by grant money.
Councilor Otis asked if the bridge on Cole Street is satisfactorily rated for the additional traffic. Ms. Jamison concluded by saying that there are additional farmers coming to the market this year and there will be a seafood vendor as well.
Proposed Changes to Ordinance 2012-01
Mr. MacQueen went over proposed amendments to the OHRV Ordinance that was tabled at the last meeting. The OHRV group met; Councilor Théberge attended the meeting and the group reviewed the ordinance and made additional amendments. Councilor Théberge mentioned that there will be a 24 mile addition to the trail system this summer that will connect Gorham.
North Country Council
No decisions were made on a recommendation for North County Council representatives; however Mayor Grenier stated that he would nominate Beverly Raymond for the Transportation Committee.
Other
Councilor Rozek questioned whether the actual tax rate could be known before a budget is passed. Mayor Grenier explained that the DRA sets the City’s assessments which factor into the tax rate and that number is unknown until September. Councilor Rozek suggested coming up with a high and low number so that people are prepared.
Mayor Grenier explained that the second Monday in May the Council puts a budget together for publication. Council members can make changes up to the last meeting when the budget is adopted, June 18. He indicated that he will present his proposed budget May 7 with a priority of keeping everyone working. He added that Department Heads should know that they need to find a way not to replace retiring employees so that the budget can be worked through attrition.
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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