Work Session
April 9, 2012
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, and Théberge; Councilor Nelson was absent
Others present included: Tom McCue, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Angela Martin Giroux, Ken Proulx, Dan Record, Nicole Plourde, Georgia Caron, Amy Huter, several students, media and public
Legislative Policies
Mayor Grenier reported that Mr. McCue represents the city regarding legislative issues through the NH Municipal Association. He proposed that NHMA take a position on legislation that would remove the exclusive right of unions to represent employees and allow employees not represented to negotiate their own deal with employers. This would create an administrative nightmare for municipalities.
Councilor Higbee agreed that it is an unfair piece of legislation and is not right for working people. Mayor Grenier suggested that any changes to do with right to work should not increase administrative costs to the city.
Mr. McCue stated that he will bring the Council’s concerns to NHMA adding that the Association took no position last year. He went on to report that he is on the Committee on Government Affairs (CGA) which is responsible for recommending legislative policy positions to the NHMA membership at the Legislative Policy Conference.
The Local Government Center represents the interest of cities and towns with four staff people who attend the proceedings at the Legislature in Concord. NHMA continues to support repeals of the pollution control tax exemption; and repeals of legislation bringing back the telecom property tax exemption. Mr. McCue proposed to come back to the Council before the Policy Conference to be held in September to go over the policies that have been developed.
Mayor Grenier emphasized the importance of protecting State revenues to municipalities. In closing, Mr. McCue informed Council members of Local Officials Workshops put on by the NHMA with one being held in Lancaster May 10; he added that he found them very useful. Mr. McCue left the meeting at this time.
School Budget
School Board Chair Nicole Plourde and administrators Corinne Cascadden, and Bryan Lamirande presented the School Board’s position on the School budget. Ms. Cascadden noted that administrators reviewed options again and came up with a plan save money and not jeopardize programs. The review resulted in a budget request for a total of 4 positions to relieve the growing class sizes at the Middle School where there are 30 students per class. It was determined that a social studies teacher can be re-assigned from the high school and 3 positions will need to be added to complete the middle school team. Brown School’s class sizes have been increasing as well and the added numbers would put first grade at over 25, establishing the need for an additional elementary teacher.
The Town of Milan has a study committee reviewing whether it is feasible for them to offer 7th & 8th grade at the Milan Village School. At this time, the schools receive $ 422,000 of revenue from Milan and Dummer. Councilor Remillard inquired how the loss of Milan students would impact the budget and Ms. Cascadden indicated that it would not happen in this fiscal year. Ms. Plourde reported that the Board’s primary concern is to staff classrooms, maintaining minimum standards for classrooms and though there are capital needs, they will wait until there is more money.
Mayor Grenier acknowledged that it takes a good school and a good hospital to have a successful community; however if the Council were to fund the full amount requested by the school department, it would cause a $3.22 tax increase. He estimated that the city support would be approximately $450,000.
Ms. Cascadden stated that the schools are working collaboratively with Gorham to offer students the best education possible. There is a community survey on the school website www.sau.org that she encouraged everyone to take.
Councilor Otis stated that of the 21 classes that the high school proposed to drop, all but two are offered at the Virtual Learning Academy which is free to students. Advanced learning classes would still be available if cuts were necessary.
Mayor Grenier asked if an alternative to block scheduling is being explored. Ms. Cascadden said that at this time it is not. The philosophy is that block scheduling benefits students making more classes available to them and they graduate with 26 credits. More exploratory classes can be offered such as building trades, welding, pre-engineering, and health.
Councilor Remillard said that she is intrigued by the on-line classes available and it is something that has to be looked into.
Area Agreement
Ms. Cascadden explained that the AREA agreement with Milan that allows students to come to Berlin is up for renewal. Milan wanted an option that the town could pay tuition to another school if the parent so wishes. Milan would have to give Berlin a number of students by April 1; the contract would be extended for 3 years with an option to extend for 10 years. Councilor Ducharme suggested that a perimeter be set so that the schools have somewhat of an accurate number to start the year. Ms. Plourde noted that the agreements with both Milan and Dummer will now be the same.
Mayor Grenier confirmed that there is a good working relationship with the Milan School Board. Ms. Cascadden added that their opinions differ but they can still sit together to discuss issues.
Councilor Higbee moved to approve the revised AREA Agreement with Milan; Councilor Remillard seconded.
In further discussion, Councilor Remillard asked how Berlin’s education compares. Ms. Cascadden replied that Berlin’s schools are the biggest; they offer the most. Berlin is the only Middle School in the State that has a STEM program. Hampton and Dover are looking at us as a model to develop their programs.
In the vote that followed, Council members voted unanimously to approve the revised AREA agreement with Milan.
Parks Budget
Mr. MacQueen reported that in response to Councilor Ducharme’s questions on the Recreation and Parks budget, he found that errors had occurred because the maintenance was pulled out of the budget and new account numbers created did not pick up the history. He presented information with the number and showing activity and grant accounts as well.
He went on to explain the adjustments that have come about since the budget was presented such as: bond debt is being extended out 4 more years; OPEIU reduction of $33,000; restoring nurses at a cost of $97,000; there is a revenue account for AV Home Care for $70,000 that has not derived revenue, so it is being removed. Making those changes and adding in the positions that were cut from the budget results in a tax rate of $35.32. Mayor Grenier is hoping for unspent surplus from all departments that could bring the increase to taxpayers to .95 per thousand rather than $3.62.
Other
Mr. MacQueen reported that the City has sent out the intent to award letter for Phase 2 of the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade for which the low bid was Apex Construction at $13,138,700.
Audit Non-Compliance Letter from DRA
In response to a non-compliance letter from the DRA, Mr. MacQueen noted that the City is waiting for the actuarial report that will show the City’s liability for retirees and the 941’s are still being worked on to reconcile. We hope this will be resolved this week. Mr. MacQueen added that the audit will also confirm the exact amount of unappropriated fund balance.
There being no further business, Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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