Work Session
April 30, 2012
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Ducharme, Morgan-Allain, Remillard, Higbee, and Rozek; Councilors Théberge, Otis and Nelson were absent.
Others present: Patty Chase, Linda White, Pamela Laflamme, Mike Perreault, Bryan Lamirande, Corinne Cascadden, Kevin Lacasse, Tim Coulombe, Tony Smith
Volunteer Recognition Award
Mayor Grenier honored volunteers, Tom Sweeney, Amy Welch and Ann Morton for their volunteer work in the Community. In addition to the honorees, there were several friends and relatives who took part in the tribute. Volunteers were given leaves inscribed with their name and a duplicate leaf was placed on the Volunteer Tree at City Hall.
TKB Properties - Kevin Lacasse, Tim Coulombe & Tony Smith
Mr. Coulombe stated that as a result of some convincing by Sylvia Poulin and Pamela Laflamme, TKB is ready to take on a downtown building. Since March of 2010, TKB has renovated 54 properties as part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. They will soon be doing another four unit building on Mason Street. Mayor Grenier acknowledged that the work done by TKB has changed the dynamic of the neighborhoods on the East Side.
Mr. Coulombe explained that 95% of the money was spent locally and the other 5% was spent on foam insulation prior to there being contractors with that ability in Berlin. Since the program, three contractors have learned to do spray foam insulation.
Project Manager Tony Smith, came up with a plan for the building at 97 Main Street. The building will be gutted and remodeled, windows changed, and the façade improved. The alleyway and bridge will be cleared and cleaned. The challenge will be parking. The first floor will have three commercial storefronts and the upstairs will be gutted and be reframed to six one bedroom apartments with washer/dryer, and closet space. The building will be insulated with spray foam, and sprinklered; the electrical will be new as well as plumbing. Heating will be from a wood pellet boiler. There is not NSP money for this project and it is expected that $450,000 of private capital will go into the project.
Mr. Lacasse stated that they have applied for Better Buildings money for green energy. They are asking for the deed to the property from the City at no cost to them though it will come to a substantial investment for them.
Councilor Rozek voiced that he was originally skeptical of the program but after seeing the results of the redevelopment for himself, he fully supports their project in general and having TKB do this project. Councilor Remillard asked what the time frame is to complete the downtown building and Mr. Coulombe replied that once they have ownership of the building, they are ready to pull permits. Once the work begins, it is estimated that it will be three months to completion. Councilor Higbee added that BIDPA saw the potential in the building.
Councilor Remillard moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a quitclaim deed for the property at 97 Main Street to be transferred to TKB Properties with an agreement that the property will be redeveloped as proposed; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
NSP Additional Funds
Linda White explained to the Council that CDFA called with the offer of additional grant money from the NSP 1 grant funds which will be divided equally between Manchester and Berlin, each to get $255,300. A resolution will come to Council at the next meeting.
River Study Decision
Mr. MacQueen stated that Henry Noel’s recommendation is still to hire Eastern Analytical Lab to do an Anti-degradation River Study of the Androscoggin River at the Berlin Pollution Control Facility Discharge. It has been confirmed that both companies will do all the work; however Enviro Systems is more expensive.
Councilor Rozek moved to contract with Eastern Analytical Lab for $25,968.20 to do the river study; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Sewer Rate Correction
Mr. MacQueen noted that the Council approved the sewer rate at 7.99 at the last meeting and since then he realized that an error was made in the calculation. To keep rate at 7.99 we will need to take $305,000 from the UFB of the sewer fund rather than $100,000 as previously reported.
Council members expressed an interest in what the taxpayer contribution was when the sewer plant was built and Mr. MacQueen indicated that could be researched though it may take some time.
Public Utility update Agreement
This agreement was proposed by Skip Sansoucy to update PSNH and PNGTS for this year. Mayor Grenier suggested that the Council get the Board of Assessor’s support before acting on the agreement.
Budget Review
Mr. MacQueen presented the Council with changes to the budget that the Council has proposed and changes that are circumstantial. He reviewed the list of proposed changes which resulted in a tax rate of $32.45 or a .75 increase over this year’s rate.
We are learning that there was $2.1 million of tax credits going to ISSI prior to the bankruptcy and in the agreement there were provisions for $500,000 to go to Berlin for Community Development if ISSI failed. Mr. MacQueen proposes to use $100,000 of that money for downtown.
The calculations presented do not count the Teamsters proposed savings and we are using the same assessments as this year. Assessments will likely go down again. Councilor Rozek thanked Mr. MacQueen for the hard work and added that this is good news. Mayor Grenier noted that the reduction allows a $450,000 increase over the school’s present budget. He said that he is hoping that there is enough surpluses to bring back 4.5 positions; he suggested going to the public hearing with this document. He added that he wants to find funding for four positions but it will not be known with any certainty until the third Monday in June.
Mayor Grenier commended Patty Chase for the work she is doing in the Finance Office.
Mayor Grenier indicated that the next meeting will have the regular order of business beginning at 6:30 and the budget publication numbers will be decided after. No items will be considered in work session unless they are budget related.
Other
Councilor Higbee commented that City Hall has dry boards in the alley that could be lit on fire similarly to what was done at the adjacent building. Mr. MacQueen said that we are aware and the boards will be replaced.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Remillard move to go into non-public session per 91-A:3 Nonpublic Sessions. – (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call. Linda White was invited to stay
Council considered a land matter and no motions were made.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Adjournment
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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