Work Session
July 16, 2012
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Ducharme, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Théberge; absent was Councilor Morgan Allain
Others present: Pat MacQueen, Mike Perreault, Angela Martin Giroux, Thaddeus Solstys, Tim Coulombe, Linda White, Patty Chase, Randall Trull, Rene Boutin, Henry Sanschagrin, Barbara Tetreault and public
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:30
Update on 97 Main Street
Tim Coulombe updated the Council on the work being done at 97 Main Street. Asbestos was cleared from the property; it was gutted and debris was removed. The building has a new roof and they are waiting for approval from the Division of Historic Resources to replace windows. Indoor framing is being completed as well as plumbing and electricity.
Mr. Coulombe stated that he did some clean up in Moxie Alley and with the approval of DES, cut trees and brush along the waterway. The deed on the property has been delayed but the problem is being addressed. Mr. MacQueen noted that after a 30 to 45 day wait period, problems with the deed will be cleared. The building is covered by the City’s insurance and TKB is able to secure financing.
Mayor Grenier commented on the lift this building improvement will give to Main Street. He asked if the interaction with city staff has been smooth and Mr. Coulombe stated that TKB met with city staff as part of their due diligence and everything is going smoothly. The water connection for the property will be done at night to avoid interfering with other properties. Councilor Rozek encouraged the developers to come to the Council if any problems are encountered. Mr. Coulombe stated that they would perhaps hold an open house when the project is complete. Councilor Ducharme entered the meeting at this time, 6:40 p.m.
Sewer Abatement Requests
Mike Perreault addressed the Council. He distributed copies of the ordinance and 3 additional requests that were received after the deadline for appeals.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny the abatement requests received late: Tat of 3 Hillside Avenue; Capucci of 610 Third Avenue and NH Housing Finance Authority of 32 Constitution Drive Bedford for 816 Third Avenue; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
In a memo, Mr. Perreault described the details of each case.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #1 Lucille Frechette for 397 Church Street and #2 Robert Souza for 43 Horne Street; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #3 Theresa Guerin for 24 Rheims Street; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #4 Mark Guerringue for 164 Main Street; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
#5 from Eugene & Deb Foss of 378 Portland Street had bills with basically the same consumption but this year’s was $100 more. Council asked for a review and to bring it to the next meeting with more information
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #6 Jean Croteau for 460 Grafton Street; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
#7 was an issue with a swimming pool where the water did not go down the sewer line. Councilor Remillard made an argument that these incidents need to be given individual attention. Citizens should also be informed about the ability to install a meter. Councilor Remillard suggested a discount for the first offense and then no further chances. The Council did not support the idea because of the added administrative work and added potential for sewer users to request abatements.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #7 Dorothy L. Isaacson for 34 Willard Street and send a letter informing of the ability to have a separate meter; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
#8 from Michael Shields of 99 Pine Street was a problem with a leak while the homeowner was deployed to Iraq. BWW has adjusted the assessment and not the usage. The request will be re-visited at the next meeting. Councilors wanted to know if this homeowner is current on taxes; water bills, and the dates as to when this occurred.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #9 from David & Celile Cordwell for 16 Grandview Drive and to add a letter about having a sewer meter; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #10 from Robert McKenzie for 315 High Street; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #11 Raymond Provencher for 369 High Street and #12 Robert & Anita Lavigne for 794 Fifth Avenue; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #13 Pauline Bergeron and to send a letter regarding having a meter on the pool; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to deny #14 Joseph and Beth Bloskey for 777 Second Avenue and #15 same owners for 564 Sullivan Street; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Mayor Grenier suggested sending out notices about putting meters on pools with tax bills or sewer bills.
Estimates for Paving Hutchins Street
Mr. Perreualt addressed the Council with best estimates for paving streets discussed at previous meetings. He proposed Hutchins Street to Page Hill Road would be cold planed (the removal of the top 2 to 5 inches of pavement and replacing it with new hot-mix asphalt) at a cost of about $83,800. Councilor Remillard confirmed that it would be curb to curb.
Page Hill Road/Hutchins Street to the AVH property line would be reclaimed and re-graded at a cost of $64,000 for 800 feet; 600 feet on 12th Street to the bridge would be done at a cost of $22,300.
It is proposed to cold plane Route 110 to the urban compact or 13,600 feet at a cost of $86,000.
Councilor Rozek questioned the process saying that the State uses gravel rather than asphalt. Mr. Perreault noted that he would check with the State to review their process. Councilor Rozek questioned reclaiming the road going to AVH over doing other priority areas in the City. Councilor Nelson commented that it should be done the right way so as to not have to revisit in a few years.
Councilor Remillard confirmed that the City will be constructing a new road along Hutchins Street as soon as the EPA gives clearance. She did not want to spend on a road that will not be used but for a walking and bike path. She asked if this could be shimmed for less money and the money reallocated to another project. Council conceded that they wanted to put the projects out to bid so that paving is not being done in November. Mr. MacQueen noted that the projects will be bid with options.
Health Account Clerk Replacement Request
Angela Martin Giroux was present to answer any questions regarding replacing the secretary in the Health/Welfare Department. The current secretary is moving on to a job that lends itself better to family life. Councilor Nelson moved to replace the position; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Property Sales
Linda White presented her recommendations for 590 Goebel Street and 483 School Street.
Councilor Nelson moved with the second from Councilor Higbee to approve following motion:
The City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions as indicated for each property or take the appropriate action as otherwise indicated:
Map/Lot 130-0377.000, 590 Goebel Street: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid being comprised of back taxes owed, interest and expenses. The purchasing party is required to renovate and make the property habitable within 12 months of the purchase date and meet the requirements set forth in the then current City Ordinances. City Code Enforcement will make the final determination as to the fitness of the building. The sale of this property will be subject to a reverter if the conditions of the sale are not met.
Map/Lot 128-0164.000, 483 School Street: This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters with the minimum bid being 1/3 of its current taxable valuation of $4,400 due to steep slopes and unbuildable lot. ($1,466)
So moved, the motion carried; Councilor Remillard abstained.
Firefighter Position
Chief Trull was present to request that a vacant firefighter position be filled. Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Ducharme to fill the position. Councilor Remillard confirmed that it is a funded position. So moved, the motion carried unanimously.
OHRV Trail Discussion
Mr. MacQueen explained that the railroad trail would be used for OHRV traffic but the space is needed during the week for additional construction space for the biomass project. DRED has been involved in reviewing alternative routes during construction. An existing parallel path is considered too close to houses.
The path proposed is to use Devens and Goebel Streets during the hours of construction, then use the railroad track on nights and weekends. The current ordinance did not allow for the detour; however Ordinance 2012-04 if passed this evening gives the Council the authority to detour the route by motion. The Council can pass the ordinance, and then pass a motion to make the change or make the motion subject to passage of the ordinance. Council conceded to pass a motion on the floor after the ordinance is passed.
There being no further business in work session, Mayor Grenier called for a short recess and the start of the regular meeting.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Otis to go into non public session per RSA 91A: 3 II (e) Litigation. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Otis moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to come out of non-public session; so moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Théberge moved to seal the minutes until matters discussed become public as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistan
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