Work Session
October 8, 2012
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Higbee, Theberge, Otis, Benski, Rozek, Morgan-Allain and Remillard
Others present included Linda White, NH State Archeologist Richard Boisvert, Pamela Laflamme, Angela Martin Giroux, media and public
Having met at Grafton Street and Enman Hill to view the area of a proposed zoning change from residential single family to rural residential, Council members arrived at City Hall at approximately 6:25 p.m.
Mayor Grenier asked to add an item to the agenda. Councilor Rozek moved at add an appointment to the Traffic Safety Committeeto the agenda; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried.
Dr. Richard Boisvert, State Archeologist Regarding Mt. Jasper
Ms. Laflamme explained that four years ago, as part of their wetlands mitigation plan, Greenova worked with DRED and the City on an easement for Mt. Jasper. The easement was modeled after many in the State and upon being reviewed by the State Archeologist, it was found to have troubling language. Mr. Boisvert reported that standard easements routinely included a clause that allowed amateur mineral collecting. Normally it would not be an issue but Mt. Jasper is a unique site with an unusual mineral.
Ancient history has proven that people have come from all over New England and Quebec to Mt. Jasper to get the stone to make tools. They would get the stone out of the ground, and then go to the foot of the mountain to work on making tools. Mr. Boisvert indicated that his concern is that relic hunters would come in and try to dig up the old workshops and take away the artifacts. Councilor Remillard asked about the State prohibiting the removal of rocks and asked if the State will attempt more control on the property in the future. Mr. Boisvert clarified that the City Council is in charge of its own community and he did not want to see the artifacts removed from the community. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places. Councilor Higbee asked if there is value to the jasper and Mr.
Boisvert replied that it is an attractive mineral but there is no commercial value.
Councilor Rozek moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the corrective grant of conservation easement for Mt. Jasper as presented; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried. Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Boisvert and he left the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Housing Coordinator Update
Linda White presented the Council with a synopsis of the properties the city took by tax deed which showed of 35 properties, six were repurchased by their former owners. Of the remaining, there are five commercial properties, eight residential properties for potential resale, 13 potential demolitions; three properties still have tenants and there are eviction proceedings with a court date of October 9. BIDPA has taken an interest in 121 Main Street and they will take it on as a project.
Ms. White explained that the commercial property on Wight Street had items being stored and the owners were notified and given a month to get their items out. There are still items in the building and there is interest in resale of the building.
In response to Mayor Grenier’s question about 702 Glen Ave, Ms. White indicated that the neighbors may have an interest. Council conceded that proposals from the public should follow the process that has been established by coming to Council only after receiving a recommendation from the Housing Coordinator. Mr. MacQueen added that when he is approached by a citizen asking about a property, he asks for a proposal in writing; he would then take that proposal to Council in non-public session. Once the details are established, the final decisions are made at a public meeting. Ms. White stated that she sees her role as streamlining the process so that the request coming to the Council is fine tuned and is something that could vote on with enough information to make a decision.
She went on to say that there are four demolitions to be done in the next few weeks: 729 & 735 Second Ave, 216 Grafton and 33 Giilbert. Other properties slated for demolition are 115 Mason St, 554 Hillsboro Street and 3 Glen Avenue.
Councilor Theberge asked for an explanation of the 155-b process and Ms. White affirmed that it is a state statute that allows the fire chief to issue an order to raze a property found to be unsafe. Costs could be billed to the owner of the building but in the case of 554 Hillsboro Street, the City owns the property. Ms. White reported that three properties were put out to bid and there was no interest. She felt the minimum bid was still too high.
The Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program is getting a lot of work done for citizens. The program is matched with other programs such as weatherization, Better Buildings resulting in some getting $25,000 to $30,000 worth of work done on their houses. Mayor Grenier commented that the City has made a lot of progress in the last five years and he hopes for a balance in the near future.
Zoning Ordinance Change
Ms. Laflamme confirmed that she will bring the zoning ordinance amendment to next week’s meeting. Mayor Grenier was assured that the Planning Board made the recommendation for the change.
Appointment to Safety Committee
Councilor Rozek moved to accept Mayor Grenier’s appointment of Councilor Morgan Allain to the City Council Traffic Safety Committee; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Councilor Otis mentioned that White Mountain Distributors is celebrating 50 years of being in business and they have invited the Mayor and Council to a celebration on October 26.
The meeting ended by mutual consensus at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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