City Council Work Session
December 10, 2012
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Benski, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, and Nelson; Councilors Theberge, and Remillard were absent
Others present: Pat MacQueen, Max Makaitis, Peter Morency, and Dan Buteau
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Economic Development – Max Makaitis
Notre Dame. Mr. Makaitis reported to the Council that he has devoted a lot of time putting a financing package together for the Notre Dame senior housing facility. It is the first time that low income tax credits have been awarded in Coos County. It has been determined that there is a lack of assisted housing in Berlin where the elderly could age in place and get the services they need without having to move to a nursing home. This facility would save the State or the family $50,000 per person over nursing home care. Low income people will pay 30% of their income for rent. The facility will have pellet boilers and solar supplemental heat. It will be listed on the national historic register.
Mayor Grenier commented that the County Commissioners signed on to provide CDBG funds for the project and he confirmed that the housing will be open to anyone without discrimination. Councilor Nelson questioned the jobs that will be created by this project. Mr. Makaitis indicated that 60 jobs in construction are expected starting in 2013, then 40 jobs to sustain the services to be provided. CAP will be the developer, owner and manager of the project, and building.
Councilor Rozek moved to recess to non-meeting per RSA 91-A:1, I(c) Legal consultation; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-meeting; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Cote Block. Mr. Makaitis explained that he’s been in contact with Dana Willis about the Cote Block. The building’s major setback was its PCB contamination in the paint and walls of the building which would have been expensive to remove and dispose of. The EPA has recently ruled that the painted surfaces can be removed and treated as bulk waste, the same way that asbestos is disposed of. This may allow the project to move forward.
R & D Building. The building is owned by CAP. As grants are acquired additional work is being done to refurbish the building.
Groveton Mill. The recent new owner’s objective is to demo all the buildings. Mr. Makaitis voiced that he hoped to create jobs in the newer sections of the mill as opposed to demolishing the entire complex. DRED and NCIC are involved.
Councilor Otis asked what the roadblocks are when a developer wants to come to Berlin and what negative factors could the Council work on changing. Mr. Makaitis indicated that the demographics are difficult to change. He’s had businesses tell him that they will not move into an area with less than 250,000 people within 100 miles. Mayor Grenier added that it is important for us to be positive ambassadors of the community and to accentuate the positive aspects of Berlin. The Mayor thanked Mr. Makaitis for coming and for the work he is doing.
Nuisance Ordinance
Chief Morency explained that this ordinance is proposed to curb the abuse of city resources and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. This is not about charging people for calling the police but for those who abuse services.
Those who call hundreds of times, habitual animal complaints, littering would be cited and fined at the discretion of the Police Chief. Councilor Rozek asked what happens when they don’t pay and Lieutenant Buteau stated that there would be a review hearing or another option would be for the court to allow community service; as a last resort, the house of corrections.
Mayor Grenier expressed his support saying that less than 10 percent of the population is causing trouble for 90 percent of citizens. No one who lives in Berlin should be intimidated by the actions of others.
Councilor Higbee confirmed that the proposed language has been approved by the city attorney. He questioned a $250 fine for littering and Chief Morency noted that the intent of the fine is for those who leave truck loads of junk on their lawn for the city to clean up. Councilor Benski asked if other cities have done this and Chief Morency replied that Berlin is at the forefront with this ordinance and others have contacted us to see how it will work.
Traffic Detour
Councilor Rozek brought up a traffic situation that occurred the day before Thanksgiving on Route 16 where traffic was rerouted through the neighborhood of McGee Street. He stated that public works detoured trucks through hilly, narrow streets and there was a safety concern. He confirmed with Chief Morency that the Police Department was not contacted on the day of the detour. They were asked to quote what it would cost after the fact.
Councilor Rozek asked that moving forward, anyone digging up main streets has to involve the Police Department prior to digging. Chief Morency added that emergency personnel need to know where the detours are.
Food/Restaurant Inspections
Mr. MacQueen established that when Laura Viger retired from City employment, her duties were split between Public Works, Health and Recreation; however food inspections have been done by the city manager. He suggested that the new manager should not be assigned food inspections but they should either be done by the City or by the State. This would be a situation where the city could upshift costs to the state where there are trained inspectors and consistency. The State charges fees that are significant; the city charges ten dollars for a license. Of 234 municipalities statewide, there are 15 who do their own inspections.
Another alternative would be to have the city health department do the inspections but Mr. MacQueen recommended going up on the ten dollar fee.
Mayor Grenier supported leaving the licensing with the City and raising the price of a license to $30.
Councilor Rozek moved to continue to do food inspections with the premise of licenses on city staff; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. Mr. MacQueen will prepare an ordinance to make the necessary changes.
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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