January 14, 2013
Work Session
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge; Councilor Morgan-Allain was absent
Others present: Patrick MacQueen, Mike Perreault, Mary Jo Landry, Paul Croteau, Patty Chase, Corinne Cascadden, Don Labrecque, Bryan Lamirande (7:00 p.m.) Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier welcomed everyone and noted that there is a non-meeting about collective bargaining after the work session.
Berlin Housing Authority
Mary Jo Landry reported to the Council that the she and the Housing Authority have been very busy with updating energy efficiency at St. Regis House and both Berlin Housing locations on Hillside Avenue and at Serenity Circle. Brian Lang is the general contractor and they hired a majority of local subcontractors to work on the project. Ms. Landry said that she is proud to have hired a general contractor with the philosophy to hire local as much as possible. Andre Caron was hired as Clerk of the Works.
Berlin Housing, at its Serenity Circle location will have a pellet boiler, financed through Greener Homes and Better Buildings making the building dual fuel with pellets and oil. In another energy saving project, Housing worked with CAP’s Weatherization Program and did a water saving project installing low flow shower heads and aerators.
Councilor Theberge asked if there is a backup generator and Ms. Landry stated that they are in the process of getting a grant from FEMA for generators.
Housing Authority Board Member Paul Croteau presented Mayor Grenier with a check from the Housing Authority for a payment in lieu of taxes stating that they appreciate everything the City does for them and they want to encourage other non-profits to make a payment as well.
Review of Investment Policy
Mr. MacQueen stated that pursuant to RSA 48:16, the Council is asked to adopt the investment policy yearly. Councilor Theberge moved to accept the investment policy as presented; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
City Mileage Rate
Mr. MacQueen reported that the City mileage rate .485 has not been changed since 2005 and he recommended going with the IRS mileage rate of .565. Mayor Grenier asked who is getting mileage and Mr. MacQueen stated that the airport manager, housing coordinator, planner, finance director, nursing staff get mileage. The difference would cost the City about an additional $1,000. City wide mileage costs are about $6,000 per year.
Councilor Remillard moved to go with 56.5 per mile; Councilor Rozek seconded. Mayor Grenier confirmed that there is a process for being reimbursed signed by a supervisor. So moved, the motion carried.
Update on Recycling
Mike Perreault reviewed what has been done so far with regard to recycling. Since March of 2012, PWD has been weighing recyclables and eventually statistics will be available to determine the progress made. The City has recycle bins available at no cost for citizens. These were obtained with match grant funding. Businesses are still getting free pick up of garbage and recycle. Councilor Nelson stated that she was contacted by a local business that wanted the city to pick up office paper. Mr. Perreault reported that the recycle truck is not equipped to make the pickup. Councilor Nelson asked if there is a plan in place to eventually pick up paper. Councilor Rozek suggested that the recycle truck pull a trailer.
Mr. Perreault went on to report that the recycle crew has documented the addresses of residents that do not recycle at all. His next step will be to contact residents at those addresses and encourage them to recycle and let them know the consequences. Councilor Benski questioned the accuracy of the list since some people take recyclables to the transfer station themselves. Mayor Grenier rationalized that there are bound to be errors with the list but the main goal is to get people to recycle.
Mr. Perreault commented that this summer, the garbage truck will not pick up yard waste. Citizens who want to dispose of yard waste may do so by taking it to the transfer station. He showed charts that indicate some improvement in tonnages of solid waste. Mr. Perreault stated that more community education is needed. Recycle bins are available at City Hall and he takes to opportunity to inform people about the transfer station. Some ideas that are being worked on are potential cardboard pick up in all city districts and having a recycle presence at events. Mayor Grenier acknowledged that there has been some progress.
Councilor Otis suggested that recycle calendars be sent out with tax bills and made more user friendly. Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Perreault for the presentation.
Budget Discussion
Mr. MacQueen stated that department budgets are due on Friday, January 18th. We’ve asked for a level funded budget again this year. Mayor Grenier informed the Council that the State notified the school that there was an error in calculation resulting in $93,000 less for Berlin in equitable aid. Senator Woodburn with the Berlin delegation has put forward legislation restoring the money promised for the coming year.
Other
Mr. MacQueen stated that the City has been approached by Miss Berlin/Gorham to see if the city would take out a half page ad for $140. Councilor Nelson moved to take out the ad for $140; Councilor Rozek seconded. Councilor Benski had reservations about using taxpayer money for an ad; further review found that the ad is in the program and it is a fundraising effort for the program. So moved, the motion carried.
At 7:40 p.m. Councilor Rozek made a motion to move the meeting into non-meeting per RSA 91-A: 2, I(b) Collective Bargaining; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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