City Council Work Session
January 28, 2013
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Morgan-Allain, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge; Councilor Higbee was absent
Others Present: Patrick MacQueen, Charlie Cotton, Chief Randall Trull
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
Mental Health – Charlie Cotton, Executive Director Northern Human Services.
Mr. Cotton gave an overview of services provided by Northern Human Services saying that they employ 122 and provide services to 7% of Berlin’s citizens. Most positions are full time with benefits and they try to purchase goods and services locally to support the community. The majority of their funding is from Medicaid.
He said that there is a statewide shortage of hospital beds for mental health services with 150 beds at NH Hospital being the only available beds. It is not unusual for people to wait for days for admission.
The City funding from the budget goes mostly to uninsured outpatient services and it is supplemented with grants; every dollar received from the City is leveraged to get four dollars of federal funds. The priority is to try to reach out to people before the illness gets severe. Once someone deteriorates, they can lose a job, and lose family support. Northern Human Services is able to provide outpatient care without a waiting list.
Mayor Grenier asked if statistics are kept on services rendered to single parent families and to people on public assistance. Mr. Cotton replied that mental health services are similar in all socio economic levels. He mentioned the Adverse Childhood Experience Study that suggests that trauma in childhood causes chemical reactions in the brain and there are effects later in life.
Mayor Grenier stated that hospitals receive Medicaid payments at 35 to 40% of the market rate; he asked if that is true of mental health services payments as well. Mr. Cotton noted that community based mental health services have been reimbursed fairly well.
Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Cotton for the update and Mr. Cotton commented that he appreciates the support from schools, and police department.
Report on 155B Properties
Chief Trull reported on properties that are in the 155-B process.
- 456 Glen Ave is a blighted, burned, building at the entrance to the city. Hazardous abatement is complete and the owner has hired a contractor for demolition.
-613 Western Ave will be re-inspected and will go through a court proceeding for a judgment to give the city the right to remove the property. There is no insurance and the owner does not own any other property in the state, so the City will have to pay for removal.
-115 Jericho Road is a fire property that is still under investigation. No time table is available.
-120 West Milan Road is a fire property that the owner now wants to renovate. Councilor Rozek commented that this is a gateway to the City as well, and renovation could have been done last summer.
-320 High Street has insurance and the owner is not claiming the notices. A realistic end could come in March or April.
-2055 Riverside Drive the process has started and we are waiting to hear back from the owner.
Mayor Grenier complimented Chief Trull on his tenacity and stellar performance on dealing with these properties. He asked about a property on the corner of Grafton and Hillsboro that is fire damaged. Chief Trull stated that he will take a closer look.
Mr. MacQueen reviewed the progress that Berlin has made with regard to burned out or blighted properties in the past six or seven years.
Mayor Grenier suggested that next year, perhaps the delegation could introduce legislation that a rental property owner would have to carry insurance to raze or remove a burned or blighted building. There needs to be some assurance that a building owner won’t just pack up and move away from their obligation.
Other
Water Breaks. Mr. MacQueen distributed an update on water line breaks. He stated that often just opening and closing valves will cause breakage, along with sub zero temperatures. A fiberglass line that feeds the paper mill was found to have a failed joint. Subsequently another leak was found on East Mason Street which Water Works found to be a failed portion of the 8” water main. The problem was bypassed and will be dealt with in the spring. Chief Trull commented that opening and closing valves can create a water hammer.
Wind Turbine Fires. Mr. MacQueen reported that he researched wind turbine fires in response to a question from last week’s meeting. Fires do occur and they can be caused by lightning, or the brakes on the turbine can get hot and fiberglass burns. Councilor Rozek asked if there is an area of cleared fire break around the towers; he also asked if the Planning Board asked for a fire suppression system. Chief Trull commented that the Fire Department would not likely put out such a fire but would work to keep it contained.
Tri County CAP. Councilor Nelson reported that representatives of CAP, Brookfield, Northway Bank, City, and Chamber of Commerce met with regard to the Northern Forest Heritage Park’s finances and how we go into the future with respect to Heritage Park. The group came to the conclusion that there is not enough information available at this time from CAP to move forward.
Bench on Mt. Forist. Councilor Rozek explained that Ray Labrecque of Alpine Machine wants to put up a memorial bench in memory of Mike Blanchette on Mt. Forist on land owned by Allen Bouthillier. He wanted to know if there are any City regulations that would need to be followed. Mr. MacQueen said that he would check and get back to Mr. Labrecque.
North Country Council. Councilor Theberge confirmed that Tom McCue is still the City’s representative to North Country Council.
Adjournment
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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