Work Session
February 4, 2013
Members present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Rozek, Remillard, Morgan-Allain, Otis, Benski, Higbee, Theberge and Nelson
Others present included Patrick MacQueen, Pamela Laflamme, Roland Viens, Mike Perreault, Linda White, Bryan Lamirande, Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the work session at 6:30 p.m. and asked Mr. Viens to speak to the RDG Loan for Godfrey Dam
RDG Loan for Godfrey Dam
Mr. Viens reported to the Council that the Water Works applied for grant/loan funding and after a long process Rural Development came back to say that due to increased revenue, BWW no longer qualifies for grants. The $1 million loan will be spent on updating the Godfrey Dam pipeline which was built in 1925. In the 1960’s it was updated to transite in 8 foot sections that are cemented together over five miles equaling over 3,000 joints. One million dollars will not correct all but take care of worst areas and create a plan for the remainder.
Councilor Benski asked what the new line will be made of and Mr. Viens indicated that sections will be evaluated to determine what solution best suits problem. The line is half in the Jericho ATV Park and half in the White Mountain National Forest.
Councilor Benski asked what happens if nothing is done to the Godfrey Dam pipeline. Mr. Viens noted that there are several failures per year and the City’s water demand is at about 700,000 gallons per day. As the demand increases, with the new prison coming on board and the biomass plant, it is likely that water demand will increase and the need to provide reliable water service will become greater. It would be negligent not to do something. Mayor Grenier added that we need the upgrades to support current water users and to keep the business promises made to new users who are not yet on line.
Mr. MacQueen made the point that both Water Works and Sewer are supported by the fees charged directly to users. Councilor Benski asked, other than this work, what else is in the plan for improvements. Mr. Viens explained $40 million has already been spent replacing 25 miles of pipe. The Water Works is always collecting data on the pipe and does its best to do work on the next worse section. They have 6-7 miles identified for short term repair and more to do in the next 20 to 25 years.
Mr. Viens announced that Water Works will be doing the water line work for the DOT on Phase II of the Route 110 project.
Retention Pond
There was some confusion and it was determined that the Binette’s would come to the next meeting. Ms. Laflamme was asked to give a brief synopsis of the issue and she stated the DOT made the Binette’s an offer for an easement at the far end of the Valley Creek Eatery property to put in a retention pond that would accept drainage from surrounding streets. The offer was made in December and the DOT’s process is that the Binette’s would need to obtain their own appraisal to come up with a counter-offer. They are not happy with the offer or the location of the pond and wanted to speak with the council.
DOT is not sharing what they have been paying for everyone else’s properties. If the Binette’s miss the window by which they can return with a counter appraisal, the State will condemn the property. Councilor Theberge indicated that they wanted the pond to be somewhere else.
Ms. Laflamme stated that the options for relocating the pond were not practical in terms of cost and upkeep. Councilor Rozek commented that he hates to see small business squeezed by state government. Ms. Laflamme pointed out that the City will have to pay 20% of any additional cost to the project. Councilor Otis stated that he took the map and walked the property where the pond would go and he said that it is far away from the restaurant. Mr. Binette will come to the next meeting for further discussion.
Property Disposition
Linda White presented the Council with recommendations for twelve properties taken by tax deed in 2012. She is requesting that the properties be put up for sale with a minimum bid based on a percentage of the assessed value and placed on the condition of the building. Mayor Grenier confirmed that someone can bid and take the property down. He asked about demolishing a tenement building on Cheshire Street and Ms. White indicated that there is a lack of funding for demo.
The properties are reviewed by the building inspector and Ms. White to determine the required improvements and recommended improvements. Bidders will be aware of the requirements at the time of bidding.
Councilor Remillard asked about 180 Glen Avenue which was going to be offered to abutters. The Council had an agreement to move forward.
Councilor Remillard moved to remove 180 Glen Avenue from the list of properties; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Mr. MacQueen commented that the City has never limited homes to being sold only to abutters. A discussion regarding properties with buildings needs to take place.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second from Councilor Rozek that 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. 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 sale are not met.
Map/Lot 110-0128.0000, 662 Sixth Avenue .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $9,380 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $46,900.
Map/Lot 111-0098.0000, 6 Rouleau Rd, .12 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $10,360 being determined by condition (poor/fair), lot size and assessed valuation of $69,100.
Map/Lot 114-0064.0000, 32 Corbin Street, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $8,880 being determined by condition (poor/fair), lot size and assessed valuation of $59,200.
Map/Lot 118-0029.0000, 79 Hamlin Street, .03 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $5,415 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $36,100.
Map/Lot 119-0357.0000, 119 Roderick St., .12 acre : This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $11,380 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $56,900.
Map/Lot 120-0218.0000, 208 Collins Street, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $9,340 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $46,700.
Map/Lot 128-0068.0000, 438 Hillside Avenue, .21 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $13,875 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $55,500
Map/Lot 129-0019.0000, 32 Ottawa Street, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $10,400 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $50,200
Map/Lot 129-0108.0000, 671 Cheshire Street, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $9,260 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $46,300
Map/Lot 129-0131.0000, 621 Burgess Street, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $14,080 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $70,400
Map/Lot 130-0130.0000, 466 Burgess St, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $5,325 being determined by condition (poor/fair), lot size and assessed valuation of $35,500
Map/Lot 130-0247.0000, 538 Burgess St, .11 acre: This parcel and building will be offered for sale by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $10,280 being determined by condition (fair/good), lot size and assessed valuation of $51,400. So moved, the motion carried.
Other - Hutchins Street
The Council requested an estimate of cost to put lights on the pedestrian way on Hutchins Street. HEB sent a memo estimating two options for sidewalk lighting. The first is for period lighting with underground electrical supply for 3,000 feet of sidewalk with a cost of $181,000; the other option is a pole with overhead electrical supply and standard floodlight with an estimated cost of $15,000.
Mayor Grenier questioned whether the more expensive lights will save power resulting in an overall savings over time. Councilor Remillard voiced that she has a problem with approving lighting on this section of roadway when we have residents that repeatedly come in and asked for lighting on the Cleveland Bridge walking route.
Mayor Grenier stated that though there has not been an official vote of the AVRRDD yet, he is comfortable that the $400,000 in the Hutchins Street project to dispose of soils will be waived as the project will provide benefit to those using the landfill. He stated that he and the City Manager would be working on a bond issue to help pay for Hutchins Street and the City share of Route 110 that has not yet been funded. There could also be funding for lighting the Cleveland Bridge walking route.
Councilor Rozek commented that finishing the sidewalks to complete a circle walkway would make a great east walking artery. Mr. Perreault indicated that the sidewalk could be done in-house and we would have an enhanced walking loop.
Other – City Manager Recruitment
Councilor Benski asked about the City Manager search and she was informed that there were 41 applications and the next step is for four council members to rank and score the resumes. More information will come soon.
There being no further business in the work session, Mayor Grenier moved on to the Regular meeting at 7:48 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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