Work Session
February 18, 2013
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge
Others present included Patrick MacQueen, Pamela Laflamme, Mike Perreault, Corinne Cascadden, Rene Boutin, Dave Osgood, Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the work session at 7:05 p.m.
ATV Festival
Rene Boutin addressed the Council regarding the City’s financial support of the ATV Festival. Mayor Grenier asked if there would be corporate sponsors, and Dan Osgood stated that no big sponsors are confirmed yet. Mayor Grenier indicated that a line item will be added in the current budget; however it will not be paid out until after July 1.
Mr. Boutin stated that, as part of the Festival, there would be a membership ride from the Tondreau to Bass shoe. The Chamber wants to do a block party with downtown open Friday and Saturday. Mayor Grenier suggested that the Chamber come to a Council meeting to discuss their plans for the Festival. He added that City departments such as PWD and PD should be kept in the loop so that there are no surprises.
Councilor Theberge stated that he should open the ATV Committee again to keep everyone working together. Mr. Boutin and Mr. Osgood credited the Chamber with providing the assistance the club needs to put the festival together.
Snow Policy Amendment
Mr. Matt Charest wrote to the Council asking for a sand/salt barrel near his driveway and the Council has asked for a recommendation from PWD. Mr. Perreault stated that there is a barrel on Western Avenue where sand and salt could be taken. He suggested that it could be moved to Mr. Charest’s location. Council Remillard confirmed that there is a purpose to the barrel that is in place already. Mr. Perreault indicated that, given the difficulty with adequately dealing with existing winter street maintenance, he did not recommend adding a barrel. He said that the sand is available in an existing barrel. No changes to the policy were approved.
Councilor Rozek commented on snow pick up on Glen Avenue going south saying that the travel lane near the Cleveland Bridge has not been cleared of snow.
Other
Mayor Grenier reported that Senator Woodburn will be speaking on the Gaming Bill SB152 and an amendment will be proposed to allow DRED to hold the economic development money for the North Country. He asked if Council would support sending a communication. Councilor Remillard moved send a letter of support for SB152 and an amendment for DRED to hold ED money for the North Country; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard moved to go into non-meeting per RSA 910A:2,I (b) collective bargaining; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY, February 18, 2013
Mayor Grenier called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 8:10 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard, Otis, Rozek, Benski, Morgan-Allain, Théberge, Nelson and Higbee. Also present: Patrick MacQueen, Pamela Laflamme, and Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun.
Minutes, Previous Meeting
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to accept the minutes of the February 4, 2013 Work Session/Regular Meeting and February 11, 2013 Work Session. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: There was no disbursement report available.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – there were no public comments.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Council Committee Reports – no reports.
NEW BUSINESS
2. AFSCME Local 1444 School Custodians Tentative Agreement
The proposed pay increase for the school custodians was read into the record: the total increase over three years is reported to be $25,355.
FY13 Health Insurance – Board pays 80% of the HMO only
FY14 Health Insurance – Harvard Pilgrim HMO High $10 $1000 (1RWF)
RX $0/$10/$20/$30
Employee pays 100% of the deductible
Employer pays 85% of the HMO High, Employee pays 15%
Wage increase in FY12 – 0%
Wage increase in FY13 – 2%
Wage increase in FY14 – 2%
Councilor Remillard moved to accept the cost items for Local 1444 School Custodians; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion did not pass by unanimous roll call vote
3. City Manager’s Report
Budget - Budget meetings with all the Departments have been held. It is now a matter of putting together a budget to submit to Council on March 4th.
Emergency Management - Fire Chief Trull has been leading the effort to update our Emergency Management Plans. A meeting was held with the Emergency Management Consultant on Wednesday February 6th at the Fire Station.
Primex Claims Review - Patty Chase and I met with Rick Alpers, Dave Witham and Carol Duval of Primex to review our Worker’s Compensation and Property Liability Claims. This is part of a regular process of review to try to improve safety and performance in the City.
BWW Bond Signing - Anne Getchell and Mark Koprowski from USDA RD met with the BWW Superintendent Roland Viens and I on Thursday February 7th to sign the paperwork surrounding the $1M bond provided by RD for BWW’s expected work on Godfrey Dam.
Legislative Matters
Gov’s Budget:
• Would increase Rooms and Meals distribution to municipalities by $5M in the second year of the biennium. First year stays as is.
• Also in second year, $3M is included to restart some SAG payments to WWTF projects which have been deferred since 2008. This is a small start but a good one. SB 168 is being heard on Tuesday, February 19 at 1pm in Rm 103 of the State House and requests roughly $8.8M for the biennium. NHMA does not expect this issue to be resolved probably until June when a committee of conference is likely to be necessary to work out differences.
• Fully funds the existing education adequacy formula and in second year increases catastrophic aid and tuition and transportation assistance to schools.
• Highway Block Grant funding is maintained at current levels.
HB 617: NHMA is supporting this bill which would increase the gas tax from the current 18 cents per gallon by four cents each year for three year until it reaches 30 cents per gallon. They support it because the funds are dedicated to improving roads including local roads and the rate hasn’t increased since 1991 when the average price of gas was around $1.12 per gallon. It seems appropriate that the people who use the roads should pay for their improvement.
HB 672: This is another NHMA policy bill which would limit the property tax exemption for pollution control facilities which is something that Berlin has supported for quite some time. It is scheduled for hearing on Tues. Feb. 19, at 10 am in LOB Rm 301.
SB 78: This bill was voted “Inexpedient to Legislate” (ITL) by the Senate. It was the bill that would have the State determining the structure of the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
Councilor Nelson moved to accept the City Manager’s Report; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
4. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Grenier recommended the re-appointment of Joseph Lapuma to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a term to end April 30, 2016. Councilor Rozek moved to accept the re-appointment of Mr. Lapuma to the ZBA for a term to end April 30, 2016; Councilor Theberge seconded and the motion carried.
Mayor Grenier recommended the re-appointment of Robert Pelchat to the Board of Assessors for a term to end March 31, 2016. Councilor Rozek moved to accept the re-appointment of Mr. Pelchat to the BOA for a term to end March 31, 2016; Councilor Theberge seconded and the motion carried.
Mayor Grenier recommended the re-appointment of Greg Estrella to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a term to end April 30, 2016. Councilor Theberge moved to accept the re-appointment of Mr. Estrella to the ZBA for a term to end April 30, 2016; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Rozek moved to accept the Mayor’s Report and place on file; Councilor Theberge seconded and the motion carried.
5. Public Comments - there were no comments
6. Council Comments
Councilor Theberge asked about red listed bridges that have been in the news lately, questioning what bridge is red listed in the city. Mr. MacQueen responded that the Cole Street Bridge is red listed; it is not in bad condition; however it is not suitable for trucks to drive over. Hillside Avenue Bridge is next for repair.
7. Adjournment
Councilor Higbee moved to adjourn; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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