CITY OF BERLIN
New Hampshire
Minutes of Council Budget Work Session of 3/13/13
Council Conference Room
6:30 pm
Members:
Mayor Grenier
Councilor Higbee
Councilor Rozek
Councilor Otis
Councilor Morgan-Allain
Councilor Nelson
Councilor Benski
Councilor Remillard
Staff:
Pat MacQueen, City Manager
Patty Chase, Finance Director
Pam Laflamme, Planning Director
Eric Kaminski, Airport Manager
Debbie Patrick, City Clerk
Susan Warren, Assessor
Kris Davis, Clerk
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Mayor Grenier requested that the meeting begin with the review of requests from outside agencies. City Manager, Pat MacQueen, reviewed the request for budgeted line items received from various agencies.
Margo Sullivan from AV Home Care Services requested further funding. She explained that her services aid sick and elderly citizens. Councilor Remillard asked if there were more clients this year and Ms. Sullivan noted that there was not an increase from the previous year and in fact the numbers are consistent from one year to the next. Mayor Grenier asked if there are Private Pay Services and Ms. Sullivan explained that there were. AV Home Care Services has developed a broader spectrum of services over the last ten years. Councilor Remillard asked if there has been an increase in employment and Ms. Sullivan responded that there was not. They have about seventy employees with part time and full time statuses. Mayor Grenier asked if they have a scholarship program and Ms. Sullivan reported that they
have a modest education reimbursement program.
Beverly Raymond spoke on behalf of Tri County Cap’s Transportation Services. She reviewed their services which are geared to the elderly and disabled. Her service does provide transportation to places as far away as Dartmouth and Maine Medical Center. These trips are provided by volunteers who are only reimbursed for the cost of travel. Mayor Grenier asked how many employees this division has and Ms. Raymond explained that there are three. Councilor Rozek asked if a citizen who has difficulty maneuvering would be provided assistance and Ms. Raymond responded that the drivers would assist.
Cindy Baillageron represented Tri County Community Contact. She expressed concern that without funding this agency would have a difficult time maintaining the level of services they provide. She reviewed her services which include Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Weatherization and USDA Food Pantries. Councilor Remillard asked how many employees are employed and Ms. Baillageron explained there are one full time and two part time employees. Councilor Nelson asked what agencies received past funding from the City and Councilor Higbee offered to provide that data as he is employed at Tri County Cap.
Patty Stolty spoke on behalf of Elderly Services. She reviewed her program and explained that Senior Meals has seen a growth of 7% this year. She also explained that the Adult Care Program operates five days a week and currently service seven clients. This program provides care which allows caregivers to have respite. They have many events and offer tax services, craft classes and a number of social programs.
Lisa Carlson from the Holiday Center requested funding again this year. She explained that there are about 185 members participating at the Holiday Center and the hope is to keep as many elderly citizens in their own homes for as long as possible. They have four full time employees and are open five days a week. The Holiday Center does provide transportation to events and is geared for the disabled and the elderly, sixty and over.
Sylvia Poulin spoke on behalf of the Berlin Main Street Program. She offered pamphlets on the ATV/Riverfire Festivals. She reported that Citizens Bank gave a $20,000.00 grant this year which has helped tremendously but there is still much work to be done. This program purchases Christmas Decorations and in recent years has provided new trash receptacles Councilor Nelson asked how the requested funds from the City would be used and Ms. Poulin explained that the funding would help pay Paula Kinney’s salary. Councilor Nelson suggested that some of the funding might be used for fireworks at the Parade of Lights.
Richard Huot from Heritage Park reviewed the park history and activities held there. Tri County Cap has maintained the park in recent years but will no longer be able to do so. Tri County Cap would like to find another entity to manage Heritage Park and Mr. Huot expressed that funding would help with the operating and maintenance costs.
Mayor Grenier thanked the representatives from the outside agencies who attended.
Michael Caron spoke on behalf of the BIDPA budget and expressed the Boards excitement and desire to act proactively with the coming new fiscal year. The Board is seeking funds to renovate the old Dollar Store property and Mr. Caron shared that the Industrial Park currently has renters which helps with cash flow.
Airport Manager, Eric Kaminski, explained the services the airport provides and the importance of jet and low lead fuel sales which generates the much needed revenue in order to operate. Mayor Grenier asked if transient air traffic tends to purchase fuel and Mr. Kaminski shared that most pilots do purchase fuel. There was some discussion regarding the new Jet A Fuel tank project which has gone out to bid again. Councilor Rozek asked about hosting “fly in events” and Mr. Kaminski explained that the cost of additional liability insurance deters any planning of such events.
There was a brief break from 7:30 to 7:42 p.m.
There was a review of the Mayor and City Council budget with an increase in the Municipal Audit line item.
City Manager MacQueen reviewed the Administration Budget. City Clerk, Debra Patrick, explained that City Clerk fees are from the issuance of vital records. The Mayor asked about the proposed full time Code Enforcement Clerk position being reduced to half time. There was some discussion around boat registrations which only the DMV currently issues.
Mayor Grenier questioned the 5 million CIP loan with Bank of New Hampshire and requested that the City Manager initiate a new loan process. The intent of this request is to pay off the current loan with a lower interest bearing loan.
City Clerk, Debra Patrick noted during the review of the Elections budget that this year’s budget is lower because there is only one election.
During the review of the City Hall and Other Buildings budget, Councilor Remillard inquired about the replacement of the oil tanks which the City Clerk confirmed needed replacement.
The Property and Liability Insurance line item is lower in this budget due to the transfer of this expense for the school’s share to the school’s budget as explained by the City Manager.
The City Manger then reviewed the Central Services and Contingency budgets.
On unanimous vote, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia Chase
Finance Director
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