April 29, 2013
Work Session
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Remillard, Rozek, Theberge, Morgan-Allain, Otis, and Benski; Councilor Nelson was absent
Others present: Patrick MacQueen, Jim Wheeler (6:15); Nicole Plourde, candidates for School Board position: June Ann Kelliher, Ralph Aversano, Mark Evans and Lynn Moore; Pete Morency, media and public
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Councilor Morgan Allain moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (b,c) Personnel; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Mayor Grenier stated that he and Councilor Rozek met with Jim Wheeler regarding salary, keeping in mind the perimeters set by the Council. Mr. Wheeler will be offered $95,000 for the first six months; in January, his salary will go up by $5,000 and in July another $5,000. Health insurance will be provided 80/20 at a cost to the city of $18,797. Mayor Grenier proposed to offer $100 per week for vehicle expenses and to allow $3000 for training and professional organizations and $500 for meals at out of town meetings. Other benefits such as Life Insurance, WC, Dental, Retirement, UC & SSI will make the total cost in line with what the City has been paying MRI. ($144,000)
Mr. Wheeler has no issues with either being an employee at will or having a contract. Councilors conceded to a two year agreement.
Jim Wheeler entered the meeting at this time. Mayor Grenier informed him that the Council fully supports the negotiated compensation package and Mr. Wheeler agreed to $100 per week for vehicle use and to a two year agreement. Mr. Wheeler thanked the Council and commented that he is looking forward to getting to work.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Benski seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Mayor Grenier announced the hiring of a new City Manager to the press and public.
At 7:10 p.m. the Council convened to interview candidates for School Board
Matt Buteau withdrew his letter of interest.
June Ann Kelliher – Mayor Grenier thanked Ms. Kelliher for her interest in the School Board. She gave a brief bio of her work history and the boards she has served on, and experience. To the question of why she applied, Ms. Kelliher stated that the schools offer an opportunity to mold children into adults and she hopes to help maintain the level of quality education and wants to be part of the team. Councilor Remillard asked about the time commitment and whether Ms. Kelliher has attended any school board meetings. Ms. Kelliher assured that she has the time to devote and she had not attended any recent meetings; however she took minutes for the School Board years ago.
Councilor Higbee asked if Ms. Kelliher’s interest is due to the good work she sees happening at the schools or is it because she sees things that need to be changed. Ms. Kelliher commented that there is a need to work together.
Mayor Grenier stated that this will be a very short term in office and he asked if not selected, would Ms. Kelliher run for the position in the upcoming election. Ms. Kelliher said that she is open to the possibility. She said that she stepped up because there was little interest.
Ralph Alversano - Mayor Grenier thanked Mr. Alversano for his interest. He gave a brief bio of his work experiences and education. To Councilor Remillard’s questions he responded that he has the time to attend school board meetings and he has attended a School Board meeting related to Destination Imagination.
Councilor Higbee asked if Mr. Aversano supports the efforts of the School Board or if he sees a need to change. Mr. Aversano stated that he is not a big proponent of changing but he is committed to bringing new experience, with no preconceived ideas.
Asked by Mayor Grenier if he would consider running for the position in September, Mr. Aversano said that he is moving in that direction.
Mark Evans – Mayor Grenier welcomed Mr. Evans and thanked him for his interest. Mr. Evans explained his background and experience. Councilor Remillard asked if he has the time to attend meetings and if he has gone to any School Board meetings. Mr. Evans assured the group that he has the time. He has not attended any recent meetings.
Councilor Higbee asked if Mr. Evans has things to change at the School Board level and Mr. Evans stated that he has an agenda. He is more concerned about how things work rather than how they look; he feels there have been missed opportunities to save money. He said that with Mr. Morin’s resignation, he felt he could help with negotiations. He thought it would be a nice counter balance to have one fiscal conservative on the school board to talk about saving money. He added that he would be running for office in the fall.
Lynn Moore – Mayor Grenier thanked Ms. Moore for her interest. She gave a brief bio about her work experience at the White Mountains Community College and her volunteer experience. To Councilor Remillard’s questions about whether she has time, and if she has attended School Board meetings, she replied that she has the time. She went to the last school board meeting and spoke with teachers.
Councilor Higbee asked if Ms. Moore would come in with ideas to change or carry on the work of the existing school board. Ms. Moore indicated that she would approach the new position understanding fiscal management, and taking the approach to hear how things are done and offering her experience with facilities; policies; safety and security, all aspects that she could bring to the school board.
Mayor Grenier asked, if not selected, would Ms. Moore run for the position in the fall and she confirmed that this is what she wants to do so she would run. She added that has taken the time to do the research; she expressed that she is passionate about education.
Mayor Grenier called for a show of hands for each candidate. In the show of hands, only Ms. Moore received votes. Ms. Moore was unanimously selected to be the new School Board member. She was informed to see the City Clerk to be sworn in.
Use of City Streets – ATV Festival
Mayor Grenier noted that last year Berlin’s streets were open for use by atvs during the ATV festival. Mr. MacQueen stated that under the City ordinances, Sec. 13-12 allows the Council by vote to allow atv’s on the street for up to two days.
Mayor Grenier asked Chief Morency about the problems from last year and if he felt those are under control. Chief Morency reported that HB 383 has passed the House and Senate but has not been signed by the Governor yet. The bill addresses those who are old enough to hold an atv certificate and ride in the woods but are not old enough to know the rules of the road needed to ride on city streets. Riding in the street would be allowed under the supervision of a licensed adult. Chief Morency felt that the new law and press releases done ahead of time will help to address the issues.
Councilor Rozek moved to allow the unbridled use of city streets during the ATV Festival, July 26 & 27; Councilor Benski seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Theberge reported that there will be a meeting of the ATV Committee. There was an issue last year with people going beyond the city limits and Chief Morency said it could be addressed with better signage.
Councilor Morgan Allain questioned whether St. Anne’s was going to hold the same walk they did last year. Chief Morency offered to check and plan around it.
Proposed Agreement with Nobis Engineering
Mr. MacQueen reported that the proposed contract is for monitoring a site near the Police Station that was cleaned up from a tar tank being removed. The site now has to be monitored in accordance with DES regulations. The State’s Oil/Petroleum Fund will pay the cost of monitoring.
Councilor Rozek moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into contractual agreement with Nobis Engineering for water quality monitoring, report and site management per the requirements of NHDES for the site known as Police Impound Lot/Gilbert Street at a cost of $21,924 paid for through State funds; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Refinancing Debt – Mayor Grenier explained that a resolution will come before the Council at the next meeting to refinance the city’s debt. The City had taken out a $5 million 5 year line of credit at 2.99 %. We will refinance $4.5 million; $3.5 million to current projects and $1 million for street repairs. Before the bond bank gives the rate, they need a resolution from the governing body. Once the bond bank goes out for its bonds, the city cannot back out of the loan; nor can it prepay. The loan will be for 12 years.
Sander – Councilor Remillard reported that the sander is again out during the day and not in the rain.
Traffic Safety Committee – Councilor Remillard asked if Councilor Rozek could chair the Traffic and Safety Committee. There were no objections from the committee members.
Chickens – Councilor Benski reported that she was approached by a constituent who asked if the Council would reconsider chickens being allowed in residential areas. Councilor Theberge stated that he’s looked into what other communities allow and Concord allows only hens, no roosters. Councilor Otis confirmed that chickens are allowed in rural residential zones, just not in the urban compact
There being no further business, Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Morgan Allain seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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