City Council Work Session
May 20, 2013
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Benski, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge; absent were Councilors Remillard and Morgan-Allain
Others present: Patrick MacQueen, Pamela Laflamme, Bryan Lamirande, Corinne Cascadden, Jim Wheeler, Matt Buteau, Linda Pivin, Lyne Laparre, Crystal & Jason Carpenter, Chief Randall Trull, Asst. Chief Thad Soltys, Roland Berthiaume, Firefighters Viens & Lapointe, Linda White, media and public
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
He explained a change in the agenda noting that the taxi cab business is not ready to approach the City Council. There will also be a non-public session regarding land matters and 2 sessions on Collective Bargaining
Property Disposition
Ms. Linda White reviewed each of the parcels the city acquired through tax deed. With regard to 19 Chalet Loop, Councilor Nelson asked if there is interest, why not put the parcel out to the general public. Ms. White noted that it seemed in the best interest of the City to merge the parcel with an existing city lot since it is small in size.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Otis that the City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions as indicated for each property or take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:
Map/Lot 128-0190 (formerly 687 Main St.) and Map/Lot 128-0191 (formerly 695 Main St.): These parcels will be merged and offered for sale by sealed bid as a commercial, buildable lot, taxable value $7,700 with the minimum bid being $7,700 (.23 acre combined)
Map/Lot 130-0135, 246 Grafton St.: This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters, taxable valuation of $6,400 with the minimum bid being $1000 due to steep slopes and unbuildable lot. (.13 acre)
Map/Lot 130-0234, 249 E. Mason St.: This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the general public, current taxable valuation of $8,100 with the minimum bid being $1000 due to unbuildable lot. (.06 acre)
Map/Lot 130-0261, 432 Burgess St.: This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters, taxable valuation of $6,700 with the minimum bid being $1000 due to steep slopes and unbuildable lot. (.11 acre)
Map/Lot 130-0278, 49 Burgess St.: This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters, taxable valuation of $8,600 with the minimum bid being $2,000 (.27 acre)
Map/Lot 131-0044, Hillsboro St. This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the general public, taxable valuation of $8,700 with the minimum bid being $1000 due to steep slopes and unbuildable lot. (.11 acre)
Map/Lot 131-0045, Hillsboro St. This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the general public, taxable valuation of $8,300 with the minimum bid being $1000 due to steep slopes and unbuildable lot. (.11 acre)
Map/Lot 131-0064, 288 Burgess St. This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters, taxable valuation of $6,400 with the minimum bid being $1000 due to steep slopes and unbuildable lot. (.11 acre)
Map/Lot 131-0069, 325 Burgess St. This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters, taxable valuation of $11,500 with the minimum bid being $1500 (.19 acre)
Map/Lot 404-0039, 19 Chalet Loop This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters, taxable valuation of $7,100 with the minimum bid being $1500 (.11 acre). So moved, the motion carried.
DHHS Foster Home License Discussion
Linda Pivin explained to the Council that there are many foster children from the city and it is most cost effective to keep the children in our own community. These children are in a situation they have no control over. She went on to say that there are families in Berlin that have gone through the licensing process to become foster families, going through fingerprinting, central registry check, criminal records and an inspection of their property, among other things. The State Fire Marshall has an approved form that is used for home inspections in many communities; however in Berlin there are additional items added by the Berlin Fire Department. A lot of homes are failing and the homeowners cannot afford to make the changes to pass the inspection. She asked if there is a way that the BFD could use the form
approved by the fire marshal.
As an example, Ms. Pivin indicated that the Fire Marshal requires a smoke detector on every floor while the BFD requires a smoke detector for every bedroom, hard wired and interconnected. Councilor Higbee observed that the form from the Fire Marshal is dated 2004 and it is reasonable to think that things may have changed in that time. Assistant Chief Soltys assured that the City is following State Law.
Mr. MacQueen stated that there is not a lot of discretion if the City is enforcing state law. Mayor Grenier suggested that Chief Trull organize a meeting among DCYF, the State Fire Marshal, and Berlin Fire Department to come up with a recommendation. Ms. Pivin mentioned that the cost of the inspection is a hardship as well especially if there is a need to do a re-inspection for a second fee of $45.00.
Fire Department Budget Questions
Mayor Grenier prefaced the discussion by saying that this is the most difficult budget in his 20 years as a municipal official. The operating budget is the most important job of the Council and it needs to balance the needs of the community with the ability to pay for those needs. It will take $140,000 net for the Fire Department to maintain staffing. He asked if there is a way to make something work by trimming the budget without laying anyone off.
Chief Trull said that he could use SAFE Grant funds to fill the positions; however Council has not agreed to apply in the past because of grant conditions. The first year does not cost the community anything; however the community takes on an increasing percentage of the cost through seven years and then there is a commitment to maintain the current staffing. Mayor Grenier said that the Council can review the terms of the grant to determine if the commitment can be made.
Chief Trull stated that the department is looking at ways to generate more revenue, perhaps by inspecting pellet stoves and implementing impact fees for services. There is no reason that a call by BFD to the ATV Park cannot be reimbursed by insurance.
Councilor Benski asked about an increase in the budget of 80%, with a decrease in calls of 45%. Chief Trull replied that 94% of the department’s costs are salaries and benefits and those costs have increased as have the costs of electricity by 60%; NHRS by 130%; and fuel oil by 206%. Councilor Nelson confirmed with Chief Trull that the department will not make its $38,000 fire inspection projection for this year.
Councilor Rozek questioned whether something could be worked out with salaries to keep everyone working. Chief Trull stated that there is a contract with employees. He added that Berlin does not have resources close by that can offer the same kind of assistance as some of the communities in the southern part of the state.
Mayor Grenier concluded by asking Chief Trull to come up with a shift schedule where the two retiring from the department would not be replaced and no one would be laid off. Keeping four man shifts would be achieved by increasing overtime.
Other
Councilor Rozek mentioned a letter received regarding the guard rail on Finland Street. Councilor Rozek moved to refer the letter to the safety committee; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Grenier recessed the work session to open a duly noticed public hearing.
Public Hearing
There were no comments on any of the items.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Higbee moved with a second from Councilor Rozek to go into Non Public Session per RSA 91-A:3 II(d) Land Matters; so moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilors discussed a land acquisition among abutters. It was decided that abutters on either side should have the same opportunity to purchase.
Councilor Rozek moved to put the parcel in question out to bid with a minimum of $2,500; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Theberge seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to go in non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2, I (b) Collective Bargaining. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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