August 19,
Work Session
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Rozek, Otis, Benski, Theberge, Higbee and Nelson; absent were Councilors Morgan Allain and Remillard.
Others present included Jim Wheeler, Patty Chase, Yvette Leighton, Mike Perreault, Angela Martin Giroux, Linda White, Andre Bergeron and Barbara Tetreault
Non Public Session
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II(d) Land matters. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Mr. Wheeler explained that the purchase and sale agreement for one acre of Community Field has been reviewed by legal counsel. There are no issues with finalizing the document. Mr. Wheeler stated that the Council can vote to move forward with the agreement or if more time is needed for discussion, it can wait until another meeting.
Councilor Nelson moved to accept the terms of the purchase and sale agreement and to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to execute the document on behalf of the Council; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Otis to come out of non-public session. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Work Session
Mayor Grenier opened the work session at 6:30 p.m. He asked for three additional items to be added to the agenda. In work session, add a discussion about a purchase and sale agreement with PSNH and hiring for a position in the health department; in the regular meeting add under new business: 6a) Resolution 2013-20.
Councilor Otis moved to add the 3 items; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Communication from Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce asked that ATV’s be allowed to ride to the Northern Forest Heritage Park on Saturday September 7 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Councilor Nelson commented that ATV access for Wingzilla will allow travel to the park from and to the OHRV Trail on Main and Pleasant Streets.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to allow ATV access to the Northern Forest Heritage Park for Wingzilla on Saturday, September 7 from 10 to 10.
Councilor Theberge asked about police presence and Councilor Nelson reported that the Chamber will work with the Police Department. All voted in favor of the motion.
Councilor Rozek mentioned that there needs to be a discussion about ATV’s on city streets and Mayor Grenier committed the discussion to the second Monday in September.
Notre Dame Update
Linda White reported that some years ago Notre Dame was abated from asbestos, lead and mold with funding coming from Brownfield grant money. The floors had asbestos in the concrete which was encapsulated and because the building sat idle and had some water penetration, the encapsulation was compromised. The Phase I assessment for the new project brought this condition forward as a finding of a recognized environmental condition (REC). AHEAD will pay for the work; however the city, as the owner will have to submit a memorandum of understanding with AHEAD and a contract with GEM Environmental to do the additional remediation.
Councilor Nelson moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the memorandum of understanding with AHEAD and to sign a contract with GEM Environmental to do the work; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Glen Avenue Parking
Ms. Laflamme explained that the proposed ordinance 2013-08 would remove from the ordinances the section that makes Glen Avenue a two lane street; it would specifying a left hand turning lane and it would establish 15 minute parking on the easterly side of the Glen Ave. The parking would stop at the outcrop of rock across from Diana Street. Mayor Grenier agreed with changing the configuration on Glen Avenue but questioned establishing 15 minute parking.
Mayor Grenier suggested making this an extension of Main Street by designating 2 hour parking, the same as Main Street. Councilor Theberge asked if there could be sidewalk along the easterly side of Glen Ave and Ms. Laflamme stated that PSNH owns the land and there would be poles to move as well as a change to the PSNH FERC agreement.
Councilor Higbee asked how this new configuration will impact road tolls that are traditionally held on that street by many non-profit organizations. Ms. Laflamme replied that there is not an easy answer and the process will likely need to come from trial and error to see what works best.
Councilor Otis expressed concern about the width of the travel lane with parking on both sides and Mr. Perreault confirmed that it would leave a 12 foot travel lane. Councilor Benski asked how many spaces would be created and it was determined that it would be between 8 to 10 spaces.
Councilor Rozek voiced that the proposal should be reviewed by the traffic and safety committee. Mayor Grenier said that the ordinance can have its first reading and sending it to traffic safety for review can be part of the motion.
Hutchins Street Estimate
Mr. Perreault reported that the plan to pave Hutchins Street was stopped because there were anomalies in the sewer/drainage system that needed to be corrected. The concept is to rebuild the road with utilities at an estimated cost of $388,553. Funding sources for the project are proposed to come from segregated funds and carry over from last year’s capital as well as the sewer fund paying for sewer work.
Mr. Perreault noted that when the work is completed, there will be a completely new roadway from utilities to sidewalks. Mayor Grenier asked if buried electrical was considered; he also questioned whether the road would be adequate for heavy truck traffic. Mr. Perreault replied that I & I was discovered in the area and it was decided that fractured clay pipes would be replaced to capture the I & I. Hutchins Street will be able to sustain heavy truck traffic with a minimum of 5 inches of asphalt and a proper gravel base. The most recent technology is being used to replace the clay pipe. Mayor Grenier asked if Water Works has anything to do in that area. Mr. Perreault stated that Water Works has completed their work; he added that he has no official response from PSNH regarding underground
utilities.
Councilor Rozek commented that it has been over one year since Hutchins Street was discussed and then the data is coming in at the last minute. The project should have been discussed in the spring and it should be done right regardless of the time factor. Councilor Theberge stated that underground utilities will take another year of planning. Mayor Grenier said that he would contact PSNH and he acknowledged that this is a high traffic roadway and we have to do what we can to move the project forward.
Labor Day Schedule
Council conceded that the next meeting will be Tuesday, September 3 so that the Council will not meet on Labor Day, September 2.
Other
Mayor Grenier announced that the City will sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement with PSNH for one acre of Community Field so that they can expand their substation. PSNH will pay $400,000 for the property.
Health Department
Angela Martin Giroux announced the resignation of a Registered Nurse in the Health Department and asked to move ahead with replacing the vacancy. She explained that an RN is needed for specific duties beyond patient care to maintain the revenue stream from Medicare/Medicaid.
Councilor Nelson moved to fill the position; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Other – Highland Park Avenue
Councilor Rozek showed pictures of the newly paved section of Highland Park Avenue. He indicated that narrowing the pavement has contributed to prematurely corroding the roadway. Constituents from Whittemore Avenue brought their concerns forward.
Councilor Otis mentioned that the same is occurring on Western Avenue and he suggested that the yellow line may not be in the right place.
Mayor Grenier asked for a plan to address the problem for the September 9 meeting.
There being no further items in the work session, Mayor Grenier called for a five minute recess and to move on to the Regular meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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