February 10, 2014
Work Session
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Morgan Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge
Others present City Manager Jim Wheeler, City Clerk Debra Patrick, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, School Superintendent Corinne Cascadden, Chuck Henderson Senator Shaheen’s Office, Lynne Moore, James Wagner, Kathy Eneguess, Martha Laflamme, Gretchen Taillon, Barry Kelley, Brinna Kelley, Ned Dinsmore Community College Board of Trustees, Brian Bresnahan Congresswoman Custer’s Office, Mike Scala Senator Ayotte’s Office, Wayne Moynihan, Shannon Reed, Martha Cregan, Scott Johnson, Dan Buteau , Mike Caron, Gerry Dumoulin, Scott Mason, Sam Johnson, Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun, Edith Tucker Berlin Reporter, and several members of the public
Mayor Grenier called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
March Election Proposal
City Clerk Debra Patrick explained that the January 21 Special Election to fill Ray Burton’s unexpired term had an extremely low turnout with only 3% of voters casting their votes. Having elections in all four precincts cost the City $4,526 for 40 people to man the election sites. After the election, Dave Scanlan from the Secretary of State’s Office was contacted and asked if the Council could reduce the number of polling places for the next special election to be held in March. Mr. Scanlon replied that per RSA 658:18 the City Council can choose to create or discontinue polling places. Ms. Patrick requested that polling places be reduced from four polling places to one at the Recreation Center on First Avenue for the upcoming March 11, 2014 Special Election.
Councilor Rozek confirmed that the cost would be reduced by half and that the City Council would have to vote to make changes to polling places for any future elections.
Councilor Remillard moved to hold the March 11, 2014 election at the Recreation Center thereby reducing the number of polling places from four to one per RSA 658:18; Councilor Rozek seconded.
In discussion Councilor Higbee asked for the change to be well publicized including the availability of absentee ballots. Polling hours will be from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Councilors voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Joint Meeting with BIDPA re: White Mountain Community College Programming
Mayor Grenier thanked Mike Caron and Gerry Dumoulin for presenting their concerns about the future of the college. He introduced Ned Dinsmore who is on the College Board of Trustees noting that he would speak to where the college is and where it is going. Mayor Grenier commented that he has grave concerns about the curtailment of the nursing program for the upcoming school year. He added that two nursing homes, 2.5 correctional facilities and the local hospital leave the nursing field in critical shortage in the North Country.
Mike Caron stated that BIDPA was contacted about a building in the industrial park that was going to house college programs. As a Board, BIDPA works to create jobs and grow the community; they did not feel right about losing valuable college programs. Gerry Dumoulin stated that any job we fight to get, we should also fight to save. Then the news about the nursing program came and BIDPA wants to make sure the community does everything possible to save the programs and shows concern about losing them.
Ned Dinsmore brought greetings from the Board of Trustees and read a communication co-signed by Paul Halloway Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Ross Gittell Chancellor. The letter addresses the unique challenges faced by their three rural colleges and admits that different strategies are needed to meet the challenges. They are always looking for the right mix of programs and at ways to adapt the the developing needs of the students. The Board is committed to rural colleges, and making them accessible and affordable in areas where household incomes are half to 1/3 of what they are in the southern tier of the State.
Councilor Remillard asked what is being done to return the nursing program to Berlin. Mr. Dinsmore said that they are not accepting a freshman class this fall. The Board of Nursing is bringing more emphasis on a Bachelor’s Degree of nursing and the college is working on how to best fit with the Board of Nursing’s goal. The program will be back in the fall of 2015.
Mayor Grenier stated that a bright spot in the North Country is the geriatric care of the elderly. It is critical to have a commitment that this school of nursing will be back in 2015. Mr. Dinsmore indicated that a student who wanted to join in 2014 is being given the opportunity to take supportive courses and then move into the nursing program in 2015. Mayor Grenier asked if Berlin could be made a four year program to accommodate the Nursing Board’s goals. Mr. Dinsmore stated that the college will be providing pathways to get to the bachelors but there are no plans to offer a four year program.
Kathy Eneguess said that there are several medical programs such as medical records, phlebotomy, and medical assistant that are fully populated with graduates. A graduate of the community college system gets a discounted tuition rate for Southern NH University.
Councilor Rozek asked if these measures have been done at all community colleges state wide and Mr. Dinsmore noted that they have not. Councilor Rozek asked for a letter from Paul Hallowy committing to returning the nursing program.
With regard to the building in the industrial park, the college was going to house three programs there: the Diesel Technology, Welding, and Automotive. Ms. Eneguess said that the college had commitment from supporters who said they could grow the diesel program if it were located elsewhere. The program will remain until 2018 if there are capital funds to relocate and invest in the program. The automotive and welding programs will stay in Berlin.
Councilor Higbee asked if there are other plans for expanding or contracting academics that could be shared. Ms. Eneguess replied that there are five new certificate programs: outdoor education, professional survey/environmental, career fundamentals in manufacturing, and autism certificate.
Mr. Dumoulin asked what the mix is of local and out of area students. Ms. Eneguess stated that there are 51 students from Berlin and 11 from Gorham. She invited all to the April 15 Advisory Dinner at the College.
Councilor Remillard asked if college students are able to find housing and Ms. Eneguess said that every year they house 60 to 100 students and it is challenging sometimes but thus far, students have been accommodated.
Mayor Grenier asked if the information about the demographics of students could be forwarded to the Council. He thanked college officials for answering concerns about the future of the college. Ms. Eneguess thanked the group for their interest and invited all to visit and tour the college.
Northern Pass
Mayor Grenier stated that the Northern Pass issue has been thoroughly vetted on the other side of the County; however as an industrial hub in the County, Berlin has had little input and little information. He asked for a fact based presentation about the state of electricity in northern NH. He will ask the Council to take a position on the Northern Pass. He handed out information about Northern Pass as well as a report that shows power plants that have closed or are slated to be closed by 2016 thereby depleting the energy supply in New England. If Northern Pass were to be built, there would need to be two more projects like it to replace the power that will be lost by 2016.
Jim Wagner introduced Sam Johnson the project manager and Scott Mason.
In a Power Point presentation Mr. Johnson showed the state of the electric industry. Businesses face energy supply challenges to meet consumer’s needs. It takes 7 to 10 years to establish and permit a project such as the Northern Pass. There is an over reliance on natural gas in New England. The vulnerability of the power market was evident during the cold weather when power peaked at $100 per MWH. Councilor Remillard affirmed that it is due to the availability or lack of availability.
Mr. Johnson explained that the new route has two sections of underground line including 2300 feet at the Route 3 crossing in Pittsburg and Clarksville, and a 7.5-mile section along town and state roads in portions of Stewartstown and Clarksville. The new route reduces the number of communities affected to 31.
The height of the towers has been reduced to the common height of 85 to 90 feet and impact is being reduced by tucking the line behind ridgelines. The project was designed for low impact to the White Mountain National Forest. There is no expansion of existing rights of way.
Mr. Johnson stated that the Northern Pass will help NH by lowering energy costs; creating new tax revenue; providing a cleaner, more reliable energy supply; and provide local jobs and this will come at no cost to the customer. Councilor Theberge confirmed that the jobs would be temporary during construction. Mayor Grenier commented that the project would bring in $1.5 million in county taxes.
Councilor Nelson questioned Northern Pass’ support of the trail system asking if that means building new trails. Mr. Johnson stated that there is an opportunity to connect with new trails and continuing the existing trails. He added that there is a $7.5 million job creation fund to expand business with $200,000 available today. Questions can be forwarded to info@northernpass.us
Councilor Higbee asked about the Department of Energy’s alternative route and Mr. Johnson explained that the DOE will do an independent evaluation of the route and will publish list
Councilor Remillard commented that she has seen a negative impact on home sales where there are power lines involved due to sound and safety concerns. Mr. Johnson replied that a DC line is different than an AC line in that the electricity is similar to the earth’s magnetic core. The World Health Organization has a lot of information on the subject with no definitive conclusion.
In an attempt to predict what the demand for power will be ISO New England held a capacity auction last week and there were not enough bids to fill the quota. Supply and demand is getting closer and closer, driving the rates upward.
Mayor Grenier stated that it would be easy not to touch on the Northern Pass because of the concerns up north; but we have to look at what we have in our community. Industry is totally dependent on natural gas and we have to look out for families that want to stay in the area by making a commitment to keep industry alive and keep people in Berlin. The developers have come a long way but there are still overtures to be made for visual impacts of the project. Mayor Grenier said that he will ask the council to support the Northern Pass but there will have to be further measurable outreach to the public without waiting until the EFSEC process.
Mayor Grenier voiced that he would entertain a motion and Councilor Rozek moved to support the concept of the Northern Pass conditional upon developers speaking and working with affected parties in a real and measurable way; Councilor Otis seconded and there was further discussion.
Councilor Benski stated that she appreciated the information but remains unconvinced. She proposed postponing the vote because she does not have enough information. Councilor Theberge suggested waiting until alternatives are out in a few weeks.
Councilor Rozek moved to withdraw the motion; Councilor Otis seconded.
Councilor Higbee stated that he would not be able to vote to support tonight and would appreciate the time to do some homework. Councilor Rozek commented that he looks at the power line as a highway; one delivers people and another power. There is resistance to anything new that needs to done to accomplish a goal. He said this makes sense and we need electricity to move forward in civilization.
Councilor Remillard said that she wants to hear more about it adding that the Council is the voice of the people and their needs have to be addressed. Mayor Grenier agreed to wait until the Alternatives Report comes out to call for a vote and in the meantime he encouraged independent research; and coming to an understanding of the fragile nature of where Berlin is sitting. Jim Wagner invited questions to his e-mail address and Mr. Johnson said that he would be willing to come back.
There being no further business in the work session, Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Morgan-Allain seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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