Work Session
March 24, 2014
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Morgan Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge
Others present: Main Street Program Chair Sylvia Poulin, Fire Chief Randall Trull, Housing Coordinator Linda White, PWD Director Mike Perreault, Waste Water Superintendent Henry Noel; Finance Director Patty Chase; Assistant Fire Chief Thad Soltys II, several firefighters, media and public.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Budget Discussions
Outside Agency – Main Street Program
Sylvia Poulin reported that the Main Street Program was successful with a Citizens Bank Foundation Grant that will bring Roger Brooks back to Berlin this summer to focus on downtown businesses. He will also do a presentation in Littleton about Ride the Wilds at the Realto Theatre May 7 at 8:00 p.m.
Ms. Poulin stated that funding from the City is helping with the revitalization efforts and it is used as matching funds for grants. Mayor Grenier asked about Moving Downtown Forward and Ms. Poulin stated that Veteran’s Park will be redesigned with the help of an architect and in conjunction with the Veteran’s organization and several other project that are slated for this summer. Mayor Grenier thanked Ms. Poulin for her commitment to the downtown.
Fire Department Budget
Chief Trull distributed information explaining each line item in his budget request. The fire department currently has 16 firefighters due to the recent retirement of two. The department would operate best with staffing at 20; however Chief Trull emphasized that 18 should be the minimum considered.
He is working to get grants to bring the staffing level up. Chief Trull is concerned about burn out and the additional stress of the existing staff. Calls for service were 337 last year and this year they are at 378 to date. If the trend continues, it will be 500 calls this year. He encouraged the Council to maintain the staffing at 18, not work harder with less people.
Chief Trull made an argument to increase the hours of the secretary so that administrative work for grants can be done by that position rather than taking up the Chief’s and Assistant Chief’s time. The position would go from 20 hours to 29.
Mayor Grenier commented that he recognizes the problem and understands the weakness of the suppression force with 16 people. He said that the City has not received a denial letter from the SAFER grant.
In Capital Improvements, the Fire Department is asking for a water rescue boat, a fire alarm system; fire prevention vehicle; replacement of all windows at fire department which would cost about $85,000.
Mayor Grenier asked how many gallons of fuel oil are used at the fire department and Ms. Chase said that she would provide the information. There are perhaps emergency management grants to fund engineering of the building next door to make it into an emergency operations center. Engine 4 is coming to the end of its useful life, as is the ladder truck. Mayor Grenier noted that the City cannot afford to pay on two apparatus at the same time.
To a question about whether there are grants available for equipment, Chief Trull replied that granting agencies will prioritize needs and the priority is personnel. There are small grants and the Fire Department has replaced its cba’s and radios in the past few years; turn out gear will be replaced in four years.
Councilor Remillard confirmed that there are 12 in the Call Department and it takes about ten minutes for them to report to a fire. She asked for a breakdown of what the calls are. Councilor Rozek asked for a FD vehicle list with year, make, mileage, and/or hours.
Mr. Wheeler stated that he did not make his recommendations for the fire department lightly. The City is developing an active policy around reduction of personnel through attrition and these retirements were factored into the decision. When making the reductions, he did not increase the overtime thus proposing a true cut.
Mayor Grenier asked if the fire department bills for rescues and Chief Trull noted that there is no mechanism at this time. The city will have to come up with an ordinance that will allow billing for rescues. Mayor Grenier suggested meeting with Chris Gamache to develop a legislative remedy.
Councilor Nelson asked about the revenues for inspections and Mayor Grenier reported that year to date $10,875 has been collected on a $20,000 projection. Councilor Rozek questioned the amount of time Chief Trull teaches at the fire academy and the Chief noted that they are weekend classes and no city time is lost.
Chief Trull stated that he is working on a $120,000 communications grant. He confirmed that the fire department, police departments of surrounding communities, sheriff’s office can communicate in emergency situations. Mayor Grenier said that the City Manager’s proposed budget is in no way indicative of the professionalism of the fire department.
Councilor Higbee said that over the weekend he was part of an exercise that simulated the mass distribution of anti-virus and the chief did a great job. The drill went very well.
Housing
Linda White reported that the City continues to work toward implementing the recommendations of the 1999 study “Enhancing and Preserving Berlin’s Residential Tax Base: A Housing Revitalization Strategy” that includes demolition of 500 units. So far, 254 units have been demolished including the Route 110 Project; 25 lots have been sold to abutters; and 153 units have been rehabilitated.
We need to continue with the removal of blighted buildings and continue with aggressive code enforcement. We need to get out of the business of subsidizing housing and look for premium housing. Mayor Grenier agreed that raising property values in the community is the biggest long term goal after job creation. Ms. White went on to say that the City is trending in a good direction. With the $125,000 funding there are 17 properties, or 31 units that are slated for demolition.
Councilor Rozek asked about grants and Ms. White explained that she is waiting to hear about an EPA grant to assess the properties, then use the non grant money to do the demolition. Councilor Benski asked if the Council needs to address the notion that the City is losing tax base by demolishing property. Mayor Grenier offered the scenario of a multi family building that pays $2,800 of taxes per year and uses a multitude of city services including special education that fax exceeds what is paid in taxes.
Ms. White explained that there are tax deeded properties that have been sold with conditions that the property will be brought to code. Mayor Grenier confirmed that the revenue gets put toward back taxes and sewer. He added that the City should consider demolition of multifamily dwellings in dense neighborhoods a high priority.
Waste Water Facility - Mike Perreault reported that the waste water treatment project is coming together and they now have digital process control where the plant can be run by an operator with an IPAD at home. Clarifiers and all pumps have been revamped. He commended the crew who took on additional customers in the midst of renovations. The budget numbers are projections because there is no history with the new plant.
The city is under administrative order to eliminate CSO. The priority effort is to eliminate unnecessary flows from getting into the sewer system by removing inflow and infiltration (I&I). Mayor Grenier asked if there will be a reduction of personnel when the plant is fully operational and Henry Noel said that he’s asked for additional personnel in the budget including an instrumentation (IT) person at $22,000 for half of the year. The position could work on IT in other areas of the community as well.
Public Works Budget - Mr. Perreault stated that the fuel and energy line items are up by 5%; tonnage and gallons of usage are tracked to allow comparisons from year to year. The budget has remained flat over the last ten years. The department has used over 4000 tons of sand this winter.
Rec and Parks - Mr. Perreault emphasized that as the City adds parks and programs, it adds more field maintenance including fertilizing, insect control, mowing, and lining the fields for events. The crew has been learning to care for the fields from Northeast Agricultural.
Solid Waste - In an effort to reduce tonnage, the City will not pick up yard waste as part of regular garbage collection.
Councilor Nelson moved to adjourn; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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