Work Session
April 14, 2014
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Morgan Allain, Higbee, Nelson, and Theberge; Councilor Rozek was absent.
Volunteer Tree Awards
Others present included this year’s recipients of the Volunteer Tree Awards: Michele Lamphere, David Morin and Marine Corps League Detachment 1111, and their friends and family. Mayor Grenier commended the volunteers for their service and awarded them leaf plaques. David Morin was also given a plaque for his service on the Planning Board.
Also present at the meeting were: City Manager James Wheeler, Public Works Director Michael Perreault, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden, Fire Chief Randall Trull, School Board members Nicole Plourde and Donny Labrecque, School Business Manager Bryan Lamirande, and Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Wheeler asked to add a communication from Matthew Trahan of Sap House Meadery to the agenda. Councilor Theberge so moved with a second from Councilor Morgan Allain. The motion carried unanimously.
Budget – School Department
Ms. Cascadden reported that the school department has cut its budget request from a 5.4% increase to a 2.8% increase by cutting $449,000. Cuts were made in several areas including the elimination of positions, textbooks and with line item cuts. The School Department will be offering $5,000 as an early retirement incentive for retiring this year.
An issue that will be coming up is that there are several part time aides that do not have health insurance and with government health care, they may have to be offered insurance in the future. Projected revenues were increased by $73,579. Mayor Grenier complimented the school department for coming up with cost savings. He confirmed that the Capital items that were cut are a bus and fire alarm panels. He indicated that he is not in favor of such significant cuts to capital and he would reinstate $200,000. Mayor Grenier added that this is the budget that will go to the public hearing in May.
Mayor Grenier asked if there are concerns about this year’s budget and Ms. Cascadden said they have had a hard time meeting special education costs. Bryan Lamirande added there is a spending freeze and they are hoping that it will be enough.
Ms. Cascadden commented that the Destination Imagination Team wanted to come to the meeting to make a presentation.
Destination Imagination
In a letter to the Council, the Destination Imagination team asked for help to fund their trip to the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee in May. Councilor Nelson moved to fund $2,500 from Council Contingency; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
Fire Department Tanker Repair
Chief Trull stated that the Fire Department is faced with an unexpected repair of the 1995 Chevrolet tanker truck. He received two quotes to make the repair to the tank, one to replace the tank with a polymer tank at a cost of $20,000. The other estimate was from Cross Machine for $11,824 to rebuild the existing tank. The truck is in very good shape with no rust on the frame or the truck. Upon approval, the work could be done by the end of the month. Mr. Wheeler asked if the Council could waive the 3 quote requirement in the procurement ordinance so that the work could get started.
Councilor Theberge moved to waive the three quote requirement of the City’s Procurement Ordinance, Sec. 2-427, and accept the quote from Cross Machine for repair of the FD Tanker truck at the cost of $11,824; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Sewer Rate
Mr. Wheeler explained that for the 5th year in a row, the recommended sewer rate is 7.99/hcf. There will be an opportunity to pay off the interim financing used for Waste Water upgrade in July rather than September and save about $30,000. The UFB in the sewer fund is about $5.5 million. Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Higbee to accept the rate of 7.99/hcf as recommended. So moved, the motion carried.
PSNH Access Agreement
Ms. Laflamme told the Council that in a recent land transaction where PSNH bought a portion of Community Field, the stair access from Community Street was not secured through an easement. The proposed agreement will secure the access. Councilor Benski moved to approve an agreement that will secure the stair access at Community Field upon final approval of the City Attorney; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard confirmed that additional parking will be available soon on the Biomass site.
Sap House Meadery
In a letter to the Council, Mathew Trahand Sap House Meadery asked for permission to sell wine products at the Berlin Farmer’s Market. Obtaining the City’s permission is part of the licensing process with the State Liquor Commission. Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Morgan-Allain to allow Sap House Meadery to sell their wine products at the Berlin Farmer’s Market. So moved, the motion carried.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Remillard moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Land Matters; Councilor Theberge seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Ms. Lafalmme and Mr. Perreault stayed for the non-public session. Councilors considered the potential availability of a property that could solve several space problems for the City. Councilors conceded to further review.
Councilor Higbee moved with a second from Councilor Theberge to come out of non-public session and go into 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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