Work Session
May 5, 2014
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge; Councilor Morgan-Allain was absent
Others present City Manager Jim Wheeler, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Recreation Programmer Terry Letarte, BIDPA Chair Mike Caron, School Business Administrator Bryan Lamirande, and Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. He asked the Council for a non-public session regarding land matters so that BIDPA Chair Mike Caron could make a brief presentation.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to add the non-public item. So moved, the motion carried unanimously.
Non-public Session
Councilor Higbee 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. Caron and Ms. Laflamme were present for the non-public session.
Councilor Nelson moved to seal the minutes until the transaction discussed is complete as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Remillard moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Update & Time Schedule on Hutchins St Repair Contract
Mr. Wheeler reported that AB Logging is set to start their work on Hutchins Street May 19. Cross Construction still has some work to finish from last year’s sanitary sewer line replacement. The street should be completed by the end of July.
In the packet of information, there was a contract for engineering for $35,000 from Wright Pierce for construction engineering services on the Hutchins Street project. Councilor Nelson moved to approve the contract for $35,000 from Wright Pierce; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
Resolution 2014-09
Terry Letarte explained that there is grant money available for partial funding of picnic shelters for Community Field and Brown School. Priorities for Rural Development grants are food and security and these shelters fit the criteria. The total cost of two shelters is $6,500; however the grant does not cover labor and pays for 55% of material costs or $2,400. The City would need to commit to the balance. Councilor Rozek confirmed that the Brown School shelter would be in the grassy area at the front of the school.
Sullivan Street Closure Request
This is a yearly request from Community Bible Church to close Sullivan Street for a Bike a Thon and community yard sale. Councilor Rozek moved to allow the street closure as proposed in Pastor Howry’s letter to the Council; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
School CIP Request
Bryan Lamirande stated that the schools want to purchase a second minivan with remaining capital funds in their budget. The van is used instead of a full size bus when it is practical to do so. Mayor Grenier noted that the schools need Council approval to use unspent capital money for a purpose other than what it was budgeted for.
Councilor Rozek moved to allow the use of $15,656.00 of unused capital money from the 2014 budget toward the purchase of a minivan; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
At the Mayor’s request, “Sweeper Discussion” was added to the agenda on a motion from Councilor Otis; second from Councilor Higbee and a unanimous affirmative vote.
Sweeper Discussion
Mr. Wheeler presented a map of the City’s streets that have been swept marked in orange for the streets done at night and in yellow for the streets done during the day. He questioned whether the day sweeping should continue. There was an incident of pedestrian being affected by the dust though the driver did what he could to prevent it. Sand on the street is a hazard in itself.
Mayor Grenier suggested that Public Works continue to clean the streets in both night and day shifts. He added that there will be someone who is unhappy no matter when the streets are swept. The job needs to get done using proper judgment.
Letter Re: Botanical Garden Brush Cutting
Councilor Rozek asked if anything is going to be done to open the view along the walkway at the Botanical Garden as suggested in a letter from Don Krauer dated April 16, 2014. This was discussed at a previous meeting and getting prison labor was proposed. Ms. Laflamme said that the PSNH arborist will be coming to Berlin tomorrow and she will mention the brush cutting to her. PSNH owns the property and it is important to coordinate with them because the park is part of their FERC licensing.
There being no further business in the work session, Mayor Grenier went on to the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
