City Council Work Session
December 22, 2014
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Benski, Morgan Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge
Others present included: City Manager James Wheeler, Housing Coordinator Linda White, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden, School Board Chair Nicole Plourde, School Board Member Donny Labrecque, Deborah Beaudoin, Stephanie Roy, Andre Bergeron, Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun and public
School Board re: Elections Held in Schools
Ms. Plourde reported that school security during elections came up at a School Board meeting. During elections the public can walk through the schools with ease when at any other time, the schools are locked down.
She went on to say that members of the public and councilors came to the Board meeting and expressed their concern. The Board takes its responsibility seriously. Ms. Cascadden stated that she has been a longtime supporter of elections in the schools because it was an opportunity to show patriotism and show the kids the election process. In these times, such open access to the buildings and to the kids is cause for concern. People working the polls use the same bathrooms as the kids. The schools are disrupted on the set up day before election, Election Day, and break down day after the election. This year someone tried to get in to vote on a non-voting day and the police had to be called. With all these things together, the schools are asking the City Council to find
another location.
Councilor Benski said that she has been a proponent of reducing the voting locations in the City but apart from that, she was appalled at what she witnessed at Brown School where the children were crisscrossing with the general public. She advocated removing the schools from the mix of voting locations. Mayor Grenier commented that we are a small community that has always had voting locations in the schools. Big communities like Salem, Manchester, and Concord use the schools and they have a far higher crime rate. He asked what they are doing different. Councilor Remillard voiced that in today’s world, we have to be proactive and find locations out of the schools. If we can’t come up with four, then we could go to two; it is imperative to remove elections from
the schools.
Councilor Rozek reasoned that we’ve always been open an society and we are now faced with a situation in the country that make us rethink. As an elected official he said he’s been told by older citizens that if their voting location is closed, they won’t vote and they will feel disengaged. He said he had the opportunity to call the police chief about having a police presence at the voting site and it would be doable.
Councilor Morgan Allain commented that she fears for the safety of children. Change is difficult sometimes and some people will be offended but people have to make changes. She gave the analogy of the City’s Churches that were shut down and people have had to make do.
Councilor Benski said that it is easier to get elections out of the school than getting an officer there. It is a risk we do not have to take if there are other locations. Mayor Grenier stated that we have an obligation to make it as easy as possible for people to vote. He suggested making the change after the municipal election.
Councilor Theberge asked Ms. Plourde if the Board had come up with alternative locations that would be reasonable and safe. Ms. Plourde stated that the Board’s job is to watch out for the schools. They are not offering alternative locations; however her personal opinion is that the VFW or St. Anne’s Hall could be used. It is for the Council to decide. The Board’s concern is to get elections out of the school because there is a need to know who is in the schools at all times.
Councilor Remillard expressed that the Council has heard from the School Board and Superintendent about addressing a new location and though change is difficult, it’s time. This needs to be addressed now. Councilor Morgan Allain reasoned that the change is not to punish anyone but for the safety of children. Ms. Cascadden pleaded with the Council to consider Brown School saying that with a police officer, the Middle School is more controlled. Ms. Plourde indicated that her request is to close both schools. Mayor Grenier established that the task of finding new locations will fall on the elections committee.
Councilor Benski urged the Council to make the move to replace both schools with other polling places. Councilor Rozek agreed that if a change is made, we should take care of both problems
Councilor Rozek moved to have the Election Committee review and find alternative polling locations to Brown School and the Middle School
Councilor Rozek said that elections won’t be taken out of schools until there is an alternative. Ms. Plourde related that security and schools are the School Board’s responsibility. The board has not voted on this issue. Mayor Grenier stated that the intent of the meeting was to close the schools to elections. He warned that this will aggravate the public. Ms. Plourde said that the School Board can be part of educating the public.
Councilor Benski seconded the motion still on the floor. Councilor Theberge asked for a time limit of two months and Councilor Rozek agreed to amend his motion; Councilor Benski seconded. All voted in favor with the exception of Mayor Grenier who voted against.
Sale of 645 First Avenue
Ms. White explained that the City demolished a building and this is the lot that remains. The property was put out to bid to the abutters and the city receive no responses. Mr. Coutu recently contacted Ms. White acknowledging that he received an abutter letter but he was out of town. He has now expressed an interest in purchasing the property. The minimum bid originally put out was $1,000 and Mr. Coutu is offering $1,500. Ms. White recommended that the Council sell the property. It is likely to be used for parking.
Councilor Rozek moved to authorize the City Manager to proceed with selling 645 First Avenue (Map 119; Lot 326) to Matthew Coutu for $1,500; Councilor Morgan-Allain seconded and the motion carried.
PSNH Lease Agreement
Ms. Laflamme reported that the Council has seen this agreement before for a welcome sign on PSNH property. PSNH attorneys wanted the lighting plan spelled out and the City attorney had no issues with the agreement. Mayor Grenier confirmed that this contains the boiler plate language worked out with Paul Ramsey. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Otis to enter into the lease agreement with PSNH to locate a welcome sign on their property. So moved, the motion carried.
City Department Head Consultant
Mr. Wheeler reported that Ms. Laflamme put in an application for a Charitable Foundation Grant to train department heads. Once she started to work on the application, the granting agency recommended that she have a consultant on board to help with the grant. Since this consultant is most familiar with the intent of the grant, the recommendation is have her do the consulting on this grant rather than go out to bid. We are asking the Council to waive section 2-430 of the purchasing ordinance and engage the services of Carol Martin not to exceed $24,000.
Ms. Laflamme added that there is not another municipality that has done what is proposed in this grant. The Charitable Foundation’s grant reviewer suggested having a concrete matrix prior to submitting the application. With the help of consultant Carol Martin, we were invited to come back and the application was approved in December. Ms. Martin has done the foundation work. Councilor Rozek confirmed that Ms. Martin is not paid unless the grant is funded.
Councilor Theberge asked what the City will get out of this and Ms. Laflamme explained it is an opportunity to share resources, brainstorm and develop a relationship to come together ultimately to better use resources and staff. It is 100% grant funded. Mayor Grenier said that he understands the process and the consultant makes sure that everyone is thoroughly engaged in the process. Council conceded to waiving section 2-430 of the purchasing ordinance and engaging the services of Carol Martin not to exceed $24,000.
Budget Schedule
There was no opposition to the schedule.
Other
Councilor Benski stated that this is her last meeting and she thanked everyone for the experience.
Councilor Nelson advised that there will be an Elections Committee meeting Tuesday, January 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers
Councilor Rozek commented that after the proposed reconfiguration of ward boundaries, he is now taking a second kick with the closure of Brown School voting. Councilor Morgan Allain advocated for taking a positive approach saying that we are looking out for the safety of children.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to adjourn. The meeting ended at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
