Work Session
February 16, 2015
Present: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Nelson, Theberge, Gentili, Otis, Remillard, and Rozek; absent were Councilors Morgan-Allain and Higbee
Others present included City Manager James Wheeler, Public Works Director Michael Perreault, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, HEB Engineer Jay Poulin.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and asked the Council to add Senate Bill 30 to the agenda. Councilor Nelson so moved, Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Hutchins Street & Route 16
Jay Poulin explained that Hutchins Street will be reconstructed in its existing location with the available Federal funds of about $700,000. The project was looked at for realignment to get it out of unsuitable soil; however the cost was going to be more than what the City can afford.
HEB developed a design and scope for Hutchins Street and submitted it to the NHDOT. They came back with changes including a wider separated pathway that would allow multi modal use. HEB’s original submission had a small budget for lighting and landscaping; however the funding will now be needed for wider sidewalks.
Councilor Theberge asked how long it takes to get wetland approvals and Mr. Poulin indicated it would take about 3 months. Councilor Theberge mentioned that the Success Pond Road gets swamped due to the melting of the City’s snow storage location and eventually water goes over the road. Mr. Poulin noted that they would take that into consideration.
The submission to DOT came back with two requests. The first is a widened shoulder to accommodate cyclists and the other is an increase from a 6 foot walkway to eight feet to accommodate traffic in both directions. The project still meets the budget with no lighting and landscaping. The preferred alternative for a federally funded project is to include curbing but there is not enough money in the project. Mr. Poulin asked if there is additional city funding to do construction with curbing.
The alternative to curbing is to create a swale with a drainage ditch. DOT suggested the more desirable way to maintain drainage is to install curbing and a paved walkway. The roadway drainage would remain within the road and curbing is traffic calming and easier to maintain. It would add $180,000 to the project.
Mr. Poulin stressed that this design cannot guarantee that there will not be movement of the roadway in the future. This reconstruction involves removing the pavement and adding geogrid for load distribution and a crushed gravel base and then new pavement. This will be better than what is there but the base of coal ash and bark will continue to compress in the future. A complete reconstruction with removal of the base on Hutchins Street would cost about $4 million.
Councilor Theberge asked about traffic calming and Mr. Poulin said that a vertical element in the roadway slows traffic. Councilor Theberge confirmed that a granite curb can withstand winter plowing. He then asked how long the roadway will last based on the results of the core sampling done by HEB. Mr. Poulin commented that it is tough to predict what the life will be.
With regard to lighting the area, Mr. Poulin noted that underground conduit can be laid so that a lighting project is ready to go. It is not anticipated that there will be enough money for concrete lighting pads. The cost for lighting in 2013 was estimated at $180,000. Mr. Poulin reported that there is a 20% contingency at this time and that will come down as the project gets further along in design.
Councilor Remillard asked if we would see major frost heaves in year one. Mr. Poulin stated that there won’t be frost heaving because the ground water is lower. The reason that the roadway shifts is that the base materials are compressing at different rates. If water infiltrates the cracks it will add water and frost heaving will become an issue. Geogrid will make a big difference but it will not solve all the issues of that road. Councilor Rozek confirmed that the base material will continue to decay and drop over time. He asked if the granting agency would consider going with the lesser width of the road and Mr. Poulin stated that because we are using federal money, we are being asked to accommodate all users. The thought is that even though the road we
are tying in to is not the same, in the future it will be built to the new specifications.
Councilor Remillard asked where the money would be coming from and Mr. Wheeler presented the current plan for the bond that was taken out to pay for projects. Funding is needed for the anticipated overrun of Route 110 and there is $216,477 for bridge work on Hillside Avenue. He suggested postponing the bridge work and using that money. We also anticipate getting $568,852 from the state for the work that was done on the 12th Bridge. Mr. Wheeler suggested floating another bond for the anticipated funding needs. A $2.5 million bond would fund transportation and demolitions. In talking with the bond bank, we want the annual payment to be about $200,000 per year.
Mayor Grenier noted that the biggest impact will be in 2017. He proposed that additional tax dollars from Berlin Station and the windmill project be used on the City’s capital improvement needs. Councilor Theberge moved to go with Alternative II on the Hutchins Street Project which will add granite curbing; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
Mr. Wheeler indicated that there will be some additional decisions to make regarding the Route 16 project. He stated that HEB will come back with scenarios and dollars assigned for Council to consider.
Francophone Discussion
Mayor Grenier explained that the Mayor of Quebec City is working to put together an initiative where communities that take part have a French heritage and they would come together for global economic development strategy. Berlin was asked to participate.
Councilor Nelson moved to participate in the initiative; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Senate Bill 30 Discussion
Mayor Grenier stated that Senate Bill 30 seeks to create a development district similar to Pease for the development of the Balsams Hotel. $28 million has been raised for the project; however the developers recognize that they have to have all the amenities available when they begin welcoming guests. The County has been contacted to help create a water district to bring water seven miles for snowmaking equipment. This project will be beneficial to the entire county. Councilor Remillard asked if this fails, will there be a cost. Mayor Grenier indicated that there is a guaranteed bond issue. The bill is sponsored by Jeff Woodburn and the State is holding the first positon on the $28 million loan.
Councilor Remillard moved to send a letter to the Public and Municipal Affairs Committee in support of SB30 ; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Otis to go into non public session per RSA 91-A:3
(d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Otis to seal the minutes of the non-public session until the transactions have occurred as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Otis to come out of non-public session. So moved, the motion carried.
There being no further business in work session at 7:55 PM Mayor Grenier recessed for 5 minutes and moved on to the Regular Meeting
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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