CITY OF BERLIN
New Hampshire
Minutes of Council Budget Session of 3/18/15
Council Conference Room
6:30 pm
Members:
Mayor Paul Grenier
Councilor Theberge
Councilor Morgan-Allain
Councilor Otis
Councilor Rozek
Councilor Remillard
Councilor Higbee
Councilor Gentili
City Staff:
James Wheeler, City Manager
Linda White, Housing/HR
Patricia Chase, Finance Director
Peter Morency, Police Chief
Brian Valerino, Deputy Chief
Dan Buteau, Lieutenant
Jeff Lemoine, Sargent
Jenn Cloutier, Dispatch Supervisor
Lisa Arguin, Administrative Assistant
Berlin Police Commission:
Jerry Nault, Commissioner
At 6:30 p.m. Mayor Grenier called order.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Peter Morency distributed a handout summarizing the Police Department budget. The Chief reviewed each expense line item and noted that the savings on the health insurance has offset the increase in expected retirement costs. The total operating budget has an increase of 1.4% or $29,800. Salaries saw a contractual increase of 2% and other salaries were adjusted for step increases. The benefit budget has a decrease of 5.1% mostly attributed to the health insurance savings that occurred by switching to a different plan.
Mayor Grenier asked if, aside from Officer Valerino, there were any further retirements expected during the FY16 fiscal year. The Chief said they may have two more and the department has initiated the process of filling those positions.
Councilor Remillard ask about the $5,360.00 increase to the Dispatcher Salary line item and the Chief explained that this is due, for the most part, to expected step increases. Councilor Remillard inquired about the level of staffing under this line item which the Chief said included four full time dispatchers, two part time dispatchers and one per diem. The Detective Secretary is also under this line item.
Mayor Grenier requested that everyone turn to the capital equipment budget. Chief Morency expressed it was important to replace the existing telephone and recording system. Currently the police department does not have an adequate number of phone lines and this proved problematic during the recent water line break. Mayor Grenier agreed that a reliable recording system is a high priority and a replacement would aid in preventing the City from any potential liabilities. After some discussion it was agreed that the City would plan to budget $13,600 for a recording system, $20,000 for a phone system, $44,500 for radio consoles, $4,500 for leather gear, and $63,000 for police cruisers.
Chief Morency reviewed the Special Public Safety budget. Mayor Grenier asked if an officer will be placed at the Route 110 road construction site once the work begins this year. The Mayor was concerned about the traffic problems that arose last year. The Chief explained that he would be reviewing the needs and would plan for it accordingly. The FY15 expense budget was for $89,380.00 and the FY16 budget requested is $90,800.00.
The Mayor thanked the Chief and Police Commission for submitting a responsible budget.
HOUSING BUDGET
Linda White provided a handout and reviewed the Housing budget. The FY16 budget requests a $6,482 increase. Ms. White reported that 262 units have been demolished and an additional $400,000 would adequately fund the demolition of all other city owned properties slated for demolition. The Mayor and City Manager are analyzing the possibility of obtaining bond funding to accomplish this goal.
AMBULANCE
Christopher Dube of Berlin Emergency Medical Services requested the contractual amount of $322,999.92. Berlin EMS returned $26,416.66 this fiscal year due to increased calls that resulted in increased revenue. The company has hired a new billing company and has implemented the use of tablets which has improved the aging cycle by lowering the time between the service rendered date and the payment date. Mr. Dube explained that Berlin EMS is preparing for some staff changes and also shared that some area towns have indicated they might want to be serviced by Berlin EMS.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Patricia A. Chase.
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