City Council Work Session
April 6, 2015
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Gentili, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge
Others present included City Manager James Wheeler, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, Public Works Director Michael Perreault, and Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:33
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Higbee to add Great Lakes Discussion to the agenda. So moved, the motion carried.
Setting the Sewer Rate
Mr. Wheeler referred to a spreadsheet that takes into account flows and sources of revenue to come up with a proposed sewer rate. The recommendation is to use $170,000 from UFB to maintain the rate at $7.99 again this year. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to maintain the sewer rate at $7.99 per hcf. The motion carried with all in favor.
Cate Street Donation
Ms. Laflamme reported that Cate Street wants to make a donation of $20,000 to improve the baseball field at Community Field. The plan is to excavate the old infield material and replace it with jock sand. Berlin Water Works and the Recreation Department will work together to renovate the field. The Council will go through the resolution process of accepting the donation.
Mayor Grenier suggested honoring the donation with a plaque similar to what was done when Eli Isaacson donated funds for Memorial Field. Mr. Perreault stated that the company is considering providing a work day with their crews. He said that the structures will be constructed between playing seasons and recognition can be put on the structure.
Great Lakes Update
Mr. Wheeler explained that the city filed an interlocutor appeal with the Supreme Court in the Great Lakes case requesting that all internal appraisals be made available. During the BTLA case, the court did not say yes or no. Great Lakes submitted a summary affirmance asking the Court for affirmation of the BTLA’s decision. The Supreme Court denied their request and Great Lakes could potentially have to provide those values. The Supreme Court encourages the mediation process and the City is open to that.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Theberge moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II(d) Consideration of the lease or sale or real or personal property… Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Ms. Laflamme distributed a map of small cemetery that is located at a property on North Road. She explained that Jeremy Hess bought the property last fall and does not love the fact that there is a cemetery on the property with grave stones of the Cates Family. Mr. Hess wants to subdivide the cemetery and give it to the City. He would pay for the survey and subdividing.
Mr. Wheeler reported that Mr. Hess has had some issues with repair work that was done to his driveway and he has indicated that if the City will take this cemetery, he will not seek any further compensation for the driveway.
Councilors determined that the cemetery would end up being a burden on taxpayers. The City may need to maintain it and provide access to it. There was no interest from the Council in acquiring the private cemetery. It was suggested that perhaps the Historical Society would be interested.
There was a separate discussion about a Main Street property.
Councilor Rozek moved to seal the minutes of the Main Street discussion until the issue is resolved as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Morgan-Allain seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Morgan-Allain seconded and the motion carried.
There being no further business in work session, Mayor Grenier moved on to the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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