City Council Work Session
May 18, 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, Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden, Fire Chief Randall Trull, Health & Welfare Director Angela Martin Giroux, North Country Council Director Christine Frost, Joe Vigue, Andre Martel, Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun, and public.
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. He asked to add Nursing Position and School Updates to “Other” on the agenda. Councilor Remillard so moved; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
North Country Council
Christine Frost from North Country Council reported that she came on board to make some organizational changes and to help find a director. Much of the first year’s work has been related to building improvements and more efficient ways to organize the office. The NCC board came to the conclusion to sell the building and move into the old Littleton Hospital to best use public funds. The staff is great and five part time people have been hired to help build capacity.
North Country Council puts out a monthly E bulletin that goes out on the 15th. They also do traffic counts and make the information gathered available on line. They work on EDA disaster grants and solicit projects for the State’s Ten Year Plan.
With regard to the NCC dues structure methodology, the board decided that it is appropriate to base dues on assessed value and population. Discounts to municipalities with staff will be phased out over three years. Councilor Theberge expressed concern about the condition of Route 16 North saying that we need a push for better highways in the north. Mayor Grenier thanked Ms. Frost for making the trip to Berlin
Update on 25 Green Square
Mr. Wheeler referred to a series of communications between Mr. Martel and the City Manager as well as a draft 155-B order for the former Princess Theatre. He indicated that he has worked to try to come up with a satisfactory solution without going through with the order. What is needed from the owner is design drawings and specs to deal with the issues of structural damage documented by HEB Engineers that were the result of a fire. The proper submission of the required material would lead to the issuance of building permit.
Mr. Martel’s responses have challenged the city’s requests and it is obvious in his May 11 communication that there is work going on though no building permit or demo permit has been issued. Mr. Wheeler stated that we are not getting anywhere and the safety issues are not being addressed which leads to the recommendation to go forward with the 155-b order.
Councilor Rozek commented that Mr. Martel has his own idea of how to put the building back together. He is doing something but he is not doing what was asked. Mayor Grenier added that proceeding with work is against city regulations and everybody follows the rules. Mr. Wheeler stressed the need to have plans for review. There have only been verbal descriptions given.
Mayor Grenier asked if there was any opposition to having Mr. Martel speak to his plans for the building and there were no councilors opposed.
Councilor Rozek confirmed with Mr. Martel that his intent is to have an operating movie theater where the public will gather in the future. He also confirmed that Mr. Martel is not a structural engineer. Mr. Martel maintained that he is not building but tearing down. Councilor Rozek stated that the major concern is the roof structure that was compromised by the fire. Mr. Martel stated that he is replacing what is damaged. He said that the roof held the snow because the main trusses were stabilized with knee braces. Councilor Rozek reiterated that work done needs to be certified by a qualified engineer and any future work needs a demo/building permit.
Mr. Martel said that he is not sure where it will go after the demo. He wants to tear down to the rafter level before deciding what to do with the building. Once that decision is made, he said he will then get plans. He maintained that he is not building anything and that he does not need a permit for a repair
Councilor Rozek stated that it comes back to the structural integrity of the building which is compromised. We need a structural engineer that is licensed that can certify the work completed so that we can pull the barriers away. Mayor Grenier suggested a deadline date for an engineer to get into the building to assure that the building is safe. Mr. Martel asked to have the barriers moved away from the building while he is tearing things down.
Councilor Nelson stated that she does not want to see the property taken with a 155-B order; however she could not see this work continuing without permits. Councilor Higbee made the point that though Mr. Martel is defining his work as tear down, much of the repair is being done to load bearing walls which takes it out of tear down. Councilor Morgan Allain stressed that there needs to be insurance on the building. Mr. Martel stated that it is his intent to comply.
Mr. Wheeler confirmed that before any work goes forward Mr. Martel must have a demo and building permit. Mayor Grenier proposed July 1 to comply with the requirement to get a demo permit and building permit and have the work done and the work to be done certified by an engineer.
Councilor Rozek moved to allow Mr. Martel until July 1 to obtain demo and building permits and he shall provide the proper engineering to achieve the permits; in return, the City will adjust the barriers. If there are no permits by July 1 deadline, the City will proceed with the 155-B order; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Nursing Position
Angela Martin Giroux reported that she needs to hire a nurse to replace an RN who left. Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Higbee to authorize hiring a nurse for the Health Department. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Morgan Allain moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to enter into a non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2 I(b) collective bargaining. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
At 7:45, the Council moved on to the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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