July 6, 2015
City Council Work Session
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Gentili, Morgan-Allain, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge; Councilor Higbee was absent.
Others present: City Manager James Wheeler, Housing Coordinator Linda White, Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden, Public Works Director Michael Perreault, and Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:34 p.m. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Morgan Allain to add Princess Theatre Update to the agenda; so moved, the motion carried.
Proposed Property Sales
Linda White explained that 1051 Main Street has been out for sale at $15,000 and she is suggesting reducing the price to $12,000. Councilor Rozek moved, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity Map/Lot 128-0253.000, 1051 Main Street: (.29 acres – assessed value: $11,300) at the minimum bid of $12,000; Councilor Morgan Allain seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson that the City Manager is hereby authorized, indefinitely until rescinded, to offer for sale at the earliest appropriate opportunity, the properties listed below by sealed bid with conditions as indicated for each property or take the appropriate action as otherwise indicated:
Map/Lot 120-0014.000, 155 Willow Street: (.14 acre – assessed value $12,700) This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters with the requirement to merge the lot with their existing parcel. The minimum bid is $1,000.
Map/Lot 129-0016.000, 52 Ottawa Street: (.11 acre – assessed value $7,400) This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters with the requirement to merge the lot with their existing parcel. The minimum bid is $1,000.
Map/Lot 129-0019.000, 32 Ottawa Street: (.11 acre – assessed value $7,100) This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters with the requirement to merge the lot with their existing parcel. The minimum bid is $1,000. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to offer for sale, indefinitely until rescinded, Map/Lot 127-0230.000, 124 ½ Norway Street: (.3 acre assessed at $12,200) This parcel will be offered for sale by sealed bid to the direct abutters with the requirement to merge the lot with their existing parcel. The minimum bid is $1,500. So moved, the motion carried.
Requests for Sewer Abatement
Councilors reviewed each request for abatement.
1. Yair Balderama Amount Billed: $1566
39 Norway Last Year’s billing: $ 667
Berlin, NH 03570
Account # 084350
Reason for Request: Increased consumption because of running water in unoccupied bathroom.
2. Wayne Bergeron Amount Billed: $ 473
15 Peavey Lane Last Year’s billing: $ 102
Account# 081725
Reason for Request: Increased consumption because of leaking water pipe.
3. Robert Mitchell Amount Billed: $ 473
832 Sixth Ave.
Account# 55602 Last Year’s billing: $ 243
Reason for Request: says his water bill only went up $10 since 2013.
4. Binette Realty, LLC Amount Billed: $ 920
41 Jericho Road Last Year’s billing: $ 607
Account# 35600
Reason for Request: Would like sewer bill abated like his water bill.
Berlin Water Works provided an abatement for the assessment fee on the Binette property but they did not lower the usage amount.
5. Rachel Leveille Amount Billed: $ 530
620 Kent Street Last Year’s billing : $ 51
Account# 600400
6. Benjamin Hall Amount Billed: $ 307
7 Charron Ave. Last Year’s billing:
Account# 54898
Reason for Request: Feels bill is unfair to be charged average usage because he is single.
Mr. Perreault stated that he will suggest a meter.
7. Robert Dupuis Amount Billed: $3436
48 Enman Hill Last Year’s billing: $ 243
Account# 603800
Reason for Request: Feels the consumption was calculated incorrectly.
This building changed hands and water was likely left on. It is a metered well and quantities were verified.
8. Scott and Wendy Davis Amount Billed: $ 594
241 Willard Street Last Year’s billing: $ 32
Account#
Reason for Request: Had a failed toilet fill valve that flooded house for couple of weeks. They want the bill to be based on prior use
9. Ryan Knapp Amount Billed: $ 486
625 Western Ave. Last Year’s billing: $ 64
Account# 5050
Reason for Request: Burst water filter in basement
10. Cecile Bourque Amount Billed: $ 192
15 Providence Ave. Last Year’s billing: $ 160
Account# 100450
Reason for Request: One 85 year old women living in house.
Council concluded that there is no way to know if water went through the sewer system. The burden of proof is on the resident, otherwise the metered water usage is used to determine the sewer bill. There is not enough documentation to support any of the requests. If there was an insurance claim, there may be reason for abatement.
Councilor Remillard moved to send letters denying the abatement requests; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Morgan Allain asked if more documentation is found, can a resident return to the Sewer Abatement Committee. Mr. Perreault stated that the ordinance notes the next step is Superior Court.
Proposed City Purchase of Heritage Park
Mr. Wheeler explained that Heritage Park is to be purchased by the City from Tri County CAP for $75,000 of which we have paid a $7,500 deposit. Councilor Nelson stated that the contents of the buildings needs to remain. Councilor Remillard added that she would like to see Exhibits A and B which are noted in the Purchase and Sale agreement. Councilor Nelson questioned whether there are deeded rights of way on the property. Councilor Grenier asked if the Council supports acquiring the Park subject to meeting the conditions. He stated that a 2/3 majority vote will be required due to the change of use of capital funds. Councilor Remillard clarified that once the purchase is complete, there will be an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for the operations at the park.
Notice of Premium Holiday
Mr. Wheeler reported that Primex has notified the City of an unexpected “premium holiday” where the City will receive a credit of over $200,000. Use for the unexpected funds can be an agenda item for the 20th.
Northern Borders Grant Application
Pamela Laflamme stated that the City has applied to the Northern Borders for Phase I of the Riverwalk plan. There is an 80/20 match for this project and it was pared down by removing lighting, and a gazebo bringing the first phase to $290,453. There is a need for matching funds of $58,000. Funding will not be decided until December. The funding agency wants to see a resolution and they want to see that Council will provide the match.
Councilor Otis confirmed that this project is from Heritage Park to the Bridge Street Bridge. He added that lighting was a feature that we wanted. Ms. Laflamme stated that it is too expensive for this grant; however a second funding source could be sought or the funds could be budgeted.
Councilor Remillard moved to support matching funds for the Riverwalk Project application to the Northern Borders Grant in the amount of $58,091; Councilor Theberge seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor Theberge asked about the geese north of Heritage Park. Mr. Perreault noted that Fish and Game will come and tag the geese and often that is enough to drive them away.
Main Street Program Request
Mr. Wheeler noted that the Main Street Program is requesting the use of the park on Main Street at M/L 119; 1 & 2 for a beer tent for the Downtown Block Party. They are also asking for the closure of Main St from Mason to Green Square and Pleasant Street for the Block Party, August 1. Councilor Remillard confirmed that they incur the cost for police.
Councilor Remillard moved to approve the use of the park on Main Street for the beer tent and to close off Main Street and Pleasant Street from Mason to Green Street for the Block Party on August 1; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
OHRV Use until 11:00 PM
Councilor Nelson asked, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, if OHRV use could be extended to 11:00 p.m. for the ATV Festival on the weekend of July 31 and August 1; for Wingzilla September 12; and Riverfire October 17. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to extend the hours until 11:00 pm for the sponsored events. So moved, the motion carried.
Princess Theatre
Mr. Wheler indicated that Mr. Andre Martel has remained in touch. He contacted HEB and has an agreement that he has not executed; however he plans to execute this week. His goal is to begin the demo and have it done before the ATV festival so that barricades on Main Street can be removed.
Councilor Nelson said that she wants to see the work continue; however it was clear to the Council that the deadlines previously established have not been met. Councilor Rozek confirmed that Mr. Martel has a demo permit and he questioned what is stopping the demo. Councilor Theberge expressed concern for the visitors of the Holiday Center who have to move off of the sidewalk to get around the barriers
Councilor Remillard asked about the engineering and Mr. Wheeler stated that the structural design will be presented to code enforcement for permitting. Councilor Morgan Allain said that she would like to see the project continue but not with an unlimited timeline.
There being no further business in work session, the Council moved to Non-Meeting.
Non-Meeting
Councilor Remillard moved with a second from Council Morgan Allain to go into non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2 (b) Collective Bargaining. The motion carried unanimously by roll call.
The Regular Meeting followed the Non-Meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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