August 17, 2015
City Council Work Session
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, Colleen Poulin, HEB Engineer Jay Poulin, Debra Patrick City Clerk, Fire Chief Randall Trull, Assistant Chief Thad Solstys, CAP Executive Director Mike Caughlin
Mayor Grenier suggested removing the Zoning Discussion from the agenda and adding a discussion regarding Labor Day. Councilor Rozek so moved; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
Skate Park Update
Colleen Poulin reported on the movement in the community to locate a skate park in a secure and visible site. The group met with David Bean, the designer of the skate park in Bethel and looked at possible locations.
Ms. Poulin stated that a skate park gives kids between the ages of 6 & 18 something to do and it is available to everyone including low income residents. A skate park in a desirable location draws kids away from unwanted places. The group wants to get community support. The location needs to be easy to get to, close to downtown, near a main road and out in the open.
There are four places that the group would find feasible including a 1.1 acre lot across from Big Apple and the Tondreau Lot that are both owned by Eversource. The Tondreau Lot is leased by the City and the lease speaks to recreational uses. Hutchins Park is a possibility; however there is not a lot of room; no restrooms, and there are electrical wires that may deter construction. The last place is on Gilbert Street near the City’s new recreation building. Mr. Wheeler indicated that staff will connect with Ms. Poulin and talk through the plans. Once the location is chosen there would be a public meeting to get the kid’s input on designing a park.
Mayor Grenier noted that there is an additional $5,000 that was funded by the Council. He encouraged a well-intentioned community effort with fundraising by the group.
Route 16 Update
Jay Poulin reviewed the work that HEB has been doing on Route 16 in preparation for roadway reconstruction. He stated that the project goals are to reconstruct the most critical needs of Route 16 within the available funding, improve safety, provide an appealing streetscape and incorporate a future Riverwalk into the project. Mayor Grenier noted that the road work should end at the railroad tracks.
Mr. Poulin explained that several meetings have been held with staff, DES, Stakeholders including schools, Eversource and Fairpoint. He commented that good information is coming from BWW since they are currently doing a project on Route 16. The current estimate for the project is $5 million with contingency of $750,000.
Design development is scheduled to be complete by 9/25/15. A meeting for abutters as well as the general public will be scheduled in the City Hall auditorium or at the college. The meeting will be advertised and there will be a mailing to abutters.
Permitting is expected to be complete by December of 2015; construction documents are to be completed in January 2016 with bidding for the project to occur in February/March 2016
HEB is looking at reducing the pavement where it is appropriate, installing curbing on both sides of the road and controlling large open curb cuts. Councilor Rozek confirmed that some of the pavement is up to 50 feet wide. Underlying concrete pavement will be removed, and the drainage system will be reconstructed up to 12th Street with the exception of the outfalls to the river.
Eversource will replace utility poles which will be placed behind the curb in at least 30 inches of space. Sidewalks will consistently be 5 feet wide of clear sidewalk space and 3 additional feet where there is a pole. Councilor Rozek asked if there are renderings of what the project will look like. Mayor Grenier agreed that graphics will be needed for the public hearing.
Mr. Poulin went on to say that there are two distinct zones in the project, Business General from High Street to Brown School and Residential Single Family from 8th to 12th Street. HEB is suggesting eliminating on street parking from 9th to 12th Street and adding green space, curbing , trees and aesthetics. Wider pavement causes higher speeds so there is an effort to reduce pavement. It is also being planned to prevent parking at intersections with 40 feet of bump out sections. This will also shorten the distance of the crosswalks in the intersections and offers an opportunity to add streetscape.
Brown School realizes there will be inconvenience while the project is going on. They have asked for as much parking as possible. Their parking area will be paved allowing for a potential Riverwalk location.
Mr. Poulin assured the Council that Hutchins Street and Route 16 can be done during the same construction season. Hutchins will take about ten weeks from May to mid-July and there is preliminary work on Route 16 that can be done at the same time without closing Route 16.
Mr. Poulin asked how the Council feels about limiting parking on both sides of the street from 9th to 12th Street. Mayor Grenier indicated that he is uneasy; however Councilor Higbee said that he does not usually see cars parking in that area. Council conceded to hearing what is said at the public hearing.
HEB Contract for Fire Station Structural Analysis
Mr. Wheeler stated that Chief Trull has noticed deterioration of concrete and steel beams at the fire station. He suggested spending the money to get an assessment before the damage is too great to correct. There is enough FD Building Repair money in segregated funds for the analysis. Councilor Nelson confirmed that if work needs to be done, it will come back to the Council. Councilor Gentili asked if the assessment will be based on what is necessary for future equipment needs and Mr. Wheeler affirmed that the analysis will give the current capacity of the building. Councilor Higbee moved to approve the contract for a structural analysis of the fire station at a cost of $3,000; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Outside Agency Request for TCCAP
Mr. Wheeler stated that he wanted clear direction about paying the outside agency funding which was budgeted this year for the Community Action Program. Councilor Rozek commented that in the negotiations for the Heritage Park he felt held hostage. He proposed to remove $10,000 from CAP’s appropriation.
Councilor Remillard asked what the CAP money is used for and Mr. Caughlin stated that it is for services. He stated that CAP took on the full liability and improved the value of the park. They negotiated in good faith and did not hold anything back. He emphasized that taking money away from CAP will cause services to suffer.
Councilor Nelson stated that though CAP put a lot into the park, the City put a lot into it as well. Councilor Nelson moved that half of $5700 is withheld from CAP’s appropriation of $13,161; Councilor Rozek seconded.
Mayor Grenier commented that a vast majority of employees at CAP are Berlin residents and he does not want to do anything to jeopardize people’s jobs. CAP uses funds to attract federal and state funds. Though he agrees with everything that was said, he felt that the appropriation was made for this year and it should be honored. The Heritage Park can be taken into consideration In future appropriations.
Councilor Remillard voiced that the City purchased the park because they felt it is in the best interest of the city. She added that taking services from the citizens is not the way to go. Councilor Higbee commented that for every dollar CAP receives, they get $4.00 from the Federal Government
Councilor Rozek moved to move the question; Councilor Otis seconded. To clarify the motion is to reduce CAP’s appropriation from $13,161 to $10,281. The motion failed with Councilors Nelson, Rozek and Theberge voting Yes; Councilors Otis, Morgan Allain, Remillard and Mayor Grenier voting No. Councilors Gentili and Higbee abstained.
Segregated Funds
Mr. Wheeler asked that the resolution be amended to add $50,000 for School Fire Alarm.
Pending Retirement
Mr. Wheeler announced that our City Clerk Debbie Patrick is going to retire July 10, 2016. He added that he appreciates the notice and he wants to advertise for both the Assessor and City Clerk positions. Councilor Nelson moved to authorize the City Manager to advertise for both positions; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried.
Voting Location Discussion
Ms. Patrick reported that legislation has changed so that election workers will have to take a picture of anyone who wants to vote and does not have the proper ID. They will need to fill out a form, have their picture taken, and the picture is stapled to the form.
St Kieran’s Center for the Arts is very tight on space and Ms. Patrick felt that there is not enough room to add the new process. She recommended St Anne’s Hall to accommodate more people. She added that the new venue has not been advertised yet. Councilor Theberge confirmed that the camera equipment will be paid for by the State. The upcoming municipal election will still have four voting locations; however the Primary in January will have three locations: the Recreation Center, St. Anne’s Hall and the church on the east side.
Councilor Nelson noted that the Election Committee was charged with finding a location outside of the schools. It was difficult to find places that are ADA compliant and St. Anne’s Hall met the requirements.
Councilor Remillard moved to approve St. Anne’s Hall in place of Brown School and the Middle School as the voting location; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Rozek and Mayor Grenier were opposed.
Labor Day Meeting
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Morgan-Allain to hold the next meeting Tuesday September 8 in observance of Labor Day. So moved, the motion carried.
Non-Public Session 91-A:3 II (d)
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Nelson to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property… so moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard moved to seal the minutes until the transaction is fully executed; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Nelson moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Higbee seconded and the motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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