City Council Work Session
October 5, 2015
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Gentili, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson, and Morgan-Allain; Councilors Remillard and Theberge were absent
Others present: City Manager James Wheeler, Police Chief Pete Morency, Lieutenant Dan Buteau, School Business Administrator Bryan Lamirande, Finance Director Patty Chase, Paul Croteau and Barbara Tetreault from the Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Morgan Allain to add an item to the agenda: Update from Senior Police Officials. So moved, the motion carried.
Card Readers for Schools
Mr. Lamirande explained that grant funding is available to provide card readers to enhance security at the schools. Staff would be required to enter the building through one entrance and swipe a card to gain access. There would also be cameras at the entrance location. The card reader tracks who is in the building, the time they enter and leave. The funding is available with a 50% match and the schools will use the Primex rebate to cover the match. Mayor Grenier confirmed that the project has not yet gone out to bid.
Councilor Rozek asked how access is controlled now and Mr. Lamirande stated that keys are given out and when someone leaves the school’s employ, the administrators have to chase down the keys. With the card reader, the access card would simply be disabled. Councilor Nelson affirmed that the grant will cover the key access and cameras. A resolution will be introduced for first reading.
Bond Repurposing Remaining Bond Funds and Bonding an Additional $3.5 Million
Mr. Wheeler explained that the proposed resolution will repurpose the remaining funds from the current bond ($1,477,879.97) to street improvements and it also bonds another $3.5 million for the Route 16 project.
The City is also due reimbursement from the 12th Street Bridge Project totaling $568,852.
Mr. Wheeler reported that scheduled bond payments for a 15 year note will be about $310,000 per year. The bond payment will be covered by the PILT payments from Jericho Wind and Burgess Biomass. Mayor Grenier commented that this plan to fund capital improvements is based on a disciplined approach to spending public money. Councilor Rozek added that by the end of summer 2017, three main arteries in the City will be completely redone without increasing taxes.
Police Department Update
Chief Morency and Lt. Buteau reported that the Police Department has been very busy with juvenile crimes in the city. Programs such as court diversion or community service programs no longer exist. There are approximately 100 people that create problems and steal to support their habits.
Chief Morency said that he wants officers to spend time with the community. His department addresses people problems first, then property. The department is on board with the Citizen’s Academy on October 21 and there will be a Heroin Forum in November to talk about what is needed. He reported that there are two or three overdoses per week where addicts are brought back with Narcan.
Councilor Rozek commented on the seriousness of crimes committed by juveniles and that it seems they are not treated as serious crimes. Chief Morency noted that programs have been cut and there are no resources to help. Services that were cut now fall on the Police Department and schools. Mayor Grenier agreed that cuts at DHHS are pushing the burden on counties and municipalities.
Mayor Grenier asked if parents can be held financially accountable for the actions of their juvenile children. He suggested lobbying the Legislature.
Councilor Nelson mentioned the law that protects people asking for help from being arrested for drugs. There is some frustration when an officer sees the drugs but cannot make an arrest. Councilor Gentili commented that it’s the same people he deals with at the Sheriff’s Office. They can’t be scared into quitting. Police can’t arrest the users; they have to stop the supply. These people have no respect for the law, family or themselves.
Chief Morency stated that the Heroin Forum may be a first step to getting the community involved in the solution. He thanked the council; he and Lt. Buteau left the meeting at this time.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Morgan Allain 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 which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community; so moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Mr. Wheeler indicated that he met with Mr. Chapman, Chris Gamache, State Trails Bureau; and a representative from the railroad at 218 Jericho Road (aka Bass Building) to discuss permanent OHRV trail access over the site. The railroad is willing to grant access by permission. In the course of making site improvements, Mr. Chapman will improve trail access and visibility. The trail will be wide enough for vehicles to access Little People’s Pond. It is proposed that the trail will be re-routed by DRED and Chapman. The price is still $25,000. The Resolution authorizing the sale said that access had to be maintained and that is being done with this proposal. The intent is to sell the property to Mr. Chapman; he will tear down the Bass building and use the
concrete pad; equipment will be housed in the large metal building and there will be offices in the small metal building. Councilor Rozek confirmed that the property will be fenced.
Councilor Rozek moved to amend the purchase and sale agreement based on what was presented to move ahead with the sale of the Bass Shoe (218 Jericho Road) property; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried with all voting in favor. Councilor Rozek commented that this will provide a safer access and we are attracting business to the City.
Councilor Morgan Allain moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Otis seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
There being no further business in the work session, Mayor Grenier called a five minute recess prior to the start of the Regular Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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