City Council Work Session
November 16, 2015
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Gentili, Morgan Allain, Rozek, and Nelson; Councilors Higbee, Remillard and Theberge were absent
Others present: City Manager James Wheeler, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme,
Home Care Director Margo Sullivan; Denver NaVaar
Home Care Month
Margo Sullivan explained that AV Home Care is a non Medicare certified agency that helps people with their personal care and home services. The City gives $8,140 which is used offset the cost of services for those who qualify. The agency helps provide the care needed to keep people in their homes rather than going to a nursing home.
There are 60 workers at the agency and all but one are women. They do everything possible to work with staff and offer flexible schedules. Councilor Rozek asked about the demographics of the clientele at the agency and Ms. Sullivan indicated that there are no finite statistics; however anecdotally the clients are younger and sicker. AV Home Care also deals with deplorable living conditions.
Councilor Gentili asked if the lack of services for mental illness has put an increased burden on AV Home Care. Ms. Sullivan stated that they deal with depression and serious mental illness. Mayor Grenier asked about managed care and how Health and Human Services is going forward with implementation. Ms. Sullivan said that the state has been forthright in the priority of taking care of clients and the providers such as AV Home Care, are not necessarily a priority. Mayor Grenier stated his fear that managed care will suck valuable funds from agencies that provide direct care. Ms. Sullivan thanked the Council for their continued support and she left the meeting at this time.
Zoning Change Request
Ms. Laflamme distributed a letter from Norm Thibodeau who owns property on Hutchins Street. He is asking for rezoning in the area of Twelfth and Hutchins Streets. He was under the impression that the property was zoned commercial but it is actually residential general. His options are to go to the ZBA for a variance; however he would need to prove hardship and prove that there is no other potential use for the property. The other option is to ask the Council to re-zone the area.
At their last meeting, the Planning Board discussed history and intent for the area. In 1999 the thought was that the area would be a medical zone. There are other businesses in the area and there is a parcel owned by Barry Kelly that remained Industrial Business. The discussion resulted in a consensus to recommend rezoning the entire area from Hutchins Street to Twelfth Street “Business General”
Ms. Laflamme stated that any change of use would require a site plan. She will bring an ordinance to the next meeting. Councilor Grenier would like to see a recorded vote of the Planning Board prior to going forward with an ordinance.
Other
Councilor Rozek reported that the newly paved section of Hutchins Street was dug up by the Water Department. Initially a 6 x 4 hole was cut in the street, then a trench was cut across the entire street. He commented that trench patches are not acceptable and there should be protocol established to create a repair that will be acceptable. Mr. Wheeler stated that we don’t know the details yet. He added that there are methods using infrared that can be used to erase a trench patch. As we continue to improve the streets, we want to be on top of how they get repaired.
Non-Meeting
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Otis to go into a non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2 I(c) Legal Consultation. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
| 
