Work Session
June 6, 2016
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Otis, Remillard, Gentili, Morgan Allain, Higbee, Rozek, and Nelson; Councilor Theberge was absent
Others present included City Manager James Wheeler, Finance Director Patty Chase, Community Development Director Pamela Laflamme, School Board Member Scott Losier, Superintendent of Schools Corinne Cascadden, School Business Administrator Bryan Lamirande, Advisory Board Chair for Welding Rick Fournier, AV Chamber of Commerce employees Paula Kinney, and Steve Clorite, Assistant City Clerk Elaine Riendeau, and Barbara Tetreault Berlin Daily Sun
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:37 p.m.
Request for Support of Welding Competition
Rick Fournier addressed the Council as the Chair of the Advisory Board for Berlin High School’s Welding Program. He noted that New Hampshire will be sending one representative to the USA Welding Skills Competition and that person this year is Kaylee Eastman. It is the first time that NH will send a female student to the welding competition. Kaylee is an outstanding student and will be graduating in the top ten of her class at BHS. The competition will be held in St. Louis. Ms. Eastman has been successful in raising $3400 and is short about $1,200. Funding will be to meet the expenses of travel and lodging for Kaylee and her teacher.
Councilor Nelson moved to appropriate $1,200 from Council Contingency; Councilor Otis seconded. In the discussion that followed Councilor Rozek commented that this is a great program and opportunity; however he cautioned that others may follow and he wanted to be sure that everyone is treated equally. Councilor Remillard suggested setting a limit. In the vote that followed, all Council members voted in favor of the $1,200 appropriation. Councilor Rozek asked that the Council be informed of the result of the competition.
Nansen Wayside Agreement
Mr. Wheeler explained that a letter and agreement came to the Council from Ben Wilson Director of Historic Sites which is the State Department leading the redevelopment of the Nansen Ski Jump. The agreement is an Instrument to give the Police Department a little extra authority when patrolling the historic site. The Police Chief received a copy and he will take it up with the Police Commission. The Council will hear back from the PD. Councilor Rozek added that he spoke to the Police Chief who recommended no action on the item until the Police Commission has reviewed.
Temporary Camping
Ms. Laflamme reported that one of the biggest concerns coming up with Camp Razor is that there is not enough lodging. The Chamber of Commerce is interested in finding large parcels of land for temporary camping. Ms. Laflamme indicated that she’s spoken with someone from Laconia regarding what they do about regulating camping at Bike Week. They have regulations that specify density requirements for tents and for self-contained rv’s. Laconia has a review committee consisting of local health and public safety. Temporary camping is restricted in the more dense areas of the City and kept away from the neighborhoods. Fields, parking lots and large open spaces are allowed.
The idea for Berlin is to try to keep the camping contained to the Route 110 area. If a property is too big, it may require too much time from the Police Department to keep order. There is a need and we want to provide an orderly and safe experience for riders and for the community.
Councilor Nelson stated that since the announcement that Camp Razor would come to Jericho, the Chamber has had to hire part time staff to keep up with the demand. We have a niche in Berlin and don’t want to ruin it; however we don’t want to upset the residential neighborhoods either.
Councilor Remillard suggested getting a few individuals on a board to act quickly for this year and the process could be reviewed for future years. Mayor Grenier established that rv’s will not be a problem; however tenting with no water may be. Porta-potties will need to be provided. Councilor Higbee asked for consideration of where tractor trailers would park.
Councilor Nelson affirmed that there should be some rules in place so that there is something to enforce. Mayor Grenier noted that in Laconia health inspectors go to all the food vendors and check for cleanliness. Councilor Nelson added that Polaris will be announcing the top name country artist to perform at the festival soon, and that may bring more people in.
Councilor Remillard suggested a committee to review suggested sites making sure that there is room for emergency vehicles to come in and out. Councilor Higbee suggested adding public health With a committee of health, fire, police, City Manager and Chamber of Commerce there should be the ability to fast track decisions. The group could draw up rules for the Council to adopt at the next meeting.
Resolution to Refinance Bond
Mr. Wheeler reported that the bond bank occasionally reviews loans for possible refinancing. The City’s bond initiated in 2008 for headworks and I & I work at the wastewater treatment plant was brought forward by the Bond Bank as one that could be refinanced. The existing rate for the bond is 4.5% and they are offering an expected rate of 2.5%. This savings would be in the Sewer Fund. There is a resolution on the agenda for first reading.
Request to Add Agenda Items
Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to add School Department Fire Alarm System and Northern Pass to the agenda. So moved, the motion carried.
Fire Alarm system
Mr. Lamirande reported that the fire alarm was put in the Capital Budget; however it is underfunded. The fire alarm system has to be finished by the beginning of the next school year. The amount in the budget is $50,000 and the bid came in at $225,000. There are operating funds remaining in a Benefits account that the School Board had agreed to use on the fire alarm replacement. The resolution introduced this evening will officially transfer the operating funds from the Benefits line item to CI fire alarm.
Northern Pass
Mayor Grenier reported that a week ago, the Site Evaluation Committee postponed their review time for the Northern Pass project lengthening the review time by six months. Mayor Grenier proposed sending a letter to SEC asking them to reconsider their decision. Councilor Rozek moved with a second from Councilor Remillard to have the City Attorney write a letter to the Site Evaluation Committee asking that they reconsider the six month extension.
In discussion, Councilor Higbee asked if the Committee felt they did not have enough time and is there a risk they will deny the application because they can’t meet the deadline. Mayor Grenier noted that statutorily, they have one year to make a ruling. Adding six months will put the project into another construction. Councilor Rozek commented that the law says twelve months. In the vote that followed, all voted in favor of the motion with the exception of Councilor Nelson who abstained.
There being no further business in work session, Councilor Rozek moved to go into non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2,1 (b) Collective Bargaining; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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