CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, July 18, 2016
Mayor Grenier called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:35 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard, Otis, Morgan Allain, Gentili, Higbee, Rozek, Nelson and Theberge. Also present: Pam Laflamme, Susan Tremblay, Police Chief Morency, Fire Chief Trull, Robert Danderson, Kevin Snow, Bob Hynosky and Barbara Tetreault.
Mayor Grenier called for a moment of silence to commemorate fallen police officers in the country.
Minutes, Previous Meeting
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to accept the minutes of the July 5th Regular Meeting/Work Session. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements:
Disbursement Summary Draft #1769 start date 7/01/2016 end date 7/18/2016 for a total cash disbursement of $2,682,458.13. Councilor Theberge moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bob Hynosky of 312 Madison Ave stated that he and his wife, Margaret Hynosky, purchased their home in June of 2013. For business purposes the deed was placed in Margaret Hynosky’s name only. While he has been living here more than half time and is a full time resident of Berlin, his wife still remains a full time resident of Pennsylvania. Since the home was purchased, the property has been maintained. He understands that he owes the back taxes and interest. He received a notice of Tax Deed on June 1st. In Pennsylvania this process is referred to as a Sheriff’s Sale. It is easier to redeem your property in a Sheriff’s Sale and does not include a penalty assessment of 15% of the property’s assessed value. The tax balance is approximately $5,300. However when you add interest and penalties
it brings the balance to over $9,000. He understands that he owes the taxes and interest, but he is asking the Mayor and Council to waive and/or reduce the assessment fees. He has spoken with both Patty Chase and Jim Wheeler regarding the fees and was told that because his wife is not a full time resident in the property, the penalty/assessment fee cannot be waived. He understands that they owe this money, he is simply looking for a waiver of the “excessive” fees. Mayor Grenier indicated that only the Council can make the decision to waive any such fees. He will discuss this matter with both Patty Chase and Jim Wheeler and will look to bring the matter back before the Council on August 1 for a vote.
Kevin Snow of 1886 Riverside Drive stated that he has had ongoing problems with sewer gases being present in his home. While some work has been completed by himself as well as by the Berlin Sewer Department, he is still having problems with the gas odor. He went on to say that there are times when the pressure from the City is strong enough that when the toilet is flushed, the toilet water does not want to go down and wants to come back into the shower. Mr. Snow does not know if other residents on this portion of the line have the same problem with the gas smell, and thought maybe it was not vented properly. Councilor Rozek stated that the property is one that was built by the school and he knows that the plumbing is subpar. He indicated that Mr. Snow should install an additional vent line in the home itself and
suggested that Mr. Perreault and Mr. Noel discuss this matter further.
Peter Morency, Police Chief, of 1944 Riverside Drive thanked the Mayor and Council for taking a moment of silence. He stated that with everything that has been taking place around the country, local community members have been reaching out to the department. There has been an incredible amount of support toward the Department. Chief Morency told the Mayor, Council and community on behalf of the entire Department “thank you”.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Council Committee Reports – No reports
NEW BUSINESS
2. Resolution 2016-18 Appropriate $145,000 to the Middle School Gym Floor Capital Improvement Project (1st Read)
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on August 1. So moved, the motion carried.
3. Resolution 2016-19 Amendment to Resolution 2016-12 R-1 adopted June 20, 2016 to Show 2016 Proposed Budget and to clarify the County Tax Line in the 2017 Adopted Budget (1st Read)
Councilor Theberge moved with a second by Councilor Higbee to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on August 1. So moved, the motion carried.
3a. Resolution 2016-20 Adopting the City of Berlin, Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 (1st Read)
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Otis to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on August 1. So moved, the motion carried.
4. City Manager’s Report - No Reports
5. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Grenier presented the Council with three letters of appointment as follows:
July 7, 2016
Honorable Mayor Grenier & City Councilors
City Hall
168 Main Street
Berlin, NH 03570
RE: Planning Board Membership
Dear Mayor Grenier & City Council:
At the July meeting of the Planning Board, received with regret the resignation of alternate member John White. Mr. White is in the process of relocating to Colebrook and therefore is no longer eligible to serve on the board. The board does have a recommendation for a new alternate member, Naomi Levesque of 780 Fourth Avenue. Naomi has been attending board meetings and is very interested in serving as a member of the board.
• Naomi Levesque, alternate membership – Three-year term to run until April 30, 2019.
Sincerely,
Thomas F McCue
Berlin Planning Board Acting Chair
cc: Planning Department
The second letter is as follows:
July 12, 2016
Mayor Paul Grenier and
Members of Berlin City Council
I have served on the Berlin Police Commission for the past 15 months to complete the term for Commissioner Griffin. I have been honored to work closely with Chief Peter Morency, Commission members and the Berlin Police Department as a whole, and feel that my experience on the Berlin Police Commission has been a valuable one.
As my term expires in August, I respectfully request the Mayor and Council to consider reinstating me for a full term in the position of Commissioner on the Berlin Police Commission. I would consider it an honor to serve again. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Marc D. Tremblay
And the last one is as follows:
Mayor and Council
City of Berlin
168 Main Street
Berlin, NH 03570
July 15, 2016
Dear Mayor Grenier;
I am very interested in continuing as a Cemetery Trustee for another 3 year term.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to continuing to working with you and the City Council.
Sincerely,
Kristia L. Davis
As read and proposed nominations, the Planning Board Alternate Position would be held by Naomi Levesque, with the term expiring April 30, 2019.
Berlin Police Commission Position would be held by Marc D. Tremblay, with the term expiring August 31, 2019.
Cemetery Trustee Position would be held by Kristia L. Davis, with the term expiring August 31, 2019.
Councilor Rozek moved with a second by Councilor Theberge to accept the three nominations as read and presented by Mayor Grenier. So moved, the motion carried.
6. Public Comments
Bob Danderson, former Mayor, now of Florida, said he is happy to be here and to see the Power Plant producing and the Windmills running. He noted that since 2010 when Mayor Grenier took over the reins of the city, the city is moving forward. Mayor Grenier thanked him and stated that all of the hard work Mr. Danderson performed is helping to make his and the Council’s job easier. Mr. Danderson is pleased to know that Camp RZR is coming into Berlin and thanked the Mayor and Council for all their work.
7. Council Comments -
Councilor Higbee asked if a copy of the Hazard Mitigation Plan could be made available on the website for review. Councilor Rozek asked if any specialized equipment would need to be purchased to follow through with this plan. Councilor Higbee stated that there may be physical work that needed to be completed, but not equipment
Councilor Nelson stated that over the past two weeks, the Chamber has had a total of four informational meetings for Camp RZR, two in Gorham and two in Berlin. A total of 97 members of the communities/public participated in the meetings. The Chamber has begun to send people to Camp RZR representatives directly to address questions.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business before the Mayor and Council, Councilor Rozek moved with a second by Councilor Higbee to adjourn the regular meeting. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Grenier declared the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 8:05 P.M.
A True Record, Attest:
Elaine Riendeau
City Clerk
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