City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Public Hearing Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing at 7:32 pm for Resolution 2025-03 EMS Training Grant. There were no public comments. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 7:32 pm. Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing on the Progress of the Boys & Girls Club Childcare CDBG Project at 7:33 pm. An informational handout was available. Community Development Block Grant funds are available to municipalities through the NH Community Development Finance Authority. Up to $500,000 annually is available on a competitive basis for Public Facility Projects, up to $500,000 for Housing Projects, up to $500,000 for Economic Development Projects, and up to $350,000 for Emergency Activities that directly benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Up to $25,000 per study is available for Planning Grants. The purpose of the hearing is to present to the public on, and take comments on, the progress of a CDBG project for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire to make renovations at White Mountain Community College, located at 2020 Riverside Drive in Berlin, to provide childcare services for 39 children from primarily low- and moderate-income households. The renovations are complete and the childcare opened in January 2025. Melanie Smith from the Boys and Girls Club advised that they currently have 41 children in the program, and have a waitlist of 14-16. Councilor Korzen asked if there were plans to increase that number, and Ms. Smith advised they are licensed for 63, but it comes down to staffing and the space allowed. They currently have 8 infants, 12 toddlers, 16 preschoolers, and 5 after school. They also have 13 in the summer program. They are working on partnering with the school on a before school program. After school care was not in their plan, as there is already a program in place for this. Christian Judson asked about cost, and Ms. Smith advised infants are $285 per week, toddlers $250 per week, and preschool $235 per week. Some families do qualify for state scholarships based on income. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7am until 4:30pm. Mayor Cone closed the public hearing at 7:38 pm. There were no motions required. Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:38 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Qualls, Higbee, Berthiaume, Morency, Grenier, and Korzen Absent: Councilors Valerino and Theberge Also present: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr., Finance Director Holly Larsen, Director of Special Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, District Education Services Administrator Tammy Fauteux, Christian Judson, Nicole Paulin, Christopher Dowell, Jacqueline Duclos, Micah Bachner, Janet Tremblay, Jamie Welch, other members of the public, and Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun. c. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, to accept the minutes of the February 3, 2025 Regular Meeting and Work Session, and February 11, 2025 Special Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: 1 Disbursement Summary Draft #1979 with a start date of 02/04/2025 and an end date of 02/18/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $1,482,352.14. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as reviewed and approved by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENTS Micah Bachner of 59 High Street shared concerns about the future of our country, quoting the words of the Pledge of Allegiance which promise liberty and justice for all, and noting that currently justice only exists for those who have enough money to buy it. Mr. Bachner advised that he took an oath when he joined the military to protect the country from enemies both foreign and domestic, and noted that the Constitution is not being followed and that the government that supports us is being dismantled. Mr. Bachner also mentioned that what makes America great is our Constitution and checks and balances, and that we are out of touch with our cultural identity. Mr. Bachner suggested that we have lost our way and it is about to get worse, and asked those in the legislature to stand up and speak out. Jacqueline Duclos of 365 Portland Street shared concerns about the elderly exemption requirements. Ms. Duclos advised that she is 90 years old and just received a letter informing her that she no longer qualifies for the exemption. Ms. Duclos requested that the Council review the requirements and modify them to assist those on fixed incomes. Ms. Duclos advised that she was disappointed to receive the letter, and stated that it is hard to make ends meet. Janet Tremblay of 812 Second Avenue asked what the tax rate will be, and was advised it was set at $30.89. Ms. Tremblay questioned whether the Biomass facility will stay afloat. Ms. Tremblay also asked about the Route 110 water and sewer project, and who will pay for that. Mayor Cone advised that they do have a work group for this project, and they are looking at funding from Northern Borders and other grants. Ms. Tremblay noted that taxpayers cannot afford any more taxes. Christopher Dowell of Portland Street spoke concerning the elderly exemption application form, which asks for information on income and assets, which has nothing to do with property value. City Manager Warren advised that this is a state form, as there is an asset and income requirement for the exemption. Councilor Higbee advised that in addition to looking at some of the Ordinances, he would like to look at the qualifications for the elderly exemption, as $18,900 as a limit is very low. Mr. Dowell asked when the budget process begins, and was advised on March 3 of this year. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports There were no Council committee reports. 2. Resolution 2025-03 EMS Training Grant (tabled 2/3/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION authorizing the receipt of grant funds to provide EMS training Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: WHEREAS, the State of NH has offered funds for advanced life support and emergency medical training through the Work Invest NH program; and WHEREAS, Berlin Fire Department will benefit from additional personnel trained in emergency medicine and advanced life support. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: That the City Manager is authorized to apply for and receive up to $15,000 from the Work Invest NH Training Grant Program, and to further authorize the City Manager to take any and all actions necessary to complete this project. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. 2 Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, to remove this item from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, to read Resolution 2025-03 by short title for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, to read Resolution 2025-03 by short title for a third time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, that Resolution 2025-03 be passed. So moved, the motion passed. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Manager’s Report 1. Attached is the January 2025 Real Estate Transfer Report. 2. We have been out clearing snow all weekend. Snow pickup around the school and Main Street will be done tonight. Additional snow pickups will be done over the coming days. The wind is not helping us at all. 3. Salt supplies region wide have been delayed – at present there is plenty of material at the vendor but deliveries are being delayed. We do have salt on hand, we did not run out. 4. At present we have 2 salt trucks down for repairs as well as 2 loaders. Snow removal is tough on these vehicles. 5. The budget process is continuing, I will be meeting with departments soon to finalize the budget. Councilor Grenier asked about the trucks that are down and the time frame for repairs, and City Manager Warren advised they are the newer trucks and they are waiting on parts. Mr. Warren noted that the loaders should be repaired within a day or two. Councilor Korzen moved, with a second by Councilor Grenier, to accept the City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved the motion carried. 2. Mayor’s Report There was no Mayor’s Report. 3. Public Comments There were no public comments. 4. Council Comments Councilor Grenier thanked the Public Works employees for a great job over the last ten days and noted that they needed to be recognized for their work in this miserable weather. Councilor Morency advised Ms. Duclos that he did receive her message, and wanted her to know that he did try to return her call. 5. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Higbee, seconded by Councilor Berthiaume, the Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 pm. So moved, the motion carried. A True Record, Attest: 3 Shelli Fortin City Clerk Note: Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the Council by motion. 4