City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, March 17, 2025 Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:16 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Qualls, Berthiaume, Morency, Valerino, Grenier, Korzen, and Theberge Absent: Councilor Higbee Also present: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr., Director of Special Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, Deputy Chief Nathan Roy, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, District Education Services Administrator Tammy Fauteux, Christian Judson, Nicole Paulin, Micah Bachner, Eric Thomas, Janet Tremblay, Ralph Collins, Eamon Kelley, Gabrielle Goode, William White, Jamie Welch, Gina Welch, Richard King, other members of the public, and Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun. c. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to accept the minutes of the March 3, 2025 Regular Meeting and Work Session, and the March 10, 2025 Budget Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: Disbursement Summary Draft #1981 with a start date of 03/04/2025 and an end date of 03/17/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $870,587.39. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, 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 Richard King of 107 Jericho Road stated that the tax rate is too high and the City needs to start cutting. Mr. King noted that if he did not pay his taxes the City would put liens on his property, and the same should happen if the Biomass does not pay. Mr. King also stated that he does not believe the City should have taken over maintenance of Route 110, as we have a hard time taking care of the roads we have now. Mr. King also shared concerns over the noise from ATVs. Eric Thomas of 30 Williamson Avenue shared concerns over the increase in taxes and noted that the City should start cutting the fat. Mr. Thomas noted that the school is now Division III in sports, and we are not a big city. Mr. Thomas stated that there is a lack of revenue and no large businesses. Mr. Thomas noted that people will have to sell, as they cannot pay their taxes. Mr. Thomas shared that many people are buying homes in Stark or Groveton to enjoy the area, as taxes are too high here. Mr. Thomas stated that they just paid the tax bill that was due in March, and another will be issued in June. Richard King spoke again and agreed with Mr. Thomas that the City needs to trim the fat. Mr. King stated he is on a fixed income and taxes have risen dramatically. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports There were no Council committee reports. NEW BUSINESS 1. Ratification of Tentative Agreement and Approval of Cost Items – AFSCME Local 3421 City Manager Warren shared the cost items for the collective bargaining agreement between the City and AFSCME Local 3421, which covers clerical employees, along with public works supervisors, the building inspector, and the assistant fire chief. Costs in year one will be $41,919, year two will be $47,118, and year three will be $48,076. Mr. Warren stated that the union worked with management for a very conservative increase and recommended that the Council execute the agreement. 1 Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Theberge, to approve the cost items in the agreement with AFSCME Local 3421. So moved, the motion carried unanimously. 2. Resolution 2025-04 Elderly Exemptions (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for April 7, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 3. Resolution 2025-05 OSG Authorization (1st read) Councilor Berthiaume moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for April 7, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. City Manager Warren advised that this is a 100% grant to perform work on the sewer system that would otherwise be paid for out of sewer collections. Warren advised that the system requires a lot of maintenance and this will allow us to continue to stop clear water from going into the system. 4. City Manager’s Report 1. Attached please find the BWW – Municipal Water Usage from October 1, 2024 to January 2, 2025 (February 2025 Billing Quarter). 2. Attached is the February 2025 Real Estate Transfer Report. 3. Snow removal has been completed for the time being. The remaining snow will melt. If we get another storm we will address it. 4. Public Works will now be moving toward spring preparation, repairing winter damage, potholes and cleaning up from winter. We will not be starting line painting, sweeping and catch basin cleaning yet. 5. The fiber interconnect project is 95% complete. One piece of cable needs to be installed at the Pollution Control facility and building connections need to be completed. 6. The Fire Department loaned one of our ambulances to Milan Dummer ambulance, their vehicle was damaged in a motor vehicle crash. It is expected to be back within a week. City Manager Warren also advised the Council that City Hall would not be open on April 4, 2025. Eversouce needs to disconnect power to the building to replace the electric service, which will take the majority of the day. Councilor Theberge asked about the status of the video connection for meetings, and Pamela Laflamme advised that she is meeting with the website company tomorrow afternoon, as the City is moving to a different platform, and she will have more information after that meeting. Councilor Korzen asked if Eversource could do the work on a weekend to avoid closing City Hall, and was advised that they could not. Councilor Korzen asked about pay for employees that day, and was advised it will be a paid day off, as there will not be any power in the building. Councilor Valerino moved, with a second by Councilor Berthiaume, to accept the City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. Councilor Grenier pointed out that on the real estate transfer report, other than one property, the sales recorded are higher than the assessed values, so the upward trend is continuing for property values. So moved the motion carried. 7. Mayor’s Report a. Letter from Paul Tofanelli re: ATV Non-Resident Pass 2 #1. To the City (Berlin, NH0 and Town (Gorham, NH) I request an ordinance for ATV roadway passes. Berlin and Gorham working in unison. #2. The ordinance shall be written in a way that there shall be no add ons (future amendments). City Hall and/or Town Hall cannot amend ordinance at a later date and/or time for Local residents to receive a ATV roadway pass fee. #3. Berlin and Gorham will split the proceeds and all proceeds are allocated to Police, Fire, EMS, and Public Works in 4 ways split. No proceeds are allocated to City Hall or Town Hall. #4. The businesses issuing ATV roadway pass sticker issues the pass with the OHRV reg. and is of no cost “Pro bono” by the business to support our Community. #5. No ATV roadway pass is required for road crossings to trail systems or to fuel up off trail when applicable. #6. All ATV rentals shall require a non-resident ATV roadway pass due to rentals being rented by non-residents and driven by non-residents. #7. ATV ROADWAY STICKER IDENFICATION PASSES: I suggest a Resident ATV sticker pass to be available of a different color given to local residents free of Charge when registering their ATV for easy identification of non- residents to local residents. There is no paperwork involved with the ATV passes. The passes would be color identifying with an emblem for that year and Changing yearly. #8. A citation / fine shall be issued for noncompliance of ordinance of $50 to $100. and paid in person and/or by mail to the Police Department the citation / fine was issued. #9. City and Town shall fund the production of ATV Passes and Citation Tickets. Production costs shall be reimbursed by Citation funds. Thank you for your time and consideration, Sincerely, Paul C. Tofanelli Councilor Morency noted that a lot of this was discussed when they designed the trails years ago. Councilor Morency requested that Mr. Tofanelli be asked to speak with the Police Chief before being brought back to the Council, as some of these ideas are not feasible or constitutional. Councilor Berthiaume stated that the manpower required to monitor this would not be feasible. Councilor Berthiaume stated she appreciates people coming up with ideas, however there are legal and manpower issues with this idea. City Manager Warren advised that this would have to be run by the City Attorney, and noted that the City can only enact rules that the State has authorized them to, and there may be issues with this idea. The Council requested waiting on legal advice, so that Mr. Tofanelli can speak with the Police Chief first. b. Horseshoe Tournament Request – Z. Chambers Madam/Sir: This letter is a request for Carole Jackson and Zuri Chambers access to the field located at the corner of E River Road and Bridge Street, Milan. We are looking to conduct a horseshoe and cornhole tournaments throughout the year. Times of the tournaments have not been determined at this time. Participants are asking if grilling (tail-gaiting) will be permissible as these events are expected to last for the majority of the day. Trash will be a carry-in carry-out basis. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to your response. 3 Respectfully, Zuri Chambers 61 Flint St Berlin, NH 03570 Councilor Grenier noted that this request should go to the Berlin Airport Authority, as they manage the land. City Manager Warren will bring this to the Airport Authority at their next meeting. c. Planning Board Appointments Mayor Cone & City Council: April is the month in which both Planning and Zoning Board memberships turn over. We are hoping you will consider making the following reappointments to each board. • Linda Lamirande – Three-year term to run until April 30, 2028, alternate board member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment – Linda currently serves as a regular ZBA member but has requested to be an alternate. • Henry Noel – Three-year term to run until April 30, 2028, regular board member of the Planning Board • Jeffrey Quackenbush – Three-term to run until April 30, 2028, regular board member of the Planning Board. Jeffrey currently serves as an alternate board member. • Cassandra Mason– Three-year term to run until April 30, 2028, alternate board member of the Planning Board. There is one individual, Karen Collins whose term is ending on the Planning Board at the end of April who will not be re-upping for another term. She has served the board for the last three years. She will be seeking a term with a different City board. We are grateful for her service and pleased she will continue to serve the City in a new capacity. We thank you all for your consideration. Sincerely, Pamela E Laflamme Director of Strategic Initiatives Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, to approve the nominations for the Zoning Board and Planning Board as presented. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Korzen moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, to accept the Mayor’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried. 6. Public Comments Micah Bachner of 59 High Street stated that he thought the “fireside chat” idea was great. Mr. Bachner shared some quotes, noting that “it is easy to spread BS, but it is hard to clean up”, and that “every time you point a finger, there are three more pointing back at you”. Mr. Bachner noted that he hopes the meetings will be used to sow some sort of togetherness, and that they are productive. Eric Thomas stated that ATV use has revitalized the community a bit, and that he does not believe it would be fair to ask visitors to buy another sticker, after they have already had to purchase a state registration. Mr. Thomas stated that the ATV festival is a boost to the economy and the idea presented will scare visitors away. Mr. Thomas stated that if they were to adopt this, it would hurt local business. 7. Council Comments 4 Councilor Korzen stated that although he works full-time, he is elected to represent the community and loves to hear from people. Councilor Korzen noted that the term “cut the fat” was used, however they may have to cut services and will look for public input. Councilor Theberge stated that he likes the idea of “Coffee with the Council and Mayor”, and noted that it would also be worthwhile for the public to talk with other members of the public with similar concerns. 8. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Berthiaume, seconded by Councilor Grenier, the Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 pm. So moved, the motion carried. A True Record, Attest: Shelli Fortin City Clerk Note: Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the Council by motion. 5