City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, April 7, 2025 Public Hearing Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing at 7:33 pm for Resolution 2025-04 Elderly Exemptions. Richard King of 107 Jericho Road asked what the amounts were for the exemptions and was advised they are $21,000 single and $29,000 married, and was provided a copy of the Resolution. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 7:35 pm. Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing at 7:35 pm for Resolution 2025-05 OSG Authorization. There were no public comments. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 7:35 pm. Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:35 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Higbee, Berthiaume, Morency, Valerino, Grenier, Korzen, and Theberge Absent: Councilor Qualls Also present: Director of Special Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, Finance Director Holly Larsen, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, Jamie Welch, Gina Welch, Richard King, Daniel Whittet, Roland Sanschagrin, Sarah Mafera, 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 17, 2025 Regular Meeting and Work Session, and the March 24, 2025 Budget Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: Disbursement Summary Draft #1982 with a start date of 03/18/2025 and an end date of 04/07/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $1,496,154.23. 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 There were no public comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports There were no Council committee reports. 2. Resolution 2025-04 Elderly Exemptions (tabled 3/17/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION Modifying the Elderly Exemption per RSA 72:27-a Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: That the City Council modifies the elderly exemption income limits to $21,000 single and $29,000 for married, consistent with all other requirements as described in NH RSA 72:39-a, which a copy is attached for reference. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect as of April 1, 2025. 1 Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to remove this item from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, to read Resolution 2025-04 by short title for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, to read Resolution 2025-04 by short title for a third time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, that Resolution 2025-04 be passed. So moved, the motion passed. 3. Resolution 2025-05 OSG Authorization (tabled 3/17/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION authorizing the application filing, accepting, appropriation and expenditure of an $847,152 OSG grant from DES Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: WHEREAS, the City, through consideration of the nature of its sewer system needs, has applied for and received an Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Grant from DES in the amount of $847,152, and WHEREAS, these funds will be used to continue the effort to reduce inflow and infiltration within the City’s municipal sewer system, and; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council as follows: That the aforementioned OSG grant be accepted and funds used consistent with the grant and to furthermore authorize the City Manager to take any actions required to complete this project. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to remove this item from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-05 by short title for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-05 by short title for a third time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, that Resolution 2025-05 be passed. So moved, the motion passed. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Manager’s Report Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme advised that they received the green light from Federal Highways to engage the engineers for the downtown grant. Councilor Valerino moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, to accept the verbal City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved the motion carried. 2. Mayor’s Report a. Application to Zoning Board of Adjustment – N. Armstrong 2 I am most interested in aiding in our town’s welfare and future. I want the opportunity to be involved in the Berlin Zoning Board of Adjustment for the effective protection of our environment, and to comply with current government regulations. Previous volunteer activities include: Mission Board and Women’s Board of Church Treasurers, rides for individual Dr appts, hospital, food pantries, etc. monthly visits to nursing homes to celebrate birthdays Previous municipal experience: Homeless outreach Tri-County CAP, to many in need rides to town welfare, shelters, dual efforts to help those in need applying for any Gov./State programs Nancy J. Armstrong 10 Demers Street Berlin, NH 03570 Mayor Cone placed the application on file for review and a request for nomination from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. b. Request for Earth Week Celebration – N. Ramsey Hi Mr. Mayor. I hope everything is going well. My name is Nick Ramsey and I work at the Berlin Elementary School. I am on a committee at the school that is planning an “Earth Week” celebration. We have a plan to have a field day at the Riverwalk and Heritage Park on 4/24/25. This will include face painting, yard games, etc. The committee was talking about having the kids paint small, flat rocks and have them line the Riverwalk to resemble a “snake”. They wanted to make sure it was OK to have that stay alongside the Riverwalk as a “community art project” without fear that it will be taken down. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Nick Ramsey Via Facebook Messenger Councilor Grenier noted that there is already a snake, “Kyle”, along the Riverwalk, and that it is nice to see kids engage in the community. Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme requested that the rocks be removed before winter due to maintenance, as Public Works would not want to hit it with the plow or the snow blower. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Berthiaume, to allow the “Earth Week” celebration planned by the Berlin Elementary School to proceed. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Valerino moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to accept the Mayor’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried. 3. Public Comments Richard King of 107 Jericho Road stated that he has recently been looking at the budgets and noted that some departments should be looked at for expenses, especially the number of foremen at Public Works, and the number of Principals at the school, as there seem to be too many in charge. 4. Council Comments Councilor Higbee noted that “Kyle” the snake is already back on the Riverwalk this year. Councilor Higbee also noted that the beavers were back and asked what could be done. Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme advised that she has spoken with two local trappers, the county forester, and the Division of Forests and Lands, and they are working on a plan to discourage the beavers. The beaver population has increased along the Androscoggin River. One recommendation is to put plants with spiky thorns around the base of the trees. Councilor Morency stated how impressed he was with the outside agencies and the impact they have on our community with the services they provide. 3 Councilor Korzen noted that he would still like a follow-up when the City Manager returns from vacation on the misstated revenues in the budget during the tax setting process. Councilor Korzen noted that the Lions Club will be providing a vision screening on April 8, 2025. 5. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Higbee, seconded by Councilor Berthiaume, 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. 4