City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, April 21, 2025 Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:21 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Qualls, Higbee, Morency, Valerino, Grenier, Korzen, and Theberge Absent: Councilor Berthiaume Also present: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr., Director of Special Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, Finance Director Holly Larsen, Police Chief Daniel Buteau, Deputy Chief Nathan Roy, District Education Services Administrator Tammy Fauteux, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, Richard King, Daniel Whittet, Christian Judson, Jordan Shotts, Jeff Lemoine, Roland Sanschagrin, other members of the public, and Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun. c. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, to accept the minutes of the April 7, 2025 Regular Meeting and Work Session, and the April 14, 2025 Budget Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: Disbursement Summary Draft #1983 with a start date of 04/08/2025 and an end date of 04/21/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $804,802.93. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, 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 thanked Councilor Grenier for his comments during the work session and stated that he appreciates that the Council is trying to keep costs down for the taxpayers. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports There were no Council committee reports. NEW BUSINESS 1. Resolution 2025-06 ILO PD (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Higbee, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 2. Resolution 2025-07 Granite Shield PD (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 3. Resolution 2025-08 Eversource PD (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 4. Resolution 2025-09 F&G OHRV PD (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 1 5. Resolution 2025-10 Highway Safety PD (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 6. Resolution 2025-11 US Forest Service PD (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 7. Resolution 2025-12 EMPG Grant (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 5, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 8. City Manager’s Report 1. Attached is the March 2025 Real Estate Transfer Report. 2. The AVRRDD 2024 annual report to DES, 2024 budget report and amended 2025 budget are attached. 3. The Chamber has established the dates for their events: Friday, August 1st – Downtown Block Party - ATV Weekend, Saturday, August 2nd - Concert in the Heritage Park -ATV Weekend, Saturday, September 6th – WingZilla & the Luau ATV Poker Run – Heritage Park, Saturday, October 18th – RiverFire & the Zombie ATV Poker Run – Heritage Park, Saturday, November 29th – Christmas Parade of Lights – Downtown 4. As in past years, we have recently requested that the federal prison provide inmates to assist City staff, it is expected that the program will begin in June. 5. As of Thursday, the Fire Department has responded to 74 EMS calls. From speaking with Chief Watkins it appears that all is going well, including interfacility transfers. 6. Public Works is sweeping streets and repairing winter damage. 7. A surplus grader at Public Works was put up for bid on Municibid, the final bid was $25,100, exceeding expectations. Payment and pickup is expected soon. City Manager Warren advised that the payment for the grader was completed last Thursday. Councilor Theberge asked about the number of EMS calls, as the number seems high. City Manager Warren agreed, and suggested that it may be in the way the calls are reported now versus what Berlin EMS did, or because it is a new service. Mr. Warren advised that they will be watching the numbers and will compare them to previous statistics. Mr. Warren also noted that any issues can now be addressed instantly, now that the City is in charge of the service. Councilor Grenier requested that the Council receive monthly information on the percentage of private pay, insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare billing for the ambulance service, along with expenditures, revenue, and call volume. Councilor Grenier noted that there has been a lot of cynicism concerning the change in EMS services, so they will need the data to see if the City is providing the service more efficiently. City Manager Warren advised that North Conway Fire is now taking over EMS services in that area, with a $1 million start up cost. Mr. Warren noted that the City of Berlin has started the service economically. Councilor Grenier suggested that the EMS service could be set up as an enterprise fund. City Manager Warren stated they were not planning to set it up as an enterprise fund, but revenue generated would offset the cost of equipment needed. Councilor Korzen stated that EMS recently responded to a call at a neighbor’s home, and were very professional. Councilor Korzen noted that the neighbor was thankful for the service. Councilor Morency moved, with a second by Councilor Korzen, to accept the City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved the motion carried. 9. Mayor’s Report a. Prom Grand March Request 2 Hello Ms. Fortin: The Class of 2025 would like to utilize the "Bridge Street" walking bridge for their prom march this year. The event is May 10, 2025. We do not require the police as they will not need the street blocked off. We are looking for no- parking signs to be set up from the bridge to Heritage Park. I have a form called "application for permit". Is this the form I fill out and can I scan/email it to you? We are 30 days out so I want to make sure to get this to you ASAP. Thank you. My cell phone is 603-986-3394 should you have any questions, etc. -- Kelly Judson-Bacon Special Education Teacher Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to allow the Class of 2025 to use the Bridge Street walking bridge for the prom march on May 10, 2025. So moved the motion carried. Councilor Grenier requested the City Clerk contact Ms. Judson-Bacon concerning the request. Councilor Theberge asked what time of day it would be, and it was suggested that it be made available for most of the day to allow for any decorating as well. b. Arbor Day Proclamation 2025 ARBOR DAY and EARTH WEEK PROCLAMATION Whereas, the City of Berlin has long referred to itself as being the “City That Trees Built” and has history rooted in the natural resources of our community; and Whereas, the City has placed a strong focus of the appearance of our community and the trees in our City beautify our community; and Whereas, trees are renewable resources, which provide enjoyment to all residents in our community and we need to continue our commitment of maintaining these resources for future generations. Whereas, our elementary school will celebrate Earth Week with many activities including a visit to the Service Credit Union Heritage Park and the City’s Riverwalk. Now Therefore, I, Robert Cone, Mayor of the City of Berlin do proclaim that the City celebrated both Arbor Day and Earth Week in the City of Berlin Further, I urge all residents to recognize and acknowledge the importance of our trees, public parks, and forests and support our efforts to take care of them. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the Mayor’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried. 10. Public Comments 3 There were no public comments. 11. Council Comments There were no Council comments. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Higbee, seconded by Councilor Qualls, the Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 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