City Council

City Council Work Session August 4, 2025 Present were: Mayor Cone, Councilors Higbee, Korzen, Grenier, Qualls, Valerino, Theberge, Berthiaume and Morency. Others present: City Manager Phillip L. Warren Jr., Dir. Of Strat. Initiatives and Asst. City Mgr. Pamela Laflamme, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, Chief of Police Jeff Lemoine, Deputy Chief of Police Nathan Roy, Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun and Members of the Public. Mayor Cone opened the meeting at 6:32 p.m. Councilor Grenier moved to add an item, under other of the work session agenda. The item being a discussion on the Northern Border Alliance task force. Councilor Korzen seconded, and the motion carried with all in favor. Councilor Morency moved to add two items, under other of the work session agenda. The first being the acknowledgement of the trailer ordinance and the other is the opioid abatement fund settlement. Councilor Korzen seconded, and the motion carried with all in favor. NHDES Request for Proposed Air Monitoring Station Ms. Laflamme discussed the proposed air monitoring station request received from NHDES and the agreement they would like to execute with the City of Berlin. She also presented pictures of what the station building could look like. Councilor Grenier asked where in the field the building will be located. Ms. Laflamme responded that the Council can specify where they want it to be located on the field. Councilor Grenier commented it should be close to one of the corners. Councilor Theberge questioned if the data collected will be shared with the City. Ms. Laflamme advised they maintain a section of their website just dedicated to air monitoring quality which will have the data. Councilor Korzen suggested forming an educational partnership between NHDES and the Berlin schools where students could learn more about air monitoring. Ms. Laflamme advised she would mention it to NHDES. Councilor Grenier moved to approve the agreement presented and include stipulations discussed. Councilor Morency seconded, and the motion carried with all in favor. Notice to Municipalities – Dollar General Mr. Warren advised DG Retail LLC, dba Dollar General has made an application to the State of NH Liquor Commission for a Combination Beverage/Wine/Tobacco liquor license. Councilor Berthiaume moved to endorse the State of NH Liquor Commission issuing a Combination Beverage/Wine/Tobacco liquor license to DG Retail LLC, dba Dollar General. Councilor Valerino seconded, and the motion carried with all in favor. Other Northern Border Alliance task force Councilor Grenier discussed his concerns with the grant program regarding accidents and insurance deductibles and wanted to confirm that the Berlin PD is prioritizing police services in Berlin. Chief Lemoine advised that the City of Berlin police services are always priority. These are all overtime details that PD employees sign up for. No one is ever forced to do so. The grant program covers all costs including trainings. He explained that this program is not the same as the Federal 287G program. The Berlin officers do not have immigration enforcement powers. They are there to specifically deter crime in an area where there is a lack of law enforcement in general. He discussed statistics specifically related to the Northern Border Alliance task force. Councilor Valerino commented that this is a great program for the North Country. Councilor Higbee expressed his concerns with the language in resolution 2025-17 as it’s the same language as the first time the grant was applied for. Mr. Warren commented that the resolution can be amended after the public hearing this evening to include different language. Acknowledgement of the trailer ordinance Councilor Morency presented the ordinance change discussed at the last Traffic Safety Committee meeting. Mr. Warren advised it was his intention to bring this forward at the next meeting with the changes presented this evening. This will address the issue of both registered and non-registered trailers that are being parked for long periods of time. Opioid abatement fund settlement Councilor Morency advised a notification on the opioid abatement was received today requesting the City Manager’s signature. He suggested appointing a few Councilors to work with the Police Department / Commission on the opioid settlement which would streamline the process. The selected few could report updates to the case to the entire Council when needed. Mr. Warren commented he would like to make sure this doesn’t interfere with the City Charter and he would like to run it by legal counsel as a resolution will need to be written authorizing the selected Councilors to do so. Chief Lemoine commented that the local recovery center has a lack of transportation, and the funds could be used to assist with transport. Councilor Korzen suggested adding a member from the community to work on this. Either from the PD or White Horse Recovery. At 7:17 p.m., there being no further business in the Work Session, Mayor Cone moved on to the Regular Meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Danielle Rioux Executive Assistant *Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the City Council by motion. CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, August 4, 2025 Public Hearing Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing on Resolution 2025-17 Northern Border Alliance at 7:28 pm. Theodore Bosen, of 13 Bisson Road, spoke in opposition, noting concerns for the liability of Berlin taxpayers as Border Patrol and ICE are not respecting due process. Mr. Bosen noted that the last time Donald Trump was president, there were $1 billion in lawsuits over unlawful detentions. Mr. Bosen noted that there are no border crossings and no criminal activity at the Canadian border, just minor infractions. Mr. Bosen stated that the Norther Border Alliance Task Force is not necessary, and that this is funded by $2 million in allocations from the State, not the Federal government. Matthew Chernicki, of 284 Burgess Street, noted that Berlin has become a dumping ground for illegal drugs, and the more you cut from law enforcement, the more trouble you get. Mr. Chernicki stated that the cartel does operate on the northern border, and the Task Force is the result of the cause-and-effect situation we have been put in. There being no further comments, Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 7:41 pm. Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:41 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Qualls, Higbee, Berthiaume, Morency, Valerino, Grenier, Korzen, and Theberge Absent: None Also present: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr., Director of Special Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, Police Chief Jeffrey Lemoine, Deputy Chief Nathan Roy, Theodore Bosen, Matthew Chernicki, Sarah Mafera, Christian Judson, other members of the public, and Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun. c. Councilor Theberge moved, with a second by Councilor Qualls, to accept the minutes of the July 21, 2025, Regular Meeting and Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: Disbursement Summary Draft # 1990 with a start date of 07/18/2025 and an end date of 08/04/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $748,591.60. Councilor Theberge 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 Richard King, of 107 Jericho Road, noted the problems with the tax base in Berlin, and suggested that the lots that the City owns from tax deeded properties could be used to allow trailers or small prefab homes to increase revenue for the City. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports There were no Council Committee Reports. 2. Resolution 2025-17 Northern Border Alliance (tabled 07/17/2025) 1 In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION authorizing the Berlin Police Commission to apply for and receive grant funds from the Northern Border Alliance Task Force, for participation in patrolling the jurisdictions along the New Hampshire and Canadian border during FY ’26 and FY ’27, in the amount of $392,721.61. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: WHEREAS there are two State Highways in Berlin, NH that provide a route from the New Hampshire and Canadian border to larger communities in the southern part of our state and other states in New England. WHEREAS there has been a significant increase in criminal activity along the New Hampshire and Canadian border, and an increase in the transportation of illicit drugs from Canada to other areas of New England; and WHEREAS the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is forming a task force utilizing members of North Country Law Enforcement Agencies to conduct patrols along border communities. These patrols will be staffed by officers on a voluntary, overtime basis, not to interfere with our agencies’ regular patrol schedule; and WHEREAS these patrols are fully funded, to include cruiser use reimbursement, with no required match. The combined total funding allocated for all local agencies to participate in this task force during the 18-month program is up to $800,000; and WHEREAS the increased presence along the border can help reduce crime throughout the North Country, to include our community. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Berlin, NH, that the Berlin Police Commission is authorized to apply for and receive grant funds from the Northern Border Alliance Task Force. Said funds granted to the City of Berlin will be used for reimbursement of patrols conducted along the New Hampshire and Canadian border during Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027. Be it further resolved that the City Manager is authorized to sign the grant documents and execute all things necessary to effectuate the grant. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to remove Resolution 2025-17 from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Higbee moved, with a second from Councilor Grenier, to amend Resolution 2025-17 to read, “Whereas there is the potential for criminal activity along the New Hampshire and Canadian border” in the second paragraph. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-17 as amended for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-17 as amended for a third time. So moved the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second from Councilor Valerino, to pass Resolution 2025-17. Councilor Grenier stated that he was on the fence about this Resolution and had a number of questions, especially about the liability of the City. However, after Chief Lemoine’s explanation that this is not border work and not supporting Border Patrol or ICE, but filing in for local law enforcement, he is supportive. Councilor Grenier noted that he has always been supportive of law enforcement, and thanked Chief Lemoine for his thorough explanation. So moved, the motion carried with all in favor. NEW BUSINESS 2 1. Resolution 2025-18 Budget Transfers (1st read) Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Berthiaume, to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing for August 18, 2025. So moved, the motion carried. 2. City Manager’s Report 1. Attached is the June 2025 Activity Report for the Police Department. 2. Attached is the Fire Department July 2025 calls for service report. 3. Attached please find the BWW – Municipal Water Usage from April 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025 (August 2025 Billing Quarter). 4. City drainage work on Kent Street has started today. 5. We continue to have solid waste issues throughout the city. It has gotten better but people persist in placing their solid waste out early. Enforcement will continue. 6. Due to the lack of inmates from the federal prison, coupled with open positions, reductions in staff and funding, we are falling behind on summer work. To remedy that we will need to focus on “city” work, meaning many of the things we do and provide for other agencies, non-profit organizations and other municipalities will need to be curtailed. The lack of funding for the paving program is also increasing our workload as streets that would have been paved would not require pothole repairs. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. Councilor Morency asked if a part of the solid waste issues were multi-unit dwellings, and if the landlords can be contacted about the problem. City Manager Warren advised that the enforcement letters do go to the property owners, as they are the responsible party. So moved the motion carried. 3. Mayor’s Report a. Resignation – L. Laflamme – Planning Board Mayor Cone: Please accept my resignation from the Berlin Planning Board, effective August 1, 2025. My wife and I have sold our home on Second Avenue, and we are relocating. I have considered it a privilege to have served my fellow citizens in Berlin as a firefighter, state representative, CASA volunteer, supervisor of the checklist, and planning board member. It will be difficult to leave. Thank you, Larry L. Laflamme Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the resignation of Larry Laflamme, and requested the City Clerk prepare a plaque, thanking Mr. Laflamme for his many years of service to the City. So moved, the motion carried. b. Planning Board and Zoning Board Appointments Mayor Cone & City Council: The Planning Board has· had a recent resignation, Larry Laflamme who has served as a regular member, is no longer a Berlin resident and has stepped down from his position. Larry has been a very engaged board 3 member during his tenure and will be missed. We thank him for his time and service to the community. Cassandra Mason, who has been serving on the Planning Board as an alternate, has agreed to step up to regular board membership and finish the remainder of Larry's term. The Zoning Board of Adjustment has had several vacancies for a few months now and needs to fill two regular member positions. There are also vacant alternate seats. Thank you, Mayor Cone, for assisting in the recruitment of new board members to fill these positions. PB • Cassandra Mason- Term to run until April 30, 2026, regular board member of the Planning Board to fill the unexpired term of Larry Laflamme. ZBA • Christian Judson - Two-term to run until April 30, 2027, regular board member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment (this fills a vacant seat and keeps terms staggered). • Sarah Mafera - Three-year term to run until April 30, 2028, regular board member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. • Nancy Armstrong - Three-year term to run until April 30, 2028, alternate board member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. We thank you all for your consideration. Sincerely, Pamela Laflamme Director of Strategic Initiatives Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the nomination of Cassandra Mason as a regular member of the Planning Board with a term to expire April 30, 2026. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the nominations of Christian Judson as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term to expire April 30,2027, Sarah Mafera as a regular member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term to expire April 30, 2028, and Nancy Armstrong as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term to expire April 30, 2028. Councilor Berthiaume asked if these positions were advertised to the public, or if this is normally how the process goes. Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme advised that appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board are normally handled this way. Councilor Korzen asked how many positions have been vacant on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Ms. Laflamme advised that Linda Lamirande recently stepped down as a regular to an alternate member. Councilor Grenier suggested that new members have training made available to them from NHMA, as this is a quasi-judicial board. Ms. Laflamme advised that she would be giving them a copy of the City Ordinances and that there are many free webinars available. So moved, the motion carried. c. Work Order from S. Roy re: Stop Signs My request for the city to look at is changing the yield signs on Madigan Street (Intersection of Madigan & Third Ave) to stop signs. I own Berlin Spring Inc. and we have had many close calls due to no one yielding at these signs. Which will result in serious injury one day. I have made the Berlin PD aware of many issues but would like to see these signs changed so people actually have to stop before proceeding through this intersection. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to refer this request to the Traffic Safety Committee for review, as stop signs are covered by City Ordinance. So moved, the motion carried. 4  d. Police Commission Appointment Mayor Cone expressed sympathy for the passing of Police Commissioner Linda Pivin. Mayor Cone noted that a vacancy now exists on the Police Commission and nominated Lisa Arguin, who recently sent a letter noting her interest in serving on the Commission. Councilor Valerino moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, to accept the Mayor’s nomination of Lisa Arguin to the Police Commission with a term to expire September 1, 2027. So moved, the motion carried. 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. 4. Public Comments Christian Judson, of 473 Forbush Avenue, thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and stated that he looks forward to working with everyone. 5. Council Comments Councilor Theberge noted that for transparency, the funds in the budget transfer Resolution are coming from public works, capital improvements, administration, buildings, and housing. Councilor Theberge felt it was important for the public to have that information. Councilor Theberge asked about the live stream for meetings, and Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme advised that both she and City Manager Warren will be trained next week on how to use the technology, and that they plan to start in September, after the new website goes live on September 21st. Councilor Grenier thanked the Chamber of Commerce for a job well done this past weekend on the Journey to Jericho ATV Festival. Councilor Grenier noted that it is a small group of people who do all the work. Councilor Grenier noted that he has heard several suggestions on what should be done, and encouraged those with ideas to get involved and volunteer. Councilor Berthiaume noted the Police Department activity report, with 823 assists to ambulance in the first 6 months of 2025. Councilor Morency shared his sympathy on the passing of Linda Pivin, and noted all she had done for the community. Councilor Morency noted that she will be missed. Councilor Korzen highlighted the work that Berlin Public Works has done on Kent Street, and stated that it was inspiring to see how hard they work. Councilor Korzen noted that Public Works has been the department that they go to for cuts, but they should be careful and make sure cuts are made across the board. 6. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Higbee, seconded by Councilor Berthiaume, the Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 pm. So moved, the motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Shelli Fortin City Clerk Note: Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the Council by motion. 5