BERLIN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PARK AUTHORITY
Board Meeting
February 20, 2007
BIDPA MEMBERS STAFF
Richard Huot, Chair Pamela Laflamme, City Planner
Andre Duchesne Patrick MacQueen, City Manager
Mike Caron
Terry Block Ex Officio Member
Gerry Dumoulin Diana Nelson, City Councilor
Members Excused: Paul Lozier, Don Huot
Members Absent: Liz Ward
Others present: Don Piper, Chuck Morley
The board meeting began at 6:00 P.M. Chair Huot asked the board if they were okay with re-ordering the agenda, and the board agreed to hear from Mr. Piper and Mr. Morley following the financial report.
Minutes:
Mr. Dumoulin made a motion to accept the minutes and Mr. Duchesne seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Financial Report:
Mr. Dumoulin presented the financial report for January and reviewed it with the board. The compensated absences were explained as they are to be moved from a liability of BIDPA's to the general fund. Isaacson Steel has reimbursed BIDPA for the PSNH expenses that were incurred by BIDPA after they moved into the building in July. Ms. Laflamme reviewed the expenses for January that were billed to the Maintenance/Park Supplies line item. Mr. Dumoulin also mentioned that the VeryFine deposit is still on the balance sheet and he thinks that we should return that deposit. Chair Huot asked that we send a letter to VeryFine and ask them if they would rather donate the deposit to BIDPA. Mr. Caron motioned to approve the report; Mr. Duchesne seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Request to purchase Lot 9:
Mr. Piper and Mr. Morley discussed with the board about wanting to do an upgrade to their electrical to allow for the installation for an overhead crane. The board discussed this for a few minutes and it was suggested that they contact Lee Carroll to prepare a plan for the work that needs to be done. Chair Huot asked that they bring the plans for the crane & electrical upgrade back to the board for review and approval before moving ahead with the project.
The board each received a copy of the letter from Mr. Piper that involves their request to purchase Lot 9 in the park. They reviewed the circumstances, that they leased their current space thinking that it would last them for a few years. They have quickly outgrown their space and they had first wanted to see an expansion of the Maynesboro building, but that has become complicated for them. They then learned of the availability of Lot 9. They have talked with their lenders and are looking to now construct a 20,000 square foot building with the ability to expand to 60,000 square feet on the property.
Their first step is to acquire the lot on favorable terms. They still prefer to see an expansion of their current space. However, they would like to have a building built and ready to occupy before fall. They need to get going on this project as soon as possible. Mr. Morley mentioned that he had other endeavors in mind project wise here in the area.
Mr. Block reviewed the possibility of an addition and stated that rather than pursue that avenue of thinking, it would be more favorable to sell Lot 9 and allow Sabbow to work out the details as quickly as they can. Mr. Block said it would be a more viable discussion if they could agree to a long term lease. Mr. Piper went over the items that needed to be done to start the site plan review process with the Planning Board.
Mr. Dumoulin reviewed the status of the existing lots and that there would possibly be a lot available to purchase directly adjacent to their existing location (Lot 7). He mentioned that he would like to the see the board have the right of first refusal on the property if they decided not to build on the property. The Board discussed the appraisal and Mr. Block mentioned that he too would like to see a right of first refusal. Mr. Morley indicated that he would purchase the property based on favorable site conditions.
Motion:
Mr. Caron made a motion to sell the property at appraised value ($16, 641.00) with two conditions, one, that if it is decided the purchaser wishes to sell the property that BIDPA be given the right of first refusal. The second condition is that if the property is not developed within two years that BIDPA will repurchase the property at the same price at which it was sold. Mr. Block seconded the motion with all voting in favor. Motion passed.
Mr. MacQueen will draft a purchase and sales agreement for Mr. Morley, which he will bring to Council on Monday.
Fiscal Year 2008 Budget:
Mr. Dumoulin suggested the board review the budget line by line. The board agreed to request an increase in the training line item to $600.00, and the maintenance line item to $10,000.00. The board requested a new line item to be called Park Improvements, which should be funded at $15,000. They discussed putting a sign at the southern entrance of the park. The board decided that park maintenance would incorporate both park and building maintenance. Board members asked for an increase in the line for mileage to $500.00. The board would also request $2000.00 in the contingency line item. Legal expense projections would be increased from $5000.00 to $10,000.
Under capital projects, the second phase of the park expansion needs reflected. Ms. Laflamme will review and update this and the operating budget items with the City Comptroller. The board will be sent the revised budget, which will be presented to Council in March.
The board then discussed a heating issue that has been discovered in the Isaacson's space at the Maynesboro Industrial Building. Chair Huot indicated that the board should probably share in the cost of the upgrade as it is something that would stay with the building if and when Isaacson's vacated the building. Then Chair Huot suggested that a few heating companies be invited to look at the building and give a quote on what the work would cost. The system seems to be undersized for the space. Mr. Caron indicated that he would want to know whether this is something that is a new problem or an existing problem. Staff will contact Munce's and Ultramar to review the problem and come up with a plan and a cost. The board will review this at their next meeting.
Motion:
Mr. Block made a motion to accept the proposed budget with the noted changes and revisions for submission to the City Council. Mr. Caron seconded the motion and all members voted in favor.
Economic Director's Report:
The board reviewed Mr. Charest's report.
Motion:
Mr. Caron voted to accept the ED report, Mr. Dumoulin seconded the motion, and all voted in favor.
Maynesboro Industrial Building:
Ms. Laflamme shared the results of the electrical improvements bid for the Maynesboro Industrial Building. There was only one bid, from Ray's Electric for $5800.00 which is good for 120 days. Mr. Binette has suggested waiting to do the work until the weather is a bit warmer as the electricity will be interrupted during the work.
Motion:
Mr. Caron made a motion to accept the bid, Mr. Dumoulin seconded the motion and the board voted in favor of hiring Ray's Electric to do the electrical improvement project at the cost of $5800.00.
Route 110 update: Chair Huot reviewed the status of the bidders and their interest on the Route 110 property. One of the bidders has dropped out as they are focusing on other projects. The second bidder is consulting with his partners to see if they are still interested in the project. The board will review this at their next meeting.
The appraisal for the 11.8 acres that Charles Isaacson's wants to purchase will not be ready until the next meeting. The board discussed that they are hoping to see an appraisal that was either equal or more than the cost per acre determined for the entire 300 acre parcel.
Board Officer Elections: Mr. Block nominated Mr. Huot to serve another one year term as chair, Mr. Dumoulin seconded the nomination.
Mr. Caron nominated Mr. Block to serve another term as vice-chairman, Mr. Dumoulin seconded the nomination.
Mr. Caron nominated Mr. Dumoulin to serve another term as treasurer, Mr. Duchesne seconded the nomination.
Mr. Caron voted to accept the slate of candidates and Mr. Duchesne seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Other:
Signage at the Maynesboro Industrial Park:
The board discussed in more detail the need for a new sign at the southern entrance of the industrial park. The board asked staff to get letters of interest from sign vendors and to be certain to offer this to local sign makers. The board will discuss this further at the next meeting.
Request for Qualifications status:
The board discussed the status of the process for the architectural services for building design. The RFQ's are due back on February 27, 2007. Ms. Laflamme will copy all submissions and send them to the board to review before the next meeting.
Adjournment: Mr. Block made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00p.m., Mr. Dumoulin seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
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