Berlin Industrial Development & Park Authority
November 18, 2008
Members Present: Mike Caron, Dick Eastman, Andre Duchesne, Chair Dick Huot, Jay Poulin, Councilor Evans, Dave Poirier, Paul Lozier, and Jerry Dumoulin
Members Excused: Diana Nelson, Peter Higbee
Others Present: Ray LeTellier and Scott McKnight, Steelelements; Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun; Norman Charest, Economic Development Director; Patrick MacQueen, City Manager; Pamela Laflamme, City Planner
Chair Huot reminded the board that all comments and questions should be directed to the chair to keep the meetings organized.
October Minutes: Mr. Poulin made a motion to approve the October minutes, Mr. Caron seconded the motion, motion passed.
September & October Financial Report: Mr. Dumoulin reviewed the reports with the board. Mr. Caron asked Mr. Dumoulin to list the expenditures for September. The October report was reviewed and discussed as well. Mr. Caron made a motion to approve the financial reports, the motion was seconded by Mr. Lozier, and the board voted in favor of the motion.
Economic Activity Report: Chair Huot shared with the board that Scott McKnight and Ray LeTellier from Steelelements were present and asked if the board was okay with hearing from the two of them during this portion of the meeting. Mr. McKnight indicated that they were waiting for approvals from the bankruptcy court to un-abandon the land in order to expand the size of the current easement that is associated with the building owned by Steelelements. Mr. MacQueen then gave the board the history of the City's involvement with the property as the City understands the issues associated with the property.
Mr. McKnight indicated that in discussions with their attorney, they believe that the easement can be subdivided without going back to the bankruptcy court. Councilor Evans asked some clarifying questions about easements and the usage of an easement by the holder of the easement. Mr. MacQueen explained the different types of easements.
Mr. Dumoulin made a motion to approve the Economic Activity report, Mr. Caron seconded the motion and the board voted in favor of the motion.
Maynesboro Industrial Building: Mr. Charest reported that there is still a roof leak and that he is still working with Isaacson Steel to solve the odor issue in the building.
Mr. Charest indicated that he had contacted KeySpan to come and investigate the odor issues. They came on November 7 (see attached memo) and did not find any positive readings from their product (natural gas). They did determine in their opinion the source of the odor, which was traced back to the lack of air exchange related to the exhauster for the steel cutting table. Mr. Charest indicated that Isaacson Steel wanted to know what role BIDPA would play in solving the problem.
Mr. Caron suggested getting in touch with the manufacturer to better understand things that could be done to the table to deal with the issues. Mr. Caron asked staff to relay to Isaacson that they should research the issue with the manufacturer and to look into what options they might have to solve the negative air issue if they do not get a satisfactory issue from the manufacturer.
Mr. Caron put his request in the form of a motion, seconded by Mr. Eastman, and the board voted in favor.
Route 110 Status Update: Chair Huot told the board that Mr. McLain's funding had come through and that he hoped to close on the property later this week.
Economic Development Discussion: Chair Huot asked Councilor Evans to give the board some feedback on the issues from the Council's perspective.
Councilor Evans reviewed Mr. Charest's report to the Council about using the City's natural resources as an economic development tool. He shared that a priority for the Council is to link the Jericho trail system to the Success trail system in an effort to make Berlin more ATV friendly. Councilor Evans indicated that Council wants to form a committee to look at opening some of the City streets to link the trail systems together.
Mr. Charest clarified that his report is not meant to abandon the idea of industrial development, but that rather a balance between several types of development be considered. He believes that the City has the infrastructure to support boosting the percentage of tourism related activity in Berlin.
Chair Huot asked if Mr. Charest saw an immediate role for BIDPA in this project, and he replied not at this time, but definitely in the future.
Mr. Caron asked about other outdoor recreation activities and whether they were part of the equation and Mr. Charest said absolutely. Mr. Poirier indicated that he was under the impression that there are communities in Canada that allow ATV's to use the streets in many communities.
There was discussion and debate about the many groups that are involved in doing economic development and the value and likelihood of such mergers.
Chair Huot is going to send an email to the board asking for four or five ideas for economic development to start a conversation with the Council.
Other: Mr. MacQueen explained that HB 1651 is enabling legislation passed in the last Legislative Session. The Council wants to move forward to adopt its provisions, and a City ordinance is in the process of being e passed.
Mr. MacQueen explained that the legislation allows for tax exemptions for new commercial and industrial construction in Coos County in an effort to stimulate economic development. Exemptions would be provided on a gradually declining scale over ten years. Having the exemption apply to all of Coos County makes the process simpler, broader and it applies to more businesses. The exemption would apply to new construction only so full taxes would apply to any portion of a building that is not new construction. The ordinance has a five year sunset clause and would not be in effect after five years unless renewed by the Council.
Mr. Charest indicated the Council and Mr. MacQueen should be commended for the work done on this incentive.
Mr. Lozier asked if the new ordinance is on the City's website and he was told it was posted today.
Mr. Lozier asked about available land and if staff could generate any land that is zoned industrial that is for sale and possibly other parcels of land that are available for development. Mr. Caron suggested putting a list together of available land and mapping out the Industrial areas in the City, which Ms. Laflamme will put together.
Mr. Lozier asked about the status of the wood pellet plant project and Mr. Poulin replied that the project was in the funding stages.
Councilor Evans asked about the status of the water study and Ms. Laflamme indicated that the grant had been applied for and decisions would not be made until mid to late December.
Public Comments: None
Non Public Session per RSA 91-A:3, II (d) Land Matter -Mr. Dumoulin made a motion to enter into non-public, Mr. Caron seconded the motion, a roll call vote was taken and all members voted in the affirmative.
Public Comments: None
The board voted to come out of non-public session per RSA 91-A:3, II (d) Land Matters -Mr. Poulin made the motion with a second from Mr. Eastman; a roll call vote was taken and all members voted in the affirmative.
A motion was made by Mr. Poulin to seal the minutes until a time where keeping the minutes sealed is no longer necessary, seconded by Mr. Duchesne, all voted in favor.
Member Comments: None
Mr. Charest mentioned that he had received a call from Clough and Harbour who were asking to release the information that they had collected for BIDPA to Alan McLain and he indicated he had given permission to go ahead.
Adjourn: Mr. Dumoulin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Poulin, all voted in favor.
| 
