City Manager's Report 05/07/2007
Mason Street Bridge Deck preparation meeting -- Thursday May 3rd
Bids for the Mason Street Bridge Deck were opened today. The apparent low bidder is RM Piper of Plymouth who is also doing the addressStreetGreen Street job. Couture Construction withdrew from bidding toward the end. We are waiting for Wright-Pierce to review the bid but expect to have it awarded shortly. The work should begin the week of the 14th and run for up to six weeks during which the bridge will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles. $350k is available in Segregated Funds for this bridge work.
Main Street Fire
Jim Michalic is back from Florida attempting to deal with cleaning up his property which was complicated by the fact that a good deal of the debris from 30 Main Street ended up being pushed onto his property. This made it more difficult for him to get down into his debris to determine what his losses were. We had been under the impression that the State Fire Marshall's office could give him the permission to put the debris from 30 Main Street back onto 30 Main Street. The Fire Marshall's office however made it clear to us that this is a civil matter between the property owners. Therefore Mr. Michalick was left attempting to contact the property owner, Mr. Beaulieu of 30 Main Street directly.
Tax Deeding of Properties
On Thursday April 19, the attached list of properties was tax-deeded. It takes a good deal of effort on the part of many staff members to deal with the fall-out from that which will go on for some time. We have to take responsibility for the property, deal with tenants, act as new immediate landlord, deal with the former very unhappy property owners, get out the required notices like the Opportunity to Repurchase notice and be sure it is all done in complete conformance with what is a fairly convoluted state law which covers the details of how tax deeds will be handled. Several of the property owners have already re-purchased their properties.
Riverfire Meeting
The first Riverfire planning meeting was held on Tuesday May 1st in Laura Viger's office. The date this year has been moved up tentatively to Saturday, October 6, 2007. Hopefully, this will allow for better weather and better crowds as well as still being able to tie into the autumn themes.
Mayor in Concord on Fine Filter requirements
Mayor Danderson attended another legislative hearing in Concord on the fine filter requirements for the State Park on Wed. May 2nd. This is still not a done deal with many legislators still worrying about the possibility that if they allow the Berlin Park, they may be faced with greater use in their own area some time. Our understanding that Judith Spang from Durham who is the Chair of the Committee the Mayor testified before will be coming to Berlin this Thursday to look at the park herself.
Rabies Clinic
The City Clerk reports that another very successful rabies clinic was held at the Recreation center on Saturday April 21st. She registered 121 dogs at this clinic and took in $835.50 in fees. Beyond that, more dogs have been properly vaccinated against rabies than is likely to have occurred without the clinic.
Electronic Wastes
Attached is a communication from AVRRDD Director Sharon Gauthier regarding the District's implementation of the new state law on disposing of electronic equipment or "e-waste" as it is sometimes called. The state law takes effect on July 1, 2007 and effectively bans the disposal of this type of waste in landfills or incinerators. Therefore the District is planning a recycling program to deal with these types of items. This District Program will begin June 4, 2007.
Friday April 27th—Lunch with PersonNameGivenNameJack SnDugan
On Friday April 27th, Jim Wagner and I had lunch with Jack Dugan who is the President of the Monadnock Economic Development Agency in Keene. Jack has had many successful years as the economic development director in the Monadnock region. His experience and his insights into how to approach this type of situation should be useful to Jim as he proceeds in his new position.
Student Government Day
This evening we are being visited by civics students from Berlin High School. Councilor Lafleur spoke to these students last week at their class. Tomorrow, some of them may be attending a City Staff meeting and then some may also choose to spend some time in a City Department.
Manager's Time Keeping
Attached