City Manager's Report 7/21/2008
State Rock Salt Bids
Attached is a copy of the State-wide bids for rock salt this year. We are NHDOT District 1 and so we of course have the highest price at $71.08. Last year's price was $56.15 so this is a 27% increase in price. This is $170k worth of salt and we have budgeted $131k for salt.
We weren't particularly happy with the quality of the salt we were getting last year through the state contract. A local vendor who has provided better salt in the past has indicated that he may match the state's price which would be a small consolation. Even with all the snow last year, Public Works managed to stay at the city average for salt use which has been 2400 tons by increasing the sand mixed with it. One of the problems with doing this is that this sand builds up in our drainage system and has to be cleaned from it.
NPDES Permit
The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) under which the City's WWTF operates is being considered for renewal. We have been provided a draft copy of the permit in order to make comment with respect to editorial items. Then the draft permit will be published for a formal 30-day comment period at which time we would mount any arguments we might have with it. At this point, we don't have any major arguments with it in that there do not appear to be any major changes in it except for some more maintenance and monitoring requirements which are logical. We had been concerned that there could be significant new chemical requirements that would be expensive to meet. So far this does not appear to be the case.
Building Inspector Retirement
Chip Carpenter who has served as one of the city's two Building Inspectors for the past couple of years has given notice of his retirement at the end of the month. He plans to spend more time with his children. His efforts on improving City inspection efforts are appreciated and he will be missed.
City Support of Forest Service Timber Harvests
Attached is a letter from Jane Difley, President/Forester of the Society for the Protection of NH Forests acknowledging the City of Berlin's financial support of the effort between the Forest Society, the AMC, the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, the North Country Council and the Audubon Society in filing an amicus curiae that cited the importance of adhering to the Forest Service's forest management plan in the White Mountains. The District Court on June 6th, affirmed the decision made by the US Forest Service to proceed with the two timber harvests.
New England Forest Road Rally in Berlin
The New England Forest Car Rally which, for the fourth year, came through Berlin on its final day Saturday July 12th, seems to be growing each year. The Berlin portion of the rally which starts out at Sunday River in Maine on Friday was this year pretty much organized by the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce working with the organizers of the car rally. The cover page of the Spectator Guide is attached.
Thunder in the Mountains
The Main Street Thunder in the Mountains annual event was held Saturday. It was interrupted a bit by rain but this didn't really dampen the spirits of most of the crowd who waited that out and enjoyed the activities for the rest of the day.
Children's Literacy Program returns to City Playgrounds
The Children's Literacy Foundation Summer Readers program will be back visiting the Berlin Recreation & Parks Playground program on July 30th at the Brookside Playground at 10:15 am and Community Playground at 11:15am. CLiF's summer program was created to help keep reading a part of children's activities over the summer months. The program provides lively storytelling presentations and free books to children in various summer programs across Vermont and New Hampshire. Attached is the flier and more descriptive information on the program.
Governor Signs HB 1436 'Evergreen' Labor Legislation
Governor Lynch has signed HB 1436, the so-called 'evergreen' bill. The practical effect of this bill in Berlin is not clear as it isn't in most places. In practice the State Labor Board has required contracts to be 'evergreen' already in the State. However, there was a Supreme Court case in the schools a few years ago which said that annual steps in step pay plans were not required to be granted annually if there were no contract in place. Some jurisdictions have granted such steps anyway even though they were not required to while some undoubtedly have not granted them since the Supreme Court ruled they didn't have to. Although the confusion surrounding this legislation will have to be sorted out with time, it would appear that this new legislation is aimed at requiring those step provisions to remain 'evergreen' like the rest of the contract already is.
Threatened Highway Transportation Funding Cuts
Attached is a list of all the states and the effect of Federal Highway Funding if the proposed cuts to that funding occur. In the case of New Hampshire it would go from proposed highway funding of $161M down to $109M if the proposed cuts occur. HR 6532 has been introduced to restore the proposed cuts. A list of the co-sponsors of that bill is also attached.
Police Traffic Training
Attached is information describing a risk management training program provided by Primex to the members of the Berlin Police Department on handling and dealing with traffic.
CEDC Director's Report
Attached is a copy of the Coos Economic Development Council's Director's Report as of July 1, 2008 for your information.