TOWN OF DERRY
Town Council Work Session October 23, 2006
Derry Municipal Center Tuesday 6:30 pm
Member Present: Staff Present:
Chairman Chirichiello Tom Carrier
Councilor Reisdorf
Councilor Ferrante
Councilor Bulkley
Councilor Dowling
Councilor Fairbanks
Councilor Coyle
Town Administrator Marcoux
Recording Town Clerk Denise Neale
6:30 p.m. Salute to Flag, Notice of Fire Exits & Handicap Access
Mention was made that the Work Session was being taped and would be aired on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday of this week. The Conservation Commission meeting was also being held this evening, and that meeting would be live.
· Meet with board members of Taylor Library regarding the funding of $16,000 for compatible computerized system with the Derry Public Library
Members present: Betsy Wolfe, Trustee, Steve Jusiff, Tech for Info Center, Linda Merrill, Director, Ben Hamblett, Ed Cianco and Candace Andrews, Trustees.
Town Administrator Marcoux gave a recap of the money appropriated in the budget for this project and Council asked for a meeting to discuss this project.
Betsy Wolf gave a powerpoint presentation on the history of the NH Libraries Automation, types of systems available and the related costs.
The Derry Library is on the GMILCS system, which was more expensive than the other systems that were looked at.
Councilor Ferrante asked questions relating to the joining of the two libraries and if the costs would have been less for the GMILCS system.
Councilor Bulkley expressed the Councils wish to join the libraries into one system and referred to the Short Range Plan they received.
Councilor Coyle and Reisdorf asked questions related to the presentation.
Councilor Ferrante asked for members of the Derry Library to come forward:
Joan Padachowski, Trustee Derry Public Library & Cheryl Lynch, Director.
Cheryl explained the difference between the InfoCenter and GMILCS systems and why they were different. InfoCenter is more for smaller libraries.
Councilor Dowling asked how the Short Range Plan was developed. The Town Administrator explained that in conversation with the two Directors at a staff meeting, that they would work together to develop a plan that could be submitted to their boards for review separately, and at a joint meeting. The Chair of the DPL visited with the Administrator last Thursday and reviewed the Draft and that it had been forwarded to the two boards at their meetings. He again called the Administrator on Friday, and said it was OK to release the Draft to the Council, as the Board Members from both libraries had copies. [It was for informational purposes only at this time.]
Steve Jusiff, InfoCenter Tech, explained that if Libraries were to join Derry’s Sirsi/Dynix (GMILCS) System would have to give permission for imports and exports of data from InfoCenter. The cost would come from Sirsi/Dynix.
Tom Carrier gave the results of the survey from the residents of Upstone Lane. Explained variables of costs for each sewer extension project. Reviewed for the Council history and the Wasterwater Facilities Master Plan. He also gave scenarios for the effect of the Fiscal Impact. Recommends the Town Council review the Wastewater Master Plan and develop and adopt a consistent and fair policy for funding future sewer main extensions.
Councilors Dowling and Fairbanks asked questions relating to the monies in reserve from the Brookview Drive and South Range extensions.
Councilor Bulkley and Coyle were concerned for the level of consistency of fees paid for running Wastewater projects. Ultimately would affect sewer users or possibly taxpayers if a bond would have to be issued.
Chairman Chirichiello asked Town Administrator Marcoux to have Mr. Carrier present 2-3 scenarios with regards to percentage of impact to users and/or town paying a percentage. Need to find a formula for the future. Give projections of what could be seen and bring it back to the Council.
Town Administrator Marcoux presented his report on how Economic Development is important to the Town and critical for changing our current residential/commercial retail-industrial base. It is a tall order for the Town Administrator to accomplish without qualified assistance in the area of economic development. He has come up with alternatives for the council to review.
#1 Hire an on staff, employee Director
#2 Hire an outside consultant to accomplish the task
#3 Secure an Agreement with the DEDC for the task
#4 Combination of the above
#5 Do nothing
There needs to be one clear mission, “What is in the best interest of Derry’s future?
Councilors posed questions on the cost of hiring an Economic Development Coordinator, what the position would require and who this person would report to.
Town Administrator Marcoux expressed the fact that other agencies need to be challenged to assist. (i.e. Chamber of Commerce, Derry Housing and Redevelopment , DEDC or another agency). Working together with the Town the task could be completed. This task should be taken on very soon to achieve that goal.
Councilors discussed the time frame needed to develop the new position for the Coordinator. They also discussed options on not creating the position until 2007.
Some Councilors agreed with recommendation #4. Some would not say.
Councilor feel it is necessary to bring to a Public Hearing for review – This was discussed and a motion passed to that effect on July 11.
Town Administrator Marcoux was asked to put together a Plan Alternative 4 for his combination above, and also add Alternative 3. Place them on the agenda for November 14th under New Business and also allow for public comments (which was the motion on July 11th.)
At Nov 7th Town Council meeting there should be a motion to move the scheduled Nov 21st meeting to Nov 14th.
Work Session adjourned at 10:00 pm.
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Denise E Neale, Town Clerk Date