WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011 VOL. 19 NO. 205
BERLIN, N.H.
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City manager presents budget to council BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN –With 4 percent cuts in most department budgets, City Manager Patrick MacQueen presented a 2012 budget to the city council Monday night that would eliminate six and a half positions. Still as presented, the budget would result in a $1.77 or 5.6 percent increase in the current tax rate of $31.70. But the city manager said if the school and police departments followed the same directive as the other city departments, the tax rate would drop by $1.79 or 5.6 percent to $29.91. In his budget message, MacQueen noted one of
the mayor and council’s goals was to keep the tax rate flat. After viewing the figures, MacQueen said he calculated the most “straight-forward” way to achieve the council’s no tax increase goal was to challenge departments to come up with a bottom line that was 4 percent below their current budget. Department heads were asked to prepare two budgets – one representing what the department head felt was needed and one representing a 4 percent reduction. For the most part, MacQueen said departments were able to achieve the 4 percent reduction. Two that did not were the school district and police department, which are not under MacQueen’s con-
trol. The school board submitted an operating budget of $16.8 million, up $909,814 or 5.8 percent. It did not submit a budget showing a four percent reduction. The police commission submitted a budget showing a 2.2 percent reduction, which the commission said it did not recommend. MacQueen noted that the average home in Berlin is assessed at about $79,000. Based on the 2010 tax rate, the average residential tax bill was $2,504. If the tax rate goes up to $33.47 as proposed, the average tax bill would increase by about $140 or to $2,644. He said that is a tough increase when the see BUDGET page 9
Two more city councilors resign citing increased work loads BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – Citing increasing work commitments, two more city councilors have submitted their resignations. The City Council Monday night voted to accept with regret the resignations of Ward IV Councilor David Poulin and Ward I Councilor Ryan Landry. Last month, Councilor Tim Cayer stepped down from the eight member council, citing family com-
mitments. Former Councilor Diana Nelson was appointed to fill the vacancy. Poulin, whose term runs until 2012, said he has recently expanded several of his businesses and has started a new Verizon store in Mexico, Maine. He said he now has the opportunity to open additional locations. Poulin said the growth was unexpected. “I have attempted to balance the demands of my business, family and city responsibilities but now have come to the conclusion that all will suffer if
I do not make some adjustments,” he wrote in his resignation letter. Landry, whose term runs until 2014, said he has increased work responsibilities at the state prison where he works as a nurse. He noted he has been unable to attend council meetings the last few months and does not see the situation changing in the near future. “Due to my inability to attend these meetings and RESIGN from page one 9
Two injured in three car accident BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Two people were injured during a three car accident Tuesday afternoon on the Berlin Gorham Road. Police believe one of the vehi cles attempted to turn into the Mountain Valley Plaza and crossed into the path of two oncoming vehicles. (CRAIG LYONS PHOTO)
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GORHAM-- A three vehicle crash on the Berlin Gorham Road sent two people to the hospital Tuesday afternoon. Police are still looking into the cause of the accident, though preliminary reports say that one vehicle attempted to turn into the Mountain Valley Plaza and crossed in front of two oncoming vehicles. Few details were available regarding the crash at press time. The names of the people involved in the accident haven’t been released at this time. Reports at the scene indicate that the vehicle heading northbound attempted turn into the plaza failed to yield the right of way to southbound traffic. The car then hit head on with a car in the passing lane. The car in the southbound, traveling lane then broadsided the second vehicle. The driver of the car in the passing lane suffered injuries, as did the passenger in the car that tried to turn into the plaza. None of the other people involved in the crash were injured. Two of the vehicles were totaled in the crash, and the third vehicle sustained some damage.
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