FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012
VOL. 20 NO. 186
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Berlin BetterBuildings has incentives for Berlin’s commercial property owners Berlin Model Neighborhood Program promotes wood pellet boilers BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN -- There has never been a better time for commercial property owners in Berlin to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. Additional grant incentives are now available that cover not only the expense of the energy audit but also up to 45 percent of the cost of making improvements identified by the audit. Cimbria Badenhausen, community manager for Berlin BetterBuildings, said the opportunity for commercial property owners is too good to miss. “I wish I could visit each commercial property owner in Berlin and speak to you about this personally, but that’s impossible. I hope that those who are interested in taking advantage of this tremendous opportunity will call me right away, so we can get you enrolled in the program and reserve your funding!” Initial forms must be filled out by next Friday, Feb. 10 to reserve funds and take advantage of the enhanced
incentives. Badenhausen said through incentives offered by the Retail Merchants Association and Berlin BetterBuildings, a commercial property owner can have 100 percent of the cost of an energy audit covered if the owner undertakes improvements outlined in the audit to achieve a minimum 15% increase in efficiency. Property owners do have to be members of the Retail Merchants Association in order to receive funds from their Giving Power Back program. The cost to join the association is $100. Assistance from Berlin BetterBuildings is free of charge to Berlin property owners. Badenhausen said the average cost for a commercial audit is between $5,000 and $10,000, but can go as high as $20,000. When combining the Retail Merchant Association incentives and Berlin BetterBuildings’ incentives, most audits will be fully covered. Additionally, the two organizations will then pay up to 45 percent of the cost of the improvements. The property owner can still seek energy rebates available through Public Service of N.H. as well as tax credits. Badenhausen cautioned that roof
BAREI members meet to discuss the intricacies of getting their all-volunteer solar hot water heating system program rolling by this coming spring. Included are, l to r, Matt Schomburg, co-chairman, Bruce Kimball, Ed Solar, co-chairman, Lisa Gilmore Morse, secretary, and Roland Goulette, treasurer.
Solar is rising in the Berlin area BY GAIL SCOTT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN—A Berlin group, inspired by Bethlehem’s adventure into solar hot water heating installation via the good old all-volunteer barn raising method, is planning to offer the same service in the Berlin area. Trained and organized volunteers in Berlin, with access to dealer product prices, will install solar systems at cost plus ten percent, to cover their costs.
The fledgling effort—Berlin Area Renewable Energy Initiative—is at its beginning, but hopes to start installing systems this summer. As a Tri County Community Action Program, donations to the effort are tax deductible and the program’s efforts will be audited. Tri County CAP is expected to have a reference to BAREI in its website in the near future. See www.tricap.org/ barei/html—but not just yet. see SOLAR page 17
see INCENTIVES page 10
Police department stand-outs recognized BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Patrol officer Geoffrey Bardeen smiles wide as he receives his Officer of the Year award from Police Commissioner Steve Griffin on Feb. 2. (MELISSA GRIMA PHOTO) Buying or Selling Real Estate?
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BERLIN — Standout police officers and police department employees were honored by the Berlin Police Department and its commissioners on Thursday morning. The department named the officer of the year, employee of the year, gave special recognition to the detectives and announced a single promotion at the early morning meeting of the Police Commission. Officer Geoffrey Bardeen was honored as the Police Officer of the Year. “He’s such a positive role model for the officers coming on,” said Chief of Police Peter Morency as he announced the award. Morency said that the department goes through the process of evaluations and looks at dedication to the department and community when selecting the annual honorees. He said that motivation and demeanor are also important considerations. The department has a lot of deserving employees Chief Morency explained, “it’s certainly a tough selection.” The Employee of the Year award went to
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dispatcher Maranda Morency. “I want to say I have an outstanding team of dispatchers and Maranda’s one of those,” said Telecommunications Manager Jennifer Cloutier. Chief Morency joked that the name had no bearing on the award (she’s his neice) and pointed out that most of the employees nominated Maranda for the honor. Cloutier said Maranda stepped up last year and pitched in substantially while Cloutier was on maternity leave. In an unusual move the entire detectives division was also honored for their outstanding work over the course of 2011. “This is a first but I thought it was in order this year,” Chief Morency said. He extolled the virtues of the three detectives in turn, lauding Lt. Rich Plourde’s management skill, Cpl. Luc Poulin’s tenacity and Cpl. Nathan Roy’s computer skills. Chief Morency said the detectives had excelled in handling tough investigations last year and deserved to be recognized for their performance. see STAND-OUTS page 20
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