FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011
VOL. 19 NO. 207
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Union Hiker rescued from Huntington Ravine approves contract with new mill buyers BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN— Members of Local 75 of the United Steel Workers Wednesday approved a new contract with the buyers of the Gorham mill. Local 75 announced that the proposed contract with Gorham Papers, LLC., the new buyers of the former Fraser Papers mill. The proposed contract was approved by a 152- 4 vote. “I’m very, very happy the membership supported the contract,” said Local 75 President Spanky Lozier. The union declined to disclose any specific details of the contract. At this point, Lozier said Gorham see UNION page 11
PINKHAM’S GRANT— Crews Thursday rescued a man from Huntington Ravine after he was injured while climbing in Pinnacle Gully. The U.S. Forest Service reported that a 31- year old New Hampshire man was injured while ice climbing in the gully and transported to Memorial Hospital, in Conway. The U.S.F.S. hasn’t released the man’s identity until his family is notified of the incident. Authorities said that while climbing alone in the gully, the man triggered an avalanche and was carried 1,300 feet. He was injured during the avalanche. The initial report through 911 indicated the man broke his leg, and U.S.F.S. was unable to determine the exact
nature of his injuries. The man called 911 just after 10:30 a.m., and the U.S.F.S. was notified at about 10:45 a.m. Due to the man’s location, snow rangers, with assistance from the Harvard Cabin caretaker, were able to reach him at 11:15 a.m. The U.S.F.S. administered basic first aid at the scene at prepared him to be removed from the area. The man was taken off the trail in a sled on the back of a snow machine. The rescue crew returned to the Pinkham Notch visitors’ center at 1 p.m. N.H. Fish and Game stood by at the scene in case additional assistance was needed. The U.S.F.S. advised hikers and climbers to be cautious see HIKER page 11
Agreement to sell Balsams announced BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
DIXVILLE NOTCH – The Tillotson Corporation has reached an agreement to sell the Balsams Grand Resort, including approximately 7,700 acres of land, to the owner of the Wentworth By the Sea Hotel and Spa in Portsmouth. The directors of the Tillotson Corporation voted 5-1 to approve the sale to Ocean Properties LLC. Hotel and Resorts of Portsmouth. “Ocean Properties brings an impressive track record, with a portfolio of hotels, commitment to New Hampshire, and management team to the table. They have the same
passion for the Balsams that the Tillotsons had,” said Tom Deans of North Conway, managing trustee of the Neil Tillotson Trust. The lone vote against the sale was from Tillotson’s son, Rick Tillotson. Rick Tillotson favored the other finalist, a group of local investors that included Berlin City Dealership founder Dan Dagesse, Colebrook contractor Dan Hebert, and Balsams General Manager Jeff McIver. The sale includes all the Balsam assets including the ski area, two golf courses, and the 200-room hotel. Excluded were two parcels of land deemed to have potential for wind see BALSAMS page 10
City will apply for additional funding for NSP BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – The city will apply for $3.5 million to continue the work of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Housing Coordinator Andre Caron said Berlin was asked to compete for $4.5 million the N.H. Community Development Finance Authority has available for a second round of funding. The private-public partnership between the city and New England Family Housing is in the process of renovating 14 formerly foreclosed or abandoned buildings into energy efficient rental property. Some of the money has also been used to remove dilapidated structures in the targeted neighborhoods. Caron said $3.5 million would allow the partnership to do another 12 buildings. He said NHCDFA is pleased with what has done so far and while Nashua see FUNDING page 9
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B.H.S. welding students Brice Corrigan, John Secinore, Caleb Flint, Shawn Bunnell and Tom Rozek stand with teacher Dennis Carrier. The five students took the top slots in an invitational welding competition and Rozek, Bunnell and Corrigan will participate in a statewide competition later this month. See story page 7 (CRAIG LYONS PHOTO)
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