TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011
VOL. 19 NO. 208
BERLIN, N.H.
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752-5858
Delegation passes $31.7 Laidlaw asks SEC to million county budget approve corporate BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN— The days for the county farm’s dairy operations are numbered after the delegation Saturday approved a budget that cuts its funding. The Coos County Delegation approved the $31,783,559 budget by a 6-5 vote. The budget cuts the funding for the county farm, in West Stewartstown, to $200,000. Some
members of the delegation attempted to add $215,000 to the farm budget to keep the dairy operation running for another year, though it failed by a 4-7 vote. Based on the $200,000 budget, the county will begin selling off its herd and equipment associated with the dairy operation. County Administrator Suzanne Collins said funds are still needed for the farm even see BUDGET page 6
reorganization BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – Announcing a corporate reorganization and a change in its major contractor and fuel supplier, Laidlaw Berlin BioPower is asking the N.H. Site Evaluation Committee to approve the changes. Laidlaw received a certificate from the SEC last September authorizing the company to construct and operate a 70-megawatt biomass plant in Berlin. Laidlaw has now filed a motion with the SEC seeking to amend the certificate to include the changes in its corporate structure. In its motion, Laidlaw said the changes were necessary to secure the financing for the project. NewCo Energy LLC, a project company managed by Cate Street Capital, would remain the principal owner. Cate Street Capital also has an agreement
to purchase the former Fraser mill in Cascade. The motion to the SEC said a new corporate entity, Berlin Station, will be formed to replace PJPD Holdings LLC and Laidlaw Berlin BioPower, LLC. “The applicant believes this corporate consolidation simplifies the project structure while also strengthening it by having a single entity own the land, the facility, be the party to all contracts, and pursuant to subcommittee approval, the certificate holder,” Laidlaw states. While Berlin Station retains ownership and responsibility for the project, the motion states New Market Tax Credit rules prohibit it from directly operating the plant. Because of that restriction, Berlin Station will lease the facility to Burgess BioPower. Laidlaw informs the SEC see LAIDLAW page 14
City council declines to commit to power purchase BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Rescuers carry a Manchester man who suffered a possible heart attack on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail Saturday, to a waiting ambulance.
Hiker rescued from Mount Washington
MOUNT WASHINGTON— Emergency crews Saturday rescued a Manchester man from Mount Washington after he reportedly suffered a heart attack while hiking. N.H. Fish and Game officials say that David Landry, 54, of Manchester, was rescued from Mount Washington’s Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail Saturday afternoon after he reported having a heart attack. The Twin Mountain Ambulance service transported Landry to the Littleton Hospital for
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care, according to the press release. Fish and Game was notified via 911 at 1:48 p.m. that a hiker on the trail may have suffered a heart attack. Conservation officers along with the Pemi Search and Rescue Team and the ambulance service assembled at the Marshfield station, at the base of the mountain, before hiking more than two miles to reach Landry’s location, according to the press release. see HIKER page 6
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BERLIN – The City Council has declined to commit the city to purchasing power from Jericho Mountain Wind Company. Developer David Brooks of Norwell, Mass approached the council two weeks ago about selling the city power from wind turbines he plans to place on Jericho Mountain. Brooks purchased the property over a year ago from Christian Loranger who installed three turbines on the 135-acre site about three years ago. Loranger was still working out the details to connect to the grid when the windmills were vandalized. The three turbines were removed and Brooks received planning board approval to construct five turbines on the site.
Brooks told the council he has secured financing for the turbines and now needs a buyer for the power. While he has other parties interested in the power, Brooks said his company would like to benefit the city by selling power to Berlin. Brooks said he was offering the city a multiyear contract to buy power at 6 to 7.5 cents a kilowatt hour. In addition, the company would also provide a refund of up to 25 percent depending on renewable energy credits. Councilors noted the city would still need a back-up supplier because wind is an intermittent source of power - there are times when the wind does not blow. City Manager Patrick MacQueen pointed out a contract see COUNCIL page 6
G o r h a m H o u se F lo r ist, L L C 1 0 E xch a n ge Str eet G o r h a m • 4 6 6 -5 5 8 8
Happy St. Patty’s Day. Green Carnations. Oxalis Plants. Lucky Leprechaun Mum Faces.