THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012
VOL. 21 NO. 7
BERLIN, N.H.
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City Council reviews fire department budget BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – The delicate balance the city council faces in fashioning its fiscal 2013 budget is illustrated by the choices it faces with the fire department budget. Filling in for an ailing Fire Chief Randall Trull, Assistant Chief Thaddeus Soltys discussed the department’s budget with the city council Monday night. In his budget, City Manager Patrick MacQueen recommends a fire department budget of $1.9 mil-
lion, up $16,219 over the current budget. MacQueen said his budget proposal would result in the loss of one firefighter position. Trull had requested a budget of $2,086,160 - the $133,165 increase allowing him to maintain current staffing levels. Soltys explained that currently the department has two shifts of four firefighters on duty and two shifts of five firefighters. But in reality, he said most the time the department has four-person shifts because of personnel out for various reasons including sickness, injury, and vacation time. Right now, Soltys said the there is one firefighter out on a long-term illness and another is
scheduled to have knee surgery soon. In his written budget presentation, MacQueen noted that the department has fought in the past for increasing the department by two positions to allow all four shifts to have five firefighters on duty to respond to an emergency. The city manager said his proposed budget will further erode that goal. “This can be a serious situation when the department pulls up to fires of the type we have had over the past year. Large fires or multiple fires undoubtedly require more responding staff in order to be see COUNCIL page 9
Development group hopes to expand, enhance commerce BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM — A small team of Gorham residents and business owners gathered last week to discuss the state of the economy in town and make the first steps toward forming a plan to help improve the economic climate. The initial meeting of the group known simply as Gorham Economic Development, focused mainly on determining a mission and brainstorming about the issues facing the small town. “It’s up to the group, what we do, what we develop, what we decide,” said Max Makaitis, who was elected chairman of the team at the meeting. Selectman David Graham was selected as the committee’s secretary, local restaurant owner LouAnne Pelkey was elected as vice-chair, and businessman Don King was elected treasurer of the newly formed group. After some discussion, the members
approved a mission statement that lays out what they hope to accomplish: “To promote and facilitate economic development by fostering the creation of new (commerce) and expansion of existing commerce that creates quality jobs and expands the tax base for the benefit of the residents of the town of Gorham.” When it came to identifying how best to tackle this mission, the agreement was split among the membership. Some identified marketing as an area of need, while others felt building up the commercial infrastructure was the best way to draw people to town. Still others advocated for a friendlier business climate pointing out that, in their opinion, the Planning and Zoning process in town were difficult to navigate and could stymie even the boldest small business owner. Donna Goodrich of Top Furniture suggested that the group not try to see GROUP page 6
Rescue crews pull teen from river
“Tom Sawyer” will be presented March 30, and 31, at 7 p.m. at the Berlin Junior High School Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door. Among the cast are Samuel Stiles as Huckelberry Finn and Matthew Landry as Tom Sawyer.
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BERLIN — A teen who jumped into the Androscoggin River Tuesday night, was pulled out of the icy water apparently uninjured. According to police, the 16-year old unidentified male, jumped off the Mason Street Bridge into the Androscoggin River between 11 and 11:30 p.m., on March 27. Police did not give a reason why the teen jumped. He leapt over the side of the bridge
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closest to the Big Apple, but was saved from serious injury, most likely by recent high water, police said. Berlin Fire and Berlin EMS were also called and the young man was recovered several hundred yards down river, cold and wet. The teen was transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital for evaluation, though police said he did not appear to be injured.
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