FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011
VOL. 20 NO.14
BERLIN, N.H.
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752-5858
Council wants to see easement on Mt. Jasper BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – Plans to protect the summit of Mt. Jasper took another turn this week when the city council decided it wanted to see the final easement before making any commitment. Sally Manikian and Larry Kelly of Tri-County Community Action Program came before the council with a resolution approving a draft easement and authorizing the planning board to work with CAP in developing the specifics of the easement. The easement would prohibit development on the city-owned mountain. Public access would continue and the easement would spell out future care and maintenance of the historic site. CAP has agreed to hold the easement and monitor
the property to make sure all requirements are met. The city would continue to own the land. Attending the council work session were two skeptics of the easement, Barry Kelley and Tony Urban. Kelley stressed he is not against putting an easement on the property but described himself as “guarded” about the idea. He said he understood after the last planning board meeting on Mt. Jasper that a citizen steering committee was going to be formed to work on it. Manikian said that is still the plan but the idea was to make sure the council supports an easement before spending the time and money to draft a final document. She said the draft easement would go to the steering committee, which would finalize the language. Lawyers for both the city and CAP would
review the easement. Mayor Paul Grenier said the council was nervous and wanted a last opportunity to review the final language. Councilor Bob Danderson said he is totally against putting an easement on the property. He said Mt. Jasper is not costing the city any money. Danderson said he sees no reason to give away some of the city’s authority over the site. Councilor Lucie Remillard said she thought asking the council to approve a draft easement now was putting the cart before the horse. She said since an easement is permanent, it is important it be done properly. Remillard said she could see both sides of the issue. Why, she asked, should the city restrict its ownership see EASMENT page 19
Action plan for revitalizing the downtown discussed BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – Revitalizing the downtown is the next focus of the city planning department and the Main Street Program. City Planner Pamela Laflamme updated both the city council and planning board this week on plans to hire a consultant to develop an action plan for the downtown. She reminded the council that one of the prime
recommendations of the city’s newly completed master plan was to focus on redeveloping the downtown. The N.H. Grand Branding Initiative also identified Berlin as the obvious place to develop as the market place for the county. Laflamme said both she and Main Street officials feel it important to work with a consultant to develop a master plan to guide the city in moving forward with the downtown. She stressed the plan will address both the eco-
nomics and aesthetics of the downtown. It will include a design strategy for the actual streetscape with one idea to create a campus-like feel to the downtown. Laflamme said the economic development component will look at the market potential, type of businesses to attract, how to compete against the big box retail outlets, and identify strategic opportunities for Berlin’s downtown. see PLAN page 19
This year’s Berlin High School FCCLA members did extremely well at the New Hampshire Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Spring Conference, bringing home many trophies, medals and certificates. They are: (l-r) State Officer Krystal Bunnell; Administrator of the Year BHS Principal Gary Bisson; Gold Medalist Eric Riendeau; Spirit of Advisor award for ten years, Linda Lafleur; Forest Tardif; Spirit of Advisor Award for twenty years, Elaine Connary and Katelyn Edwards. (RITA DUBE PHOTO)
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