FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012
VOL. 20 NO. 182
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
BIDPA stands to lose in Isaacson sale United Way of northern NH and Granite UW announce merger BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
CONCORD/BERLIN – The success of the 2010 merger of four independent New Hampshire United Ways that led to the formation of Granite United Way was so encouraging to the board of directors of the United Way of Northern New Hampshire (UWNNH) that they recently voted to also become part of the organization. As of February 1, Granite United Way will now serve over half a million residents in New Hampshire and Vermont and cover nearly 75 percent of the state’s geographic territory. The current United Way office on Main Street in Berlin will remain open. The addition of the United Way of Northern New Hampshire to the organization was a logical step in creating various efficiencies that will improve program offerings and maximize donor dollars in the communities served with all fundraising and fund distribution remaining local, said officials. In addition, each regional office will have the added resource of utilizing one another to further develop strategic fundraising campaigns and initiatives all with the ultimate goal of creating lasting change and having a significant, positive impact on the community. Considering the challenges not-for-profits continue to face, this merger is extremely timely. ”Reductions in funding, decreased endowments and an increased need for services are all stressing our not-for-profit safety net. As an organization in a leadership role, United Way knows that by coming together we can build upon our individual strengths
BERLIN -- The Berlin Industrial Development and Park Authority stands to lose as much as $640,000 if the sale of Isaacson Steel’s warehouse business goes through to Presby Steel, LLC. But city officials say they will support the sale to keep the jobs and in the hope that some of the money can be recouped over time. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manchester next Tuesday will consider an asset purchase agreement between Isaacson and Presby. A North Country company based in Whitefield, Presby Steel is owned by David Presby, who also operates Presby Environmental. The agreement calls for Presby to pay $225,000 for the assets, steel inventory, customer list, and the good will of Isaacson’s warehouse business. Presby will not be purchasing the company or its debts. Under the terms of the agreement, Isaacson will terminate its lease with BIDPA, which owns the building housing the warehouse operation, so Presby can enter into a lease for the approximately 20,000 square foot space. BIDPA has not signed a lease with Presby yet but a nonpublic session of the board is scheduled for today. Isaacson moved its warehouse business into one of BIDPA’s buildings in the Maynesboro Industrial Park back in 2006. BIPDA agreed to renovate the building including adding a loading dock. The
authority also agreed to purchase some equipment including an interior overhead crane, forklift, rack system, and cutting table because it could bond the improvements and equipment at a lower interest rate than the company. Isaacson agreed to cover the bond payments in its lease payments. To pay for the renovations and equipment, City Planner Pamela Laflamme said BIDPA borrowed $625,000 from the N.H. Business Finance Authority in a 10-year loan and put up approximately $300,000 from its own reserves to be paid back over 12 years. “We’ve been getting a monthly payment from Isaacson that covered the lease, the loan from BIDPA, and the loan from the Business Finance Authority,” said Laflamme. Laflamme said there is currently $640,000 left on the two loans. In the purchase agreement, Isaacson proposes allocating $100,000 from the sale price to compensate BIDPA for the equipment. That would reduce BIDPA’s exposure to $540,000. But Passumpsic Savings Bank, which is Isaacson’s largest creditor, is objecting to the terms of the agreement and cited in particular the payment to BIDPA. In its motion, Passumpsic charged BIDPA “is generously provided for while the bank is left with a mere token payment”. Mayor Paul Grenier said he supports the sale and is hopeful BIDPA in the future can recover some see BIDPA page 11
see UNITED WAY page 10
Small turnout for school budget hearing BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM — Just 15 people were in attendance for the GRS Cooperative School District’s public budget hearing on Wednesday. The school administration presented a $8.5 million budget for the 2012-13 school year and ratified the final figures and warrant that will go before the voters in a short meeting immediately following the hearing. The total appropriation includes recommended warrant articles, and comes in just $12,639 higher than last year’s budget, and increase of 0.15 percent. SAU 20 Superintendent Paul Bousquet said that cuts were made to keep that increase low since the cost of oil was budgeted 50 cents per gallon higher, increasing that line alone $20,000 for fiscal year 2013. “We’ve been pretty frugal,” Bousquet said. He added that no teachers or administrators would see HEARING page 6
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Thanks to fundraising efforts that included an large effort on the part of Mr. Pizza, the Gorham recreation department was able to purchase a portable AED that can be kept at the Town Common field. The department already has an AED at Libby Field, recreation director Jeff Stewart (right) said. This now allows the town to have the life-saving device at both fields in case of a cardiac emergency. Mr. Pizza owners, Jim (left) and LouAnne Pelkey (center), donated $5 from every large pizza purchased in a four hour fundraiser recently to the department to help offset the cost of the machine. With more than 140 pizzas ordered in that time frame thanks to “unbelieveable support,” the Pelkeys donated just under $1,200. Jim said some community members dropped off cash donations, the restaurant’s former owner came in to help keep up with the order volume and customers exercised extreme patience. Stewart said parents Kim Harris and Nancy Gordon deserve kudos for spearheading the AED fundraising effort. (MELISSA GRIMA PHOTO)
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