WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 124
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
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Commission wants county attorney office in courthouse BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
WEST STEWARTSTOWN -- The dispute between Coos County Robert Mekeel and the county commissioners over office space for the county attorney continues. At their monthly meeting last week, the commissioners instructed county officials to go forward with plans to move the county attorney’s office back into the Coos County courthouse in Lancaster despite a lack of input from Mekeel. The county attorney’s office is currently located in the former Lancaster National Bank building. “It’s time we stop playing games with him,” said
Commission Chair Burnham Judd. “He’s been very unagreeable and very uncooperative,” said Commissioner Paul Grenier in a follow-up phone call. Grenier went even further, openly calling for Mekeel’s defeat if he runs for a second term in 2012. “I think the county would do itself a huge service by canning this guy next year,” he said. The county attorney office, which also includes the victim witness advocate office, had been located in a 1,000 square foot office in the courthouse. Mekeel took the commission to court last year, arguing the space was unsuitable for the needs of his office, which also includes the Victim Witness Advocate
office. Superior Court Justice Peter Bornstein ruled in Mekeel’s favor. The office then moved to a 2,000 square foot space in the Lancaster National Bank building. The commissioners are proposing to relocate the county attorney’s office in the former probate office on the first floor of the courthouse. The register of probate has moved to the second floor of the courthouse. The probate space is a little over 1,500 square feet. Coos County Administrator Sue Collins said Colebrook contractor Daniel Hebert, Mekeel, and Attorney Phil Waystack, who is representing the see COMMISSION page 11
Coos economy sees some positive developments BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
COOS COUNTY -- Some positive economic developments have taken place in Coos County recently that bode well for the long term according to Max Makaitis, economic development and housing director for Tri-County Community Action Program. Makaitis provided an overview of recent economic activity in the county to the city council Monday night and the Coos County Commissioners last Thursday. Makaitis’ position is partly funded by both the city and county. Makaitis said the biomass plant under construction in Berlin is a key development because it will generate disposable income that will help sustain other area businesses. He said it will create 40
direct jobs and about 200 indirect jobs. He said there is still 40 acres on the property for other businesses to co-locate there and at least one, Kestrel Aircraft, has expressed interest. With the availability of excess heat and additional acreage owned by North American Dismantling, he said the area will become an industrial park for Berlin. “The overall picture looks very good for Berlin,” he said. Makaitis said he believes Congress will eventually fund the opening of the federal prison which will create jobs and attract younger people to the region. He was also hopeful about the future of the Groveton mill site which a Bath company recently see ECONOMY page 18
Resource consolidation looked at BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Betty Baillargeon of Berlin (l) was the lucky winner of the “Downtown Merchants Basket” at Ladies Night last Thursday night. The Berlin Main Street Program sponsored the Ladies Night where fourteen participating businesses had punch card that were checked when visiting those businesses. Ladies who had their complete card punched were eligible for the basket., held here by Rayleen Roy of Skinplicity. The basket included:$100 gift certificate from Osmosis; designer tote bag from Inner Glimpse; scarf from Rumorz Boutique; birch design candle from Middle Earth; necklace and earrings from Greetings Jewelers; bath products from Skinplicity; tanning session, pocketbook, tanning lotion and scarf from Maureens Boutique and Tanning Salon; Smart wool socks from Morin Shoe Store; one month membership at Curves; gift certificates from Hot Bodz, David Lee Mountain, Gills Flowers and Candy Shop, SaVoir Flare and Tea Birds. (RITA DUBE PHOTO)
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cational Services) Director Ray Healey was on hand at last week’s meeting of the SAU 20 board to outline a plan to establish a collaborative working environment for educational and community leaders. He is scheduled to present the project at the Berlin School Board meeting this week as well. The Interdistrict Collaboration
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