THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 129
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Residents voice frustrations at selectman’s meeting BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM — While plans for repairing some of the damage in Gorham caused by Tropical Storm Irene are solidly underway, some residents expressed concern to the selectmen that more protection and proactive approaches are needed to prevent future damage. Residents near both the Peabody River and Moose Brook spoke, at times critical of the town staff, during Monday night’s meeting. Dennis Arguin, who lives at the end of Broadway Street near where the Moose Brook empties into the Androscoggin River, asked about work being done on the other side of the brook, on property owned by Gateway Trailer Park. Arguin said he was con-
cerned that disturbances to the wetlands in that area would further aggravate flooding issues. “How can he be fooling with the flood plain? He’s messing with the course of the river,” Arguin said. Emergency Management Director Chad Miller explained to Arguin that the site had been visited by DES and it is not protected by the Shoreline Protection Act. DES said the flood plain between Moose Brook and the Androscoggin was not jurisdictional wetlands. Miller and Town Manager Robin Frost both empathized with Arguin’s incredulity at hearing that, and Frost said that she has asked DES to provide that determination in writing. Miller added that the DES representative was of the general opinion that some of the excavation
underway might be helpful in relieving some flooding potential. He also addressed Arguin’s concern that “hit top” was contaminating the flood plain. Miller explained that the DES representative said that it is not considered a “contaminating substance” as it has recently been deregulated. Members of the crowd in attendance were also in disbelief that the shoreline would not be protected as part of the Androscoggin River watershed under the Shoreline Protection Act. Miller said that the landowner had been open and forthcoming about the property and the town’s concerns. He said that the town’s best chance to maintain that area of Moose Brook is to look at updating
The kiosks will be located through the entire county, from Pittsburg to Twin Mountain. “Receiving this grant, and building the visitor kiosks and signage, are big steps in continuing our successful efforts to bring more visitors to Coos County,” said Cathy Conway, vice president of economic development for NCIC. The first kiosk will go up in downtown Berlin with the assistance of the Moving Downtown Forward initiative undertaken by the Berlin Main Street Program, the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Com-
merce, and the city. “It is indeed great news!” said Sylvia Poulin, of Moving Downtown Forward. Conway said the kiosks will be developed in partnership with local businesses and chambers and NCIC has already begun working with the Androscoggin Valley groups. She said they will begin outreach to other communities early this winter. Poulin said the Berlin kiosk will be placed at the entrance of the downtown on land owned by Public
see FRUSTRATIONS page 7
Grant will fund visitor kiosks and signs throughout county BY BARBARA TETREAULT
Berlin will get first kiosk THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
LANCASTER -- New visitor kiosks and wayfinding signs will be going up throughout Coos County as the result of a $200,000 grant received by Northern Community Investment Corporation. Construction will begin in the spring of 2012 and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
see GRANT page 3
Downtown trickor-treating is this Friday, Oct. 28 BERLIN -- Downtown Berlin businesses and organizations will once again open their doors to ghosts, ghouls and all of the children in costume for their annual “Trick or Treat” throughout the downtown retail district. This year’s event, organized by the Berlin Main Street Program, will be held on Friday, October 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. Children up to 12 years old can trick or treat at all the participating businesses that display the Orange Pumpkin posted on their door or window. Berlin City Hall, as well as some other public offices, will join in the fun. According to Main Street Program Chair, Sylvia Poulin, “we ask that the kids look for the Orange Pumpkin sign to be displayed, and to stay safely on the sidewalks. Cross carefully at the crosswalks, it’s a very busy time.” Parents are encouraged to accompany their children during Trick or Treat Downtown. The beauty of autumn in the North Country is revealed by the picture of Nash Stream in Nash Stream State Forest. (BARBARA TETREAULT PHOTO)
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see TRICK-OR-TREATING page 15