FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 130
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Rite Aid buildings to come down in next two months BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN -- The remaining block of downtown buildings purchased by Rite Aid Corporation back in 1998 will be demolished within the next couple of months. “The entire property will be razed,” said Rite Aid spokeswoman Ashley Flower. Berlin Fire Chief Randall Trull said he notified Rite Aid by certified mail in September that the four buildings presented a safety and fire hazard. The windows in one building had to be boarded up earlier this fall after vandals broke all the glass.
Trull said the fire department used the ladder truck to take aerial photographs of the roofs which appear ready to cave in. The fire chief said the construction of the buildings is such that if the roofs cave in this winter, the walls will come down as well and debris will fall into the street. “They can’t leave those buildings in that condition. They’re in bad shape. They’re definitely an eyesore, they’re definitely dangerous, and they definitely have to be removed, “ Trull said. Three of the buildings have been vacant for years. J.C. Penney leased space in one building until last summer when it closed its Berlin store.
The city was prepared to take Rite Aid to court under state statute 155-B to force action, but Trull said Rite Aid responded promptly and agreed to demolish the buildings within the time frame mandated by 155B. Rite Aid had 21 days to submit a plan which the fire chief received on Oct. 17. “We evaluated our options and decided it is in the best interests of the company and the community to raze the buildings, “ Flower said. She said Rite Aid is currently soliciting bids from contractors to do the demolition. Trull said Rite Aid has 60 days from Oct. 17 to see BUILDINGS page 15
Gorham mill CEO on ABC’s 20/20 tonight GORHAM -- Lynn Tilton, the colorful CEO of Patriarch Partners, will be interviewed by Barbara Walters on the ABC’s newsmagazine 20/20 tonight. Tilton is one of four self-made billionaires who will be profiled and interviewed during the show which is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. on Friday, 28. The segment is entitled, ‘Billionaire Secrets: What They Know That Can Change Your Life’. In promotional clips Tilton is seen showing Walters her clothes closet and walking around her New Jersey estate. The clip states Tilton owns more companies than any woman in America. Patriarch Partners this year purchased the Gorham mill and re-opened it with plans to add a new tissue machine to the operation. The mill has been renamed Gorham Paper and Tissue.
Parade of Lights is coming
A fearless Connor Lemoine, aka “Black Spiderman,” checks out the teeth on this Halloween decoration that had younger tots scrambling for a comforting body to hide behind. Children of various ages, sizes and in an array of costumes gathered at the Gorham Town Hall Auditorium for the “Spooktacular” annual Halloween party sponsored by Mr. Pizza. (MELISSA GRIMA PHOTO)
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BERLIN -- The magic and enchantment of the holiday season is right around the corner with the 20th annual Berlin Parade of Lights, presented by the Berlin Main Street Program, the Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. The parade will take place Friday, November 25, at 7 p.m.
BANKRUPTCY or CRIMINAL DEFENSE Free InitialM eeting
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