THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
VOL. 20 NO. 105
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Berlin prison funding passes subcommittee BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN -- Funding to open the federal prison in Berlin is included in a U.S. Senate subcommittee bill that was approved yesterday. U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen yesterday reported the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 funding legislation that includes $6.6 billion in funding for the Bureau of Prisons. The legislation specifically states that funding for prisons that have been completed but are awaiting funding to open is a priority. There are three such prisons nationwide, including the Berlin prison. “This funding will ensure that our federal prisons
are adequately staffed and enable the activation of new prisons that are currently sitting empty due to lack of funds,” a subcommittee release said. The funding plan was approved 15 to 1 by the subcommittee and goes to the full Senate Appropriations Committee today. “This is a very positive step for the people of Berlin,” Shaheen said. “This prison is ready to open, the prison system needs it, and the community wants it. It means good jobs in a hard hit area. I am hopeful that Congress will ultimately approve this funding plan so that this situation can finally be remedied.” A spokesman for Shaheen said if the appropriation bill passes the full committee, it would normally go before both houses of Congress and then to the Presi-
dent’s desk for his signature. But in recent months, Congress has instead chosen to pass a series of continuing resolutions. The 1,280 bed prison was completed last year at a cost of $275 million and a warden was hired to oversee the facility. Shaheen noted that maintaining the empty prison is costing the government $4 million a year at a time when the federal system is 35 percent overcrowded. When operating the prison is expected to generate about 300 jobs and contribute $38 million to the local economy. The state’s Congressional delegation has made opening the prison a priority. Shaheen this spring did a tour and interview on the prison with NBC Today show reporter Kelly O’Donnell.
he said. Poulin of of HEB Engineering, Stuart Arnett of Arnett Developing Group, and landscape architect and planner John Wacker, were hired this spring to develop a downtown action plan to revitalize Berlin’s downtown. Funding came from a variety of sources including the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund, Public Service of N.H., the Main Street Program, and the city. Poulin said the team hopes to release a set of rec-
ommended actions by the end of the year. The final report will include implementation schedules, budgets, and accountable entities. The team wants to review the final report with the Moving Downtown Forward committee and the various stakeholders in time to get the final report to the city council for the budget process. Mayor Paul Grenier, who attended the session, said he believes the city has to participate in the
Optimism dominates Moving Downtown Forward session BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN -- An optimistic tone dominated the second listening session for the Moving Downtown Forward initiative. Consultant Jay Poulin noted the city and downtown have come a long way in the five years since the pulp mill closed. Things, he said, are moving in the right direction. “Downtowns are the heart and soul of any city,”
see OPTIMISM page 6
Program helps commercial property owners with energy improvements BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Middle Intervale Farms has pumpkins and squash by the truck load at Berlin’s Farmers Market. This week marks the end of the season for the popular weekly event. (BARBARA TETREAULT PHOTO) .
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BERLIN -- Mike Caron of Caron Building Center and David Morin of Morin Shoe/Inner Glimpse run different businesses in two very different buildings. But the two businessmen are alike in their interest in reducing energy costs for their operations. Both have had a comprehensive energy analysis performed as part of Berlin BetterBuildings project. Caron and Morin were the first businesspeople to sign up for a commercial energy analysis or audit through the program. Caron Building Center is a warehouse type building that has had about 10 additions since it was first built in 1875. For the past 36 years it has been owned by the Caron family. Mike Caron said when he heard about Berlin Bet-
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terBuildings coming to the city, he called because he was interested in reducing electric and energy costs for the center. David and Cindy Morin purchased their present three story Main Street building 13 years ago. They stripped the 1900 building down to the bricks and studs and refurbished the bottom two floors to house Morin’s Shoe Store and Inner Glimpse. David Morin said he contacted Berlin BetterBuildings because he is interested in reducing some of the 1,800 gallons of heating oil the building consumes annually. The two businesses are taking advantage of a special program offered through an arrangement between Berlin BetterBuildings and the Retail Merchants Association of N.H. Not only will the prosee ENERGY page 10
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