Berlin NH Federal Prison Complex- photo courtesy M/E Engineering, P.C.

From Berlin, NH City Manager Patrick MacQueen at the 1/17/10 City Council Regular Meeting:

Looks like inmates could arrive beginning in March 2011 and ramp up until full in May 2012!

It is a reasonable schedule from our point of view and one we are reasonably sure we can accommodate and we have told them that. The handling of 60k gpd in July as shown on the schedule should be no problem because they currently have that authorization from us because of the temporary connection we made for them at the industrial park. This temporary connection takes their sewage under the river and down the west side of the river in existing pipe. By this June, the new pump station which is scheduled for completion at the end of May, should be able to be used in conjunction with the already constructed to force main to take all the sewage the BOP projects even when fully ramped up.

Any issue that there may be does not likely come from our ability to receive their sewage, but instead possibly from our ability to treat it and to not have it become part of a (Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) event. Even in these areas, we are feeling fairly confident, and are hoping that our I&I projects will prove to provide dramatic reductions in our I&I. However, if we have problems, they are likely to occur when we have an abnormal rain event (of which we usually have several each year) possibly combined with the necessary taking off line of a clarifier or aerator or the like during the construction of the WWTF improvements which will occur beginning this summer and continue at least through all of 2012.

The BOP is concerned about being told by us if a problem arises that they might have to reduce prisoners which would obviously be very difficult for them to do. Our concern is the possible difficulty in meeting our EPA permit requirements, which we sometimes have difficulty with now during large rain events, combined with the logistics of trying to carry out the needed improvements to the WWTF which will require taking certain of the facilities off line for periods of time to effectuate the improvements. What we are looking for from the BOP is some flexibility if need be in working with us in the ramp up, not by reducing the number of prisoners, but in perhaps delaying the ramp up if we foresee a problem developing.

We have already assured the BOP that we will be doing everything we can possibly do to accommodate their proposed ramp up on their schedule.

Beautiful Town and Country Motor Inn, Shelburne NH

Are you coming from far away to ride the ever increasing miles of trails at Jericho Lake State ATV Park in Berlin, NH? Are you looking for a nice, comfortable hotel room to stay while you are here? Maybe a nice campground to relax in the open air? …. Maybe turn your trip into a long weekend?

Well, sorry to say, but you will have to drive to Gorham NH, which is approximately 10 miles from the park down route 16 in order to find something decent. Berlin NH, the park’s host, does not have any nice places to stay…period. (Unless of course you want to try your luck at Berlin’s only hotel…. the Budget Inn, not to be confused with the large, nationwide chain…its certainly not recommended….) More information on this hotel located on our Berlin NH hotels page.

Here are a few of my favorite  recommendations when making plans to come to Berlin to enjoys the ATV trail riding in beautiful Northern NH:

Hotels

Town and Country Motor Inn: Rt 2, Shelburne NH.  Located just a few hundred feet over the Gorham town line. Very nice family run business with all the bells and whistles….. Hundreds of rooms, excellent dining, live entertainment on weekends, a full fitness center and pool, lounge and nightclub….all reasonably priced!

Royalty Inn: Main Street, Gorham NH. Clean, modern rooms…full health center with racquetball courts and lap pool, Thanksgiving’s  Restaurant and Legend’s Lounge. Also very reasonably priced. Probably the closest high quality option.

Mount Madison Motel: Very nice place, a little more quaint than the others, but very nice. Closest option to park, by at least a mile or so. ATV rental specials.

Seasonal motels:

Moose Brook Motel: Rt.  2/302 Gorham, NH. Nice quaint little place. Great reviews. Pool. LATE SPRING/SUMMER/FALL ONLY.

Top Notch Inn: Main Street, Gorham NH. Visitor favorite for years! Clean rooms, nice pool.

Campgrounds

Moose Brook State Park: Rts. 2/302-Gorham, NH

Dolly Copp Campground: Rt. 16 South-Gorham, NH

Great View of the Kilkenny Range from the dam on the lake

Most people know that New Hampshire’s newest, and largest state park is slowly becoming a world class destination for great 4 wheeler, dirt bike and ATV riding. But what most people don’t know, is the area around Jericho lake has some great walking trails which range from a short 1/4 mile walk to a 3 mile hike in a pristine setting. Many walking trails do not have ATV access, so its a nice spot to let your dog walk free and enjoy the sights!

View of the Kilkenny Range from Jericho lake Flood Control Dam

Although my wife and I (ok… more my wife than I) enjoy walking in the woods on a few of the various ATV trails, which are quiet during most weekdays, our absolute favorite spot is to walk from the State Park parking area adjacent to the lake over the man made dam towards the Pipeline Trail. A nice flat walk to the end of the dam and back to the parking area  is about a 1.3 mile round trip full of views of distant mountains and the beautiful Jericho Lake Mountain State Park. Almost all of the walk is from an elevated plateau and its views are spectacular, its path full of trimmed green grass, and usually there is a nice breeze to keep a spring in your step.The trail is almost entirely flat, as it follows the earthen dam created in the early 1970’s by the Army Corp of Engineers as a flood control dam to keep the flood waters of the Dead River from wrecking Main Street in Berlin, which is a few miles away. The water that is held back from the dam creates beautiful Jericho Lake, (locally known as man-made lake due to the nature of its evolution).

Be careful not to let your dog swim near the flood control regulator

To access the trail, take route 110 north from the city of Berlin approx 3 miles to the entrance of Jericho Mountain State Park, on the left. Continue up Jericho Road a few miles (approximately two), until you reach the parking area for the ATV trail system. Park in the lower parking lot, which is only about 200-300 feet from the lake. As you exit your vehicle, face the lake. Now turn back up the road to your left about 100 feet and look for a trail which departs on your right. (There are a few small boulders blocking the entrance to the trail from ATV’s, which are not allowed on the dam.)

Follow the trail through some young tree growth for a few hundred feet until it emerges into a low, sometimes wet, open area with a small cove of the lake on your right. Bear right and follow a worn dirt path up the hill slightly onto the dam. The trail now flattens out completely and the remaining trail has absolutely zero gain or loss in elevation. This is where the views start to open up. Continue  walking the dam until you reach an old gate, which you have to scoot under….don’t worry, walking is allowed on the dam…it was put there to keep motorized vehicles off the dam many years ago. Continue on the dam for approximately 1/2 a mile until you reach some large boulders at the southern terminus. You will notice a long, straight, gravel ATV trail which intersects this area just beyond the rocks…this trail is the Pipeline Trail, which gets its name from the fact that the City of Berlin’s municipal water supply runs in a pipeline buried directly under the trail.

The Flood Control Dam of Jericho Lake is a great place to walk and let your dog run free

If you wish for a longer hike, you have two choices: One option is to bear left on Pipleline Trail to make an approximately 1 mile loop back to the parking area via the trail, a gravel road, and the paved Jericho Road from which you arrived. The other option is to bear right and follow a few ATV trails around the lake…which is approx 1 1/2 mile back to the parking area. Be cautioned that both options require sharing the trail with ATV riders…which is never a problem with us, but sometimes leads to some noise and or dust. (These options will be described in greater detail in upcoming posts…)

If you wish for a shorter return, and a beautiful one, just turn around and follow the dam back where you cam from. This option is approximately 1.3 miles total, and is one of the most relaxing walks my wife and I know of.  It is a great spot free of ATV’s, free of dust, (usually) free of bugs with an almost constant breeze with panoramic views of the beautiful Jericho Mountain State Park.

Is there a Market Basket Grocery Store Coming to Berlin NH?

Ok I’ve heard this rumor too many times to ignore it. Since late last summer I’ve been hearing a rumor that Market Basket, the discount grocery chain with stores located all over New England and beyond, was planning to buy or lease the former Shaw’s Supermarket building on the Berlin Gorham Road…..

Can anyone help? Is it true? Can anyone come up with some proof? There does seem to be some activity in the building here and there, with vans seen in the parking lot, but nothing significant, and its been months…… ANY HELP WITH THIS RUMOR WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

We didn’t think much of it, as this a pretty normal occurrence in northern New England…..until we were just about to step into the house and we heard, and felt a loud bang. This bang seemed to come from a distance and sounded more like an explosion. The shock-wave was felt in the air, and made me jump. It was also felt in the ground, as a quick ripple seemed to immediately roll by us…… I also noticed the windows shake ever so slightly. It was definitely a powerful blast indeed, although it did appear to occur from far away.

My gut instinct at the time was that one of the planes we heard had a terrible accident, but it has been a few days and I have seen no news on the subject. I have spoken to about a dozen people, who all confirmed that they heard it too. Could it have possibly been a sonic boom? I was hoping maybe someone could help with some proof. Your replies are welcome:

View of Berlin NH looking south-southeast from the top of Mt. Jasper

New England Cable News recently did a story on the recession, its impact on the Berlin NH region, and the economic opportunities that Berlin NH has in the pipeline. Its a little dated (June 11, 2009), but its a great little piece which touches on Laidlaw Biomass, Clean Power Biomass, the new Federal Bureau of Prisons project and the development of ATV trails, snowmobiling, and other development ideas.

Mt Forist in Berlin NH- a great rockclimbing mountain for beginners

Mt Forist (elev 2068ft), located in Berlin NH, is a dominating figure to say the least….Its sheer cliffs can be seen from almost every vantage point in town. Apparently, Mt Forist may be becoming a new attraction for rock climbers, especially beginners….according to Berlin Daily Sun reporter, and avid rock climber, Erik Eisele.

In one of his latest blog posts on The Last Print Journalist, Erik mentions that Brad White, owner of the International Mountain Climbing School had come to Mt. Forist on his recommendation, and brought along a client, a beginner climber. The day was apparently a great success, with Brad and his client impressed with the mountain, and the city. It is important to note that the client had NEVER been to Berlin NH prior to this trip.

After speaking with Erik a few times since he originally climbed the mountain a few months ago, I have become very interested in what Mt. Forist might bring to Berlin NH in term s of tourists and economic development, particularly in the light of the 21/21 initiative we have adopted earlier this summer.

Having grown up in Berlin and seeing the mountain dominate the local scenery from almost every vantage point, I had often wondered what it would be like to climb the face of the cliff. When I was a child, I had heard of stories of people falling from the top… (some real and some fictitious) so in my mind the mountain has always been linked with fear, danger, and mystery….as far as climbing it would be concerned. Knowing absolutely nothing about rock climbing, I had always figured it would most definitely take an expert climber to tackle that cliff….until I spoke with Erik.

The sheer cliffs of Mt Forist don't appear as steep form the vantage point of Mt. Jasper

According to Erik, Brad White “thinks Mount Forist will make a perfect beginner cliff, something that’s lacking around New England. He wants to develop it, guide on it, expose new people to the area. He wants to do what 21/21 wants to do, and he’s a guy with the connections to do it.” I have sent Brad (and Erik) an email to get some more information regarding the mountain and its benefits to Berlin. I have also requested to have a lesson in climbing. I look forward to hearing more about the possibilities, and the prospects of bringing tourists to the area and hopefully beginning to change its image in the process.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Mt Washington as seen from entrance to lead mine and Amscot Pond in Gorham NH

The trailhead is reached on route 16, known locally as the Berlin-Gorham Road, just south of Berlin NH at the large, steel Boston and Maine Railroad Trestle…..(now converted to snowmobile bridge). Parking for approximately 6-8 cars here. After parking, cross the footbridge constructed on the bottom of railroad trestle, which crosses the Androscoggin River. Bear left after exiting trestle, follow signs on a dirt road which re-joins the old rail bed in approx half a mile. Bear left another .25 miles until you reach another railroad bridge. Use caution to look for trail which bears right just after bridge. (Not marked) Trail connects with dirt road in approx 2oo feet…bear right. Follow dirt road until you reach AMC Mahoosuc trail on right…marked with signs and stone staircase. Follow this trail for approx .75 miles, bearing right when Mahoosuc trail forks left approx .5 miles from stone stairs. Mascot pond will be on right with abandoned leadmine ore pile on left.

Use caution when climbing discarded ore pile as rocks are loose and grade is steep. Main entrance to mine bears slightly left as you climb, but several more entrances (all gated) are located several hundred feet higher on hill to right of main entrance.

The caves are home to several endangered species of bats (more information to follow) and have been gated closed for past 20+ years.

Have any more infor regarding this mine? Maybe some old pictures? Comment on this article or add to the photo gallery!

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