Cinburg Builders, Clement and Stamps honored by Laconia Main Street

Chinburg Builders — the Dover-based company that is busy redeveloping the old Allen-Rogers factory along Water Street into a residential/commercial village called Beacon Street West — last night was named the recipient of the Laconia Main Street program's annual Mary Boswell Award for Community Heritage. Boswell was the long-time executive director of the Belknap Mill Society.

Two other annual President's Awards were also given out — one to Sundial Shop owner Warren Clement for Business Service and the other to former Main Street Chairman David Stamps for Building Our Future — at the downtown revitalization organization's annual meeting. It was also the fifth anniversary of the groups founding.

Main Street Executive Director Robbie Grady thanked Clement for his "countless good deeds" on behalf of the downtown area. Clement and Stamps were the original chair and vice-chair of the organization and both were instrumental in the organization being accepted into the New Hampshire Main Street family of communities in 2002.

Ernie Millette, who is marketing the condominium apartments and townhomes for sale at Beacon Street West for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage accepted the Boswell Award on behalf on Chinburg.

The annual NH Main Street meeting will be held in Concord on May 21 and Grady announced Laconia's nominations for the statewide awards that will be given out that night:

— The Laconia Housing and Redevelopment Authority has been nominated for Best Adaptive Reuse of a Building and for Best Building Rehabilitation over $250,000 for its redevelopment of the Scott & Williams factory on Normandin Square into an apartment building. A daycare center and a health center occupy the ground floor.

— Franklin Savings Bank has been nominated for a Best Interior Rehabilitation for its work at its new office in the historic railroad station.

— One Mill Plaza (Martin, Lord & Osman P.A.) has been nominated for an award for Best Private/Public Partnership and another for Best Building Rehabilitation between $100,000 and $250,000 for work on the historic Busiel Mill.

Additionally, Bob Harrington has been nominated as Main Street Board Member of the Year and Sonya Misiaszek has been nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award. Grady called Harrington "a gentleman to the highest degree" who is the "unsung hero of Laconia Main Street". Misiaszek is an architect who has been serving as co-chair of Main Street's Design Committee.

All of the nominees received plaques of appreciation from their local Main Street organization.

Acting Main Street Chairman Robert Sawyer also singled out Grady for praise that led to a standing ovation. He noted that volunteer efforts are indispensable but "paid people are the glue that keeps it all together" and thanked Grady for her dedication. Joking that he sees her pay checks, Sawyer said, "I know Robbie is not here for the money."