No matter what it will always be difficult to find properly trained quality help in that location. I doubt many real deal chefs in Boston are going to be to crazy about living in Errol and possibly trying to raise a family. Add to that the help often travels with them. A chef is nothing without his network of people he can trust. That would be a tough sell IMO
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Balsams Wilderness
- Thread starter billski
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UVSHTSTRM
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When I look at the pictures of the hotel, it seems that part of the hotel is fairly new? Was there an addition to the place? Also the hotel seems to have a very impressive back drop....I would say more so then the Mount Washington, perhaps because I have been to the Mt Washington Valley a million times and Pinkham Notch nada.
riverc0il
New member
The hotel is wicked old. Pictures certainly frame it very nicely. But up close and personal, the place looks run down from the outside. I drove around the property when I visited the ski area last year and I was really surprised at the condition of the property in general. I don't know what things look like inside but seems like that needs some work too.
The backdrop is nice but I wouldn't say more impressive than the Mount Washington. It's just different. You are a lot more connected and intimate with the environment at Balsams as opposed to being out in the open with a massive view at the Mount Washington.
AdironRider
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I think they should pull one of the up and comers from Portland, someone whos name is known in New England but not country wide like the NYC top chefs.
I think the addition was built in the 80's or something like that. Thats eons in the hotel business. There are very few hotels of the caliber that the Balsams wants to be that can go decades without massive capital infusement.
My hotel is not even ten years old and the total cost to build from the ground up has already been reinvested over again to keep it current, and thats just in the last eight years or so.
The sucky end of the deal for these local NH owners now is they dont get any of the real estate. Noone buys hotels without the real estate, thats where you make your real money, is when you sell the property itself. The returns on running just a hotel are pretty weak otherwise, especially in the lux bis. Best Westerns are a different story.
I think the addition was built in the 80's or something like that. Thats eons in the hotel business. There are very few hotels of the caliber that the Balsams wants to be that can go decades without massive capital infusement.
My hotel is not even ten years old and the total cost to build from the ground up has already been reinvested over again to keep it current, and thats just in the last eight years or so.
The sucky end of the deal for these local NH owners now is they dont get any of the real estate. Noone buys hotels without the real estate, thats where you make your real money, is when you sell the property itself. The returns on running just a hotel are pretty weak otherwise, especially in the lux bis. Best Westerns are a different story.
Disagree on the up and comer from Portland suggestion. Foodies don't really travel even to Portland for their food. James Beard winner Rob Evans is only able to keep Hugo's open because of his pannini place, Duck Fat. Go to Hugo's on a Tuesday night and they do like 25 covers. Erik Dejarlais went out of business in under two years. Steve Corry does okay with 555, but very few people outside of Portland have even heard of him.
You get someone with national star power like Eric or Grant and they really would only need to be on property 30 days a year or so. They'd get top young talent looking to work there for a couple of years and then move on to the flagship restaurants in NYC or Chicago.
I know people in Boston who fly out to Alinea for a Friday night dinner. Those same people aren't going to drive up to basically Canada to eat Rob Evans food.
You get someone with national star power like Eric or Grant and they really would only need to be on property 30 days a year or so. They'd get top young talent looking to work there for a couple of years and then move on to the flagship restaurants in NYC or Chicago.
I know people in Boston who fly out to Alinea for a Friday night dinner. Those same people aren't going to drive up to basically Canada to eat Rob Evans food.
billski
Active member
+1. Even Mr. Cheap ate there. That's where I draw the line. I want a hot, hearty lunch. Besides time spent preparing food (even PBJ) is time better spent on the slopes. translation: I'm lazy.
AdironRider
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I hear you on the star power thing, it would defintely be a better draw.
However, its going to cost probably a million just to get his name on the place, and thats probably a yearly thing. Our sister property in DC spends a crapton just to get Michael Mina on the sign. Not sure they could swing the cash and still hope to be profitable.
I was thinking more like 250K. I know for a fact that Jo Ho gets 100K plus a percentage of profits for Brasserie Jo at the Colonade in Boston. Having Grant design and lead the culinary program at the Balsams would cost a lot more, but I don't think 10 times more.
AdironRider
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It very well could be that low I suppose, but I think youd have to pay a premium to get someone to put their name on a place like the Balsams, compared to a place in downtown Boston.
Ill have to check again and see what Mina charges us, I know its more than 100k + a percentage. Ill confirm with our ownership (which also owns that the DC property with his restaurant) and see if it shakes out.
Ill have to check again and see what Mina charges us, I know its more than 100k + a percentage. Ill confirm with our ownership (which also owns that the DC property with his restaurant) and see if it shakes out.
billski
Active member
Northern Pass petitions NH Attorney General to reject part
Friday, December 23, 2011
Northern Pass petitions NH Attorney General to reject part of Balsams deal
DIXVILLE NOTCH – Northern Pass filed a petition with the New Hampshire attorney general’s office Tuesday to reject a portion of the deal for The Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, which was sold by the Neil Tillotson Trust earlier this month.
Northern Pass and its subsidiary, Renewable Properties, Inc., asked that the agreement reached between the Tillotson Trust and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests be rejected for an abuse of discretion and lack of explanation, according to the petition filed Tuesday.
Northern Pass said Renewable Properties offered the Tillotson Trust $2.2 million for the land, but the trustees elected to sell it to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests for just $850,000.
...
“The crux of this matter is that the trustees, in bowing to what we know to be focused political and personal pressure in opposition to Northern Pass, have failed to carry out their fiduciary duties properly at the expense of an additional $2.2 million for the trust and the trust’s charitable beneficiaries,” wrote George Dana Bisbee, an attorney who drafted the petition filed Tuesday.
Northern Pass said it negotiated the rights to the right-of-way easement “in good faith” with the trustees, but the rights were instead included in the sale agreement with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Source
Friday, December 23, 2011
Northern Pass petitions NH Attorney General to reject part of Balsams deal
DIXVILLE NOTCH – Northern Pass filed a petition with the New Hampshire attorney general’s office Tuesday to reject a portion of the deal for The Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, which was sold by the Neil Tillotson Trust earlier this month.
Northern Pass and its subsidiary, Renewable Properties, Inc., asked that the agreement reached between the Tillotson Trust and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests be rejected for an abuse of discretion and lack of explanation, according to the petition filed Tuesday.
Northern Pass said Renewable Properties offered the Tillotson Trust $2.2 million for the land, but the trustees elected to sell it to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests for just $850,000.
...
“The crux of this matter is that the trustees, in bowing to what we know to be focused political and personal pressure in opposition to Northern Pass, have failed to carry out their fiduciary duties properly at the expense of an additional $2.2 million for the trust and the trust’s charitable beneficiaries,” wrote George Dana Bisbee, an attorney who drafted the petition filed Tuesday.
Northern Pass said it negotiated the rights to the right-of-way easement “in good faith” with the trustees, but the rights were instead included in the sale agreement with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Source
riverc0il
New member
I heard about this yesterday on the radio. Quite a disgusting move by Northern Pass. I have been ambivalent about Northern Pass. The project has drawn a fair amount of local outrage around here due to considerations of views and property value decreases. The "green" folks most oppose it due to the views which I thought was hypocritical of environmentalists because the wires would be carrying green hydro energy. But even free market conservatives are against it because of property value decreases and also not wanting big towers in their back yards. It is a rare issue most agree on around here. All that said, I might have to move my position from ambivalent to against due to this move. This is heavy handed legal interference in a local issue. That just doesn't seem right.
billski
Active member
By: The Associated Press | 12/23/11 6:01 PM
The Associated Press
AP CONCORD, N.H. — The attorney general's office has approved a land conservation deal to protect 5,800 acres around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, over the objections of the Northern Pass power project.
A Northern Pass subsidiary had offered $2.2 million for a right of way across just 24 acres in Dixville Notch, but the hotel's owners accepted an $850,000 offer from the Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests instead. Northern Pass officials support the conservation effort, but argued the deal would block construction of transmission lines needed for their plan to build a $1.2 billion hydropower line from Canada.
On Friday, the attorney general's office the hotel owners acted within their authority as a charitable trust and approved the deal.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/...serve-land-around-hotel/2031831#ixzz1hSXcfzr6
The Associated Press
AP CONCORD, N.H. — The attorney general's office has approved a land conservation deal to protect 5,800 acres around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, over the objections of the Northern Pass power project.
A Northern Pass subsidiary had offered $2.2 million for a right of way across just 24 acres in Dixville Notch, but the hotel's owners accepted an $850,000 offer from the Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests instead. Northern Pass officials support the conservation effort, but argued the deal would block construction of transmission lines needed for their plan to build a $1.2 billion hydropower line from Canada.
On Friday, the attorney general's office the hotel owners acted within their authority as a charitable trust and approved the deal.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/...serve-land-around-hotel/2031831#ixzz1hSXcfzr6
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billski
Active member
Northern Pass ups land bid
$3 million offered for Balsams plot
By Annmarie Timmins / Monitor staff
December 24, 2011
3Northern Pass officials have increased their offer for land around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel to $3 million, even though the land's owners have already signed a deal with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
And that deal was approved by the state attorney general's office late Friday evening. Northern Pass wants the right to run high-voltage transmission lines across 24 acres of the 5,600-acre parcel for its proposed hydropower line from Canada. The trust that owns the land rejected the company's $2.2 million offer earlier this month and instead agreed to sell both the conservation rights and utility rights for the whole parcel to the forest society for much less - $850,000.
In his pitch Friday, Northern Pass President James Muntz told trust officials he was willing to pay both his initial $2.2 million offer for the power line easement plus the $850,000 the forest society is offering for the conservation easement "in the event" the pending deal fell through.
Thomas Deans, chairman of the Tillotson Corp., which owns the land, said Northern Pass's latest offer doesn't change anything. Nor does he expect the deal with the forest society to fall through, he said. "Right now we have a purchase-and-sales agreement with the (forest society)," he said. "We will put (Northern Pass's latest) offer aside and will work on accomplishing our agreement with the forest society."
Martin Murray, Northern Pass spokesman, said earlier this week that the Balsams property in Dixville Notch is not critical to the northern route officials are trying to site for the project. There is other land available, he said, but the property is the project's first choice.
Deans said the only way its deal with the forest society will fall through is if the society fails to raise the $850,000 it needs by Jan. 15, or if the state attorney general's office objects to the sale.
The state, which must sign off on the agreement because the land is held by a trust, granted that approval Friday evening.
In a letter to the trust's attorney, the attorney general's office recognized the difference in what Northern Pass offered for the land and what the trust has accepted from the forest society.
"The (land's owners) value the conservation restrictions alone at approximately $1.5 million," the letter said. "The fair market value of the right of way is at least $2.2 million. As such, under the agreement with the society, the (land's owners) would be transferring assets to the society worth more than $3.7 million for $850,000."
The letter continued, "The trustees have determined that a transfer to the society is consistent with the purpose and terms of the trust, and that it is in the best interest of the environment and economy of the North Country." The state approved that conclusion.
That's a blow to Northern Pass officials.
Earlier this week, they asked the state to reject the trust's deal with the forest society on the grounds that the trustees had a "fiduciary" duty to accept the highest bid. Murray said Northern Pass officials support the forest society's conservation plans but believe they should be allowed to buy the rights to run transmission lines across a small portion of that land.
The Neil Tillotson Trust's mission requires that trustees consider only projects that conserve the North County's natural resources and further economic development. "Our mission is not to sell for the highest price," Deans said. "Our mission is to do the right thing in the interests of the people of the North Country."
Jack Savage, spokesman for the forest society, learned of Northern Pass's new offer from a reporter on Friday. "(Northern Pass officials) seem to be curiously unclear that the negotiations are over," he said. "We have a contract and purchase-and-sales agreement that we fully intend to execute by Jan. 15." (next page »)
Northern Pass officials have increased their offer for land around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel to $3 million, even though the land's owners have already signed a deal with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forest.
He said Northern Pass's objections and "stunts" this week have actually helped the society's fundraising. "What's great about all of this is that in the nonprofit world, the end of the year is one of the most active times for giving." Savage said. "It's when people make choices about what organizations and projects they will support with tax-deductible donations. So, this is a perfect time for them to be doing this and to bring attention to this."
(Annmarie Timmins can be reached at 369-3323 or atimmins@cmonitor.com.)
$3 million offered for Balsams plot
By Annmarie Timmins / Monitor staff
December 24, 2011
3Northern Pass officials have increased their offer for land around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel to $3 million, even though the land's owners have already signed a deal with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
And that deal was approved by the state attorney general's office late Friday evening. Northern Pass wants the right to run high-voltage transmission lines across 24 acres of the 5,600-acre parcel for its proposed hydropower line from Canada. The trust that owns the land rejected the company's $2.2 million offer earlier this month and instead agreed to sell both the conservation rights and utility rights for the whole parcel to the forest society for much less - $850,000.
In his pitch Friday, Northern Pass President James Muntz told trust officials he was willing to pay both his initial $2.2 million offer for the power line easement plus the $850,000 the forest society is offering for the conservation easement "in the event" the pending deal fell through.
Thomas Deans, chairman of the Tillotson Corp., which owns the land, said Northern Pass's latest offer doesn't change anything. Nor does he expect the deal with the forest society to fall through, he said. "Right now we have a purchase-and-sales agreement with the (forest society)," he said. "We will put (Northern Pass's latest) offer aside and will work on accomplishing our agreement with the forest society."
Martin Murray, Northern Pass spokesman, said earlier this week that the Balsams property in Dixville Notch is not critical to the northern route officials are trying to site for the project. There is other land available, he said, but the property is the project's first choice.
Deans said the only way its deal with the forest society will fall through is if the society fails to raise the $850,000 it needs by Jan. 15, or if the state attorney general's office objects to the sale.
The state, which must sign off on the agreement because the land is held by a trust, granted that approval Friday evening.
In a letter to the trust's attorney, the attorney general's office recognized the difference in what Northern Pass offered for the land and what the trust has accepted from the forest society.
"The (land's owners) value the conservation restrictions alone at approximately $1.5 million," the letter said. "The fair market value of the right of way is at least $2.2 million. As such, under the agreement with the society, the (land's owners) would be transferring assets to the society worth more than $3.7 million for $850,000."
The letter continued, "The trustees have determined that a transfer to the society is consistent with the purpose and terms of the trust, and that it is in the best interest of the environment and economy of the North Country." The state approved that conclusion.
That's a blow to Northern Pass officials.
Earlier this week, they asked the state to reject the trust's deal with the forest society on the grounds that the trustees had a "fiduciary" duty to accept the highest bid. Murray said Northern Pass officials support the forest society's conservation plans but believe they should be allowed to buy the rights to run transmission lines across a small portion of that land.
The Neil Tillotson Trust's mission requires that trustees consider only projects that conserve the North County's natural resources and further economic development. "Our mission is not to sell for the highest price," Deans said. "Our mission is to do the right thing in the interests of the people of the North Country."
Jack Savage, spokesman for the forest society, learned of Northern Pass's new offer from a reporter on Friday. "(Northern Pass officials) seem to be curiously unclear that the negotiations are over," he said. "We have a contract and purchase-and-sales agreement that we fully intend to execute by Jan. 15." (next page »)
Northern Pass officials have increased their offer for land around the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel to $3 million, even though the land's owners have already signed a deal with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forest.
He said Northern Pass's objections and "stunts" this week have actually helped the society's fundraising. "What's great about all of this is that in the nonprofit world, the end of the year is one of the most active times for giving." Savage said. "It's when people make choices about what organizations and projects they will support with tax-deductible donations. So, this is a perfect time for them to be doing this and to bring attention to this."
(Annmarie Timmins can be reached at 369-3323 or atimmins@cmonitor.com.)
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billski
Active member
Posted on their Facebook page, 12/23/11
"Hello everyone. Thank you all for your kind words and wishes - and for your patience. As you might know, the Balsams was purchased earlier this month by Balsams View, LLC, a company created by Dan Dagesse and Dan Hebert, both from Colebrook. Balsams View is committed to restoring this magnificent resort - and in doing so - creating/restoring jobs for NH's North Country. To achieve these goals, we must close for renovations - but we are proud to announce that we will open for NH Primary voting - and preserve this longstanding tradition. More updates soon. Thank you and Happy New Year!"
"Hello everyone. Thank you all for your kind words and wishes - and for your patience. As you might know, the Balsams was purchased earlier this month by Balsams View, LLC, a company created by Dan Dagesse and Dan Hebert, both from Colebrook. Balsams View is committed to restoring this magnificent resort - and in doing so - creating/restoring jobs for NH's North Country. To achieve these goals, we must close for renovations - but we are proud to announce that we will open for NH Primary voting - and preserve this longstanding tradition. More updates soon. Thank you and Happy New Year!"
snowmonster
New member
At least the Ballot Room will be open next week:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics...e_notch_looks_to_midnight_vote/?p1=News_links
http://www.boston.com/news/politics...e_notch_looks_to_midnight_vote/?p1=News_links
billski
Active member
Bring a heavy coat, boots and hat. Might be kinda chilly in there.
Black Phantom
Active member
snowmonster votes in NH?
billski
Active member
Vote early, vote often. 8)
It always amazed me that in Mass. you do not have to show positive ID to vote. :roll:
Black Phantom
Active member
NH isn't Illinois.
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