We are celebrating a major milestone in NH Recycles’ history: after 25 years of property ownership, the mortgage on our headquarters has been paid in full.
Paying off a mortgage may not seem like the most visible organizational achievement, but it represents something important for NH Recycles and our members: long-term stability. Owning our office building gives us a permanent home, greater control over our future, and a strong financial foundation from which we can continue serving communities across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts for years to come.
(Left) Current NH Recycles sign at 2101 Dover Road. (Right) Historic signs showing our organization's name change over the years.
What makes this milestone especially meaningful is the story behind it – a story rooted in innovation, collaboration, and the unwavering support of our members.
The idea of owning property goes back to the late 1990s, when we were still renting space at Kimball Jenkins. Paula Dow, our current Finance & Human Resources Director, began thinking about how we could build our assets and create greater long-term stability. She brought that idea to then-Executive Director Mike Samson, who fully supported it and asked her to develop a plan for the down payment.
Paula and Kim Mitchell, currently our Finance and HR Coordinator, put their heads together and came up with a way for our municipal members to donate loads of cardboard to NH Recycles to help build a fund for the down payment for a building. Municipalities across the region embraced the effort and enthusiastically participated.
“I think that is such an important part of this story,” said Andrea Folsom, NH Recycles’ Executive Director. “This organization has always been member-centered, and our members didn’t just benefit from NH Recycles. They literally helped invest in its future.”
That effort allowed us to purchase our first building on Bailey Road in 2000 — the building where Chuckster’s is today.
(Above) Office building on 9 Bailey Road in Chichester, NH
Over the next several years, we continued to grow, and it became clear that we needed more room. In 2006, under the leadership of then-Executive Director Elizabeth Bedard, we sold the Bailey Road property and purchased our current building on Dover Road.
(Left) Current NH Recycles office building on 2101 Dover Rd. in Epsom, NH. (Right) Northeast Resource Recovery Association staff in 2010.
Since then, the people leading our organization have continued to be thoughtful stewards of that investment. During Mike Durfor’s tenure, the mortgage was refinanced twice to take advantage of lower interest rates. Board members and staff continued making decisions that strengthened us financially and moved us steadily toward this milestone.
The payoff of the mortgage represents more than a financial achievement. It reflects the values that have guided NH Recycles for decades: collaboration, innovation, partnership, and a commitment to building resources that benefit member communities for the long term. The accomplishment is shared by the many individuals who contributed along the way, including executive directors, board members, municipal members, partners, and staff.
As we look toward the future, we do so from a position of strength. With our headquarters owned free and clear, we are well-positioned to continue our mission of making recycling strong through economically and environmentally sound solutions for our members across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
"This milestone belongs to the many people who helped build NH Recycles over the years," said Folsom. "Most importantly, it reflects the commitment of our members, whose support has been part of this story from the very beginning."
NH Recycles staff. Back row: Brian Patnoe, Steve Bean, Paige Wilson, Andrea Folsom, Marilyn Weir, Lindsay Dow. Front row: Denise Lussier, Sam Foresta, Kim Mitchell, Paula Dow and Bonnie Bethune (former Member Services Director).
More photos from our Annual BBQ & Mortgage Celebration!
Paula Dow and Kim Mitchell burning a big "Paid in Full" mortgage check to honor this huge milestone!
This cake was specially made for our celebration!