The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Volume 15, Number 3
Thursday, Januar y 20, 2011
Metacomet trail through Berlin one of nation’s best By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
The January edition of Backpackers’ magazine has named the Metacomet Trail, with the southern terminus near Berlin, as one of the country’s great hiking trails. The 51-mile trail, one of the New England National Scenic Trail hikes, was chosen by Backpackers’ Readers Choice Destinations as one of the country’s best multi-day ridge walks. The trail also has been the focus of recent efforts to upgrade the condition of and access to the area. The route of the Metacomet and Mattabesett trails is designated as a National Scenic Trail, one of only 11 in the country. “There’s been a new focus on those two trails and trying to get the trails up to stan-
Photo by Clare Cain
A group of hikers enjoyed the view from Ragged Mountain last fall.
dards with signage and heightened awareness and letting folks know it’s a re-
source,” said Clare Cain, trails stewardship director for the Connecticut Forest
Algonquin pipeline risk assessment helps to quell concerns
and Park Association. The trails now provide a continuous trek of 220 miles from
By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
Over two billion cubic feet of natural gas flow through Berlin per day on its way to the rest of the Northeast to fuel the region’s power and heat. The gas travels underground, in the southern part of town, through three 30inch, cast iron pipes known as the Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline. This pipeline system raised questions last September when a similar pipeline ruptured and ignited amidst a residential neighborhood destroying homes and killing eight people in San Bruno, Calif. Could a similar tragedy happen in Berlin? After the pipeline explosion, Bob Peters, the chairmen of the Police Commission, talked to Steve Waznia, Berlin’s fire marshal,
Berlin-Peck Library Director Helen Aveline is committed to making the place relevant for young people. But to do so she needs some teens to help her figure out how to go about it. So Aveline is putting together a team of youth to shape upcoming library activities and invites any teen, grade 7 and up, to contact her for more information. “We’re trying to find out what would draw teens to the library,” Aveline said, beyond the occassional need to take out a book. Teens already have access to a school library and, of
The Algonquin pipeline runs through Berlin.
See Metacomet, page 17
Teen team to help set course at library
By Daniel Jackson Special to The Citizen
See Algonquin, page 18
Long Island Sound to the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border. “Berlin has been one of our best partners in developing trails,” Cain said. Volunteers and local businesses helped with the project which included “pulling out a ton of trash.” According to the Backpacker write-up, the trail follows the Metacomet Ridge north past Revolutionary War sites, Connecticut River views and basalt cliffs. “From the southern terminus near Berlin, follow blue blazes along an increasingly
course, have computer resources for projects. “But we’d like to find a good way to fill in the extras; to have them come here as a destination” – and not just for books. To accomplish this, Aveline is seeking to meet with any interested teens to hear their ideas. This teen team could become a pivotal sounding board to shape the future of library programs and other resources targeting young people. “I need their help to build collections on all levels: books, media, programming,” Aveline said. “Before I buy teen titles, I want to find out what titles they See Teen, page 22