The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 14, Number 43
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, October 28, 2010
New off-road vehicle rules aim to keep the peace
Happy Halloween!
By Maura Gaffney Special to The Citizen
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
The 6th Annual Scarecrow and Fall Foliage Festival brought more than two dozen fanciful and fun scarecrows to Farmington Avenue and Main Steet earlier this month. Creations, such as the “Boo-toven band” seen above, were made by local businesses and organizations. For the winners, see page 5.
At its Oct. 19 meeting, the Town Council approved a new ordinance that puts restrictions on the use of offroad vehicles. The ordinance puts controls on several areas of use. It prohibits ORV operation within 25 feet of a public road or an adjoining property line, unless owner of adjoining property gives written permission. It limits hours of operation, within 250 feet of any residence; riding is allowed from 8 a.m. to 8
p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The ordinance puts a ceiling on noise emissions — 80 decibels at 50 feet away and 99 decibels at about two feet away — and requires mufflers to prevent excessive noise. The fine for violating the ordinance will be $100. Mayor Adam Salina, Deputy Mayor Stephen Morelli and councilors Robert Dacey and William Rasmussen voted in favor of the ordinance. Councilors David Evans and Karen
See Rules, page 12
Election 2010
Voters will see a Nov. 2 ballot chock full of candidates By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
Voters will have to wade through a number of names to find their candidates of choice when they pick up their ballots Nov. 2. Referred to as a mid-term election —
as it occurs half way through a presidential term — the campaign season has offered a number of heated races statewide but limited political jostling locally. While high profile contests, such as the Linda McMahonRichard Blumenthal match
for a United States Senate seat, have elevated some candidates’ name recognition, numerous less well-known candidates have a spot on the ballot, too. A voters’ guide follows. Abbreviations are used to designate party endorse-
ment: Democrat, Republican, Green, Independent, Libertarian, Working Families and Socialist Action. In some cases candidates have been endorsed by more than one party. Voters will cast a vote for one candidate for each office unless otherwise
noted. Governor and Lieutenant Governor Tom Foley and Mark D. Boughton (R) Dan Malloy and Nancy
See Voters, page 19
Sherwood Falls holds open house
It was just about a year ago when the Lofts at Sherwood Falls condominium project held a groundbreaking ceremony. Now, the project is well underway with 24 completed units and 15 sold. CIL Development Inc. President and CEO Martin Legault hosted a ribbon cutting and open house Oct. 21 to celebrate the progress. Legault gave a brief history of the property, built in 1893, which housed manufacturing companies over the years. He pointed out that the project includes an easement along the Mattabessett River which has been turned over to the control of the Berlin Conservation Trust.
The project will have 72 units at completion. Smaller units start at $164,900 and larger units go for approximately $200,000. The project is expected to be completed in another 16 to 20 months. Financing and other monetary support for the project came from a number of public and private sources including incentives from the town and an historic structure tax credit from the state. Mayor Adam Salina was among numerous town officials at the opening. “When it comes to landmarks, we don’t want to see them lost,” he said.
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Mayor Adam Salina, left, and CIL CEO Martin Legault cut a ceremonial ribbon in recognition of the launching of The Lofts at Sherwood Falls.