The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 16, Number 11
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Fire departments dispatched to chemical emergency The Town of Berlin Fire Departments were dispatched, Thursday, March 8, shortly after 8 a.m., to a chemical emergency at StanChem Inc., in East Berlin. On arrival company safety staff reported that a chemical reaction had occurred involving one of their polymer products. The reaction occurred in a 275 gallon tote designed to hold the product. Personnel from the fire departments Citizen photo by Melissa Chicker made entry and found the tote to be bulging and ap- StanChem Inc., located on Berlin Street, East Berlin, proximately 200 gallons of evacuated because of chemical reaction. product had leaked onto the floor. The entire building was evacuated as a safety precaution and Department of Environmental Protection was requested to the scene. Air sampling was conducted of both the interior and exterior of the building. Based on sampling, it was determined that there were no health or safety hazards to the public. An environmental contractor was contracted by StanChem to conduct the cleanup of the spill and DEP remained on scene to continue their investigation and assist in the cleanup. No injuries to employees or fire personnel were reported. -Press release from Town of Berlin Deputy Fire Marshal
Golfers flock to Timberlin for opening day By Nick Carroll The Berlin Citizen
Marking its earliest starting date in recent memory, Timberlin Golf Course opened for the season March 8. Judging by the crowd that came out, golfers were eager to shake off the winter rust.
“We were first-come, first-served at 10 a.m., and we probably had about 80 people waiting to get on,” said Marc Bayram, head professional at Timberlin. That day, as the Pro Shop door continually swung open, Bayram had the disposition of a kid on Christmas morning. See Golfers, page 27
Photo by Scott Szymanoski
Timberlin Head Professional Marc Bayram hits the opening tee shot of the season March 8. A large crowd of golfers headed out to the course that day.
Citizen photo by Melissa Chicker
Evan Hilbie, left, and Kevin Klotz, right, had their heads shaved to raise money for cancer research.
Shaving heads for cancer By Melissa Chicker The Berlin Citizen Evan Hilbie and Kevin Klotz, seventh grade students at McGee Middle School participated in the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser in Hartford on March 7. The national fundraiser began in 2000, and has volunteers shave their heads in order to support children with cancer. It began in Harford in 2009 by Porter Dowling, who was 13 at the time. Over the last four years, the Hartford event has had over 160 shavees and raised over $1.25 million. Evan and Kevin were originally interested in participating last year after Evan’s friend was diagnosed with cancer. Kevin wanted to help after visiting cancer patients at the Children’s Hospital. The two set a team goal of $3,000 by selling bracelets and necklaces at McGee and Berlin High School. They
also set up information in the teachers’ lounge at Griswold Elementary School and sent email to friends and family asking for donations. Together they were able to surpass their goals and raise $7,325 for the foundation. The event itself included 49 shavees, including four girls, and in total raised $155,189. According to its website, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteerdriven charity committed to
See Shaving, page 4
is Saturday, March 17th