The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 16, Number 13
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
McMahon visits Berlin
www.berlincitizen.com
High school renovations delayed again By Melissa Chicker The Berlin Citizen
Citizen photo by Melissa Chicker
President and CEO of Advanced Torque, George Castle, talks with Linda McMahon about the company. See story on page 6.
Referendum planned on Town Council $73.5 million budget By Melissa Chicker The Berlin Citizen
More concern for potential delays for the high school renovation project has the Town Council proposing more communication between parties involved and the council. At the council’s March 21 meeting, the current status and ongoing progress of the renovations was discussed after it was said the project would again cost more than proposed and delays continue to be an issue. Councilor Steve Morelli asked for the item to be a standing agenda item because of concern with the status of the project.
Just last month the Board of Education has unanimously approved the newest renovation plans for the high school to be taken to the Public Building Commission. At the PCB’s March 8 meeting, Public Works Director Art Simonian discussed the need for a commissioning agent for the project, which he said they are to have by April. Tom Smith, project manager, said the pre-fabricated tech ed building would cost more than the estimated $2.4 million that was presented to the BOE and PBC. Chairman Jim Ouellette questioned FIP Construction as to what the costs actually
are for the project and expressed concern that not everyone is on the same page with regards to the cost constraints. The job is already behind schedule after consultants ran over the $69.9 million budget and had to rework the project plans, last month. Residents are concerned about the delay in construction, many voicing their dismay to the Town Council. “I am frustrated with where we are. We are hearing everything is within budget, then come to find out it’s not,” said Donna Morelli,
See Delayed, page 7
Public Building Commission monthly report The Public Building Commission has released its annual high school renovation summary. Activities Last Month – Design & Field Progress Overview: • The design team continues to refine the plans for the initial phase of the work including the pre-engineered building to house most of tech ed and the demolition and abatement of the entire existing building. Approval of those plans by the state to go out to bid will allow the pre-engineered building and select demolition and abatement work to be bid late spring or early summer. • The design team was authorized to continue on the design development phase of the documents for the work to renovate the school. Documents should be ready to go to the state late this year. • Abatement plans for PCBs were submitted to the Environmental Protection
Agency. 30 Day Look Ahead: • Finalize construction documents for Phase 1 environmental and tech ed preengineered building and present to state for approval to proceed with the bidding process.
• Continue work on design development phase for the main building. • Preparation for review with Board of Education and Public Building Commission the school construction
See Report, page 7
Come Check It Out!
1239542
The Town Council adopted the budget of $73.5 and will hold a hearing on the plan April 10. The Town Council adopted the budget at its meeting on March 20 after a series of budget meetings held throughout the month. If the budget is approved, a tax increase of .71 mills would bring a tax rate of 25.21 mills to the town, an increase just under three percent. If adopted, spending will
go up $3 million from last year. The measure passed with a 5-2, in favor. Republican members David Evans and Eric Buhrendorf, voted against. A public referendum on the budget is planned for April 24. Reductions include capital improvement projects, town contingency fund, new equipment requested by town departments and the Board of Education’s operations budget was reduced by about $366,000, according to Mayor Adam Salina.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saturday, March 31 from 1-3 PM • Me & My Shadow • Cheer - Tumble • Tumble Tots
• Acro • Boys Only Gymnastics
114R Woodlawn Rd, Berlin • 860-378-5263 Entrance at Average Joe’s Bootcamp Center
www.Samsgymnastics.com