The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Volume 16, Number 16
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Litter committee needs volunteers for spring clean-up By Holly Robillard Special to The Citizen
With warmer weather coming, the Berlin Litter Committee is preparing to refresh the streets of Berlin with a spring cleaning Saturday, April 21. Paul Chester, director of the committee, has high expectations for its second year.
“We plan to collect over 60 full trash bags; that is what we collected last year,” he said. The group plans to cover Farmington Avenue, Beckley Road, Demings Road, Webster Square, New Britain Road, Middletown Road, Berlin Street, Spruce Brook Road, Kensington Road, Four Rod Road and Christian
Volunteers help carry heavy loads of litter, including a traffic sign found on the side of the road.
Lane. However, members admit that they would not be so efficient without the help of volunteers from the Upbeat program and the local Girl Scout troops and Boy Scout Troop 41. “The support is amazing. As we walked, people were pleased with us and waved. The police officers overseeing traffic were also very understanding and friendly,” committee member Roland Robillard said. The group recalled hearing cheers of thanks from cars during the last clean-up, motivating them throughout the day. “We also suggest that, if anyone wants to get involved but does not have the time to join us, they clean the street that they live on and just leave the bags on their street,” Chester said. Those who do so can call (860) 471-3496 to let the committee know where to pick up
Photos by Holly Robillard
Upbeat students volunteered their time at the annual Berlin Litter Clean-up Day. the trash. However, the committee encourages everyone to come out and join them. “We are looking for civic groups and businesses to get involved, as well,” Chester said. “This is a great cause that will benefit all of Berlin.” He reminds all volunteers, new and returning, to wear
long sleeve shirts, long pants and gloves. Gloves and bags will be supplied as usual. The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at Webster Square and then moving throughout town. In case of inclement weather, a rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 22.
Few attend budget hearing on proposed mill rate increase By Melissa Chicker The Berlin Citizen
A small crowd of 30, mainly town employees, came to McGee Middle School auditorium Tuesday night to hear the Town Council and Board of Education proposed budget for the 2012-2013 year. The budget will go to referendum Tuesday, April 24. If passed, the town mill rate will increase .71 percent from 24.50 to 25.21. This means a $250,000 home will have a tax increase of $124 per year. According to town officials, this is the lowest mill rate increase in three years. Deputy Mayor Steve Morelli presided over the hearing due to the absence of Mayor Adam Salina. Town Manager Denise McNair presented the town’s $73.5 million budget and Board of Education President Gary Brochu presented its
budget of $39.1million. Resident Brian Psowski asked the council why the pension expenditure continues to grow and why the town is not spending more money. “This is not a one year budget,” he said. “We have to look at things long term.” Long term has been on the minds of town officials. “We have to get ahead of the curve so problems don’t pop up and become bigger problems,” Morelli said. “The council will talk about doing a long term plan for the town.” Councilman and Budget Chair William Rasmussen said it is important to understand the long term and where the town is headed, what its obligations are going to be, and what important decisions are going to be made to maintain the town’s bond rating. “Decisions made with the pension will directly impact what our grade
is going to be relative to bonds,” Rasmussen said. “Look at trying to fund the high school and some of the other bonding we have to do. It’s a big number but it’s a must do to get a favorable bond rating.” Brochu agreed that the town often deals with issues on a crisis basis; he used the McGee rooftop replacement as an example. Board of Education Member John Richards, also agreed the town needs to think ahead and used the Berlin High School band uniforms as an example of something that has been put off for a long time. “This is a good budget,” said Bob Dacey, former councilman and budget chair. “Not only does it show the town’s status quo, but its growth as well. We should be proud and urge the town’s people to adopt the budget.” Dacey pointed out the small crowd
of people who came to support the budget and said more participation is needed, especially from Democratic voters. “It is a shame that it has gone from a fully packed room to 10 people,” he said. Resident Barbara Coughlin said she appreciates residents of Berlin can come to meetings and personally know their government officials, it’s something residents wouldn’t get the opportunity to do in her home town in New York state. “The only time you see people come to these meetings is when there is controversy,” she said. “Maybe people aren’t here because the council has been able to work on consensus to benefit all.” Rasmussen said the budget is very lean and the goal is to provide residents with services they have come to expect.