The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Volume 14, Number 30
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Town Council tackles two controversial topics
Arthur B. Powers Municipal Complex approved
Off-road vehicle ordinance stalled By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
At its July 20 meeting, the Town Council voted 5-2 to rename the municipal complex after former Democratic Mayor Arthur B. Powers Sr. The panel made the decision after more than an hour and a half of public input and council discussion. Republicans David Evans and Kari Drost voted against the measure. Council chambers were packed with numerous speakers both in favor of and against the name change. Prior to the meeting several wellknown Republicans (former Berlin mayors Robert Peters and Paul Argazzi, former deputy mayors Robert Argazzi and Scott Veley, and See Approved, page 5
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Council chambers were packed July 20. First, for a hearing on an ATV ordinance and then for a proposal to name the municipal complex. Many youth were in the audience for the ATV discussion.
An ordinance to limit the use of off-road vehicles was sent back to committee for further discussion after scores of residents showed up at a July 20 public hearing at Town Hall to protest the proposed regulation. At least 100 people, including many youth, filled council chambers for the hearing. Teresa Barr said the ordinance was predicated on “bogus complaints” that came from neighbors and that the issue had “gotten way out of control.” Several other speakers concurred that the issue was essentially between neighbors and did not require new regulations. More than a dozen residents spoke in regards to their enjoyment of the
See Ordinance, page 7
Summer on the farm, then military service begins By Maura Gaffney Special to The Berlin Citizen
Krysta Cass was determined to do something “worthwhile” during her 60-day military leave. The 22 year-old New Britain native graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in May and was required to report for duty in late July. She wanted to make the most of her time off and decided to volunteer at a local farm. When Cass contacted Mooreland Equestrian Center, Kensington, to volunteer, owner Elaine Sisson thought the offer was “too good to be true”. “She did a ton of work,” said Sisson. “She was just a tremendous asset.” Arriving most days at 7 a.m., Cass helped perform daily barn chores. She helped out at Mooreland’s grand opening in early June, assisted with riding lessons, painted fences, painted rooms in the barn, and did a
“ton of mowing”. For all her hard work, Cass received only gratitude and smiles and that “worthwhile feeling” she was seeking. “I really enjoyed it,” Cass said. “I wanted to do something outdoors and productive during my leave. I love horses, and Mooreland appealed to me because it deals with kids. I have a lot of fun working with kids. I had a great time.” Cass was impressed with how Sisson and Christine Lentz, the riding instructor, have “invested so much of themselves” in the farm. Cass knows about investing oneself. She is just beginning five years of active duty. She left on July 18 for military training; Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course in Missouri where she’ll stay for about four months. After that she’ll head to Fort Stewart, Ga. She’ll be stationed there for three years but is expected to deploy to
Afghanistan for one of those years. As an engineering officer, Cass will be constructing roads, bridges, airfields, and base camps as well as working on road clearance, making sure roads are clear of explosives. Cass is confident in the education and training she received at West See Cass, page 14 Photo by Maura Gaffney
2nd Lieutenant Krysta Cass, with Sera, at Mooreland Equestrian Center in Kensington. The recent West Point graduate reported for duty July 18, the start of five years of service. In the weeks leading up to the next phase of her military career, she wanted to make the most of her time off and decided to volunteer at a local farm.