Volume 22, Number 44
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Fire department teams with Santa By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Decision clears way for clean-up
Santa Claus traded in his sleigh for a fire engine as he toured town recently to deliver early presents to children. Kensington Fire-Rescue’s Santa’s Express escorted St. Nick and his helpers for the 12th year, bringing gifts to around 265 homes from Saturday, Dec. 1 to Dec. 9. “It’s a really good excuse to get together with friends and take advantage and celebrate the holiday season. We look forward to it all year,” said Daniell Keane, who hosted neighbors and friends at her Woodhaven Drive home on Saturday, Dec. 8 for Santa’s visit.
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
A judge has ruled that the town can clean up a vacant home which has lingered on the blighted properties list for years.
Sean Keane, her husband and a firefighter, said the early Christmas gathering has been a tradition for the last four or five years.
The Kensington Fire-Rescue Santa's Express arrives at the home of Daniell and Sean Keane on Woodhaven Drive on Saturday, Dec. 8. Santa visited more than 250 homes in early December. | Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
When the flashing red lights appeared on their street, 13 children rushed to the end of the driveway to greet Santa. After some high-fives and season’s greetings, they went inside to pass out presents.
“This adds excitement to the holiday,” Daniell Keane said. “The kids look forward to it.” It “kind of adds a little more magic to Christmas.” “Every time the truck shows up with
the lights and the sirens it’s a big thing,” said Kensington Fire-Rescue Chief Jeff Pajor. “It’s just a very rewarding kind of experience.” See Santa, A11
BHS students decorate Main Street
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
ington Avenue, to put up the decorations.
Main Street is looking more festive after a local high school student decided to place ribbons and garlands on the lampposts.
Public Works staff used a bucket truck and ladders to decorate the higher areas. Students prepared all the supplies and handed them up to the workers.
Lizzy Swan, 15, a sophomore at Berlin High School, said she wanted to make one of the busiest spots in town more joyous.
BLIGHTED PROPERT Y
“We had to take care of it, it’s been on our blighted list for a long, long time,” said Mayor Mark Kaczynski. “I don't like having to use town resources to clean it up … but unfortunately the owner left us with no other options.” The court order allows work crews to trim or remove trees and bushes, cover damaged doors and windows to prevent vermin from entering, remove damaged gutters and garbage and mow the grass monthly.
"It's really fun to help the community,” Swan said. “We try to do projects that would help everyone and not just the high school or just people my age.”
With help from the school’s UpBeat program coordinator Jack Rudy, she got a donation from Fresh Monkee, "It's awesome to see a young student have an idea and with the a recently-opened smoothie shop. right guidance … make it happen in On Thursday, Dec. 13 around a such a short amount of time," Rudy dozen other students in UpBeat said. "I think it just gives them that joined Swan on Main Street, befeeling that they can accomplish tween New Britain Road and Farm- something.”
Neighbors have complained for nearly a decade that the condition of the home at 77 Elton Road is lowering property values and presents a health risk. In October, the town filed a lawsuit against the owner.
Juliana, left, and Mikayla Mancini, a freshman and a senior at Berlin High School, adjust decorations put up on Main Street through the school’s Upbeat program. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
Town Manager Jack Healy said a lien will be placed on the home for the cost of the cleanup and maintenance of the property, which is owned by Raymond Szajkowski, of New Britain. See Property, A11