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The countdown has begun for 2016 relay By Ashley Kus The Berlin Citizen
The Pine Loft on the Berlin Turnpike went purple on Tuesday, Jan. 12, in recognition of Berlin Relay for Life’s annual kick-off night. The relay doesn’t happen until May, at the Berlin Lions Fairgrounds, but runners and walkers alike were already pumped up for the activities. More than 50 people showed up at The Pine Loft. It was the first year, out of eight, that the coordinators made it an open house. “Basically, we wanted people to come and go as they pleased,” Berlin’s Relay for Life staff partner Lynn Kipphut said. “It’s a really great event and the kick-off just gets teams more involved.” The relay is a way to help end cancer through fundraising, while remembering those lost and honoring survivors. A table was set up at the kick-off for people to learn more about the relay and to sign up to take part in the event. Kipphut noted that
Thursday, Januar y 21, 2016
BHS renovation on time, under budget By Ashley Kus
cussed what is left to be done. He stated that as of this past summer, two-thirds of the At the first Town Council high school had been renomeeting of the new year, on vated, and that the project is Tuesday, Jan. 5, renovations to tracking under budget. Recently, the B Gym and Berlin High School were reported to be on time and un- the girls locker room were completed and opened for der budget. Tom Smith, from Gilbane use. Construction, presented the progress report and disSee Renovation / Page A5 The Berlin Citizen
Residents may decide on charter revision
By Ashley Kus The Berlin Citizen
Berlin’s colorful Relay for Life kick-off was held Tuesday, Jan. 12. at The Pine Loft. | Lynn Kipphut / Submitted both returning and firsttime relay participants were present. “It’s an opportunity to reengage and motivate everyone,” she said. The theme at The Pine Loft was “paint your world purple,” with the décor showing support for the local relay. Besides food and
drinks – and a welcoming atmosphere – the kick-off also featured the unveiling of the new relay goal. This year, the Berlin relay aims to raise $55,000. “Many teams have already held fundraisers See Relay / Page A3
The decision to form a commission to revise the town charter may end up in the hands of Berlin voters. A petition was initiated by the Berlin Republican Town Committee after the motion to establish a commission failed to carry at the Town Council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 5. The council needed a super-majority, rather than the usual majority, to pass the motion. All four Republican councilors voted in favor of the commission, while the Democratic councilors were not in
support of it. “This has the potential to impact the town for many years, and we are doing this at a time when we are in the process of determining whether we are going to retain our current corporation counsel or get a new counsel,” councilor Rachel Rochette (D) said. Mayor Mark Kaczynski, a Republican, stated that there needed to be faith that whoever was chosen as town attorney would be able to handle town business efficiently. See Charter / Page A2
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Volume 19, Number 47