Volume 17, Number 33
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
www.berlincitizen.com
BHS student travels across seas as ‘ambassador’ By Monica Szakacs The Berlin Citizen
Environmental cleanup begins on land near Sage Park By Monica Szakacs
Parliament, dignitaries, villages — Berlin High School student Korin Willametz, 16, experienced it all when she traveled to New Zealand and Australia this summer for 17 days with the People to People Student Ambassador Programs. “I want to try and make changes in our society — I have ideas,” Willametz said. “This trip was very helpful and opened my eyes to things that go on in different countries.” People to People Ambassador Programs was created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower See Willametz / Page 21
Thursday, August 15, 2013
The Berlin Citizen
Korin Willametz gets close and personal with a kangaroo in Australia. | (Photo courtesy of Korin Willametz)
After nine years, environmental remediation work is scheduled to begin at 1567 Berlin Turnpike —the property that abuts Sage Park. During a recent meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to hire Environmental Services, Inc. of South Windsor, for a cost not to exceed $294,048, to clean up the ground from hazardous environmental waste. Prior to 2004, the site was used as a car dealership. Town Manager Denise McNair said the company
was the “lowest, qualified bidder” for the project. The cost will be fully reimbursed to the town under its insurance policy for the property, according to McNair. In March of 2004 the town purchased 1567 Berlin Turnpike with the intention to expand Sage Park, according to McNair. According to a 2004 Berlin Citizen article, the town bought the 4.2 acres of land for $475,000. Mayor Adam Salina said the property is the target for playing fields and additional parking for Sage Park to alSee Cleanup / Page 5
Buildings across town to be assessed By Monica Szakacs
hire a firm that will “prepare a comprehensive study of the facilities.” “This study will help us Beginning in September, a study on town and Board of identify conditions and help Education facilities will take us prioritize maintenance or place to assess long-range other capital projects that we may or may not foresee,” plans for those buildings. During a recent coun- McNair said. The Town Council voted cil meeting, Town Manager Denise McNair said funds unanimously to hire Friar have been set aside in the Associates, of Farmington, BOE’s and town’s budgets to for an amount not to exceed The Berlin Citizen
The facilities assessment is more of a planning tool for maintenance work in the future, according to Construction Manager Brian Saluk. The town, he said, was looking for consultants who were “local and would be practical about the function of the buildings and tailored to something the town wanted.” “It’s sort of taking a snap
shot of the actual status of our buildings right now,” Saluk said. The assessment will look at the structures as a whole, including the building envelop, all of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, the interior finishes and also will look at adjacent sites and athletic fields. See Buildings / Page 5
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$62,940, which includes a 20 percent contingency, for the facility condition assessment services. In March, both the BOE and the town solicited qualifications from firms. After receiving 16 packages and interviewing four firms, Friar Associates received the highest score and was the lowest bidder, according to Public Works Director Arthur Simonian.
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