Volume 19, Number 45
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Probe of fire at old rail station to be done this week An investigation into the cause of a fire at the old train station on Depot Road was expected to be completed this week, said Town Fire Marshal Steve Waznia. The Wednesday morning, Dec. 21 fire is believed to have started in the north end of the station, which was deemed a total loss. “It was three-fourths fully involved when we got there,” said Fire Chief Jim Simons.
Amtrak owns the building and is leasing it to the state Department of Transportation. The station was undergoing renovations, with a new station being built next door at the time of the fire. The renovations to the old station began in 2015. State crews were following requirements of the State Historic Preservation Office. Waznia said Thursday, Dec. 22 the state will determine the future of the building.
Fire tore through the old train station in Berlin early Wednesday morning, Dec. 21. | Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Sobilo and Allan D’Antonio
Council mulls restrictions to parking on Main Street By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
People visiting downtown Berlin next month will be met with new parking restrictions six days a week. The Police Commission agreed to set the restrictions at a meeting Wednesday night, Dec. 21. Drivers will not be able to
park on Main Street, unless they are a customer of the businesses there, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The commission recently received concerns about a lack of parking on the street. The Town Council addressed the issue at a recent meeting. “There does seem to be a lot of outrage,” said Mayor Mark Kaczynski.
Main Street recently went through a beautification process with new sidewalks, curbing, and an overall new look. The improvements have since caused concerns among the business community. The project was supposed to be finished in July but completion was delayed due to complications, including
A look inside the old train station before a fire destroyed the building, Wednesday, Dec. 21. | Brenden Luddy, contributed
Substance abuse forum set Jan. 11 By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
Town officials and police want the community know that drug addiction is in their backyards. “We’re no exception,” said detective Ted Fuini. Fuini will be part of a Wednesday, Jan. 11 panel discussion on drug addiction and recovery in the Berlin High School auditorium. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.
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By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
“The whole inside was involved.”