Volume 22, Number 17
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, June 14, 2018
‘Don’t have to guess anymore’ Budget OK’d
with another $500,000 in cuts
DOT tests full Hartford Line train schedule without incident By Matthew Zabierek Record-Journal staff
WALLINGFORD — The state Department of Transportation has begun running “test trains” in preparation of the new Hartford Line rail service, scheduled to begin Saturday.
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Test runs of the full Hartford Line schedule, including 16 weekday trips, began this past weekend. The runs have been going well, said John Bernick, the project manager and assistant rail admin- A CTrail train pulls out of the Meriden train station Monday, June 11. ister for DOT. The state Department of Transportation has begun running “test trains” in preparation of the new Hartford Line rail service, scheduled “We’ve been checking the runs to launch Saturday. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal periodically as the engineers make them, and everything seems to be working out really well,” Ber- DOT Commissioner James Redek- crossings, more than any other municipality along the line. Merier said in a statement. nick said. The test trains are not den has the second most, with six. open to passengers. “People may not always rememThe state included several safety The New Haven-Hartford-Spring- ber that trains cannot stop quick- features in designing the new field line is using both Amtrak and ly,” Redeker said. “In fact, it can commuter line, including inCTrail trains. On Saturday, Amtrak take a mile for a train to come to a stalling “quad gates,” which fully increased its service on the line, complete stop. Drivers should block traffic in both directions, to boosting the daily train trips from never attempt to drive under or prevent drivers from crossing 12 to 18. When CTrail officially around a closing or closed gate at tracks when a training is passing. launches on June 16, the number a street-level rail crossing.” There was a total of 36 incidents of daily weekday trips will inBetween Springfield and New at rail crossings in Connecticut crease to 34. Haven, stops include Windsor from January 2009 to March 2018, Given the increase in rail traffic, Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, according to statistics provided by DOT is reminding residents to Meriden and Wallingford. “obey the law at rail crossings,” Wallingford has seven grade See Trains, A18
After two referendums and months of negotiations, the Town Council has adopted a budget after making additional cuts Monday night. The final budget allocates $43.6 million to the Board of Education and $44.3 million in general government funding, with a 32.5 mill rate. The four council Republicans moved to make $500,000 in cuts over the objections of their Democratic counterparts and passed on a deal put forth by the Board of Finance last week. "My opinion is that we need to listen to the voters and it needs to come down a little bit,” said Republican Councilor Alex Giannone. “And, again, I think we can responsibly reduce it by a little bit more, and I mean a little bit.” Cuts include $300,000 in school funding and $125,000 for upgrades to phone systems at Berlin High School and the elementary schools. “It’s pretty devastating, I think, to our students. I think it was irresponsible,” said Democratic Councilor JoAnn AnSee Budget, A15
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 6:35PM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 6:35PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 6:35PM
TWO-FER TUESDAYS
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THIRSTY THURSDAY
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Enjoy New Britain Bees Baseball!