Volume 18, Number 49
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, Februar y 5, 2015
Sundlun to share real life story of forgiveness By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
WFSB anchor Kara Sundlun shares the amazing story of “Finding Dad: from ‘Love Child’ to Daughter” in her book that tells the true story of her journey reconciling with her father, Bruce Sundlun, who served as Governor of Rhode Island from 1991 to 1995. Sundlun is coming to the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m – a rescheduled appearance –giving residents plenty of time to Sundlun read “Finding Dad.” “We were disappointed that the blizzard forced us to cancel Kara Sundlun’s book talk and signing event, but are looking forward to See Sundlun / Page 5
Timberlin renovations on schedule By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
Big changes are in the works for Timberlin Golf Course this year, with an expansion to the driving range on the way as well as a renovation of the Timberlin Clubhouse. A consultant has been hired for the design of the updates to the driving range, Chair of the Parks and Recreation commission Len Zielinski told The Citizen Jan. 29. The consultant will do an economic analysis for the driving range and determine the best course. “We are in a constrained area so we need to limit the flight of the balls,” Zielinski said. The updated driving range will include netting as a result. The plan also involves moving the location of the 18th hole to “create a more severe dogleg,” Zielinski said. Zielinski said during the Jan. 15 meeting of the commission that Timberlin is the secSee Timberlin / Page 4
A view of train tracks as seen from Norton Road after a recent snowstorm. | Charles Kreutzkamp / The Berlin Citizen
Despite recent blizzards, budget remains strong By Charles Kreutzkamp
tuted a travel ban the night of Jan. 26 that was not lifted until the following afternoon. The Though the Jan. 26 and 27 ban “helped to reduce traffic winter storm hit Boston espe- loading on local roads which cially hard, it was “a typical made the cleanup much quicker winter storm for Berlin, other and easier to navigate,” Simothan high winds,” according to nian said. “Most people adDirector of Public Works Ar- hered to the ban and stayed off the roads into Tuesday.” Across thur Simonian. One of three recent snow- the state, restaurants, business, storms, the Jan. 26 blizzard was and gas stations were closed, christened Juno by the Weather giving residents few reasons to Channel and Colbie by Eyewit- leave home, apart from medical ness News, which is naming emergencies. The storm’s high winds made every storm this year after popular musicians. The national it “difficult but not impossible” weather service names tropical for Berlin’s 17 plows and trucks storms and hurricanes, but not to plow overnight through Monday, Jan. 26 with the help blizzards. Berlin Police Department of four contracted trucks. “Preparing ahead for a much Deputy Chief John Klett described the storm as a virtual worse storm helped insure our non-event for the police depart- drivers and equipment were ment, saying it caused no major ready for a more substantial storm as well. The most difficult accidents locally. Gov. Dannel Malloy insti- part of the storm was continued The Berlin Citizen
wind driven snows that would cover roads in literally minutes after they were plowed,” Simonian said. “Also, with the long duration of the winds we had to wait until the snow was cleared and winds subsided to apply additional coats of magnesium chloride.” Although fighting winter weather has been a constant battle recently, Simonian said last week that the Public Works snow removal budget is in good condition, particularly when compared with last year. As of last week, Public Works used only 30 percent of the budget for overtime and truck rental, and only 35 percent of the budget for salt. In 2014, the budgets were nearly three-quarters empty at the end of January. Excessive snow last year forced the Town Council to appropriate additional funds to snow removal.