Volume 18, Number 17
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
www.berlincitizen.com
Despite parade cancellation, ceremony draws crowd
Town bond sale exceeds expectations By Charles Kreutzkamp
By Charles Kreutzkamp
The Berlin Citizen
The Berlin Citizen
More than 100 people attended a Memorial Day ceremony held at American Legion Post 68, including members of the Berlin High School Chorus, and the Berlin High School and McGee Middle School bands. The decision on whether to cancel the parade must be made before 7 a.m., and at that time “the weather did not look favorable,” Memorial Day Parade Chairman Tom Chesery said. “There are many children that march in the parade, and some carry heavy instruments and instruments that could be damSee Ceremony / Page 30
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Berlin is reaping approximately $38,000 in savings according to Director of Finance Jim Wren. The town budgeted interest rates for bonds at 3 percent, and interest rates obtained were 2.75 percent after an unprecedented 13 bidders on these bonds – the town normally receives fewer than five bids, according to Wren. “In a large part it is due to the increased credit rating,” Wren told The Citizen May 21. Berlin’s credit rating was raised earlier this year. Wren said that this in-
crease is due to the town’s overall conservatism in budgeting: The town has a contingency fund to prepare for natural disasters and has a healthy fund balance. The town also aims high in cost estimates and low in estimates of state funding, to ensure that budget items are not underfunded, and manages its long term liabilities – like pensions – effectively. These measures played an important part in raising Berlin’s credit rating, according to Wren. Deputy Mayor William See Sale / Page 5
Local veterans salute the flag following a memorial volley. For more photos visit us online. | (Charles Kreutzkamp / The Berlin Citizen)
Report: BHS construction going well By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
The Town Council heard a report from Tom Smith of Gilbane Construction on the Berlin High School renovation project at the May 20
Town Council meeting. The new cafeteria “is looking fantastic at this point,” Smith said. The painting, ceiling, and lights are complete, and kitchen equipment is being installed this week. The project is proceeding on
schedule to open new parts of the school to students this fall despite continued weather-related delays in roofing, as rains have been frequent. “We are hoping the weather See Construction / Page 24
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