Berlin Citizen - March 4, 2021 by Record Journal

Thursday, March 4, 2021

www.berlincitizen.com

Volume 23, Number 9

Chamber offers webinar program on business fraud By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen

The Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce hosted a webinar in February teaching strategies to safeguard businesses against internal fraud.

Marc Bayram, head professional at Timberlin Golf Course, tees off on the 17th hole on July 3, 2020. The course celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal

Officials to meet on future of Timberlin By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen

The Town Council and Golf Commission will meet this month on the future of Timberlin Golf Course. The talks are designed to explore options for making the municipal course more cost efficient.

said Mayor Mark Kaczynski. “Right now we have no plan, and nothing is more frustrating than not having a plan going forward” Timberlin saw an increase in play last year during the pandemic, which increased its annual revenues and allowed

“It’s just the beginning of a discussion ...”

See Timberlin, A14

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The webinar was led by Jackie Jamsheed, an associate professor of accounting at Central Connecticut State University. To avoid fraud, Jamsheed said, businesses need to protect themselves both within and outside their own walls. That means business partners as well as key clients and vendors

should be fully vetted. “Sometimes an employee can be colluding with the vendor on fraud or theft. If there is an invoice for $1,000, it is possible that it’s actually $800 and then the employee and the vendor are splitting $200,” said Jamsheed. “You want to know who you are doing business with.” It is essential, she said, that businesses protect their credit card data by closely monitoring employees’ access to the company card See Fraud, A3

Berlin sees decline in reported COVID cases As of Feb. 25, the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported among Connecticut residents was 279,946, including 26,1052 laboratoryconfirmed and 18,894 prob-

able cases. Four hundred fifty-one patients were hospitalized with laboratoryconfirmed COVID-19. There had been 7,622 COVID-19See COVID, A16

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The Berlin Citizen (ISSN 1525-1780, USPS 017-666) is published weekly by Record-Journal, 500 S. Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450. Periodicals postage paid at Meriden, CT and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Record-Journal 500 S. Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

voicing is often a mistake, that isn’t always the case.

From A1

She said, each month, managers should review key metrics such as sales and payroll reports, and inventory movements. This will not only help them spot fraud but also analyze business performance, helping them make informed management decisions.

In addition, Jamsheed suggested installing a point-ofsale system, which monitors the time and place of each transaction. The point-ofsale system allows managers Additionally, Jamsheed said to track each transaction to a managers should require specific employee. employees to take their allotted vacation time. She Also, Jamsheed said mansaid employees who are agers should count cash in committing theft sometimes the drawer at the beginning resist taking a vacation in orand end of each business der to continue covering day. “It shows that you are up fraudulent activity. on top of things, that there is a culture of transparency, “Employees have to take vaand if there is something cation time,” Jamsheed said. happening that's unsavory, it “Then somebody who is will be caught quickly,” she cross-trained comes in and said. does the work, pays the banks, reviews the stateAnd Jamsheed advised businesses to be wary of duplicate invoices from the same vendor. While duplicate in-

Another measure managers can take to safeguard from fraud is to conduct regular audits – some unannounced –during which employees provide detailed support for all transactions.

fered from the economic climate and was forced to permanently close its doors. By 2012, the New Britain Chamber sought to find a solution by creating a historic regional partnership with Berlin’s Chamber. The new affiliation triggered New Britain’s Chamber to modify the organizations name to Greater New Britain Chamber – New Britain, Berlin (GNBCOC).

In conclusion, Jamsheed urged managers to carefully study their business reports and address any suspicious activity, no matter how small “In April 2017, the Plainville it may seem. “The earlier fraud is defected, the better the result for the business,” she said. The Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organization with more than 400 members from the Greater New Britain business community. Its website states, “In November 2011, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce suf-

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Email letters to news@theberlincitizen.com; mail to 500 South Broad St., Meriden, CT 06450 or fax to 203-6390210. The Citizen will print only one letter per person each month. Letters can be approximately 300 words. We reserve the right to edit letters. Include a phone number so The Citizen can contact you for verification. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday to be considered for publication the following Thursday.

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

US Justice Dept. withdraws support for CT case opposing transgender athletes By Pat Eaton-Robb Associated Press

The U.S. Justice Department and Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights have removed their support for a federal lawsuit in Connecticut that seeks to reverse a state policy allowing the participation of transgender athletes in girl’s high school sports. The lawsuit was filed a year ago by several cisgender runners who argue they have been deprived of wins, state titles and

athletic opportunities by being forced to compete against two transgender sprinters. The Education and Justice Department’s move came just days before a hearing on a motion to dismiss that lawsuit.

petitions, runs afoul of Title IX, the federal law that allows girls equal educational opportunities, including in athletics. In a filing Tuesday, Feb. 23, Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham and other department officials withdrew Barr’s statement, saying “The government has reconsidered the matter.”

Last March, then-Attorney General William Barr signed what is known as a statement of interest in the lawsuit, arguing the poli- Attorneys for the plaintiffs declined to comment. cy of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, The CIAC allows athletes to the board that oversees the state’s high school athletic com-

See Transgender, A9

Snow Removal Reminder Property owners are not allowed to shovel, throw or plow ice and snow from private property into or across a public street. Residents are advised that they are responsible to clear snow and ice from any public sidewalk fronting along their property. All sidewalks are to be cleared and/or sanded within 24 hours of the completion of street plowing operations. It is the respon-

sibility of the property owner fronting that sidewalk to make it safe for public travel. Parking bans become effective automatically when there is an accumulation of four inches or more of snow and ice on any town streets. Any vehicle left parked on the street after such parking ban has taken effect, will be towed and subject to a fine and all related charges.

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

State GOP lost voters after Capitol breach NEW HAVEN (AP) — More than 5,000 Connecticut Republicans left the political party in the six weeks after the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol, according to a published report.

fraud; general political polarization and a fear of backlash over being associated with the Republican Party.

“It really doesn’t boil down to any of the candidates. I just felt there became a real That is far more than the viciousness on both sides renumber of Democrats who garding party allegiance,” changed their affiliation, the Lisa Purdy, a Fairfield resiNew Haven Register reported. dent who runs an insurance company, told the newspaIn all, 5,302 Republicans left per. the party, or slightly more than 1% of the state’s roughly Most of the voters who left 484,000 GOP voters registered the GOP switched to unaffiliated or Independent status, on Jan. 6. In contrast, 1,957 Democrats left their party, or the newspaper reported, usabout .2% of the 856,559 reg- ing voter registration data from the Connecticut Secreistered in the state. tary of State’s office. About Republican voters inter2,000 unaffiliated voters reviewed by the newspaper registered with another party who had left the party in Jan- during the same time periuary and February gave a va- od. riety of reasons, including the party’s support for forThe data showed the most mer President Donald Trump defections came from residents of Greenwich, Glasand his claims of election

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Transgender

Need a hand with your hands?

From A6

American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, compete as the gender with which represents the two which they identify and has transgender athletes in the said it is following a state lawsuit, said the Feb. 23 aclaw that requires all high tion represents “a hint that school students be treated the government, the Deaccording to their gender partment of Education, may identity. now have a different view of The U.S. Department of Edu- Title IX.” cation’s office for Civil Right CIAC executive director last spring and summer sent Glenn Lungarini has said the letters threatening to cut off organization’s transgender some federal funding to policy was formed with fedConnecticut school districts eral and state guidance and that followed the policy. that multiple courts and fedOn Feb. 23, the office notified those involved that it was withdrawing those letters “as well as the underlying findings and determinations,” and does not wish to become a party in the lawsuit.

eral agencies, including the Justice Department had previously acknowledged that the term “sex” in Title IX is ambiguous.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said he was pleased with the U.S. Justice Department’s deciOn his first day in office, sion to withdraw Barr’s President Biden signed an statement. “Transgender executive order prohibiting girls are girls and every discrimination based on woman and girl deserves gender identity in school Waterproofing Services ivreS gnifoorpretaW tnemesaB protection againstsecdiscrimisports andBasement elsewhere. Over 36 Years combined experience. .ecnesaid irepxeindenaibmoc sraeY 63 revO nation. Period,” he DanFully Barrett, a lawyer the stSump atem ent.,spmuP pmuS ,*eetnarauG nettirW elbarefsnarT ylluF Transferable Writtenfor Guarantee*, Pumps,

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Lawmakers take roles once played by unions By Mark Pazniokas © The Connecticut Mirror

questions once answered by collective bargaining.

The gradual trend of companies relying on gig workers, the sudden blurring of home and work during the pandemic, and the decades-long weakening of unions are all contributing to a push by Connecticut lawmakers to resolve through legislation

Should seniority determine who gets called back after a layoff? Must an employer reimburse a remote worker for internet access? What notice is owed about schedule changes, especially important to those who juggle more than one job or need

care for children? With only 6% of private-sector workers represented by unions, state lawmakers say they have a role in the conversation. “I think that we have an obligation to address the changing nature of work,” said Sen. Julie Kushner, DDanbury, a retired UAW executive who co-chairs the committee overseeing labor legislation. “And if you look at what’s happened over the last many decades … at the same time that work has changed, we’ve seen income

inequality absolutely go through the roof.” Employers and trade groups, some with a national reach, recoil at the reach of some bills filed this year, calling them an intrusion in labormanagement relations while businesses struggle to regain their footing during a recession induced by COVID-19. Proponents call them a necessary correction in a rapidly evolving world. “I do think we are starting to see more and more of these bills,” said Eric Gjede, the vice president of govern-

ment affairs at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. “It’s trying to create a flat level of benefits, the same requirements in every workplace, regardless of size or industry.” Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said the relationships between employer and employee have always rippled across society, appropriately inviting the attention of policy makers. What’s new is that lawmakSee Lawmakers, A11

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Lawmakers From A10

ers are taking the lead, not codifying and broadening gains won by labor in select industries, as was the case in 1938 when Congress banned child labor and established a standard work week — first 44 hours, now 40 — and a minimum wage in many industries. “The erosion of labor membership in the private sector has been damaging in so many ways for our state, for our economy, in terms of enlightened public policy and social policy,” Looney said. “Unions tend to drive issues not only regarding wages for their own members, but also try to help to create a sort of labor standard in the broader community.” Union density, the percentage of unionized workers, has shrunk by half since 1983, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the data consistently. It dropped from 20.1% to 10.8% in 2020, according to survey data released in January. Union density in the public sector was 34.8%, more than five times the 6.3% in the private sector. About 17% of the overall

Thursday, March 4, 2021

work force in Connecticut were union members in 2020, a number that has been relatively stable since 2015, other than a dip to 14.5% in 2019 that unions see as a statistical fluke due to the limited sample size. “Even when the union density was much higher, we always pushed for things for all workers,” said Sal Luciano, the president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. “The deck is always stacked against working people.” In 2019, the General Assembly passed a law raising the minimum wage in increments to $15 in 2023. It also created a paid family and medical leave program, essentially a mandated disability insurance benefit for private-sector workers at a cost of one half of 1% of wages. Several of the bills filed this year were the subject of public hearings Thursday, Feb. 18 before the Labor and Public Employees Committee, long the venue for wedge issues separating Democrats from Republicans and labor from management. House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora, R-North Branford, said he sees inconsistencies in the legislaSee Legislation, A15

A11

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A12

The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Schools Locals in College

is open through March 26.

schedule a screening.

Emmanuel College, Boston, Mass., has named Sydney Duke to its dean’s list for the fall semester.

Preschool screening

Scholarships available to high school seniors

Berlin youngsters age 3 through 4 years 8 months by March 27, 2021 are Kindergarten registration eligible to participate in the townwide preschool screening at the Children who will reach age 5 on or Community Center Friday, March before Jan. 1, 2022, and children who 26, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Saturare already age 5 or 6 and have not yet day, March 27, 8:30 a.m. to noon. attended school are eligible to register for the upcoming school year. Register Appointments will be scheduled on at berlinschools.org, under District/ a first-come, first-serve basis. Call Registration & Residency. Registration 860-829-6795 or 860-829-6792 to

Arata From A2

ceived PPP funds and some are still waiting for their monetary distribution. This was evidenced here in Connecticut and we are still dealing with the problems stemming from our governor’s orders done in the name of our safety. For all the appalling economic devastation, our survival rates have remained remarkably consistent. Pre-vaccine, for those under the age of 70, less than 1% died from contracting the virus. Totalitarianism is defined by Wikipedia as a form of government or political system that prohibits opposition parties, restricts individual opposition to the state and its claims, and exercises an extremely high degree of control over public and private life. It is regarded as the most extreme and complete form of authoritarianism. Communist China is a classic example. This definition is dangerously close to what we are living today. Opposition views from government-issued directives are met with swift cancel culture attacks. The drumbeat of repetitive messaging from the MSM and evening news programming is that “We’re all in this together.” But all of us are not suffering the same realities from the ramifications of our governor’s orders. If you work for the government, then you’re okay. Govern-

ment has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it takes care of itself and its own. If you work outside the comfortable walls of public service, such is not necessarily the case. What effect joblessness will have on society long-term is uncertain. Fortunately, unemployment coverage has been offered to tens of millions and extended in many cases; however, this situation cannot last forever.

The Hospital of Central Connecticut Auxiliary at New Britain General is sponsoring four scholarships in 2021, open to high school seniors in Berlin, Kensington, New Britain, Newington, Plainville and Southington. The following scholarships are available to students pursuing careers in the following fields:

and the defense will always have their own “experts” to give the correct version of testimony. Both are experts, but each giving conflicting testimony on the same topic. What is the truth? Who is right, or more aptly put, who do you believe?

Auxiliary Scholarship ($1,000): Healthcare field; Joan Barton Scholarship ($1,000): Mental health/social work; Kathleen Boudreau Scholarship ($1,000): Nursing field; Phyllis Visnauskas Memorial scholarship ($1,000): Interest in healthcare field and history of volunteerism. Applications are available in the guidance office at local high schools. Students can also visit https:// thocc.org/auxiliary for more information about each scholarship and to download an application form. Application deadline is April 1, 2021.

cancel culture. The only diversity that is not accepted is diversity of thought.

I offer two perfect examples of cancel culture and the forced silencing of debate, which the First Amendment is supposed to guarantee in this country. “Congress shall make no law … abridging The saying, “Follow the the freedom of speech, or of money,” usually aids in the press.” On our college sourcing the motive behind public opinions. It is not un- campuses, where civil detil you are affected by some- bate and open-mindedness thing, that it becomes imshould always prevail — to Melinda Gates is above all portant. Human nature is question is for learning and the suffering. She and her that one is disinclined to understanding. Conservative family have financial reconsider much about matadvocates Ben Shapiro and sources on the order of $70 ters that personally don’t af- Candace Owens have been billion by some estimates, fect them. Likewise, not until forced to cancel speaking compared to the average cit- you have “skin in the game” appearances by students will you take notice of some- and other organizations who izen who earns $47,216 per thing or take them seriously. threaten violence to those year. The toll of the lockBy now, most of us know downs and the impact on who oppose their thoughts. someone who has suffered the collective mental health Why should their conservawith COVID-19 and it is fact tive voices not be heard, if of our population will bethat many of those who first offered in a peaceful mancome evident in the future ner? Just because you may pandemic analysis. One walked around without a not agree with the line of thing is certain: The freedom mask and thought the virus thought or politics, in no we all once had is now gone, was a hoax, contracted it. way does it give another the in the name of safety. They now think differently. right to exclude them their Benjamin Franklin said, What is currently growing constitutional rights in the “Those who would give up are the extremes of wealth, exercising of their right to ofessential liberty to purchase of those who have in excess fer their opinions or to a little temporary safety deand those who don’t have as peaceably assemble. serve neither liberty nor much. Even as the middle class in this country contin- If you thought such affronts safety.” ues to shrink, socialism is weren’t happening to our While Franklin was address- becoming more tolerated most precious First Amending an issue of pending taxa- and taught in our schools. ment rights, specifically the tion, the current use of the Not only in our public right to be able to voice your quote is apropos. The comschools, but private instituown thoughts without repermon terminology of “listen tions as well. Instead of call- cussion or government supto the experts” and “trust the ing someone a socialist or pression, then today is the science” is part of the dilem- communist, they are openly day you should start to let ma of those who have been referred to as progressive, your voice be heard. It is taught to think and to ques- and that somehow is okay. even more dire that our govtion authority. Many of those The attempt of many leftist ernment is plotting with corpeople tend to be conserva- leaders today is to try and porate tech giants to silence, tive in nature. Regardless of stifle and preclude free rewrite our history through the issue, the prosecution

speech, monitor our every click and increase surveillance of our private lives. This is not a trend that bodes well for personal liberty, as outlined and guaranteed by our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. We hold these Truths to be self-evident. This is where this country is — half of the country does not think tearing up our founding documents is the correct course of action, nor the best road for the preservation of human freedom. If our new president is going to honestly unify our country as promised, then, according to The Associated Press, why in his first three days of office were 30 executive orders, presidential memorandums, and agency directives signed — all without the consent of Congress? Facts are facts and during his presidential campaign in October 2020, Biden himself said, “You can’t (legislate) by executive order unless you’re a dictator.” On Jan. 20 President Biden spoke often of the need for national unity. The president’s recent executive actions are more akin to divide-and-conquer. His actions are speaking (and dividing) louder than his words. Lou Arata has been a candidate for the CT 83rd House District and is vice chairman of the Meriden Republican Town Committee and the Meriden Public Utilities Commission.

The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

A13

In Brief Applications are now available from the MidState Chamber of Commerce for the Annual Sanford S. Shorr Education Awards and the Bruce H. Kannenberg & Jonal Laboratories, Inc. Education Award and the Frank A. & Charlotte G. Young Award. Applications are available at midstatechamber.com. The deadline to return completed applications is Friday, March 26. The Midstate Chamber of Commerce proudly serves, supports and promotes its member businesses in Berlin, Cheshire, Meriden, Southington, Wallingford, and other communities in Connecticut.

CHET update Connecticut State Treasurer and Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust, Shawn T. Wooden, has relaunched the state’s 529 college savings plan under new program manager, Fidelity

Investments. Existing CHET Direct Plan account owners should visit Fidelity.com/ CHETactivate to activate their accounts. The CHET Advisor Plan will be effective on Monday, March 22. New enhancements to the CHET plan include no minimum amount to open a CHET Direct 529 account, no annual account fees, and free planning and guidance for families. For more information, visit AboutChet.com.

Community chest Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin supports programs in the health and human services area and will consider requests for program grants, general operating support and seed grants for new programs. The next grant application deadline is Thursday, April 15. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Candice Tabone: 860-2296018 ext. 300, ctabone@

cfgnb.org. For more information, visit ccnbb.org.

Building permits Building Permit Applications can now be submitted online, and payments can be paid online. A release from the Building Department states: "Most applications can be completed this way with the ability to upload the proper documents and verifications needed. … However, you can still submit via the drop box and/or any postal or courier service (during COVID restrictions) and in the office once we are back to normal operations."

Utility scams

who believes they are a target of improper solicitation to immediately contact local law enforcement. Customers are also encouraged to contact the energy company at l-800-286-2000 if they receive a call, text or email or if someone shows up at your door to verify it’s Eversource.

Hall of Fame Entering the Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame this year will be Ryan DiPietro (Class of 2002, baseball), Katelyn Zarotney (Class of 2010, basketball and volleyball), Max DeLorenzo (Class of 2011, football and basketball) and Cliff Landry (football and basket-

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have increased their calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits to convince Eversource customers to make payments to avoid service disconnection. Eversource urges anyone

CASA of Northern Connecticut, based in East Berlin, formed in response to a 2016 law that enables courts to appoint trained volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children. Contact CASA of Northern Connecticut about volunteer opportunities at gbrochu@ CASAnorthCT.org. For more information, visit casanorthernconnecticut.org.

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Timberlin From A1

the course to obtain $25,000 worth of new equipment. The purchases brought the club’s fiscal year 2020 net income to just $69.40. In 2018, the Southington Road club had net income of over $21,000, but lost between $26,000 and $54,000 during 2016, 2017 and 2019. Kaczynski emphasized that town officials are looking to improve the operating costs of all town departments. “We are looking at all town assets. We have to look at everything to be fiscally responsible, it has to be done,” said Kaczynski. “I am not in favor of selling [Timberlin Golf Course] personally, but we have to explore every option, intelligently, with facts, all of us together.” Acting Director of Golf Jerry Salvio noted that since Timberlin was built with federal and state money, the town’s ability to sell might be restricted. Golf Commission Chairman Peter DeFazio said Berlin has a large senior tax-paying population, and many older residents are golfers. “Timberlin is enjoyed by many senior residents,” said DeFazio. “As a matter of fact, they make up the majority of play on Monday through Friday mornings. Timberlin was built as an amenity to the town and should be treated as such even to this day.” nkorytnikova@record-journal.com 203-317-2444 Twitter: @n_korytnikova

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

From A11

ture’s approach to what should and shouldn’t be left to collective bargaining. Unions and many Democrats object to setting public-sector pension benefits by law, not through bargaining, but they embrace using the legislative process to mandate benefits, such requiring time off for state employees who donate organs, Candelora said. “As laudable as that concept is, those are all matters of collective bargaining,” said Candelora, a business owner. “And you can’t have it both ways and tell Republicans that we can’t statutorily amend pension benefits, but then we can come in and legislate other benefits. To me, it is a direct contradiction.” One of the bills heard Feb. 18 was House Bill 5198, filed by a member of his caucus, Rep. David Yaccarino, RNorth Haven. The measure would set standards for when employers must reimburse employees for broadband, cell phones and other things necessary to work from home. While the concept resonates especially loudly during the pandemic, Yaccarino filed a similar bill years ago at the urging of a constituent, Frank Tropeano, who was assigned by his then-employer, a health insurer, to work from home.

Tropeano said his company was able to shed office space but shifted the burden for technology to its employees.

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Sen. Rob Sampson of Wolcott, the ranking Republican on the labor committee, told him he was opposed on principle to nearly any intrusion by government into the employer-employee relationship, which he called “a free agreement between two people.”

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Tropeano there is an imbalance in the relationship between employer and employee if the employer ceases to act in good faith. But Gjede of CBIA said businesses are ready to discuss what types of expenses should be reimbursable under state law.

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House Bill 6343, proposed by four Democrats, is intended to protect gig workers by tightening the definition of an independent contractor under state law.

■

A labor lawyer, Richard Hayber, said the bill should redefine a three-prong legal test of who is an employee, and entitled to benefits, as opposed to an independent contractor. One of the prongs is whether a worker provides service outside the employer’s place of business.

■

“But this loophole ignores the present realities of our workforce, a large portion of which work at home or on the road, such as Grubhub drivers,” Hayber said. “These workers clearly perform duties that go to the heart of the business.”

A15

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A16

The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

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As of March 1, anyone age 55 to 64 can get a COVID-19 vaccine. That group will be followed by people 45-54 on March 22; 35-44 years on April 12; and everyone else 34 years and younger on May 3. The only exception will be for pre-K-12 school staff, including teachers, and professional childcare providers.

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The Berlin Citizen | theberlincitizen.com

Thursday, March 4, 2021

A17

Library Update

reading inside the building.

Berlin-Peck Memorial Library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come for a quick (under an hour) visit, no appointment needed.

While children’s toys and games have been temporarily removed and adult seating areas remain unavailable, the library continues to provide numerous services, including personalized reading recommendations, children’s Study rooms are available by and teen book bundles and reservation. One-hour comGrab & Go kits, craft kits for puter appointments are in adults, homebound delivery, effect. Masks are required a puzzle exchange, downfor entry and building caloadable eBooks, eAudiopacity will be monitored. books, eMagazines, streaming videos and virtual proThere will be a chair set up for newspaper and magazine gramming.

Tax Filing Requirements Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Connecticut has issued the following: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10: Suspension of Reapplication Filing Requirement for the Additional Veterans Tax Relief Program The biennial filing requirements imposed by Sections 12-81g, 12-81f, 12-81ii, and 12-81jj of the Connecticut General Statutes for taxpayers who were granted tax relief benefits pursuant to those sections for the Grand List year 2019 and who are required to recertify for the Grand List year 2021, are suspended and such taxpayers shall automatically maintain their benefits for the next bienni-

Suspension of Reapplication Filing Requirement for the Homeowners’ – Elderly/Disabled Circuit Breaker and Freeze Tax Relief Programs The biennial filing requirements imposed by sections 12-170aa (e) and (f ), 12170v, 12-170w, 12-129b, 12129c and 12-129n of the Connecticut General Statutes, for taxpayers who were granted tax relief benefits for the Grand List year 2018 and who are required to recertify for the Grand List year 2020, are suspended and such taxpayers shall automatically maintain their benefits for the next biennial cycle ending in Grand List year 2022.

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al cycle ending in Grand List year 2023.

In order to continue delivery to your home or business, we need to have each resident or business let us know that, by filling out our on-line requester form at myrecordjournal. secondstreet.com/Berlin-Citizen-Requester. Or, you can call us at 203-634-3933 and we can mail you a postage paid postcard to fill out and return. Without the necessary requester information, delivery of your Berlin Citizen to your home or business, will end.