Meriden man charged with drag racing on Rt. 9 in Berlin

By Nicole Zappone The Citizen

A Meriden man faces charges after authorities say he was seen drag racing in a stolen car in Berlin. The arrest occurred amid law enforcement efforts to crack down on “street takeovers,” which police say often involve illegal racing, but have also led to numerous other crimes.

After extensive intelligencegathering efforts, state police say that on Sunday, June 4, at around 11:30 p.m., a white Honda Civic with no license plate was seen racing on Route 9 in Berlin with an apparent “drag chute” attached to the rear of the vehicle.

Troopers later observed the Honda Civic being loaded onto a flatbed trailer pulled by a Ford F-350 pickup truck, and a traffic stop was initiated.

State police said the Honda Civic was stolen out of Danbury, and the trailer plate was misused. The operator of the Ford was allegedly transporting the Honda to another racing location.

Flor Hiram Santiago, 43, of Meriden, was charged with racing, reckless driving, reckless endangerment in the second degree, larceny in the first degree, failure to renew registration, misuse of plates, theft of plates, operating without insurance, operating under suspension, and improper parking. nzappone@record-journal.com

Santiago was held on a $500,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court. He was also wanted by East Haven police on a first-degree larceny charge.

Municipal notices

All town departments will be closed Monday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The normal trash/recycling schedule will apply.

Juneteenth

The Berlin Equity Action Team’s Juneteenth celebration will be held Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Berlin-Peck Memorial Library. For more information, visit berlinpeck.org.

Comedy Night

The Berlin Lions Club will hold a Comedy Night fundraiser for Berlin veterans Saturday, June 24, 6 p.m., at the fairgrounds. This is a 21-and-over event. BYOB and food. Tickets are $35. Contact Steve Kulinski at sakulinski@gmail.com.

Rabies clinic

A rabies clinic will be held Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Berlin Animal Control, 600 Christian Lane. There is a $15 charge; cash only. Distemper/Parvo vaccine also available.

Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Pet food and supplies will be collected for the F.O.B.A.C. Pet Food Pantry. For more information, call 860-828-7055.

Vacation Bible School

Wellspring Church, 222 Lincoln St., Kensington, will host a Vacation Bible School July 17 to 20, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Vacation Bible School is open to children age 4 to 12. Registration ends Sunday, June 18. Visit wellspring.net.

Letters to the Editor

Renters rebate

State law provides a reimbursement program for Connecticut renters who are elderly or totally disabled, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits.

Persons renting an apartment or room or living in cooperative housing, or a mobile home may be eligible for this program. Applications are accepted through Oct. 1. Visit portal.ct.gov/ OPM.

Leash ordinance

In December of 2021, the Town of Berlin passed a new leash ordinance that requires dogs to be always on leashes on public property.

This includes all town parks and public sidewalks. Beginning May 1, Animal Control Officers were set to begin issuing Written Infractions. The fine for violation of this ordinance is $100. For more information regarding the leash ordinance, refer to the municipal website.

Lineworkers

Eversource is partnering with Housatonic Community College and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Unions 420 and 457 to prepare the next generation of electrical lineworkers in Connecticut.

The Lineworker Certificate Program provides students valuable training in the electric utility industry and the opportunity to progress into Eversource’s paid apprenticeship program.

For details, visit Eversource.com.

Boxes to Boots

Berlin-based nonprofit Boxes to Boots, 28 Chamberlain Highway, sends care packages to members of the U.S. military serving overseas. To learn more about the organization and its needs, visit boxestoboots.org.

Textile recycling

Berlin has partnered with AFAB Recycling LLC, a Connecticut-based textile recycling company. Residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted clothing and shoes at the Transfer Station, 19 Town Farm Lane, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Volunteer award

The Robert B. Dornfried Sr. Lifetime Volunteerism Award is bestowed upon a resident “who is dedicated to a lifetime of community volunteerism, civic duty and extraordinary service.” Visit berlinvolunteerfund.com.

Grants available

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain approved its first round of grants for 2023, awarding more than $436,000 to a wide variety of programs serving Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The second round of grant applications will be accepted this summer. Visit cfgnb.org for details.

Community alerts

Sign up to receive emergency alerts and community notifications on berlinct.gov. Options are: Emergency Alerts (weather related closings, fire, flood, etc.); Town Updates (town-wide nonemergency communications, announcements, elections, referendums, etc.); Public Works (road and bridge construction, trash, utilities, water, sewer, etc.); Community Related (Community Center, Senior Center, Parks & Recreation, Social Services).

Legion Post 68

American Legion Post 68 has been serving Berlin veterans since 1947.

Post 68 is looking for active military members, veterans, and family and friends of veterans to become involved. Pick up an application at the Post home, 154 Porters Pass.

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. com/berlin-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.

For more information, email Post Commander Vin Trigila at v_trig@yahoo.com or send a message to Post 68 via Facebook.