Thursday, October 24, 2019
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 35
Long-stalled senior housing RACE FOR MAYOR plan may be back on track Meaningful change By Mayor Mark Kaczynski
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
As the mayor of Berlin, I consider it an honor to have volunteered my time and efforts to my hometown during the last four years. I believe the Republican majority and I have brought meaningful changes and progress to the citizens of Berlin during this time.
A long-stalled plan to demolish the former Knights of Columbus building and replace it with senior housing appears to be back on track with a new financing strategy. Joseph Bajorski, chairperson of the Housing Authority Commission, said the $15 million project is short approximately $2-to-$4 million. He hopes to close that gap with a state grant and bonded town money. "In discussions with (Mayor Mark Kaczynski) and discussions with the consultants, basically they came up with a concept where one million
The Berlin Housing Authority is hoping for funding to demolish the former Knights of Columbus building at 143 Percival Ave. and replace it with senior housing. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
would be financed through a Community Development Block Grant ... and the balance, lets say
two million … the town would finance and bond,” Bajorski said. See Housing, A18
Condominiums proposed next to Ragged Mountain preserve By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
A conceptual plan calling for 75 condominiums next to the Ragged Mountain trailhead was recently presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Envisioned as a condominium community linked to Shuttle Meadow Country Club, the plan would use about 24 of the 140 acres of unused land the course owns to its south to create 44 buildings — 28 detached units and 16 triplexes. Since the presentation was a conceptual plan, no votes were
Since I took office as mayor, my commitment has been to minimize tax increases while not compromising town or education services. The challenge that I encountered since Day 1 was the large debt of approximately $100 million and a pension fund that was grossly underfunded in the approximate amount of $8 million. This
taken and commissioners refrained from indicating support or objections. Donald Klepaik, a longtime country club member selected to develop
the property, feels the project would have a minimal impact on the hiking trails along Ragged Mountain. None of the See Condos, A18
The total debt payment this past budget year was around 10 percent of our total budget, which means we had to make a $9 million payment from your tax dollars. If half of the debt payment was available there would have been no tax increase this year and we could have provided additional funding for many town and school programs. Kaczynski
See Kaczynski, A11
A better Berlin for all By Karen Pagliaro
Thirty-nine years ago upon graduating nursing school I pledged to provide the best care possible to my patients. Four years later I became a visiting nurse. As a young nurse I soon realized that the realities of life can be difficult for those facing injury or illness.
A view of Ragged Mountain.
was the cumulative effect from the previous 10 years of a Democratcontrolled council.
It took courage to knock on a patient’s door, not knowing what you would find once you entered the home. The one thing that kept me moving forward was the fact that I care about people and want them to experience the best possible life that they can.
Two years ago I ran for Town Council because I believed we could do better for our citizens. Today I am Pagliaro running for mayor because our town needs leadership that will make positive change. We need a public servant who will work for our citizens and not for a political party. The upgrade to our rail system which began in 2014 has led to what could be a renaissance of growth in town. Not since the 60s-70s See Pagliaro, A8