Berlincg2014

2 • BERLIN COMMUNITY GUIDE 2014 AUGUST 28, 2014

NewsroomNick Carroll, news editor

[email protected] • 203-317-2257Olivia Lawrence, assistant news editor

[email protected] Brown, sports

[email protected] • 203-317-2232Charles Kreutzkamp, reporter

[email protected] • 203-317-2448Marsha Pomponio, news clerk

[email protected]• 203-317-2256

Advertising & SalesAdvertising • [email protected]

Shawn E. PalmerSr. Vice President and Chief Revenue [email protected] • 203-317-2330

Kimberley BoathAdvertising Manager

[email protected] • 203-317-2448Annemarie GouletSales Consultant

[email protected] • 203-317-2303

PhotographyLee Roski, Community Guide featured photographer

The Berlin Citizen

WWW.MYRECORDJOURNAL.COM BERLIN COMMUNITY GUIDE 2014 • 3

ELECTED OFFICIALSTOWN COUNCILRachel J. Rochette, Mayor (D)61 Ellsworth Boulevard, Kensington(860) [email protected]

Peter A. Rosso (D)34 Briar Lane,Kensington(860) [email protected]

Brenden T. Luddy (R)68 Casner Drive, Berlin(860) [email protected]

Margaret K. Morelli (D)158 Somerset Drive, Berlin (860) 828-6658 [email protected]

We’ll be here when you need us most ...

You might not know us when you see us at the Berlin Fairgrounds. Or at the VFW.Or serving as a Volunteer Fireman. But, like you, we’re always there for ourneighbors, 24 hours a day. We’re your local, family-owned funeral home.

FUNERALSERVICE Inc.

5 Generations of Familyto Family Service

111 Chamberlain HighwayBerlin, CT 06037 • 860-223-0981

www.portersfuneral.com

From left: Ron Lindgren, Chris Porter, Dave Alkas, Paul Kristopik, Peg Porter, Paul Warren, Mark Frederick, John Dumin

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TOWN COUNCILDavid K. Evans (R)1233 Worthington Ridge, Berlin(860) 828-4555 [email protected] Charles R. Paonessa (R)1906 Chamberlain Highway, Berlin(860) [email protected]

William A. Rasmussen Jr. (I), Deputy Mayor139 Redwood Lane East, Berlin(860) [email protected]

BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALSMichael Anderson, Chairman (D)319 New Britain Rd. # 126, Kensington(860) 828-5444

Karen (Kari) Maier Drost (R)249 Southington Road, Kensington(860) [email protected]

Stuart Topliff (R)29 Ellwood Road, Berlin (860) 829-0478

Recording Secretary, Paula Poplawski

POLICE COMMISSIONJoseph T. Annunziata, Chairman (D)77 Harding Street, Kensington(860) 828-3732 (860) 930-1287 Paul N. Eshoo (R) 218 Brooke Meadow Road, Kensington(860) 828-3829

Robert J. Peters, Vice Chairman (R)388 Percival Avenue, Kensington(860) 828-4754 (860) 302-2980

Bradford J. Parsons (D) 26 Park View Road (860) 828-1660 (860) 841-2524

POLICE COMMISSIONRyan T. Zelek (D) 225 Vineyard Drive (860) 212-9348

BOARD OF EDUCATIONGary R. Brochu98 Thompson Road, Berlin(860) 828-1579

Kathryn Bryers246 Toll Gate Road, Berlin(860) 828-6916

Kristin M. Campanelli10 Main Street Unit 309, Kensington(860) 828-1521

Stefanie Carbone33 Langdon Court Unit DL3, Berlin(860) 706-7355

Jeffrey Cugno34 Chatham Road, Kensington(860) 832-8809

Cynthia Kobus21 Fairview Drive, Kensington(860) 829-8216

Irene Matulis830 Norton Road, Berlin(860) 828-5415

Timothy Oakes31 Belcher Hollow Road, Berlin(860) 516-1558

George Synnott112 Woods Edge Court, Berlin(860) 829-2844

REGISTRAR OF VOTERSDemocratic Registrar: Fred Jortner, (860) 828-7021.

Republican Registrar: Elizabeth Tedeschi, (860) 828-7020

ELECTED OFFICIALS


For more information, please visit our website atwww.town.berlin.ct.us

We Bring

Quality Care to You.For over 85 years the Berlin VNA has been providing comprehensive health care for the

Town of Berlin

Skilled Nursing, Home Health Aides/Homemakers, Physical, Speech &

Occupational Therapy, Medical Social Work & Dietitian Consultation

Professional Services Offered:

240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037

860.828.7030

State Licensed, Medicare/Medicaid Certified, JCAHO Accredited.

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TOWN DEPARTMENTS

CHIEF OF POLICE

FIRE RESCUE SERVICES

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

COMMUNITY

RECREATION

PARK SERVICES

SUPERINTENDENT OF RECREATION

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

DIRECTOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FINANCE DIRECTOR

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

TOWN ENGINEER

COLLECTOR OF REVENUE

SR. CENTER DIRECTOR

TOWN MANAGER

For a complete listing of town departments, visit town.berlin.ct.us


Paul Fitzgerald, CHIEF OF POLICEPolice Department240 Kensington Rd.(860) 828-7080

FIRE RESCUE SERVICESBerlin Town Hall240 Kensington Rd.Room 10(860) 828-7053

Jan Lund, ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERAnimal Control Shelter600 Christian Ln.(860) 828-7055

Jim Capodiece, COMMUNITY, RECREATION AND PARK SERVICES DIRECTORBerlin Community Center230 Kensington Rd.(860) 828-7010

Debbie Dennis, SUPERINTENDENT OF RECREATIONParks and Recreation Department230 Kensington Rd.(860) 828-7056

Hellyn R. Riggins, AICP, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICESBerlin Town Hall240 Kensington Rd.Room 7(860) 828-7066

James Mahoney, DIRECTOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTBerlin Town Hall240 Kensington Rd.(860) 828-7000

Jim Wren, FINANCE DIRECTOR240 Kensington Rd.Room 20(860) 828-7044

Arthur G. Simonian, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/TOWN ENGINEERBerlin Municipal Transfer Station/Recycling Center19 Town Farm Ln.(860) 828-7022

David Kluczwski, COLLECTOR OF REVENUEBerlin Town Hall240 Kensington Rd.Room 22(860) 828-7023

Tina Doyle, SR. CENTER DIRECTORBerlin Senior Center33 Colonial Dr.(860) 828-7006

Denise McNair, TOWN MANAGERBerlin Town Hall240 Kensington Rd.Room 1240 Kensington Rd.(860) 828-7003

NUMBERS TO KNOW

- A WelcomingCommunity

that CelebratesChrist throughWorship, Faith,Fellowship and

Service. -

Sunday Services 10:00 AM

Sunday School, Youth Group,Bible Studies, Family Activities and Tot Time

For further information call 869-828-6586

www.berlincongregationalchurch.orgEmail: [email protected]

878 Worthington Ridge, Berlin, CT860-828-6586

Rev. Mark Pilletere, Minister

BerlinCongregationalChurch



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Email: [email protected]


HOUSES OF WORSHIP

BERLIN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHBETHANY COVENANT CHURCHBERLIN CONGREGATIONAL JEHOVAH’S WITNESSESCHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCHCROSSROADS CHURCH OF GODKENSINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHKENSINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCHPRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCHSACRED HEART CHURCHSAINT GABRIEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHST. PAUL CHURCHUNITED METHODIST CHURCHWELLSPRING CHURCH


HOUSES OF WORSHIPBerlin Congregational Church, 878 Worthington Ridge. (860) 828-6586.

Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St. (860) 828-3637.

Berlin Congregational Jehovah’s Witnesses, 234 Farmington Ave. (860) 832-8700.

Christian Life Church, 496 Kensington Rd. (860) 828-5105.

Crossroads Church of God, 146 Hudson St. (860) 828-3822.

Kensington Congregational Church, 312 Percival Ave. (860) 828-4511.

Kensington United Methodist Church, 103 Hotchkiss St. (860) 828-4222.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1103 Chamberlain Highway. (860) 828-5079.

Sacred Heart Church, 48 Cottage St. (860) 828-0519.

Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 68 Main St. (860) 828-3735.

St. Paul Church, 484 Alling St. (860) 828-0331.

United Methodist Church, 139 Main St. (860) 828-9254.

Wellspring Church, 222 Lincoln St. (860) 225-0661.

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Connecticut Tire, Inc.FamilyOwned &Operatedfor Over45 Years.

The Berlin Service Center, located at 96 Webster Sq. Rd., Berlin

The New Britain warehouse on Veterans Drive.

Connecticut Tire, Inc. opened their original locationin 1967 on Veterans Drive in New Britain, CT.

Since then Connecticut Tire has grown to become one of central Connecticut’s largest tiredealers. With 50,000 tires in stock covering most major brands, Connecticut Tire can handleany of you tire needs. Still family owned and operated for 45 years Connecticut Tire hasbecome a landmark for quality service and a knowledgeable staff with service second tonone. They are centrally located with a service center in Berlin as well as their wholesaledistribution center in New Britain. 15 trucks provide daily delivery service through out theentire state, selling to garages, car dealers, and other tire stores.

The Berlin Service Center has state of the art equipment to properly install tires oneverything from a wheelbarrow to a pay-loader. They also offer 4 wheel computerizedalignments, brakes, and under car services. Henry Choinski, the shop foreman, is consideredby many to be the best front end man in the area, with 31 years of experience. Many areadealers and garages bring him the cars they can’t handle. CT Tire is well known for the workthey do on custom and specialty cars and trucks. Don Deroiser, the Store Manager, grew upin Berlin and has been with the company over 20 years. He is experienced in all aspects ofthe tire business and you will find his expertise very helpful when trying to find the right tireor wheel for your application. Connecticut Tire Inc. has a commercial division with 2 fullyequipped service trucks to perform road service and off-site tire work.

Greg Schaller is proud to have lived in the town of Berlin for the last 30 years, raising 3children here. He now has 2 sons that work for the company, adding a third generation to thefamily business. Greg says “Our goal at Connecticut Tire is to provide the best possibleservice to our customers at very competitive prices!” If you are in need of tires, CT Tire isthe place to go! For more information visit their website at cttire.com.

Support your local businesses! Consumer dollars spent inthe local community stay in the community, keepingBerlin strong & poised for growth in the years ahead.

~ Alignment and Brake Specialists ~

Connecticut Tire, Inc.Locally Owned & Operated for over 40 years.

96 Webster Sq. Rd., Berlin • 860-828-3680

BEST OF...

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Since then, Connecticut Tire has grown to become one of central Connecticut’s largest tire dealers. With 50,000 tires in stock covering most major brands, Connecticut Tire can handle any of your tire needs. Family owned and operated for 47 years, Connecticut Tire is a landmark for quality service and a knowledgeable staff with service second to none. Centrally located with a service center in Berlin as well as their wholesale distribution center in New Britain, 15 trucks provide daily delivery service throughout the entire state, selling to garages, car dealers, and other tire stores. The Berlin Service Center has state of the art equipment to properly install tires on everything from a wheelbarrow to a pay-loader, and offer 4 wheel computerized alignments, brakes, and under car services. Henry Choinski, the shop foreman, is considered by many to be the best front end man in the area, with 33 years of experience. Many area dealers and garages bring him the cars they can’t handle. CT Tire is well known for the work they do on custom and specialty cars and trucks. Don Deroiser, the Store Manager, grew up in Berlin and has been with the company 26 years. He is experienced in all aspects of the tire business and you will find his expertise very helpful when trying to find the right tire or wheel for your application. Connecticut Tire Inc. is proud to have won the Best of Berlin 3 years in row, along with being voted “Best Place to Buy Tires” by the New Britain Herald readers’ poll 2014. Greg Schaller is proud to have lived in the town of Berlin for the last 30 years, raising three children here. He has 2 sons that work for the company, adding a third generation to the family business. Greg says “Our goal at Connecticut Tire is to provide the best possible service to our customers at very competitive prices!” If you are in need of tires, CT Tire is the place to go! For more information visit their website at cttire.com.

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LOCAL EVENTS


Despite not having record-breaking atten-dance at the fairgrounds due to rain Sunday, 2013 Berlin Fair President Andy Blasco said the 65th annual Berlin Fair was “absolutely fabulous,” with thousands in attendance each day.

“People really came out and supported --the Berlin Lions and the community --on open-ing day. It was packed here. One of the main events on opening day was the fireworks, and people I talked to said they really enjoyed it,” Blasco said, adding that the rain held offover the fairgrounds Friday.

“Although we didn’t have record crowds on Sunday, we always look at the positive; it was a great day for our frog jumping competition,” he added.

And children still lined up for rides and games, Blasco said. The “rain didn’t seem to bother them much.”

Business was brisk at the food booths. Com-mander John Hackett, of the American Le-gion, said “sales were fantastic” the first two days of the fair .

“Customers seemed to enjoy themselves re-gardless of rain or shine,” Hackett said. “Sun-

day was slow in the beginning, but it began to speed up by the afternoon, especially in the sales of our clam chowder on a wet and cold day.”

Hundreds of fairgoers were lined up in front of the north gate by 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, waiting to enjoy food, games, rides, enter-tainment, animals, and more.

“I think the Berlin Lions and all of our church groups and nonprofit civic organiza-tions did a great job putting on a phenomenal fair this year,” Blasco said.

– Monica Szakacz

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LOCAL EVENTS


An annual wine and beer tasting fund-raiser hosted by the Berlin Athletics Booster Club and sponsored by Berlin Spirits has become a much-anticipated event for residents.

“It’s an annual event that we’ve been put-ting on for several years now to raise money for the kids at Berlin High School,” said Don Dellaquila, a Booster parent.

While the Booster Club holds many fund-raisers, several years back, it wanted to find a new way to raise money for the Redcoats.

The idea for the tasting was hatched.“We still hold our annual car wash, and

other events, but this gave us an opportunity to make more money than those events,” said Dellaquila, speaking of the tasting.

The 2013 event featured close to 25 vendors. Attendees walk around and sample any kind of wine or beer they feel compelled to try.

“They walk in and are handed their glass and you’re allowed to try any wine or beer. We have a deejay set up for entertainment, as well as raffle prizes,” said Dellaquila, who pointed out the event draws a crowd of some 400.

“Most of the people who attend are from town, so it’s a great social event.”

Over the past several years, the Booster Club has been able to assist Redcoat athletics by raising -- more than or close to -- $5,000 each year.

“We’ve spent over $18,000 for the stu-dent-athletes at Berlin High School,” Del-laquila said. “We’ve bought new championship banners…we’ve remodeled trophy showcases in the school.”

Also, the Booster Club has built a shed for the softball team, and sponsored a new score-board for the baseball team, among other things.

“Everything goes back to the student-ath-letes,” said Dellaquila.

– Nate Brown

ANNUAL WINE & BEER TASTINGDRAWS A CROWD

The New Britain Transportation Company

--- NBT ---Providing Charter & School Bus Transportation Service Since 1920.

“Still family owned and operated to provide the personal touch!”

School Bus TransportationBerlin – Rocky Hill – Southington – Meriden

Charter Bus Service(860) 828-0511 x215

School Field Trips, Private Groups, Summer School Programs& Youth Camp Summer Programs

http://www.nbt.bz

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LOCAL EVENTS


UpBeat is a local volunteer organization of high school students that, among other proj-ects, puts on a picnic every year that draws hundreds of visitors.

This year, the annual UpBeat Picnic had an “outstanding turnout, with weather like we haven’t had in three years,” according to UpBeat Coordinator Alice Mitchell. UpBeat members like Brandon Armetta, Calvin John-son, and Lisa Greico dressed up in costumes that included ketchup and mustard bottles, a hot dog, and Spongebob Squarepants to solicit UpBeat donations.

“The picnic is a great event that brings the whole town together,” Mitchell said. “We’re grateful to the Lions Club for hosting us again this year.”

In addition to bouncy castles and pony rides, kids at the picnic were able to enjoy a duck race event, where, for a small entry fee, children purchased a rubber duck to compete to be the first to cross the finish line in a wa-ter track.

All four Berlin fire houses donated a unique item to the raffle again this year: a ride to school in a genuine Berlin fire truck. UpBeat

peer leaders donated several counts of three hours of yard work to the raffle.

Tom Devivo from the Lions Club said that the hayride, new this year, was very popular. Being relocated to the fairgrounds has given us a chance to expand the sort of things that can happen at the picnic, Mitchell said. Ac-cording to Devivo, this is the third year the picnic has been held at the fairgrounds. “My kids went through UpBeat and it’s a great or-ganization,” Devivo said. “It’s a great partner-ship between the Lions Club and UpBeat.”

– Charles Kreutzkamp

UPBEAT PICNIC BRINGS TOWN TOGETHER

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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS


Transit-oriented development has been a watchword in the Berlin community for the past several years as the town prepares for the upcoming commuter rail service on the New Haven Hartford Springfield line, which will al-low easy access not only to Hartford and New Haven, but from there on to New York City. According to the Department of Transporta-tion, the plan is to eventually have service to Boston as well.

The Economic Development Commission has proposed a new set of zoning rules that will allow the creation of “village” zones to al-low for a bustling town center. These changes include the establishment of mixed zones with shared parking. This would allow, for ex-ample, a restaurant with offices on the second floor or a retail shop with apartments above.

“We want to bring the town center up to the quality of the general community,” Berlin Eco-nomic Development Director Jim Mahoney said during a Planning and Zoning meeting July 24, 2014. Mahoney said that the plan will take advantage of the planned commuter rail, “a huge investment [from the State] in Berlin,” Mahoney said.

--Charles Kreutzkamp

TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT DRIVING CREATION OF A “VILLAGE CENTER”

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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS


Development of the Kensington center has already begun with Depot Crossing, which will be Berlin’s first new mixed use, tran-sit-oriented project.

In Febuary 2014, Mayor Rachel Rochette an-nounced that non-profit housing developer, the Corporation for Independent Living, has purchased the Depot Crossing property at 848 Farmington Ave., across from the Berlin train station.

CIL’s plan for the building includes com-mercial space on the first floor with 16 apart-ments above, four designated as affordable to households at 60 percent of the median

income.“The Depot Crossing project has all the ele-

ments that make for successful developments and strengthens communities,” CHFA Pres-ident and Executive Director Eric Chatman said. “Creating affordable rental housing near transit lines reduces renters’ transportation costs. Businesses benefit from having poten-tial customers living above them, as well as foot traffic generated from the trains.”

Depot Crossing, a 23,900 square foot build-ing, was started in 2008 but went into foreclo-sure after the original developer was not able to complete the project.

-- Charles Kreutzkamp

DEPOT CROSSING: THE FIRST MIXED-USE TRANSIT-ORIENTED PROJECT

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SPORTS


You’d be hard-pressed to find a town around the state with more passion and commitment to its sports programs than Berlin; both key factors that have led local athletes to success at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels.

Yet it’s the dedication to giving back and helping others that truly places Berlin athlet-ics on another level.

Whether raising funds, paying homage, or

reaching out to a younger generation, Ber-lin athletes at the high school and collegiate level have gone above and beyond to better the lives of those around them.

The Redcoats’ nine state titles and 19 total CIAC championship appearances over the last 10 years haven’t been too shabby either.

-- Nate Brown

A TRUE ‘SPORTS TOWN’


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