Volume 19, Number 18
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Beautification project draws complaints By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
The Main Street beautification project in Kensington is causing quite a few headaches for residents and businesses alike during the construction process. According to Economic Development Director Chris Edge, the street will be completed in mid-July. “It will give the area a dif-
ferent feel,” Edge said of the beautification project. But town officials have received several complaints from residents concerning travel restrictions on the street due to construction. “The progress is terrific, unfortunately not great when we’re in the middle of it,” Edge said. The Police Commission discussed the ongoing construction and resulting complaints at a recent meeting with Town Manager
Denise McNair. Commission members said the only part of the project plans they approved was a request for oneway traffic flow. The project entails decorative curbing, trees, lighting, and other updates. McNair gave a history of the project, explaining that it went to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review but never came back to the Police Commission. “We’re all hearing from different citizens asking See Beautification, A28
Main Street construction is causing problems across Berlin. The Police Commission says it never approved all the changes. | Ashley Kus, The Berlin Citizen
Timberlin brings out the ‘Goosinator’ Town prepares to cover shortfall By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
Some pesky residents of Timberlin Golf Club are nowhere to be found this summer thanks to a motorized goose chaser. “We used to have hundreds of geese, now none,” said Marc Bayram, head golf professional at Timberlin.
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
The town is hoping to offset the current budget shortfall, in addition to any additional reductions, with a bond premium.
The remote-controlled orange “Goosinator,” which resembles a beast, is designed to scare geese away from water and land. The course has been plagued by geese droppings. They also eat the course grass. Many methods were tried previously, including a fake wolf.
The premium of $1 million was received from a bond sale last month. This comes after a shortfall of more than $400,000 from the state with impacts in the Municipal Revenue Sharing grant and the School Transportation grants.
“They don’t like the color, they don’t like the sound,” said Peter DeFazio, president of the men’s club at Timberlin. “Eventually you’ll hear them yapping and then when
Financial Director Jim Wren explained the next steps Peter DeFazio prepares to launch the Goosinator at Timberlin Golf Club in Berlin.
See Goosinator, A2
| Ashley Kus, The Berlin Citizen
See Shortfall, A28