Volume 19, Number 22
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Former resident restoring historic tavern building By Lorraine Stub
When Richard Rice is back in his hometown working on 944 Worthington Ridge, his concentration is often interrupted by passersby who roll down their windows to call out “thanks” for saving the historic Loveland Tavern building. The Historic District Commission recently gave thanks to Rice with a framed certificate of appreciation. The
award is given periodically to recognize care, craftsmanship, and respect for period detail and aesthetics demonstrated in a renovation project.
fell victim to the housing collapse and recession. Left unoccupied, rain water trickled through a hole in the roof, and the dirt basement became thick with mold.
While growing up on Worthington Ridge delivering newspapers, Rice appreciated the surrounding history, but never imagined he would be buying former mayor Warren Kingsbury’s old home. After the Kingsburys sold the home, it soon
Through foreclosure, the house came on the market again. Buyers looking for a bargain were deterred by the scope of work needed, but Rice could see the potential. He hired an inspector See Historic, A6
944 Worthington Ridge present day. The building’s owner, Richard Rice, is pictured.
Police station eyed in Berlin By Bryan Lipiner Record-Journal staff
The champs. Front row: Jon D’Amore, James Ellis, Kasey Oullette, Jamie Palmese, Garrett Fallon, Sam D’Addabbo, Max Wojtusik, Berlin Little League President Bill Petit. Back row: Coach Marc D’Amore, Kyle Hyde, Sal Dastoli, David Manafort, Coach Chris Hyde, Tyler Rice, Nick Spinelli, Manager Kevin Oullette.
District champs, once again The Berlin Little League 11-12 All-Star baseball team defended its District 5 title, edging Farmington 9-8 in a thrilling game at Kogut Field in Meriden. Trailing 8-2, the Berlin squad used rallies in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the contest at 8. In the bottom of the sixth, with runners
at first and third, Alex Canzellarini hit a deep single to right center field to plate Nick Spinali for the walk-off win. A strong pitching performance from Berlin starter James Ellis, and relievers Tyler Rice and Sal Dastoli, kept the Farmington bats in check.
building.
“We end up with a smaller building, there’s no doubt Local residents and town about that, that’s some of the officials expressed support last week for a proposed new cost,” said Tom Reid, chairpolice station that would cost man of the Public Building Commission. “We went about $5 million less than a through every square foot of project presented in 2014. the building, and we itemThe two-story building would ized all of the costs. We came be located on the site of the up with what we think is a former Kensington Furniture much better projection for store at 913 Farmington Ave. costs” The project would cost about $16 million. The Town Coun- The proposed station is still in the design phase. If the cil held a public hearing Tuesday night, July 19, on the Town Council approved project, which would be paid the $16 million in bonding during a special meeting on for through bonding. Tuesday, the public would The proposal for a new police have the opportunity to vote station is the second in three on the project in a November years for the town. In 2014, a referendum. proposal to construct a $21 million station reached a ref- If approved, construction erendum, but was ultimately could start by March 2017 rejected by about 62 percent and be completed about a of voters. The proposal under year later. consideration is less expensive, resulting in a smaller
See Police, A4