2018-09-20 Public ForumTOWN OF BERLIN
OPEN FORUM
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Berlin High School
7:00 P.M.
Town Manager Jack Healy convened the meeting at 7:05 p.m., thanking those in
attendance. He stated that the purpose of the forum was to start a conversation with
residents about the possibility of a new Community / Senior Center. Attendees were
welcome to share ideas, thoughts and opinions in this meeting, but Town staff and
officials would not be taking questions or making any decisions at that time. Mr. Healy
also stated that residents are welcome to send comments to his office or the Town Clerk.
Public comments and opinions will be shared with Town Council at its next meting.
Mayor Kaczynski stated that Berlin has been offered a State grant (secured by Speaker
Joe Aresimowicz) to study the feasibility / possibility of a new facility. The Mayor feels
that most people agree that Berlin needs some type of facility containing an indoor gym
and pool. He stated that there are many other worthy projects that have been waiting for
funding (including the police station), but this meeting and subject were important
regardless of those other projects. Mayor Kaczynski stated that this is the beginning of
the process, and no property has been identified, no plans yet made. Over time, a
committee will be formed to examine possibilities and he welcomes all feedback.
Jeff Mauri, 139 Patterson Way — Mr. Mauri is the Athletic Director at Berlin High School
and spoke in support of a Community Center with an indoor pool. He stated that the
boys' and girls' swim teams' practices and home meets take place in other towns. A
Community Center with a pool could benefit Berlin's student swimmers and also save
money — the students have to be transported to and from other towns several times each
week. An indoor pool could also generate revenue, and it could be rented for different
swim and diving meets. There is also the benefit for the community at large — including
aquatic therapy and senior swimming.
Andrea Gallo, 1461 Kensington Road — Ms. Gallo is a former Berlin diver and the swim
team coach and spoke in support of a Community Center with an indoor pool. She stated
that having a "home pool" would have been a dream come true for her and her high
school teammates. Having an indoor pool in Berlin would save time and transportation
costs, strengthen the swimmers' programs and allow fellow students and parents to show
their support for the swimmers. Ms. Gallo also stated that the pool could also offer youth
and senior programs, and she knows many lifeguards in Berlin that would love to work
during the winter.
Tim Thurston, 100 Saw Mill Drive — Mr. Thurston spoke in support of a Community
Center with an indoor pool. He was a swimmer for years, raised his children in Berlin,
and was involved in sports and the community. Mr. Thurston stated a pool and gym
benefit people of all ages, and noted that the current Community Center location was
supposed to be a temporary fix. He stated a new facility should have meeting rooms, a
pool, and be easily accessible to seniors, families and students after school. Many people
have taken time to be on committees over the years, but the project has never moved
forward. Mr. Thurston asked that the Town agree to gather the information, put it to the
people for a vote and act based on the vote's outcome.
Barb Gombotz, 24 Sterling Drive — Ms. Gombotz spoke in support of a Community /
Senior Center. She stated that this project has been discussed for years, but no action has
been taken due to lack of funding. The current Senior Center was last renovated in 1985
and due to a growing senior population, it has many issues including inadequate and
unsafe parking. She stated that the grant will make it possible to move forward with the
planning and design phase, and the new facility should be planned to meet the needs of
the growing senior population, youth and community for the next 30 years to come. A
new Community / Senior Center would also allow the Library to expand into its lower
level. As a non -swimmer, she didn't have a real connection to the pool, but after hearing
the previous speakers she feels it's a needed addition to the plan. Ms. Gombotz added
that the purpose of the grant is to go forward to find a location, study what is needed for
the design and get a cost to construct.
Rachel Rochette, 61 Ellsworth Boulevard — Ms. Rochette spoke in support of a
Community / Senior Center. She stressed the importance of health and well-being in a
community, and the importance of having young people and seniors interacting in the
same place. She thanked Speaker Aresimowicz for his years of work and urged Berlin to
start planning today with the money provided by the State. Ms. Rochette also thanked
the current Parks & Recreation and Senior Center staff for their hard work, observing that
they could offer even more to the community with a bigger and better facility.
McKenna Evans, 1233 Worthington Ridge — Ms. Evans is a senior at Berlin High School,
a member of the swim and dive teams and spoke in support of a Community Center with
an indoor pool. She feels it's vital that Berlin's athletes not rely on other communities
for a facility and an indoor pool could foster greater success for swimmers and divers.
Ms. Evans also stated that as a lifeguard at Percival, she helps kids learn to swim but
knows kids lose out on the peer interaction and skill development over the winter. She
feels an indoor pool would create a stronger community.
Nadia Humen, 35 Rockledge Court — Ms. Humen is a member of the Berlin swim team
and spoke in support of a Community Center with an indoor pool. She stated that her
team often has to cut practices short because of demands on the "host" pools, a lot of kids
miss practice because they can't get to the out of town locations and a lot of fellow
students miss out on watching the meets for the same reason. Ms. Humen feels an indoor
pool would be helpful to the community as a whole.
Dan Thurston, 16 Conlin Way — Mr. Thurston is a Berlin resident, alumnus and coach at
Berlin High School who spoke in favor of a Community / Senior Center with an indoor
pool. He believes in creating pride between different generations in Berlin, which
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already has many good things going for it. A new facility would not only benefit
residents, but would also bring other people into Berlin, displaying local businesses and
what Berlin has to offer. Mr. Thurston recognized that the recent investment in the tennis
courts has been well received, and there are many people that come to Berlin to use that
facility. He supports putting money into the Town to create something residents are
proud of
Gary Brochu, 98 Thompson Road — Mr. Brochu feels that it is important to invest in
social infrastructure and open gathering space for the community. He stated that other
than the Library or the annual Berlin Fair, the town doesn't have a lot of places that allow
interaction of different generations. The fair allows for open space for meeting and
interacting with people we don't usually see. Mr. Brochu. urged Berlin to care for our
seniors and athletes along with other members of our community by investing in open
space and in each other.
Domia Bovcc, 85 Steepleview Drive — Ms. Bovec is Co -Chair of the Parks & Recreation
Commission and spoke in support of a Community / Senior Center. She stated that the
combined center could efficiently serve multiple populations -- all ages could use the
facility year-round and experience positive community interaction in a safe place. Ms.
Bovee stated that the current Community Center location is on loan from Library and the
current Senior Center is owned by the Housing Authority. She urged Berlin to accept the
$750K State grant to identify a location and ensure proper design of the facility, and
stated that long-term planning for the use and financial impact is vital.
Roger Moss -- Mr. Moss is a Parks & Recreation professional and spoke in support of a
Community / Senior Center with an indoor pool. Mr. Moss stated that a Community
Center brings people together and an indoor pool would be a great asset that could
generate income. He cautioned that the longer we wait, the more it will cost taxpayers
and worries that the S750K will be wasted if Berlin does not act now. Mr. Moss also,
stated that he feels the property should be community based and open to all citizens, not
membership/profit driven as with a YMCA.
Steve Anderson, 253 Circlewood Drive — Mr. Anderson spoke in support of a
Community / Senior Center and thanked Speaker Aresimowicz for his help in securing
the grant funding. He feels the current Senior Center is shabby and hasn't kept tip to the
needs of the citizens, and the Community Center is better suited as basement space for
the Library. Mr. Anderson stated that neighboring towns have first-class facilities that
are constantly in use and other than the High School, Berlin hasn't made a substantial
investment in a public building in many years. He continued to say that he hopes this
project moves forward.
Sam Lomaglio, 78 Hickory Hill Road — Mr. Lomaglio is the Chairman of the Board of
Finance and spoke in support of using the grant to perform Community / Senior Center
research. He stated that both Town Council and Board of Finance have voted to apply
for the grant, the Statements of Need are written and once the grant is written, the Public
Building Commission should hire a consultant to obtain a price to complete. Mr.
Lomaglio stated that Speaker Aresimowicz has helped Berlin receive about $25M of
funding so far, and he hopes the total will grow with more funding towards the
construction of the Community / Senior Center. Mr. Lomaglio added that Berlin needs to
be pro-business and attract commercial tax income, it can't just rely on the residents.
Fred Morley, Jr., 27 Grove Street — Mr. Morley spoke in support of a Community
Senior Center. He asked the public to come together and expose everybody to the
diversity and invest in community and togetherness. He also thanked Speaker
Aresimowicz for his efforts.
Don Dellaquila, 4 Grapevine Lane — Mr. Dellaquila is Co -Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Commission and spoke in support of a Community / Senior Center. He
clarified that applying for the grant was approved at the last Town Council meeting, and
this forum was to get input from taxpayers and discuss going forward. He feels the
center is a great idea for the town and its taxpayers. It would offer many things to
residents, and help expand Berlin's tax base.
Tina Doyle, 103 Fairview Drive — Ms. Doyle is a lifelong Berlin resident and spoke in
favor of a Community / Senior Center. She remembers a Community Center from years
past that had a gymnasium, a driving range, preschool classes and senior gatherings. She
feels it's a great idea for the community.
Tomasz Wisniewski, 86 Great Oak Drive - Mr. Thomas is a long-time resident and spoke
in favor of a Community Center with an indoor pool. He feels a pool would benefit all
residents, and learning to swim at a young age is important.
Kathy O'Donnell -Moss, 80 Brandegee Lane — Ms. O'Donnell -Moss spoke against the
possibility of a YMCA partnership. She stated that at one time, Ridgefield had a
partnership with the YMCA and that one day the YMCA arbitrarily closed the facility
and locked its doors. Since then, Ridgefield built a town facility that outside people can
use for a fee and generate income.
Karen Pagliaro, 221 Stiltmeadow Lane — Ms. Pagliaro spoke in favor of a Community /
Senior Center and thanked Speaker Aresimowicz for his assistance in securing the grant
funding. She feels an inviting, safer location would be advantageous for seniors and all
residents.
Town Manager Healy and Mayor Kaczynski thanked all present for their attendance and
comments. The forum adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
RECEIVED FOR RECORO
8ERLIN TOWN CLERK
2018 SEP 26 AN 9: 23
4 DERUN41.
kwall
From: kwall
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2018 8:46 AM
To: Alessandro Giannone; Brenclen Luddy; Joanne Angelico -Stetson; Karen Pagliaro; Mark
Kaczynski; Peter Rosso
Cc: Jack Healy
Subject: FW: Public Forum Scheduled To Discuss Berlin's New Community/Senior Center
Good Morning —
I have received only one email at this time about the Forum tonight.
Kate Wall, MMC
Town Clerk of Berlin
240 Kensington Road
Berlin, CT 06037
Phone: 860.828.7036
www, facebook.comITownBerlinCT
From: Scott Newbury [mailto:Scottn15@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 3:45 PM
To: 'Joe Aresimowicz'; kwall
Subject: RE: Public Forum Scheduled To Discuss Berlin's New Comm unity/Senior Center
This is amazing, before we build a safe place for our police department, where it has been proven to be a safety concern
and overcrowded, we are going to do something for a community center. Where are the priorities these days.
Scott A Newbury
84 Round Hill Rd
Scottnl5@comcast.net
From: Joe Aresimowicz <joe.aresirn owicz=cga.ct.gov@ m a i 177.atl23 1. mcsv. net> On Behalf Of Joe Aresimowicz
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 3:33 PM
To: Scott <ScottNl5@comcast. net>
Subject: Public Forum Scheduled To Discuss Berlin's New Community/Senior Center
View this email in your browser
I mentioned to you last week that the Berlin Town Council voted to move forward
with the state grant that I requested from the Bond Commission for the planning
and design of a new Community and Senior Center in Berlin.
The town will be holding a public forum this Thursday, September 20th at 7 p.m. in
the Berlin High School auditorium to discuss the project. During the forum
residents will have the opportunity to make brief remarks (3 minutes per person)
about what they would like to see in the project. Residents are also able to submit
their comments if they don't want to present them at the meeting.
If you would like to submit written comments, feel free to email them to me and I
am happy to submit them on your behalf, or you can submit them directly to the
Berlin Town Clerk Kate Wall, at kwalletown.berlin.ct.us. If you'd prefer to mail your
written comments, you can send them to the Town Manager Jack Healy at 240
Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037.
Building a new Community and Senior Center in Berlin has been under discussion
for many years and this planning grant will allow us to take a serious look at what a
facility like this would look like in town and give us realistic information about the
necessary logistics and costs associated with the project. My hope is that every
aspect of the community will be involved in this process, so I hope you will weigh in
at this early stage.
otner issue, i am always avaiiaDie iDy email, at ioe.aresimowiczcgLcq.2,.gt.—
qqv or on
my cell, 860-371-6887. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me. It continues to
be an honor and privilege to represent you in Hartford.
All the best,
Joe Aresimowicz
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