www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 24, Number 52
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Grants aim to boost community vibrancy, equity By Nicole Zappone The Citizen
Gov. Ned Lamont announced last week that Connecticut is awarding approximately $36.5 million in grants to eight cities and towns under the second round of the administration’s recently launched Connecticut Communities Challenge Grant program.
One of those towns is Berlin, which will receive a $1,560,947 grant award for a $3,630,177 total project cost. This grant money will be used for 848 and 880 Farmington Avenue and 362 Main St., where business partners Tony Valenti and Mark Lovley of Southington-based Newport Realty Group are marketing a mixed-use project near the Berlin train station.
“We created this grant program as a component of our efforts to spur economic growth and the creation of new jobs as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lamont said Dec. 20. “Each of these approved state grants are going toward projects that improve the livability and quality of life in communities and will make these neighborhoods even
more attractive for private investments and opportunities for residents.” Berlin and its private partner, Newport Realty Group, will construct 10 mixed-income rental units at Newport Center. Half will be affordable to families making less than 80 percent of the area’s median income. See Grant, A11
Groups line up to help local veterans
HOLIDAY WRAPPING
By Nicole Zappone The Citizen
In 2016, then-Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that the federal government had certified Connecticut as having effectively ended homelessness among veterans. However, that doesn't mean Connecticut veterans don't face financial hardship. And it's those men and women that Berlin veteran Peter Galgano is focused on helping, especially during the holidays. Once again, Galgano and the Berlin Veterans Commission are looking for veterans in the area who are struggling to pay for winter heating costs, medicine and food. Financial support is available for spouses of deceased veterans as well. Heading into the Christmas break, the Berlin High School boys basketball team was still in search of season victory No. 1. The Redcoats fell to host Maloney 61-45 Dec. 23 to drop to 0-3. Maloney improved to 2-0. Berlin’s Zachary Skinner scored 12 first-half points in Meriden and finished with 17. Pictured: Maloney’s Allen Lee (front) and Justice Hanna bottle up Berlin’s Demetrius Samboy during the first half. Aaron Flaum, Record-Journal
“I want friends and family of veterans to contact me for those in need because veterans don’t typically reach out,” said Galgano. “We typically help out about 20 to 25 veterans,” he added.
Many local groups have thrown their support behind this annual effort by the Berlin Veterans Commission. The Berlin Volunteer Fire Department recently donated several thousand dollars in gift cards, and the Berlin Lions Club handed over some $12,000, money generated via the Lions' annual luminary display. Then there's the American Legion Post 68 Auxiliary, which is making gifts for veterans and their families. “Peter is an amazing soul, a true inspiration,” said Maureen “Mo” Jordan of the Post 68 Auxiliary. “The Auxiliary is making blankets to donate to Peter for the veterans in need during the holiday season,” Jordan explained. “We want to bring a smile to as many veterans as we can this holiday season.” Peter Galgano can be reached at petergalgano@ comcast.net or 860-604-7258. nzappone@record-journal.com 203-317-2212