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The Enterprise — Marcello Iaia

Eyes to the sky, Ron Barnell, an amateur astronomer, speaks to Councilwoman Dawn Jordan inside the lodge Friday evening, explaining his idea to use part of the property to site an observatory that would take advantage of its clear skies. The everyday operation and maintenance of the land, to be used for recreation and tourism, will be handled by a “task force” appointed last week by the Berne Town Board: Roger Chrysler, agriculture specialist; Susan Hawkes-Teeter, recreation and youth director; Barbara Jansen, administrative specialist; Diane Kingston, director of development; Jon Kusler, environment consultant; and Michael Vincent, infrastructure specialist.