The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Volume 13, Number 14
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Asst. Town Manager position eliminated By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor The assistant town manager position has been eliminated due to economic pressures facing the town. Assistant Town Manager Tammi Saddler said her last day was March 31. She was selected for the position in March 2006 by former town manager Herman Middlebrooks. She began work on April 17 that year at a salary of $70,000.
Saddler said she had no immediate plans. “Everything is happening so soon. I’ll sit down next week and see what to do next… I’ll be in Connecticut for a while.” Saddler relocated to Berlin from Houston, Texas. She’d previously worked as assistant to the town manager in a Texas community of 50,000 people called City of League City.
See Manager, page 21
Finance director resigns By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor The town's finance director has resigned effective April 3. Delois Johnson was hired in August 2007, by former Town Manager Roger Kemp, with a salary of $92,700. She replaced Anna Johnson who resigned May 31, 2007 to be finance director for East Lyme. The two women are not related. Delois Johnson said she gave Town Manager Denise McNair a letter of resignation March 10. She declined to say if she has taken another position. Delois Johnson said she was leaving for personal reasons. The resignation comes as the town's budget process heads towards its conclusion with the public hearing on the budget scheduled for April 7 at McGee Middle School and the budget referendum scheduled for April 28. "I was a little surprised," McNair said of Delois Johnson's resignation. "It's a difficult position to fill." Delois Johnson said her
intent was to give the town manager "as much notice as possible." "I didn't want to leave (McNair) high and dry," Delois Johnson said. "I completed everything I needed to complete." “It was a surprise to me,” said Mayor Adam Salina who learned of the resignation from McNair. He did not see it as disrupting the budget process. “The majority of the work has been done... the most hectic time is over.” At the annual public hearing on the budget April 7, the council will be able to handle questions with the help of other finance department staff. “She did hold off until the majority of the budget process was complete.” McNair said she would look to appoint an interim director initially and then look to hire in the future. Previously, Gail Erickson, an accountant in the town's finance department, filled in when Anna Johnson left. McNair said it's hard to be "down a main person" in the See Johnson, page 17
Photo by Paul Salina
Donna and Bart Bovee accepted the “Celebrate Berlin! Award and a proclamation from State Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, right.
A positive night for Chamber By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor The Berlin Chamber of Commerce held its 56th annual meeting and awards ceremony March 27 at the Hawthorne Inn. The theme of the night was keeping a positive outlook in tough times. Executive Director Kate Fuechsel said Employee of the Year Marsha Pomponio of The Berlin Citizen exemplified that quality. "I'm happy at home. I'm happy at work," Pomponio said in accepting the award. Also recognized for his dedication was Employee of the Year Carlos Morales of Visual Perceptions Eyecare. Morales was lauded for his extraordinary work ethic. He gets to work an hour early and keeps up the pace all day - typically, he's the last to leave after taking out the trash. Fuechsel introduced board members President Thomas J. Satalino, of Thomas J. Satalino CPA, Vice President Richard H. Pentore of the Law Office of Richard H. Pentore, Secretary Sheila Smith of Connecticut Light &
Power and Treasurer Marion Sgroi-Varano, accounts management. Mayor Adam Salina administered the oath of office to the board. State Representative Joe Aresimowicz was on hand to present general assembly citations to award winners. Other chamber directors are: Peter Agostini of New Britain Transportation; Patricia Amato of UBI A Community Federal Credit Union; San Balboni of Balboni Custom Jewelers; Peter Cyr of Equity Lenders; Jeff Freyer of Comcast Business Class; Diane Jacobson of McCue Mortgage; Roger Perno of Roger's Marketplace; Paul Smith of Ameriben Alliance LLC; town liaison Patrick Walsh of May, Bonce & Walsh and Anna Jameson of Turnpike Wines & Spirits. Robert Mayer of The Berlin Citizen is an associate director. The program was sponsored by Comcast, the Hawthorne Inn, the Town of Berlin, New Britain Transportation, Turnpike Wine & See Chamber, page 9