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Forum tackles drug addiction By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
More than 100 people listened as Amy Andreana spoke about her late daughter’s struggle with drug addiction during a community forum at Berlin High School. “I am here to talk about the devastating effects of addiction to a beautiful human being and a family,” she said Wednesday night, Jan. 11.
entering treatment at a young age during Berlin’s substance abuse forum. | Ashley Kus, The Berlin Citizen
Andreana was among several panelists last Wednesday night, including town leaders, professionals, family members and a
recovering addict. “Unfortunately, it touches every See Forum, A13
Search on for new town manager By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
The search for a new town manager is set to begin early next month after the Town Council
School principals weigh in on budget By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
Her daughter, Lisa, a 2012 Berlin High School graduate, died of a heroin overdose on June 1 after Recovering drug addict Allyse Madey told her story about a long battle with addiction. Lisa’s cousin, Samantha Grady, helped organize the panel with Town Councilor Kristin Campanelli. It is believed to be the first large public forum on opioid addiction held in town.
Thursday, January 19, 2017
agreed in a majority vote earlier this month to part ways with Town Manager Denise McNair. Mayor Mark Kaczynski, a Republican, said the goal is to advertise for a new manager by the beginning of next month.
“I would like to get going on it,” he said. A search committee of five to six members was expected to be formed at Tuesday’s council meeting. Public Works Direc-
School principals made their case for additional staff and other items last week, a day after the superintendent of schools proposed a budget of $43.9 million, an increase of 4.65 percent. Last year, the Town Council approved an increase of 1.22 percent. “It usually comes down to salary and benefit increases,” said Superintendent of Schools David Erwin. Almost 3.6 percent of the increase proposed for 2017-2018 is in salaries and benefits. On Tuesday, Jan. 10 school principals spoke about the increased needs for math and language arts interventionists. Interventionists work to improve academic and behavioral performance. “All three schools looked at paraprofessionals to support math interventions and a certified staff member to support writing interventions,” said Matt Correia, principal at Willard Elementary School. “We do not have a writing interventionist at any of the elementary
See Town, A12
See Budget, A12
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Volume 19, Number 48