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Berlin churches to merge Move caused by decline in parish, lack of priests
Thursday, February 23, 2017
School board approves 4.7% budget increase
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
For Harry Josephson, losing his parish next month will be like losing a family member.
The Board of Education adopted a $43.9 million budget request Monday night, Feb. 13 a 4.7 percent increase from the current budget.
“Although we are a small parish, our people are dedicated,” he said. “We consider ourselves a small family.” Josephson and his wife Margaret have been parishioners of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Berlin for nearly 50 years. Their children were baptized, conSee Churches, A4
“It will continue us in the right direction,” said Superintendent of Schools David Erwin. The budget includes over $200,000 in new items, including technology and security. Sacred Heart Parish in East Berlin, pictured, will merge with St. Paul Parish in Kensington starting March 1. | Ashley Kus, The Berlin Citizen
The board held its first public informational session on the budget before the Feb. 13 meeting.
Train station razed By Ashley Kus Citizen staff
Only bricks and rubble remain at the site of the old Berlin train station, which was destroyed by a December fire and recently demolished. The investigation into the cause of
“We need support for the existing programs,” said Matthew Tencza, school board president.
the fire was put on hold last month because of fears that the partial structure was unsafe to enter. The probe was expected to continue after the building was completely taken down. Berlin Fire Marshal Steve Waznia was not immediately available to comment on The old Berlin train station, Wednesday, Feb. 16 but said last destroyed in a fire in December, month the plan was to enter the has been demolished. See Station, A2
New purchases include $200,000 in technology and Chromebook updates, $45,000 for additional security cameras and $6,600 for exercise equipment at the middle school. School principals requested the additional cameras. Over $500,000 in requests did not make the final budget, including a full-time athletic trainer, new team uniforms, certified interventionists, paraprofes-
| Ashley Kus, The Berlin Citizen
See Budget, A2
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