Thursday, January 18, 2018
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 21, Number 48
Floral business keeps blooming 30 years later By Ashley Kus The Citizen
Ordering online wasn’t an option when husband and wife residents Sebastian and Sharon Elizabeth Malespini first started Sharon Elizabeth’s Floral Designs 30 years ago. “I think people are coming back to trying to use small local businesses because when they call, they know that the shop is making it and they’re delivering their own work,” Malespini said. She said online services have been a challenge to their business. To remain
successful, the Mill Street shop relies on personalizing every order. “It’s unique to each client and each client’s vision,” She said. “We’ve gotten bigger,” her husband added. “There’s a lot of wedding work.” By the time the couple married in 1988, they had already established a business based in their hometown of Berlin. They first started down the road in Anchor Village, then moved to Heritage Plaza, and ended up in
Sharon Elizabeth Locke puts together an arrangement at Sharon Elizabeth's Floral Designs LLC., 202 Mill St., Berlin. | Ashley Kus, The Citizen
See Florist, A13
School board discusses $400K cut this year The Board of Education is looking at a $400,000 cut in this year’s budget and a proposed 5.11-percent increase to next year’s budget.
Superintendent Brian Benigni proposed the 2018-2019 fiscal year increase at a recent meeting after discussing ways to meet the Town Council’s directive to reduce $400,000 this year.
budgeted. Last week, the “We’re looking at cost savings moving forward,” Benig- Town Council agreed to reni said. duce the town budget by $200,000 and the school The current fiscal year rebudget by $400,000. duction comes after the town is projected to receive The school board agreed to $600,000 less than what was several salary adjustments.
THE FuTuRE oF CHILDCARE AND PRESCHooL IS HERE!
Savings include a $33,730 reduction in Benigni’s superintendent salary compared to former superintendent David Erwin who was earning $218,100. Benigni will reSee Education, A2
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By Ashley Kus The Citizen