Thursday, January 25, 2018
www.berlincitizen.com
Longtime fire chief retires, Pajor steps in
Woman learns to dance after lung transplant
By Ashley Kus The Citizen
By Ashley Kus The Citizen
After 24 years, Kensington Fire Chief Mark Lewandowski has retired and former fire Captain Jeff Pajor is taking his place.
Dancing used to be a dream for Karen Carlson, who was unable to participate due to lifelong respiratory issues. “Since I was a kid I always wanted to take dance lessons,” she said.
“It was the appropriate time to step out,” Lewandowski said.
In March, the Berlin resident will get to perform with her husband Jim at the fourth annual Donate Life Gala in Prospect. Just over a year and a half ago, Carlson Carlson received a double lung transplant after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
A member of the department since 1980, Lewandowski was presented a plaque for his service during an annual awards event at the Farmington Club earlier this month.
“I was determined to live,” she said. In 2016, Carlson and her family relocated to Durham, North Carolina after waiting four years for a transplant in the NorthSee Transplant, A4
Karen Carlson, a double lung transplant recipient, prepares with her husband Jim for the Donate Life Gala to spread awareness about being an organ donor. Karen Carlson, contributed
Bridge projects in town delayed by state By Ashley Kus The Citizen
The town will have to wait on rehabilitation and reconstruction of six bridges after the state recently an-
nounced a hold on funding for infrastructure projects.
Healy.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the state “We’re going to continue to monitor Department of Transportation rethat,” said Acting Town Manager and Public Works Director Jack
See Bridges, A3
THE FuTuRE oF CHILDCARE AND PRESCHooL IS HERE!
“We’re planning for the future,” he said.
Lewandowski
Pajor
He said it’s important to move people up in the department and to maintain future successions. Pajor was named the new chief after three years as Captain of Kensington Fire. An alum of Berlin High School, class of 1995, Pajor joined the department in 1998. See Chief, A2
Serving families since 1986
Sharing toys? Not a problem! We have the very latest in cleaning technologies. 9 High Road, Berlin, CT 06037 l 860-580-5353 l www.EducationalPlaycare.com
79668-04
Volume 21, Number 49