Thursday, February 1, 2018
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 21, Number 50
First town planner settling Police chief airs into the new position goals for 2018 By Ashley Kus The Citizen
By Ashley Kus The Citizen
After a couple of weeks as town planner, Marek “Mark” Kozikowski says he is getting to know the community.
Updating jail cells is at the top list of goals for the Berlin police chief and deputy chief this year. “The cells have been identified as antiquated and insufficient for many years,” said police Chief John Klett.
“I want to first get a great sense of what makes this town so special and help preserve that,” he said.
The department has focused on modernizing the holding area after a prisoner attempted suicide in a cell in 2016. Since then, the department has spent more than $45,000 in overtime pay to have an officer in the holding
The 34-year old, previously a senior planner in Greenwich, was hired for the new position this past December. The town created the job after Hellyn Riggins resigned in October as the development services director, a post that, among other duties, oversaw town planning.
Healy said the position was changed “in order to allow the new staff person to concentrate on planning and have less administrative responsibilities.” It also resulted in cost savings. The head of developmental services position was
Town Planner Marek Kozikowski.
budgeted for a salary of $110,090. Kozikowski’s salary is $84,155. Kozikowski will work with the economic development, planning and zoning, conservation and historical commissions.
Ashley Kus, The Citizen
working with Mark,” said Chris Edge, director of economic development. “He brings over a decade of experience, as well as a youthful energy to Berlin.”
Married with four children, Kozikowski lives in his hometown of South Wind“The economic development sor, where he first took an department, the commission and I, are excited about
Sport fees, school reorganization discussed by BOE By Ashley Kus The Citizen
The Board of Education is looking at revenue and savings ideas, including fees to participate in sports and elementary school re-organization. Pay-to-participate in middle and high school sports is one possibility discussed in recent months. “We’re going to see what it’s worth, so to speak, based
See Planner, A11
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The planning department was recently re-organized, with the building department now separate and reporting to acting Town Manager Jack Healy.
See Police, A13