www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 16
Local businesses, residents honored at awards ceremony By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Family-owned businesses and companies employing hundreds of locals were recognized at the annual Berlin Economic Development Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 23.
At a public hearing Monday night, students rallied to the defense of a school program while residents supported services for the elderly and disabled, prompting the Board of Finance to reject further cuts to municipal funding and increase school funding beyond the allocation rejected by referendum on May 22.
Since the company’s Farmington Avenue storefront opened last June, Bannon said sales have rose sharply. “I’m hiring a lot more people to keep up with the demand,” he said. “We’ve been doing really well here.”
Lorraine Stub and Eversource Energy were presented the Volunteer of the Year Award and Community Investment Award, respectively. Image courtesy of Chris Edge
them. Budney Aerospace, which was named Business of the Year, is representative of such companies.
Since Berlin resident Kevin Budney became the compaEdge said the awards foster relationships between businesses in town and ny’s president in 2006, Edge recognize the hard work put into See Awards, A8
John Orsini spoke at the Acura of Berlin’s grand opening on Oct. 19, 2017. Orsini was named Developer of the Year at the annual Berlin Economic Development Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 23. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
“We need to put party politics aside and fix this situation,” resident Craig Bowman said. “These are all important social services our community deserves.” "When houses go on the market they get eaten up pretty quick,” he said. “What's going to happen when those houses go on the market and they don't have the trash pickup, they don't have the camps, they don't have pools? These are all important things.” See Budget, A4
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“You have people who truly love Berlin and think it’s a good place to have their business,” said Director of Economic Development Chris Edge, who presented the awards with Mayor Mark Kaczynski.
Board of Finance: No more cuts By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
“It was a proud moment for us as a new business in Berlin,” said James Bannon, owner and chef at Box Bistro.
The company, which sells pre-made meals with an emphasis on healthy eating, was awarded the Small Business of the Year award. It was one of nine local businesses and community members recognized at the ceremony, which has been held for approximately 15 years.
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