Thursday, July 12, 2018
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 21
Budget process changes mulled
Library promotes summer learning By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Children have been flocking to Berlin-Peck Memorial Library to collect prizes for their summer reading. “It’s really exciting,” said Alyssa Skorski, a children and teens librarian. “They’ve all been begging to leave the pool and come to the library.”
By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Town officials are looking at ways to improve the budget drafting process after two failed referendums and heated negotiations preceded the adoption of this year’s budget.
For each day a participant reads, goes to a library program, museum or a park, they can check off a day on their summer activity log and collect a necklace bead. “They’re motivated to read and do activities,” Skorski said. Being able to create a necklace of their own gives children a goal to work toward and introduces them to library activities.
Alex Marlino, 9, of Rocky Hill, uses the computers in the children's section of BerlinPeck Memorial Library. The summer reading program kicked off with 230 kids signed up in the first few days. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
A student who goes through the summer without reading can lose two reading levels on the A through Z scale, Skorski said.
“I don’t want to be a prune sitting inside See Library, A2
Taxes, parking ordinances discussed By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Currently, Berlin residents can apply for a tax abatement program whereby they will pay a lower tax rate. Howev-
er, a lien will be placed on their home, and should the home be sold or transferred in a will, the unpaid taxes must be paid in full. "Nobody applies because nobody
wants to put a lien on their property,” said Town Manager Jack Healy, noting that other towns have similar abatement programs without the lien stipuSee Taxes, A20
Finance Director Kevin Delaney said representatives of the Town Council, Board of Finance and Board of Education will be able to send liaisons to meetings between Delaney and the department heads where they evaluate their needs and make their funding requests. He said this will help keep all parties informed. “It doesn’t make sense to bring forward a $5 million capital budget if you know full well” it won’t pass, Delaney said. This openness also will allow elected officials to share a See Budget, A16
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