Volume 18, Number 4
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
www.berlincitizen.com
Thursday, Januar y 23, 2014
UpBeat receives $10K Innovation Award By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
When UpBeat Director Alice Mitchell received a phone call while overseeing approximately 180 kids at Camp Woodstock May 17, she was surprised to hear House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz on the line with a tip about the $10,000 Innovation Award from AT&T. “Joey told me ‘this is big money,’” Mitchell recalled. Mitchell rushed to complete the application by May 29.
“The foundation representative was wonderful, and everyone pitched in to get everything done on time” Mitchell said. AT&T External Affairs Director Kinson Perry handed over an enormous ceremonial check during a small ceremony at Berlin High School Jan. 16. The check was awarded to Mitchell and five BHS students, all UpBeat members. “The UpBeat program From left: Berlin High School students Brian Thomas, Tim Synnott, Rachel Chapman, broadens the lives of Berlin’s Henry Courchaine and James Dwyer; AT&T External Affairs Director Kinson Perry; state young people by giving them Rep Joe Aresimowicz; UpBeat Director Alice Mitchell; BHS Principal Francis Kennedy; See UpBeat / Page 8 Berlin Mayor Rachel Rochette. (Charles Kreutzkamp/ The Berlin Citizen)
ENGINE 13 DEDICATION
Board of Ed prepares lean budget for council By Charles Kreutzkamp The Berlin Citizen
The South Kensington Volunteer Fire Department recently dedicated Engine 13 to Ron Lindgren. Lindgren was instrumental in the design of E-13 and put many hours into specifying capabilities. He also followed up with the manufacturer and worked with the Town of Berlin on the general inspection and acceptance of Engine 13 when delivered. Lindgren has served the department for 50 years in various capacities, including Chief of the Department. Now retired, he maintains his seat as President of South Kensington Fire Department and plays a daily town wide roll as a driver for daytime response. Presenting the dedication plaque, from left: Past President Stan Folcik, current Chief Brian Chapman and Ron Lindgren. (Submitted by Mike Blais)
The Berlin Board of Education met with principals of all town schools Jan. 14 to discuss the budgets planned to be submitted to the Town Council for approval. Members of the board described the budget as one of the smallest increases in recent years, at 2.35 percent. Principals presented budgets that offset new hires with decreases in expenses. Requested changes include new soccer coaches based on the high interest in the sport, a capstone coordinator for the high school, and some changes in where staff is allocated to meet changing class sizes from year to year. Utility costs are down, but transportation costs have
increased slightly -- something that happens every year, the board discussed, and is impossible to prevent. Public Schools Director of Business Operations Roman Czuchta said, “The budgets have essentially not increased. There are some shifts in what priorities are, but the amounts are essentially unchanged.” “One department may have a slight increase and another may have a slight decrease but the aggregate total is a minimal increase,” Superintendent of Schools David Erwin said. Needs of the district include new textbooks and athletics jerseys. Also, the clock system at Catherine McGee Middle School has not been replaced since 1969 and needs to be replaced. “Is See Budget / Page 23