www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 23, Number 16
FROM THE MAYOR
Thursday, April 22, 2021
FIELD OF DREAMS
$93.9M budget headed to April 27 referendum By Mayor Mark Kaczynski
The Berlin Town Council voted on April 6 to approve the Board of Finance-recommended budget, which will send the $93.9 million town budget to a referendum on Tuesday, April 27. At a March meeting between the Town Council and the BOF, the council recommended a 0 percent tax increase for the FY 2022 budget. During our discussion, I suggested several ways that the town could use different sources of funding to reach that goal. As an example, I suggested that we use federal funds received from the American Rescue Act Plan of 2021, along with holding off on some capital purchases until later in the new fiscal year. Further, the Grand List increased 1.4 percent from last year, generating an additional $1.1 million in tax revenue, which also helped keep our current mill rate of 33.93 from increasing next year. Although the mill rate will
remain unchanged, overall budget spending will increase by 2.7 percent, which includes a 3.2 perKaczynski cent increase for the Board of Education, and a 2.3 percent increase for the general town budget. The FY 2022 budget allows us to fund education, public safety, community services, repairs and upgrades to our infrastructure and to pay down our liabilities (bonded debt). Berlin is fortunate to have gone through the pandemic relatively well compared to many other communities, but we still have many people who have suffered, lost jobs – and loved ones – and were sick with COVID-19. Our businesses also suffered, and some are still hurting. I am confident that another year with no tax increase will help Berlin move forward from this difficult time.
Mayor Mark Kaczynski and the Berlin High School softball team cut the ribbon on the all-new Sage Park softball field Wednesday, April 14. See story Page 4. Citizen photo by Nadya Korytnikova
Klett talks motor vehicle crimes By Nadya Korytnikova The Citizen
The Berlin Police Department recorded six motor vehicle theft cases in March and five in February. Speaking at a recent Town Council meeting, Chief of Police John Klett said most cars were stolen from places of employment, not from private residences.
See Kaczynski, A36
Along with the 11 motor vehicle theft cases in March and February, 34 motor vehicle larcenies were reported in town during that time frame. Most vehicle-related crimes are carried out by small groups of young adults, said Klett. Ever since COVID-19 hit, many courts across the county have halted trials and scaled back other courthouse activties, which likely has led to more crime. See Klett, A3
Dr. Doris Baclija, DDS Immediately accepting new patients, Call Today!
Viagrande & Katz Dental Associates
300 New Britain Rd • Berlin, CT 06037 860-609-6167 • viagrandeandkatzdental.com Most Insurances Accepted
R239608v2
We Are Proud To Welcome Dr. B Into Our Dental Family!