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Volume 23, Number 18
Voters approve $93.9M budget
Thursday, May 6, 2021
LOCAL DELEGATION SPLIT ON RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION BILL
By Devin Leith-Yessian Record-Journal staff
Berlin voters last week approved a $2.5 million increase in spending for the coming fiscal year, though taxes will remain at current levels. The municipal budget received the most support at the Tuesday, April 27 referendum, with 301 voters favoring the $1 million spending increase, while 95 were opposed. Ballots for the $1.5 million increase in school spending came in with 268 approving and 120 voting against. The overall 2020-21 fiscal budget approved by voters is $93,959,047, a 2.7 percent increase over last year. Town Finance Director Kevin Delaney said there was a focus on avoiding a tax increase this year to help residents and businesses still dealing with the economic effects of the pandemic. Town Manager Arosha Jayawickrema told staff working on the budget to only request what is necessary, Delaney said. “We tried really hard to keep it barebones, knowing COVID, knowing that some individuals are struggling, the businesses are struggling and some businesses didn’t make it through the shutdown,” Delaney said. Board of Finance Chairperson Sam Lomaglio agreed the goal was to keep the mill rate flat. “It was important for us to go with a zero mill increase this year, because … the small business, people were struggling with the pandemic,” he said.
Opponents of a bill to repeal Connecticut's religious exemption for required school vaccinations march down Capitol Avenue in Hartford Tuesday, April 27 before the State Senate voted on the legislation. See story on Page 12. Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant via AP
Call her Madam President Berlin Town Clerk Kate Wall was elected president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association for a two-year term. Mayor Mark Kaczynski shared the news on social media, prompting one commenter to state: “Kate Wall is great! She is a public employee who truly serves the citizens. Instead of putting up road blocks, Kate accommodates us. We are lucky to have her!”
See Voters, A29
See President, A3
Mark Kaczynski and Kate Wall.
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