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BHS student raises money to fight rare disease By Ashley Kus The Berlin Citizen
A few weeks after her grandmother died in 2014 from a rare disease, Calli Beatman decided she wanted to prevent the illness from taking someone else’s loved one. The teenager pored over medical articles online for information on amyloidosis. “This disease put our family through a lot,” the 16-year-old said. “I’m trying to raise as much awareness as I can.” Beatman quickly learned that few doctors were aware of the illness. Her grandmother was diagnosed only days before she died. According to the Am- Calli Beatman, second from left, is seen in this family portrait with her mother, Debbie Beatman, left; Calli’s sister Saige Beatman; and Calli’s late See Fundraiser / Page A3 grandmother, Bernice Tobin.
dated regulations. “These [regulations] are evolving, these are changing, and next time It’s hard to miss the acres of farm- you see them they could be differland scattered throughout the town, ent,” Planning and Zoning Commisbut some farmers believe they have sion Chairman Bruce Moore said at not had opportunities to utilize it all. March 31 public hearing. Town consultant and PlanimetBut farming in town may soon become less restrictive as a result of up- rics President Glenn Chalder, AICP, The Berlin Citizen
Residents weigh in on budget By Ashley Kus The Berlin Citizen
looked over the regulations and rewrote them to change rules concerning fencing, signage, and the sale of farm goods. Development Services Director Hellyn Riggins says that in her 13 years of working with Planning
Crowds of residents gathered at the McGee Middle School gymnasium Tuesday night, March 29, to voice their opinions on the proposed $83.73 million town budget. The current financial status of Connecticut was front and center during the discussions. Finance Director Jim Wren presented the revised budget, a nearly $2 million reduction from the Town Manager’s initial budget of $85.56 million. The proposed mill rate – the property tax rate based on the value of a property – is a .84 percent increase from last year’s rate. However, Wren explained that with an accounting correction, the change would actually end up being a .64 increase from last year’s rate. With the adjustment, a $250,000 home will see a 2.1 percent increase in taxes. “We tried to be as cautious as possible for the town,” Mayor Mark Kaczynski said. “We made small cuts, nothing catastrophic at the moment. But we are more concerned about next year.”
See Agriculture / Page A4
See Budget / Page A2
Town mulls easing agricultural regulations By Ashley Kus
Thursday, April 7, 2016
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Volume 20, Number 6