Thursday, January 16, 2020
www.berlincitizen.com
Volume 22, Number 46
Town manager hired By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
The Town Council recently voted to hire interim Town Manager Arosha Jayawickrema for the permanent position. “I'm ecstatic, very appreciative of the council and others recognizing what I bring to the table and appreciative of what we can do together,” Jayawickrema said.
Berlin Land Trust member Raymond Archacki assists hikers down a rock outcropping while on a trek to Lamentation Mountain's North Peak on Oct. 26, 2019. Photos by Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
$9.1M grant allows for open space purchases Hundreds of acres of open space will be purchased across the state through the awarding of $9.1 million of Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition grants, including 47 acres atop Lamentation Mountain and 5.5 acres in Southington. Approximately a two-mile hike from the Mattabesett Trailhead at Guiffrida Park, the parcel acquired by the
Berlin Land Trust protects the northernmost peak of Lamentation Mountain, located in the northeastern corner of Middletown bordering Berlin.
“There’s vernal pools down towards the bottom and there’s species that are unusual that are on the property, so it's a really wonderful piece,” he said.
Mayor Mark Kaczynski said Jayawickrema has already been a consensus builder who listens to people in and out of Town Hall
Land trust President Dennis Kern said preserving the parcel is important to protect the unique geology and ecosystems that exist on the state’s traprock ridges. The mountain is part of the Metacomet Ridge, which spans from New Haven to northern Massachusetts.
State Senators Mary Daugherty Abrams and Matt Lesser also lauded the environmental benefits of keeping the land undeveloped.
“He’s a quick learner obviously,” Kaczynski said. “He’s doing great with the issues so far.”
“I am so happy that nearly 50 acres of land in Middletown will become open
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See Grant, A16
Councilor Joann Angelico-Stetson agreed. “In a short time he’s gained the respect and
Arosha Jayawickrema at a Town Council meeting in July 2019. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
frankly admiration of everyone he’s worked with,” she said. Jayawickrema will earn $145,000 a year, $5,000 more than his predecessor. The agreement allows Jayawickrema to maintain his residence in Andover provided he purchases a residence in Berlin within a year. The Town Charter requires that the town manager reside in town. Both Stetson and Kaczynski said that requiring the town manager to reside in town limits the pool of applicants. See Town manager, A13
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By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
He was hired as the interim manager in July after the resignation of Jack Healy, who took a position with the town of New Milford to be closer to family. The town charter stipulates an interim manager can only serve six months.