Berlin Bids Adieu To Its Town Manager

BERLIN, CT — There has been a leadership change in Berlin this summer, with the town's top-appointed official retiring and a new interim appointed to fill in.

Late last month, former Berlin Town Manager Arosha Jayawickrema officially retired after five years leading Berlin.

In response, the Berlin Town Council appointed W. Lee Palmer as interim town manager until the town finds a permanent replacement. He took over on July 29.

At a special meeting on Aug. 6, the council unanimously gave Palmer the authority to apply for grants, negotiate grant agreements, and execute other contracts, common duties of a municipal town manager.

Meanwhile, the council earlier paid tribute to Jayawickrema, who was once an interim town manager in Berlin, starting in July 2019, and eventually becoming the permanent one before his retirement.

The council's last regular meeting on July 23 was Jayawickrema's last as town manager and Berlin's top elected board feted the manager with a parade of kudos.

Berlin Councilor Peter Rosso, specifically, cited Jayawickrema's leadership during the pandemic, which took effect less than a year after he started.

Rosso said Jayawickrema's leadership helped him work to keep town hall open when other towns shut down their municipal buildings for much of 2020.

After members of the council and the public publicly honored the former manager, the council unanimously approved a resolution formally honoring Jayawickrema.

The resolution, signed by Berlin Mayor Mark H. Kaczynski, echoed prior sentiments attributing Berlin's coping with the pandemic to Jayawickrema's leadership.

"Arosha oversaw many changes while town manager, but none more significant than the town’s operations during COVID. He was able to keep the town services running with offices open to the public via appointment or access to drop boxes," read the resolution.

"Zoom meetings became the norm and conference rooms were outfitted with all the necessary components."

He was also credited for his work helping the town approve new leash laws and the creation of a new dog park at the old Pistol Creek golf course site in town, according to the resolution.

"He was a strong and fair leader, having the unique ability to remain calm and professional even under the most stressful situations," wrote Kaczynski.

For the minutes of the July 23 Berlin Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For the minutes of the Aug. 6 special Berlin Town Council meeting, click on this link.