Bristol’s newest centenarian

A makeover of the city’s Community Services Department is complete.

“The needs of the community will still be met,” said Director of Youth Services Eileen McNulty. “We just may use different strategies.”

Early this year, former community services director Katherine Plourde retired. The city opted not to fill the position.

After Plourde retired city officials began looking into the possibility of reorganizing the department and consolidating its services with other community organizations in the city.

McNulty led a study on reorganizing the department.

“We’re trying to take a look at what services may be being duplicated and whether there’s a better way of addressing them,” said Mayor Art Ward. As the city was exploring reorganizing the department, the Long Island based Renaissance Downtowns was selected to be the preferred developer for the Depot Square project.

As part of the city’s agreement with the firm, Renaissance Downtowns had to open an office in the city. Ultimately, the city decided to lease the firm the space on the first floor in City Hall where the Community Service Departments used to be.

See SHUFFLE, page 4

Michelle Croasdale said she saw the infomercials on television asking Americans to donate money to help poor children around the world.

She said seeing what those children were going through broke her heart and she wanted to help. But Michelle, a Bristol resident attending Tunxis Community College, said she wanted to do more than just donate some money to the cause. She wanted to be there in person to help.

This fall, she will get her chance if all goes well. Michelle is looking to travel to Salvador, Brazil from Oct. 29 to Dec. 19 with the non-profit organization, Cross Cultural Solutions.

She is looking to provide childcare to children who have been left behind by parents who have had no choice but to leave the city to seek employment situations elsewhere.

Michelle said she did some research before

See BRAZIL page 4