(June 25, 2015) The Berlin mayor and council discussed several issues during a public meeting at Town Hall on Monday, June 22.
Contract approvals
The council unanimously approved several contracts during Monday’s meeting.
For the Berlin Youth Club, a program of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, the council green-lit $24,000 for the basic youth program, $8,000 for expenses associated with the youth program and a one-time grant of $2,500 to hire an intern to work with the program.
Council approved a new service agreement with Network Integration Transmission Services, concerning its agreement with electricity vendors, as well as $2,435 for Card’s Technology, to include the town of Berlin and the police department, and a $125 monthly contract to D3 Corp for hosting the town website.
Purchase orders
The council approved eight purchase orders during the meeting, including $6,658 to Aqua Aerobic Systems Inc. for a mixer motor for a digester, $1,363.34 to Caron Net for tennis and volleyball nets, $7,486 to Terra Firma for patching along Tripoli Street and $1,162 to Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems for a rear load container.
Public works and planning will have a new blue print scanner thanks to a $7,977 contract with Affordable business system, $1,050 was granted to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for range fees during fiscal year 2015, $1,836.24 went to American Municipal Power Inc. for electric services during March, April and May, and $1,159 was approved to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. for interface/control equipment for a voltage regulator at the town’s salvage station.
Town construction
Construction of a new sidewalk on Tripoli Street has been completed, according to Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter, while preliminary work continues on a sidewalk on Branch Street.
Kreiter said the design for Branch Street is finished, but the town is waiting for a final easement to clear. Once that happens, the project will go out for bid.
Other sidewalk repairs continue throughout town, Kreiter said, adding that the harsh winter hampered construction.
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said the construction on South Main Street hit a few snags, but that the project “seems to be going well.”
“In the beginning I thought it was three street lights [that needed to be removed] and now it’s turned out to be 20-something,” Lawrence said. “We ended up having to take all the lights out on the east side of Main Street and putting them back … and now we’re starting on the other street and heading back in the other direction.”
Lawrence praised the State Highway Administration for its cooperation during the project, adding, “Everybody seems pretty happy about it … It’s a really great improvement.”
Elsewhere in town, Affordable Housing complex Cannery Village, on Flower Street, will begin installing infrastructure on Wednesday.
“You’re going to see a lot of activity there,” Kreiter said.
HEAL grant
Following an introduction during the previous public meeting the council unanimously approved a motion to apply for the HEAL [Healthy Eating Active Living] grant program, which could bring between $4,000 and $9,000 into Berlin.
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the grant would fund a healthy eating restaurant and food retail program that would include a“shelf tour” for school children that discusses nutrition labels and healthy eating options.
Walk group initiatives would also be included, as well as water fountains with water bottle refill capabilities, and several bike racks located in downtown Berlin and in Berlin parks. The town’s portion of the 50/50 grant could include cash considerations, or “in kind,” Bohlen said.
Introductions
The council introduced ordinances updating the town’s floodplain guidelines, in order to adopt new FEMA regulations, and amending the town’s building code to comply with new state requirements concerning sprinkler systems in new constructions.
Public hearings on both ordinances are scheduled during the next public meeting on July 13.
Contract approvals
The council unanimously approved several contracts during Monday’s meeting.
For the Berlin Youth Club, a program of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, the council green-lit $24,000 for the basic youth program, $8,000 for expenses associated with the youth program and a one-time grant of $2,500 to hire an intern to work with the program.
Council approved a new service agreement with Network Integration Transmission Services, concerning its agreement with electricity vendors, as well as $2,435 for Card’s Technology, to include the town of Berlin and the police department, and a $125 monthly contract to D3 Corp for hosting the town website.
Purchase orders
The council approved eight purchase orders during the meeting, including $6,658 to Aqua Aerobic Systems Inc. for a mixer motor for a digester, $1,363.34 to Caron Net for tennis and volleyball nets, $7,486 to Terra Firma for patching along Tripoli Street and $1,162 to Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems for a rear load container.
Public works and planning will have a new blue print scanner thanks to a $7,977 contract with Affordable business system, $1,050 was granted to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for range fees during fiscal year 2015, $1,836.24 went to American Municipal Power Inc. for electric services during March, April and May, and $1,159 was approved to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. for interface/control equipment for a voltage regulator at the town’s salvage station.
Town construction
Construction of a new sidewalk on Tripoli Street has been completed, according to Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter, while preliminary work continues on a sidewalk on Branch Street.
Kreiter said the design for Branch Street is finished, but the town is waiting for a final easement to clear. Once that happens, the project will go out for bid.
Other sidewalk repairs continue throughout town, Kreiter said, adding that the harsh winter hampered construction.
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said the construction on South Main Street hit a few snags, but that the project “seems to be going well.”
“In the beginning I thought it was three street lights [that needed to be removed] and now it’s turned out to be 20-something,” Lawrence said. “We ended up having to take all the lights out on the east side of Main Street and putting them back … and now we’re starting on the other street and heading back in the other direction.”
Lawrence praised the State Highway Administration for its cooperation during the project, adding, “Everybody seems pretty happy about it … It’s a really great improvement.”
Elsewhere in town, Affordable Housing complex Cannery Village, on Flower Street, will begin installing infrastructure on Wednesday.
“You’re going to see a lot of activity there,” Kreiter said.
HEAL grant
Following an introduction during the previous public meeting the council unanimously approved a motion to apply for the HEAL [Healthy Eating Active Living] grant program, which could bring between $4,000 and $9,000 into Berlin.
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the grant would fund a healthy eating restaurant and food retail program that would include a“shelf tour” for school children that discusses nutrition labels and healthy eating options.
Walk group initiatives would also be included, as well as water fountains with water bottle refill capabilities, and several bike racks located in downtown Berlin and in Berlin parks. The town’s portion of the 50/50 grant could include cash considerations, or “in kind,” Bohlen said.
Introductions
The council introduced ordinances updating the town’s floodplain guidelines, in order to adopt new FEMA regulations, and amending the town’s building code to comply with new state requirements concerning sprinkler systems in new constructions.
Public hearings on both ordinances are scheduled during the next public meeting on July 13.