(April 14, 2016) The Berlin Mayor and Council, Berlin Planning Commission and Berlin Board of Appeals discussed the following items during public meetings at town hall last week, and on Monday:
New chair delayed
Because the town council unanimously approved the reappointment of the entire committee, during a meeting on March 28, the parks commission is required to name a new chairperson. Currently, those duties belong to Mike Wiley.
Because of a shortage of attendees – just three of the five members were present when the requirement was discussed – the committee tabled the matter until its next meeting.
A formal date for that was not set, but parks meetings usually occur on the first Tuesday of each month.
Events
The commission discussed Berlin Clean Up Day, set for April 16, an annual event that asks volunteers to help with various maintenance tasks around town. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., with signup at Henry and Stephen Decatur parks, and Berlin Falls.
Clean-up activities will run until noon, culminating in a free lunch for volunteers at Henry Park.
Spring Just Walk, May 7, and Summer Movie Nights were also briefly discussed. The former event will feature two routes, one and two miles, respectively, both starting at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, Inc., on 124 North Main Street.
Addressing Movie Nights, the committee mulled allowing vendors during the six scheduled screenings this summer. Committee member Patricia Dufendach said she was not in favor of “selling stuff,” and suggested the town keep the event entirely free – and free of vendors.
Berlin Youth Club update
Amanda Chaffee, from Worcester Youth and Family, said participants in the Berlin Youth Club recently built rockets and hunted for Easter eggs on March 28.
The club will take part in Spring Celebration, April 9, making hats for the Mad Hatter contest and hosting other children’s activities. On April 26, the club will meet to plant flowers for Mother’s Day.
Apartment exception
With just one item on the agenda, the appeals commission unanimously voted to grant an exception to allow a two-bedroom second floor apartment to be constructed over a warehouse space on 305 Washington Street.
Town code allows for such exceptions in M-1 light industrial districts, as long as there are no industrial activities occurring in the building.
Berlin Councilmember Troy Purnell and his wife, own the company, TP LLC, which owns the property. His son, Austin, plans to live in the space, once it has been renovated.
Next meeting
The commission moved up the date of its next meeting in order to address two items Planning Director Dave Engelhart said were time sensitive. One of those, apparently, pertains to the new Royal Farms and Arby’s stores being constructed near the intersection of Friendship Road and Route 50.
That meeting will take place on April 27, at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.
Mayor and council, Monday, April 11
More events
The council voted 3-0 to approve two town events. Councilmembers Lisa Hall and Elroy Brittingham were not present during the meeting.
Touch a Truck Day will return to Stephen Decatur Park on May 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. Perdue Farms will bring several tractors and hand out Frisbees and beach balls, and SonRise Church will cater the event.
The council also green-lit all six dates of the Summer Movies Series, a joint effort of the Berlin Arts & Entertainment Committee and the Berlin Parks Commission.
Four of the screenings will take place at Berlin parks, and two will run on Main Street. The series will open on June 18, with “Tuck Everlasting” and close on Aug. 27, with “Runaway Bride.”
All showings start at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs.
Annexation
After getting the approval of the Worcester County Commissioners, Berlin started the process to annex all parts of the former Tyson’s Chicken Plant, on Old Ocean City Boulevard, into the town.
Now being called Berlin Falls, the town is working to renovate the property into a large, multiuse park. Town attorney David Gaskill said the first reading essentially started the process, which includes advertising in local papers for four consecutive weeks.
Afterwards, the council must hold a public hearing and vote to approve the annexation.
Budget season
Finance Director Natalie Saleh said she received department reports for the fiscal year 2017 budget.
The Town Council will meet on April 18, in town hall, to discuss the general fund budget, during a public work session. Two weeks later, May 2, the council will review the utilities fund.
Public works updates
Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter said bids for the Branch Street sidewalks would go out this week, with bids to be opened May 5 and construction starting “shortly there after.”
The town is expected to start work on Flower Street stormwater improvements this summer. Kreiter also said water meters were recently installed at Cannery Village.
More Berlin Falls
Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood said the town would install a “secure fence” around portions of Berlin Falls, starting on Wednesday.
Cleanup of the grounds has involved workers from a number of different departments in Berlin over a period of several months, and many portions of the former industrial site have seen safety improvements.
The park is expected to be open for “passive” use by summer.
New chair delayed
Because the town council unanimously approved the reappointment of the entire committee, during a meeting on March 28, the parks commission is required to name a new chairperson. Currently, those duties belong to Mike Wiley.
Because of a shortage of attendees – just three of the five members were present when the requirement was discussed – the committee tabled the matter until its next meeting.
A formal date for that was not set, but parks meetings usually occur on the first Tuesday of each month.
Events
The commission discussed Berlin Clean Up Day, set for April 16, an annual event that asks volunteers to help with various maintenance tasks around town. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., with signup at Henry and Stephen Decatur parks, and Berlin Falls.
Clean-up activities will run until noon, culminating in a free lunch for volunteers at Henry Park.
Spring Just Walk, May 7, and Summer Movie Nights were also briefly discussed. The former event will feature two routes, one and two miles, respectively, both starting at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, Inc., on 124 North Main Street.
Addressing Movie Nights, the committee mulled allowing vendors during the six scheduled screenings this summer. Committee member Patricia Dufendach said she was not in favor of “selling stuff,” and suggested the town keep the event entirely free – and free of vendors.
Berlin Youth Club update
Amanda Chaffee, from Worcester Youth and Family, said participants in the Berlin Youth Club recently built rockets and hunted for Easter eggs on March 28.
The club will take part in Spring Celebration, April 9, making hats for the Mad Hatter contest and hosting other children’s activities. On April 26, the club will meet to plant flowers for Mother’s Day.
Apartment exception
With just one item on the agenda, the appeals commission unanimously voted to grant an exception to allow a two-bedroom second floor apartment to be constructed over a warehouse space on 305 Washington Street.
Town code allows for such exceptions in M-1 light industrial districts, as long as there are no industrial activities occurring in the building.
Berlin Councilmember Troy Purnell and his wife, own the company, TP LLC, which owns the property. His son, Austin, plans to live in the space, once it has been renovated.
Next meeting
The commission moved up the date of its next meeting in order to address two items Planning Director Dave Engelhart said were time sensitive. One of those, apparently, pertains to the new Royal Farms and Arby’s stores being constructed near the intersection of Friendship Road and Route 50.
That meeting will take place on April 27, at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.
Mayor and council, Monday, April 11
More events
The council voted 3-0 to approve two town events. Councilmembers Lisa Hall and Elroy Brittingham were not present during the meeting.
Touch a Truck Day will return to Stephen Decatur Park on May 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. Perdue Farms will bring several tractors and hand out Frisbees and beach balls, and SonRise Church will cater the event.
The council also green-lit all six dates of the Summer Movies Series, a joint effort of the Berlin Arts & Entertainment Committee and the Berlin Parks Commission.
Four of the screenings will take place at Berlin parks, and two will run on Main Street. The series will open on June 18, with “Tuck Everlasting” and close on Aug. 27, with “Runaway Bride.”
All showings start at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs.
Annexation
After getting the approval of the Worcester County Commissioners, Berlin started the process to annex all parts of the former Tyson’s Chicken Plant, on Old Ocean City Boulevard, into the town.
Now being called Berlin Falls, the town is working to renovate the property into a large, multiuse park. Town attorney David Gaskill said the first reading essentially started the process, which includes advertising in local papers for four consecutive weeks.
Afterwards, the council must hold a public hearing and vote to approve the annexation.
Budget season
Finance Director Natalie Saleh said she received department reports for the fiscal year 2017 budget.
The Town Council will meet on April 18, in town hall, to discuss the general fund budget, during a public work session. Two weeks later, May 2, the council will review the utilities fund.
Public works updates
Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter said bids for the Branch Street sidewalks would go out this week, with bids to be opened May 5 and construction starting “shortly there after.”
The town is expected to start work on Flower Street stormwater improvements this summer. Kreiter also said water meters were recently installed at Cannery Village.
More Berlin Falls
Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood said the town would install a “secure fence” around portions of Berlin Falls, starting on Wednesday.
Cleanup of the grounds has involved workers from a number of different departments in Berlin over a period of several months, and many portions of the former industrial site have seen safety improvements.
The park is expected to be open for “passive” use by summer.