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Berlin Briefs

(July 21, 2016) The Berlin mayor and Council discussed the following items during their July 11 public meeting.
Purnell absent
Councilmember Troy Purnell was not present during the meeting, meaning Mayor Gee Williams would have to break a tie if the remaining four councilmembers deadlocked. Normally, the mayor does not vote.
He did so once during the meeting, voting to break a 2-2 tie in favor of approving a contract related to water and sewer installation at a new Dollar General store.
Habitat for Humanity
The council unanimously approved requests by Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County regarding a new housing and retail project on Jefferson Street. The mixed-use building will include bottom-floor storefronts that would be retained by Habitat. Apartments will be on the second floor.
The nonprofit asked to pay for required EDUs with a 10 percent down payment, with the remaining balance spread out over five years. That practice is common for new developments in Berlin. The total cost was about $33,000.
Berlin will also absorb costs related to moving a utility pole near the new building, and the council approved a letter of support for the project drafted by Williams.
Contracts
While the Dollar General contract was narrowly approved, four others received unanimous votes.
A contract with Southern Corrosion related to a new water tower was amended to include a 250,000-gallon tank at an additional cost of $16,376. The total contract is now worth $32,265.
In another modification, the council approved an amendment to a stormwater contract with EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc. that will add on-call support services for $57,500.
The total of that contract is now $325,000. EA provides assistance with stormwater management review, grant applications, FEMA floodplain analysis and general stormwater support services.
The council also approved a $421,150 bid by A-Del Construction Co. Inc. for stormwater improvements for the Hudson Branch and Flower Street Offline Wetlands Project.
A $2.5 million contract was awarded to Willow Construction LLC to build a new police station near the corner of Flower Street and Route 376.
Events
National Night Out, Aug. 2 from 4-7p.m., received unanimous approval. Police Chief Arnold Downing said between 1,500 and 3,000 people participated last year. This year’s event will include pony, tractor and dune buggy rides.
Also approved was a new event, a Berlin Crab Feast, Oct. 1 from 1-5 p.m. The event will be a fundraiser for Town of Berlin Christmas activities.
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy wells said tickets would likely be $25 or less and include all-you-can-eat crabs from Hooper’s. Tickets would not include beer.
Excursion train
Wells also received permission to apply for a Department of Housing and Community Development grant for $130,000 to pay for a train platform. She said it would be used for a proposed excursion train, likely running from Berlin to Snow Hill, and that the town would not be required to match funds.
Leash laws
Two public hearings related to leash laws opened and closed without significant comment. One resident raised a concern about feral cats.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said sections of the code were not clear, and this clarified the laws to require all dogs be on leashes unless they are on the owner’s property.
Both amendments passed unanimously.
Department reports
Finance Director Natalie Saleh said the town likely will be able to resume accepting credit cards in the next two weeks.
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said there would be a Zika Virus awareness Town Hall at the tri-county building in Salisbury from 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 1.
Information about the disease can be found on the county health department website, www.worcesterhealth.org. Bohlen noted that no cases had been contracted in the United States.
Wells said the Berlin Main Street website had been visited more than 93,000 times during the last fiscal year. The most-viewed page on the site was the events page.
She added that the town’s first fireworks display was a success, and that a Facebook live stream of the event had been viewed nearly 40,000 times.
Police comments
Police Chief Arnold Downing thanked community members who had sent cards of support during “tough and troubling times.” He said police were wearing mourning bands for those who lost their lives in Dallas, and that Berlin had been in contact with state police, and that efforts were being made to “watch … and listen” to each other.

Purchase order

One purchase order, for $12,700 for diesel fuel used by the Berlin Electric Utility, passed unanimously.