(Sept. 15, 2016) The Berlin mayor and council discussed the following items during their public meeting at Town Hall on Sept. 12.
Snow business
The council unanimously approved spending an estimated $15,000 on salt and other items related to upcoming storms. The motion was to send a supplemental letter of agreement to the Maryland State Highway Administration.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said the town would only be charged for what it uses, and Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood noted that a 0.2 percent overhead fee had increased costs slightly over the previous year.
Police station update
About $50,000 in permit fees related to the new police station at the corner of Flower Street and Route 376 were waived. The motion was approved unanimously, without discussion.
Zika preparedness
The council unanimously approved an agreement with the Worcester County Health Department, allowing it to act “immediately” in case of a Zika virus outbreak in the area.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said there was no immediate threat, adding that the resolution was only proposed “in an abundance of caution.”
Project updates
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the town had added a new page to its website, giving residents regular updates of ongoing projects. Only one item is listed at this time: stormwater improvements behind the multipurpose building on Flower Street, but Bohlen said more items would be added soon.
To view the page, visit www.berlinmd.gov/maryland-government/town-projects.
Trucks touched
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence noted a successful ‘Touch a Truck Day” last Saturday.
Participants included Berlin Police, Berlin Fire Company and Perdue Farms. Additionally, the electric department presented a pole-setting demonstration and showed several of its larger vehicles.
SonRise Church provided free hotdogs, chips and drinks for attendees.
Police news
Police Chief Arnold Downing said the department had distributed about 100 backpacks filled with back-to-school items, and that it had more available if residents required them. Berlin Police also helped with a free haircut program before the start of the new school year.
With schools back in session, Downing urged motorists to be mindful of school buses and children throughout the town.
Downing said the department greatly appreciated the recent outpouring of public support. That included Berlin First Baptist Church’s picnic for Berlin Police and the Berlin Fire Company over the weekend, along with services provided by SonRise on Sunday.
“When a community stops and prays for you, it’s really appreciated [and] it’s very humbling,” he said. “So, we say thank you to them.”
Downing then quipped that police could use a few more prayers with the coming of Bike Week this weekend.
Purchase orders
Five requisitions were unanimously passed by the council. They were $69,900 to Criswell Chevrolet for two Chevy Tahoes for the police department, $118,941 to Electric Power Inc. for a replacement breaker, $14,000 to Goody Hill Ground Work Inc. for water and sewer installation at the new Berlin police department, $50,000 to Intercoastal Trading Inc. for chemicals and soda ash, and $20,400 to Davis, Bowen & Friedel for project inspection and contract management related to stormwater improvements.
Snow business
The council unanimously approved spending an estimated $15,000 on salt and other items related to upcoming storms. The motion was to send a supplemental letter of agreement to the Maryland State Highway Administration.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said the town would only be charged for what it uses, and Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood noted that a 0.2 percent overhead fee had increased costs slightly over the previous year.
Police station update
About $50,000 in permit fees related to the new police station at the corner of Flower Street and Route 376 were waived. The motion was approved unanimously, without discussion.
Zika preparedness
The council unanimously approved an agreement with the Worcester County Health Department, allowing it to act “immediately” in case of a Zika virus outbreak in the area.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said there was no immediate threat, adding that the resolution was only proposed “in an abundance of caution.”
Project updates
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said the town had added a new page to its website, giving residents regular updates of ongoing projects. Only one item is listed at this time: stormwater improvements behind the multipurpose building on Flower Street, but Bohlen said more items would be added soon.
To view the page, visit www.berlinmd.gov/maryland-government/town-projects.
Trucks touched
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence noted a successful ‘Touch a Truck Day” last Saturday.
Participants included Berlin Police, Berlin Fire Company and Perdue Farms. Additionally, the electric department presented a pole-setting demonstration and showed several of its larger vehicles.
SonRise Church provided free hotdogs, chips and drinks for attendees.
Police news
Police Chief Arnold Downing said the department had distributed about 100 backpacks filled with back-to-school items, and that it had more available if residents required them. Berlin Police also helped with a free haircut program before the start of the new school year.
With schools back in session, Downing urged motorists to be mindful of school buses and children throughout the town.
Downing said the department greatly appreciated the recent outpouring of public support. That included Berlin First Baptist Church’s picnic for Berlin Police and the Berlin Fire Company over the weekend, along with services provided by SonRise on Sunday.
“When a community stops and prays for you, it’s really appreciated [and] it’s very humbling,” he said. “So, we say thank you to them.”
Downing then quipped that police could use a few more prayers with the coming of Bike Week this weekend.
Purchase orders
Five requisitions were unanimously passed by the council. They were $69,900 to Criswell Chevrolet for two Chevy Tahoes for the police department, $118,941 to Electric Power Inc. for a replacement breaker, $14,000 to Goody Hill Ground Work Inc. for water and sewer installation at the new Berlin police department, $50,000 to Intercoastal Trading Inc. for chemicals and soda ash, and $20,400 to Davis, Bowen & Friedel for project inspection and contract management related to stormwater improvements.