(March 2, 2017) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a meeting at town hall on Feb. 27.
AGH
Atlantic General Hospital President and CEO Michael Franklin made his regular presentation before the council on happenings at the hospital and its extended network of care facilities.
AGH presents an operational summary to the council each year. As part of a 2014 stormwater settlement, the town provides an annual minimum grant of $10,000 to the nonprofit.
Franklin said AGH planned to invest $36 million to expand health care services in the community over the next five years, focusing on cancer care, women’s health, modernization of its patient care areas and surgical facilities, and expansion of the emergency services department and outpatient services.
“A lot of this is creating a hospital of the future for our community,” Franklin said, adding the John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center would break ground this summer, in Berlin.
The hospital employs almost 900 people and has an annual payroll of $50 million.
Councilman Elroy Brittingham was an original member of the AGH board of directors.
“The hospital has come a long way since then,” he said. “I’m real proud about that.”
Explore Berlin – maybe
The council granted contingent approval of a series of events to be held at Burley Oak Brewing Company on Old Ocean City Boulevard. The brewery asked to host a July 3 fireworks celebration for the second year, offering for the first time to pay the entire cost of the $10,000 display, and to continue its multiday Explore Berlin Festival.
Explore Berlin would be held on three dates, April 22, May 13 and June 10, with a goal of attracting people from out of town to the brewery and to Berlin. Owner Bryan Brushmiller said he selected the dates to coincide with open spaces on Berlin’s busy event calendar.
During the meeting, there was some question as to whether Burley Oak needed permits for an apparent series of repairs at the brewery. Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood said a member of town staff believed there was unpermitted work being done.
However, Brushmiller said he could not delay the endorsement of the events because approval from the county liquor board, this month, was contingent on approval from the Town of Berlin.
The council agreed to support the events contingent on the proper permits being obtained.
“We, as a board, have to back our department heads 100 percent,” Councilman Thom Gulyas said. “If there is an issue … where a department head is giving us incorrect information, we, as a board, will address that as well. Whether that individual is here or not, we have to take them at their word as you take your employees at their word.
“We don’t want to push [the events] into a corner and say no,” Gulyas continued. “All we’re trying to say is, get that permit.”
EDUs a-go-go
In separate votes, the council approved a motion to transfer one, unused equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) from the Worcester County Senior Center to the new Berlin Library on Harrison Avenue, and to free up eight unused EDUs that were previously allocated to the new Berlin Police Station, near Flower Street and Route 113.
The unused EDUs will go back on the market, according to Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter.
Change order
The council voted unanimously to approve up to $30,000 for a change order related to the new police station, currently being constructed. Alan Brock from architecture firm Crosby & Associates said soil testing found on the construction site was too soft to be able to support the foundation of the building.
New soil will be brought onto the site and the old soil will be removed at a cost of $35 per cubic yard, according to a proposal by engineering firm Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc.
Blessing of the Wheels
Gussie Sholtis of Sheppard Realty, Inc. was granted approval to host the first Blessing of the Wheels event in Berlin, honoring nonmotorized means of transportation at Stephen Decatur Park on April 22 from noon to 3 p.m.
Sholtis said events would include a “signs of spring” scavenger hunt, children’s crafts, a tree and bird-identification walking tour of the park, and a 0.10K race for seniors citizens with walkers.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams called the idea wonderful and said it had the potential to become an annual event in the town.
Big shovel
By unanimous vote, the council approved $73,985 for the purchase of a mini excavator. Fleetwood said the town had been renting an excavator at a cost of about $3,000 per month.
The price of the excavator will be shared between the stormwater, wastewater and water resources departments.
AGH
Atlantic General Hospital President and CEO Michael Franklin made his regular presentation before the council on happenings at the hospital and its extended network of care facilities.
AGH presents an operational summary to the council each year. As part of a 2014 stormwater settlement, the town provides an annual minimum grant of $10,000 to the nonprofit.
Franklin said AGH planned to invest $36 million to expand health care services in the community over the next five years, focusing on cancer care, women’s health, modernization of its patient care areas and surgical facilities, and expansion of the emergency services department and outpatient services.
“A lot of this is creating a hospital of the future for our community,” Franklin said, adding the John H. “Jack” Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center would break ground this summer, in Berlin.
The hospital employs almost 900 people and has an annual payroll of $50 million.
Councilman Elroy Brittingham was an original member of the AGH board of directors.
“The hospital has come a long way since then,” he said. “I’m real proud about that.”
Explore Berlin – maybe
The council granted contingent approval of a series of events to be held at Burley Oak Brewing Company on Old Ocean City Boulevard. The brewery asked to host a July 3 fireworks celebration for the second year, offering for the first time to pay the entire cost of the $10,000 display, and to continue its multiday Explore Berlin Festival.
Explore Berlin would be held on three dates, April 22, May 13 and June 10, with a goal of attracting people from out of town to the brewery and to Berlin. Owner Bryan Brushmiller said he selected the dates to coincide with open spaces on Berlin’s busy event calendar.
During the meeting, there was some question as to whether Burley Oak needed permits for an apparent series of repairs at the brewery. Managing Director Jeff Fleetwood said a member of town staff believed there was unpermitted work being done.
However, Brushmiller said he could not delay the endorsement of the events because approval from the county liquor board, this month, was contingent on approval from the Town of Berlin.
The council agreed to support the events contingent on the proper permits being obtained.
“We, as a board, have to back our department heads 100 percent,” Councilman Thom Gulyas said. “If there is an issue … where a department head is giving us incorrect information, we, as a board, will address that as well. Whether that individual is here or not, we have to take them at their word as you take your employees at their word.
“We don’t want to push [the events] into a corner and say no,” Gulyas continued. “All we’re trying to say is, get that permit.”
EDUs a-go-go
In separate votes, the council approved a motion to transfer one, unused equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) from the Worcester County Senior Center to the new Berlin Library on Harrison Avenue, and to free up eight unused EDUs that were previously allocated to the new Berlin Police Station, near Flower Street and Route 113.
The unused EDUs will go back on the market, according to Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter.
Change order
The council voted unanimously to approve up to $30,000 for a change order related to the new police station, currently being constructed. Alan Brock from architecture firm Crosby & Associates said soil testing found on the construction site was too soft to be able to support the foundation of the building.
New soil will be brought onto the site and the old soil will be removed at a cost of $35 per cubic yard, according to a proposal by engineering firm Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc.
Blessing of the Wheels
Gussie Sholtis of Sheppard Realty, Inc. was granted approval to host the first Blessing of the Wheels event in Berlin, honoring nonmotorized means of transportation at Stephen Decatur Park on April 22 from noon to 3 p.m.
Sholtis said events would include a “signs of spring” scavenger hunt, children’s crafts, a tree and bird-identification walking tour of the park, and a 0.10K race for seniors citizens with walkers.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams called the idea wonderful and said it had the potential to become an annual event in the town.
Big shovel
By unanimous vote, the council approved $73,985 for the purchase of a mini excavator. Fleetwood said the town had been renting an excavator at a cost of about $3,000 per month.
The price of the excavator will be shared between the stormwater, wastewater and water resources departments.