(March 12, 2015) The Berlin mayor and council discussed several issues during a public meeting at Town Hall on Monday, March 9.
“Cool” Berlin
The council approved the second annual “Cool Berlin Day” for Saturday, April 18 from 1-6 p.m. It includes road closures in the downtown area from noon to 7 p.m.
The event celebrates the first anniversary of the Budget Travel magazine “Coolest Small Town” designation and will feature food vendors, music, games, contests and a parade.
Economic Development Director Ivy Wells promised, “We have some surprises planned.”
The council approved the second annual “Cool Berlin Day” for Saturday, April 18 from 1-6 p.m. It includes road closures in the downtown area from noon to 7 p.m.
The event celebrates the first anniversary of the Budget Travel magazine “Coolest Small Town” designation and will feature food vendors, music, games, contests and a parade.
Economic Development Director Ivy Wells promised, “We have some surprises planned.”
Heritage Festival
The council also approved the return of the Berlin Heritage Festival, slated for Saturday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A rain date was set for the following day.
The festival honors the incorporation of the town of Berlin in 1886 and 1887 and will include classic cars, street scenes and artisans.
Costumed attendees at the event will receive a free gift.
Councilmember Thom Gulyas made a motion to approve the event.
“This sounds like a lot of fun,” Gulyas said. “I’ll even bring someone with me who might have known the first mayor.”
The council also approved the return of the Berlin Heritage Festival, slated for Saturday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A rain date was set for the following day.
The festival honors the incorporation of the town of Berlin in 1886 and 1887 and will include classic cars, street scenes and artisans.
Costumed attendees at the event will receive a free gift.
Councilmember Thom Gulyas made a motion to approve the event.
“This sounds like a lot of fun,” Gulyas said. “I’ll even bring someone with me who might have known the first mayor.”
Spray away
The council approved a $6,000 contract to the state Department of Agriculture for mosquito control.
Water Resources/Public Works Director Jane Kreiter said the contract calls for a set number of spray dates, although more can be added in case of a particularly rainy season.
The council approved a $6,000 contract to the state Department of Agriculture for mosquito control.
Water Resources/Public Works Director Jane Kreiter said the contract calls for a set number of spray dates, although more can be added in case of a particularly rainy season.
Arts district
Ivy Wells, Baked Desserts Café owner Robin Tomaselli and Worcester County Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis asked the mayor and council to approve the re-designation of the town’s arts and entertainment district.
The designation allows qualified artists to take advantage of tax credits.
Tomaselli said the group was hoping to expand the area in the future to include Burley Oak Brewing Co. and the former Tyson plant.
Reapplication must be approved before expansion can be considered.
Mullis said the designation has helped Berlin to “bring more arts into our daily life.”
Ivy Wells, Baked Desserts Café owner Robin Tomaselli and Worcester County Arts Council Executive Director Anna Mullis asked the mayor and council to approve the re-designation of the town’s arts and entertainment district.
The designation allows qualified artists to take advantage of tax credits.
Tomaselli said the group was hoping to expand the area in the future to include Burley Oak Brewing Co. and the former Tyson plant.
Reapplication must be approved before expansion can be considered.
Mullis said the designation has helped Berlin to “bring more arts into our daily life.”
Fire Company events
The council approved a pair of events for the Berlin Fire Company.
One-day permits were granted for Saturday, March 28 for Casino night and Saturday, April 11 for a Corn Hole Tournament.
No representatives from the fire company were present during the meeting.
The council approved a pair of events for the Berlin Fire Company.
One-day permits were granted for Saturday, March 28 for Casino night and Saturday, April 11 for a Corn Hole Tournament.
No representatives from the fire company were present during the meeting.
Big-ticket item
Kreiter clarified that a “substantial” purchase order on the table, for $41,750 to A.C. Schultes of Delaware Inc., would go towards rebuilding spray irrigation pumps at the Libertytown facility.
A staff evaluation determined that an overhaul of the 20-year-old equipment was necessary.
Among other things, the site is used to transfer effluent to the Five Mile Branch site.
The council also approved $8,343 in contingency funding for a rental pump, in case the rebuilding suffers setbacks.
Kreiter said the item was unbudgeted, but that the department would make room in the capital budget by putting off a planned purchase of a tractor.
Kreiter clarified that a “substantial” purchase order on the table, for $41,750 to A.C. Schultes of Delaware Inc., would go towards rebuilding spray irrigation pumps at the Libertytown facility.
A staff evaluation determined that an overhaul of the 20-year-old equipment was necessary.
Among other things, the site is used to transfer effluent to the Five Mile Branch site.
The council also approved $8,343 in contingency funding for a rental pump, in case the rebuilding suffers setbacks.
Kreiter said the item was unbudgeted, but that the department would make room in the capital budget by putting off a planned purchase of a tractor.
Potholes
Kreiter said public works is letting potholes caused by recent winter storms dry before repairing. She hopes to complete repairs within a month.
“There are some that need much more work than others,” she said.
The worst areas could be postponed and included in the next fiscal year budget, Kreiter said.
If members of the public have concerns about potholes, contact public works, or call or email Town Hall.
Kreiter said public works is letting potholes caused by recent winter storms dry before repairing. She hopes to complete repairs within a month.
“There are some that need much more work than others,” she said.
The worst areas could be postponed and included in the next fiscal year budget, Kreiter said.
If members of the public have concerns about potholes, contact public works, or call or email Town Hall.
Phillips funeral
Police Chief Arnold Downing thanked the council and member of the public for “their kind words, their cards and their prayers” following the passing of retired PFC Leon Phillips.
Phillips, 76, died on March 3 at his home in Salisbury. He served in the Marine Corps and worked as a police office for the Berlin Police Department.
A funeral service was held on Friday.
Police Chief Arnold Downing thanked the council and member of the public for “their kind words, their cards and their prayers” following the passing of retired PFC Leon Phillips.
Phillips, 76, died on March 3 at his home in Salisbury. He served in the Marine Corps and worked as a police office for the Berlin Police Department.
A funeral service was held on Friday.
First look at Tyson
Planning Director Dave Engelhart met with building inspectors and toured the former Tyson plant for a general look last week.
Engelhart said the facility had some condition issues that would need to be addressed and that a more complete survey was required.
“There’s quite a lot of square footage there, so [repairs] would depend on the usage,” Engelhart said. “There are areas that don’t need too much.”
Engelhart said the areas with metal roofing would need to be replaced.
“Concrete roof, not so much and there’s a lot of that,” he said.
Plumbing, wiring and HVAC needs would also need to be addressed. “It’s been sitting for quite a while, so all of that would need to be addressed,” Engelhart said.
Planning Director Dave Engelhart met with building inspectors and toured the former Tyson plant for a general look last week.
Engelhart said the facility had some condition issues that would need to be addressed and that a more complete survey was required.
“There’s quite a lot of square footage there, so [repairs] would depend on the usage,” Engelhart said. “There are areas that don’t need too much.”
Engelhart said the areas with metal roofing would need to be replaced.
“Concrete roof, not so much and there’s a lot of that,” he said.
Plumbing, wiring and HVAC needs would also need to be addressed. “It’s been sitting for quite a while, so all of that would need to be addressed,” Engelhart said.