(Feb. 12, 2015) The Town of Berlin has held two successful strategic plan meetings over the past two weeks and is receiving suggestions from participants regarding where the town should focus its efforts over the next three years, Mayor Gee Williams said.
“The process is going better than I had hoped. Folks are coming to the meetings prepared to plan Berlin’s future,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to the final report and the discussions that follow with the council and the department directors to prepare the action plan.”
“Our first meeting at the Berlin Multi-Purpose Building had over 50 attendees, which exceeded our expectations,” said Town Administrator Laura Allen. “We weren’t sure how many people would be willing to spend a couple hours of their time talking with their neighbors about the Town’s future. Clearly the community is engaged.”
The next two community meetings are scheduled as follows:
Thursday, Feb. 12, 6-8:30 p.m. at Buckingham Elementary
Saturday, Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Multi-Purpose Building
“After the Thursday night meeting, we’re holding an after-hours event at the Welcome Center (14 South Main St.), so the conversation and connection can continue,” Allen said.
In addition to the after-hours event, the town is working with Worcester Youth and Family to provide free babysitting for parents attending these meetings. The Berlin Youth Club will offer a movie, activity and snack for children during the meeting.
Parents can leave their children at Worcester Youth and Family (124 North Main St.) 30 minutes before the start of the strategic planning meetings.
After the community meetings, the mayor, council and key staff will wrap up the strategic planning process with the facilitator at two work sessions in Town Hall on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“At the end of this process, we’ll have a plan that will take us through the next couple of years in detail, and through the next five to 10 years conceptually,” Allen said.
“I’m inviting everyone to take the opportunity to come to the community meetings and be a part of planning the town’s future. Now that we’re cool, now tell us what’s next,” Williams said.
“The process is going better than I had hoped. Folks are coming to the meetings prepared to plan Berlin’s future,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to the final report and the discussions that follow with the council and the department directors to prepare the action plan.”
“Our first meeting at the Berlin Multi-Purpose Building had over 50 attendees, which exceeded our expectations,” said Town Administrator Laura Allen. “We weren’t sure how many people would be willing to spend a couple hours of their time talking with their neighbors about the Town’s future. Clearly the community is engaged.”
The next two community meetings are scheduled as follows:
Thursday, Feb. 12, 6-8:30 p.m. at Buckingham Elementary
Saturday, Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Multi-Purpose Building
“After the Thursday night meeting, we’re holding an after-hours event at the Welcome Center (14 South Main St.), so the conversation and connection can continue,” Allen said.
In addition to the after-hours event, the town is working with Worcester Youth and Family to provide free babysitting for parents attending these meetings. The Berlin Youth Club will offer a movie, activity and snack for children during the meeting.
Parents can leave their children at Worcester Youth and Family (124 North Main St.) 30 minutes before the start of the strategic planning meetings.
After the community meetings, the mayor, council and key staff will wrap up the strategic planning process with the facilitator at two work sessions in Town Hall on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“At the end of this process, we’ll have a plan that will take us through the next couple of years in detail, and through the next five to 10 years conceptually,” Allen said.
“I’m inviting everyone to take the opportunity to come to the community meetings and be a part of planning the town’s future. Now that we’re cool, now tell us what’s next,” Williams said.