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Burley Oak gets EDUs for planned expansion

(Dec. 11, 2014) After funding a successful Kickstarter project to create a canning line in October, Berlin’s Burley Oak Brewing Company is preparing to expand.
The brewery purchased four additional water EDUs and three additional sewer EDUs for $54,484 during a mayor and council meeting on Monday, Dec. 8. An EDU is the acronym for equivalent dwelling unit, which is the amount of water flow and sewer discharge one dwelling unit would generate.
Owner Bryan Brushmiller also hinted that Burley Oak is in the process of purchasing the Old Ocean City Road property the brewery has leased since opening in 2011.
Brushmiller publicly thanked the council and the town of Berlin for their support.
“We could not have done what we’re getting ready to do … without the help of the town and the town of Berlin’s council,” he said. “The fact that you guys have been so supportive and so patient with us … is a testament to the town of Berlin and the progressive approach that it has. Because of how the supportive the government body of the town of Berlin has been Burley Oak has been able to go from a small little brew pub to getting ready to, next year, putting Berlin, Md. in cans and distributing it all over the state.”
The council unanimously approved financing of the purchase over a five-year, 60-month period with a 10 percent deposit, paid in person, during the meeting.
Mayor Gee Williams said the five-year financing has a precedent in Berlin.
“It’s been our policy with other folks who have applied for this,” he said.
Town administrator Laura Allen noted that Berlin slightly reduced the sewer requirements, because some of the water used is going offsite in packaged containers. Burley Oak previously had two water EDUs and two sewer EDUs.
The agreement actually benefits current property owner Soon Ae Park, although Brushmiller said he is in the process of purchasing the property from Park and his wife.
“We could have dragged this out until I actually owned the property, but this will hopefully be happening within the next month,” he said. “Out of good faith I’d like to make this happen a month early.”
Williams added that EDUs permanently transfer with property, enhancing its value over time.
After the council vote cleared, Park took the opportunity to thank the town.
“Since I’ve been here almost 40 years [it’s become] just like my hometown,” he said. “I’m very appreciative. Everybody is working hard. That’s why Berlin has blown up.”
“I think you’re a great example of how we have a very diverse and very interesting and very cool family,” Williams said. “You all worked very hard over the years and reaped the rewards of your work, and now hopefully you’re going to reap the rewards of your investment.”