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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Harrison Avenue barricades come down in Berlin

(May 25, 2017) The debate between the Town of Berlin and the Adkins Company over the use of Harrison Avenue and Baker Street took a surprising turn this week, as turn-of-the century documents show that the town might have a legal right-of-way claim to Harrison Avenue, including the portion the Adkins Company says it owns.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams on Wednesday issued a statement to that effect.
“Driving on Main Street towards Town Hall early this morning, I noticed the barrier on Harrison Avenue that had been in place since last June was not visible,” Williams said. “I then proceeded to Baker Street toward Harrison Avenue and observed the second smaller barrier has also been removed, apparently by the Adkins Company of Berlin, who put both temporary structures in place 11 months ago.
“It is my hope that the removal of both barriers is the first step in the resumption of negotiations between the Town of Berlin and the Adkins Company to purchase the portion of Harrison Avenue that is immediately adjacent to their business.
“Earlier this week Berlin Town Attorney David Gaskill provided the Adkins Company attorney with documentation that shows the public was granted a legal right-of-way of the entire length of Harrison Avenue from Main Street to Broad Street in 1903, which was 20 years before the purchase of the portion of Harrison Avenue currently owned by the Adkins Company.
“The town’s position is that the purchase of the land in 1923 by The Adkins Company in no way nullifies or limits today, or in the future, the public right-of-way for the street that was established under Berlin Mayor Orlando Harrison, who commissioned the establishment of Harrison Avenue in 1903.”
Officials at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum this week confirmed that meeting minutes from a Berlin Mayor and Council meeting in 1903 were turned over to the town.
Town officials talked to the Adkins Company last year about purchasing the section held by the company. The town offered $60,000, based on an outside appraisal, and Adkins officials countered at $400,000, based on a separate estimate.
When the dispute could not be resolved, the Adkins Company blocked off a section of the road last June.
The issue recently resurfaced when the town passed a truck ban on the adjacent area of Baker Street. Richard Holland, representing Adkins, showed up at several town meetings to object, stating his concern that company trucks would be blocked because he believed that Harrison Avenue north of Adkins still belonged to the Harrison family.
But town officials, including attorney David Gaskill, said that part of the roadway was deeded to the town long ago.
Representatives from the Adkins Company were unavailable for comment as of press time, Wednesday.