JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
New traffic patterns on Seahawk Road near Stephen Decatur High School, including a painted on traffic “island,” could pose safety risks, according to Berlin Town Councilman Elroy Brittingham.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 29, 2018) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a public meeting at Town Hall on Monday:

Traffic concerns

Councilman Elroy Brittingham said he is still concerned about traffic patterns coming out of the new Ocean’s East apartment complex and onto Seahawk Road, near Stephen Decatur High School. He and Councilman Dean Burrell brought up the subject during a Town Council meeting last month.

On Monday, Brittingham said a traffic island in that area was painted onto the road surface and appeared unsafe. He asked Planning Director Dave Engelhart to contact state highway officials, adding, “I don’t know if I’m beating on a dead horse or what.”

Engelhart said he would contact state highway and the council gave Mayor Gee Williams consent to write a letter, if needed.

“I’m no engineer, but [installing] curbing would make it so much safer,” Brittingham said.

“Pass on our concern,” Williams said. “It’s a major need for safety. It’s not about convenience. I think the traffic flow makes sense but, let’s face it, in today’s world I’m not sure people even notice [painted lines].”

Holiday wrapping

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the town’s tree lighting and holiday open house last Friday drew record crowds and that and downtown businesses did well.

Wells thanked town electric and public works department employees for their help.

“Officially, we attribute all of that to magic,” Williams said with a laugh.

He agreed it was “a very positive weekend.”

“Obviously, it was a lot of activity getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, but I agree with Ivy. From the viewpoint I had, it certainly seemed like the largest crowd,” he said.

Williams said event emcee Tom Sholtis also thought the tree-lighting audience was the biggest ever.

“[He’s] seen a lot more crowds than I have,” he said. “If Tom said it was the biggest, I think it was.

“I think the cold weather didn’t deter people from coming out, but I do think it probably encouraged people to go home as early as they could,” Williams added.

Upcoming events

Police Chief Arnold Downing said his department is preparing to help during Christmas parades in Pocomoke and Snow Hill, and that local law enforcement agencies would help during the Berlin Christmas parade, Thursday, Dec. 6.

Human Resources Director Jeff Fleetwood encouraged parade volunteers to come to Town Hall on William Street at 4:30 p.m. of Dec. 6 for a free pizza dinner.

“Please show up. They’ll be plenty of food and plenty of beverages,” he said.

Fleetwood said a holiday luncheon for town staff was scheduled for noon on Friday, Dec. 14, and a retirement ceremony for Electric Utilities Meter Technician Barry Daniels was set for Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. Daniels worked for the town for more than 30 years.

His replacement has been hired, Fleetwood said. “Barry looks like a banty hen running around the town now. He’s tickled to death with his replacement, so that’s a good sign.”

Fleetwood later clarified a “banty hen” is a colloquialism (for bantam hen) his grandfather used to mean someone who is exceptionally proud.