By Greg Ellison

(Dec. 16, 2021) the Berlin Town Council reviewed the following topics during its meeting on Monday.

Arts and Entertainment

Council members approved the establishment of a Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee.

Mayor Zach Tyndall said the entity will revive efforts undertaken in the past.

“We have had an Arts and Entertainment Committee in the past [but] it’s been an informal structure as it relates to our other town committees,” he said.

Tyndall said Maryland Arts and Entertainment Districts are designed to foster community involvement and tourism tied to creative ventures.

“It will promote Berlin by attracting audiences, artists, arts organizations and other creative enterprises,” he said.

Tyndall said committee members would implement strategies supported by the Arts and Entertainment District program.

“Members should devote attention to creating and supporting a diverse artistic and cultural atmosphere that preserves a sense of place,” he said.

The advisory committee will be comprised of five members serving two-year terms.

Tyndall said the committee would provide recommendations for council consideration.

“The committee shall provide an annual report to the mayor and council,” he said.

Employee holiday bonus

Council member Troy Purnell proposed reinstating a holiday bonus for town staff.

“I realized that we have not given any employee bonuses out for the last two years,” he said.

Purnell said Berlin gave employees $500 Christmas bonuses in both 2016 and 2017.

“I’d like to see the $500 reinstated for this year,” he said.

After Tyndall proposed compiling numbers for the payments before approving the payments, Purnell quickly estimated the cost at about $37,400.

“There’s room in all the contingency funds … but I don’t want to wait, I want to do it tonight,” he said.

Tyndall said the town had recently distributed $50 gift cards to town staff.

“If we wanted to reinstate bonuses from the past, allow us to put those numbers together for the next meeting,” he said.

Councilman Dean Burrell said the next meeting would not take place until after the New Year.

“Did you make a motion?” he asked Purnell.

After confirming Purnell’s motion, Burrell offered a second to approve a one-time $500 payment for town staff.

Councilman Jack Orris recommended the issue be revisited during upcoming budget discussions to avoid future last-minute approvals.

Council member Jay Knerr proposed cutting the sum in half.

“The fact that it’s an unbudgeted item, I would recommend $250,” he said. “Troy, are you willing to compromise?”

Purnell held his ground, with both Burrell and Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols also voting to pass the measure, with Knerr opposed and Orris abstaining.

Aid for Kentucky

Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence said Berlin was contacted by American Municipal Power to help with disaster cleanup in Kentucky in the wake of the tornados that wreaked havoc on the region this past weekend.

“I received a request today from AMP to provide mutual aid to the state of Kentucky for all the damage that occurred down there,” he said.

Lawrence said officials estimate roughly 8,000 utility poles were leveled.

“We would be included with multiple municipalities in the rotation,” he said.

Lawrence said initial estimates are two to three months to address the damage.

“Crews would go for a week and then maybe return again,” he said. “If council approves, we would be leaving in early January.”

Lawrence said Berlin has helped other locales when disaster struck.

“I look at it like if there’s a point … where we need their help, I could pick up the phone and they would be here in a minute,” he said.

Charles promoted

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood aid the council approved the promotion of Jimmy Charles to Director of Public Works.

“Jimmy has been employed with the town a little over  10 months as superintendent of public works,” he said. “This evening the mayor and council have graciously promoted Jimmy to the director level.”

No smoking ordinance

Council members voted unanimously to approve a no smoking ordinance for town parks.

Tyndall said rules and regulations for Berlin park facilities would be amended to include the smoking prohibition.

Town Attorney Dave Gaskill said the ordinance is fairly straightforward.

“We’re just adding a rule to the parks that prohibits smoking or vaping of tobacco products, medical marijuana, illegal substances or any other substances in the town parks, “ he said.