By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Feb. 1, 2018) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a public meeting at Town Hall, last Monday.

Econ wrap

Wells said Inca Ruins, formerly on 12 Pitts Street, had closed.

“They may have closed their shop, but all of their goods will be dispersed at a variety of shops downtown. I think right now we’re up to four, maybe even five shops selling a variety of their items,” she said.

She said Rainbow Florist, now rebranded as Burley Florist, would reopen inside the space.

“And then Bayside Gazette has left the building,” Wells said. “And a new business … called Attics of My Life [will relocate in that space from Delaware]. They have home furnishings.” The Gazette moved its sales office to Ocean City.

Wells said Nest owner Dee Gilbert planned to close her shop on 11 South Main Street and work from home.

“There are about three people who keep calling and asking … who’s going into that building,” Wells said, adding a waitlist was also set up for the new mixed-use building, currently under construction on Gay Street.

New sign in

Mayor Gee Williams asked those making public comments to use a signup sheet, a new practice during meetings.

Occasionally, Williams said, public speakers did not clearly state their names, making it difficult for town officials to keep record and follow up, if needed.

“It’s still a small town, thank goodness, and we know a lot of people, but we don’t know everyone,” he said. “If you’re planning to address the council, it’s not a law, but we just ask as a courtesy if you will sign in.”

Valentine’s Day event

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said a Berlin Valentine’s Day Fun event was scheduled on Feb. 10 from noon to 3 p.m.

Children can pick up a Valentine’s Day treat bag from the welcome center on 14 South Main Street, and then collect treats from participating businesses and restaurants downtown.

“The businesses are very excited about doing this again,” Wells said. “They loved it last year, so we are going to repeat that this year.”

Wells said flyers were sent to area schools and the event was posted on Facebook.

Library tour

Town Administrator Laura Allen shared photographs from a tour of the new Berlin library on Harrison Avenue.

“I just wanted to thank Jennifer Ranck, the library director, for organizing it and the staff at Whiting-Turner [Contracting Co.] who were very accommodating … and Ron Cascio, of the library board, who suggested it,” Allen said.

She said the new facility was about three times the size of the current library.

“They were giving us every indication that they would open … some time this summer,” Allen said.

Mayor Gee Williams and Councilman Zack Tyndall also went on the tour.

“From my impression, it’s even bigger than it appears,” Williams said. “I think, from every description given and what you can see so far, it’s going to be very classy.”

He said the building was designed to be energy efficient and includes a meeting space, upstairs, that could hold up to 100 people.

“We will, for the first time, have a public space that will accommodate that many people, in the history of this community,” Williams said. “I think it’s going to be a real source of pride for everyone.”

Tyndall called the building “pretty magnificent.”

“I can’t wait to see the finished product,” he said.