By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Aug. 27, 2020) The cancellation of the Berlin mayor and council meeting on Monday because of a lack of business to address was met with frustration by town residents and political candidates as the Oct. 6 municipal election approaches.

Tony Weeg

“It speaks volumes to the priorities of our currently elected administration,” wrote at-large candidate Tony Weeg in the “We Love Berlin” page on Facebook. “That not one of them can compel the others to think about the future, talk about the properties in the town we can do things with, develop ideas to thwart reckless development, or flooding issues, the list goes on. Thankfully we’re due for, and we’ll be receiving some new energy in that chamber.”

Mayoral candidate Bill Todd agreed with Weeg’s sentiments.

“That’s a shame,” Todd commented on the Facebook page. “There’s plenty of work to be done. Let us not forget who is involved with these [types] of decisions.”

Other residents complained about the local government’s lack of communication and the  developments in town on the  “We Love Berlin” Facebook page comment thread.

In addition, residents of Berlin and surrounding areas commented that the town needs a change in elected officials on the meeting announcement on Facebook.

Mayor Gee Williams

“For several years, we have had usually one meeting in August that we have had to cancel for lack of business, and we also usually don’t have any business for the very last meeting in December,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “We have two meetings a month. We have certainly had plenty on our schedule for the past few years, but it’s part of the seasonal cycle. We are always very busy again once we get past Labor Day. This is all very normal.”

The next mayor and council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 14 because the town offices are closed on Labor Day.