By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer
(Dec. 17, 2020) The following took place during the Berlin Mayor and Council meeting on Monday:
EDU agreement
The Town Council agreed to the allocation of 48 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) for water and sewer at the Ocean’s East Phase Two at 9828 Seahawk Road in Berlin for $800,928. The 48 EDUs are for the first two buildings of Phase Two.
Blair Rinnier of Rinnier Development Company added that there will be five apartment buildings and a couple townhome buildings for a total of 153 units in Phase Two.
Ocean’s East Phase One features seven residential buildings and a clubhouse.
Councilman Jay Knerr asked about the necessity of a clause in the EDU allocation agreement that states, “the owner in the future may desire to subdivide the property, or divide the property by metes and bounds or by other means for the purpose of sale or otherwise change the permitted uses or intensify or increase a previously permitted use on the property so as to modify the water and sewer usage attributable to the property.”
Administrative Manager Kelsey Jensen said that clause is included in all EDU allocation agreements and could be discussed by the council in the future.
Vehicle purchase
Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood informed the council that his work vehicle developed some mechanical issues with its transmission about a month ago. The vehicle was approaching 200,000 miles. Fleetwood obtained three quotes for the repair, with the lowest quote being $2,200.
Fleetwood received authorization to procure a similar vehicle under $25,000. A similar vehicle was obtained at $23,000.
The Town Council unanimously agreed to purchase the vehicle for Fleetwood.
Retirements
Fleetwood announced that Dave Wheaton, the superintendent of the public works department, will retire on April 1. He said the search for a replacement will begin after the holidays.
In addition, Claude Holland, a senior police officer at the Berlin Police Department, will officially retire on Jan. 1.
ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
The Charles Dickens Award for the most spirited house went to 108 Bryan Avenue for the Light Up Berlin: Holiday House Decorating Contest and Tour.
House decorating contest
On behalf of Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, Fleetwood announced the winners of Light Up Berlin: Holiday House Decorating Contest and Tour.
The Clark Griswold Award for the brightest house went to 114 Maple Drive and Honorable Mentions went to 326 William St. Unit 201 and 208 Broad St.
The Kevin McAllister Award for the most creative house went to 101 Middle St. Honorable Mentions went to 113 Davis Court and 102 Tingle Road.
The George Bailey Award for the most traditionally decorated house went to 414 S. Main St. and Honorable Mentions went to 108 Cedar Avenue and 294 Powell Circle.
ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
An Honorable Mention was awarded to 326 William St. Unit 201 for being one of the brightest houses in the Light Up Berlin: Holiday House Decorating Contest and Tour.
The Charles Dickens Award for the most spirited house went to 108 Bryan Avenue and Honorable Mentions went to 7 Burley St. and 614 William St.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award is currently taking place on social media.
Water repairs
Fleetwood said Stormwater and Wastewater Superintendent Jamey Latchum and his crew fixed a leak from a severed wastewater pipe in a resident’s home on Burley Street. Latchum had to find equipment to plug that leak from a significant distance, Mayor Zackery Tyndall said. The cost of the wastewater pipe repairs were borne by the homeowner, Fleetwood added.
Furthermore, Latchum said a fire hydrant and two water valves were replaced on the corner of North Main Street and Bryan Avenue.
He added that a water service tap was conducted on West Street Tuesday.
As of last week, Latchum’s department has replaced 18 of the nearly 450 water valves in town this year. Those 18 water valves were about 40 years old.
United Way
Jensen encourages town employees to participate in United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, which serves communities in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. The agency helps reduce the achievement gap between low and middle income students, advance the financial security of families and individuals and improve access to and awareness of local health and wellness services.
“I think this year more than ever local agencies really need the help,” she said. “The nice thing about United Way is all the money does stay on the Eastern Shore.”