By Greg Ellison

(May 27, 2021) Berlin’s annual Bathtub Races were approved for this summer and a proposal to relocate July 4 fireworks was abandoned with the prior Heron Park revived during the mayor and Town Council meeting on Monday.

Larnet St. Amant and Steve Frene, with the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, presented plans to stage the Bathtub Races on July 9 from 6-8 p.m.

St. Amant said after discussing strategy with Economic & Community Development Director Ivy Wells, they deemed July 9 the ideal date as it coincides with the 2nd Friday event held downtown.

Planned road closures, which are scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. include Main Street between West and Jefferson streets, along with one block on Broad, Commerce and Pitt streets.

“It’s pretty much business as usual,” she said. “If people want to wear their masks great, if not, and they’ve been vaccinated, that’d be fine.”

Councilman Jack Orris confirmed the proposed race date would not hinder the 2nd Friday event.

Wells said overlapping the events was, in fact, strategic.

“What we’ve been trying to do over the last couple of years is piggyback events on other events,” she said.

The stacked deck also reduces the strain on town services, Wells said.

Mayor Zack Tyndall suggested layout tweaks, such as blocking off Tripoli Street based on past instances of congested pedestrian traffic.

“Can we look at possibly changing some of the barricade locations?” he said.

Wells said options would be explored and suggestions would be forthcoming.

The council voted unanimously to approve the race date.

Turning to July 4 plans, Wells said a proposal to stage a fireworks display by the Little League ball fields at the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex has been abandoned.

“In light of recent events, we have asked permission to have the fireworks moved back to its original location at Heron Park,” she said.

After meeting with Worcester officials in recent weeks, safety concerns caused Wells and Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing to agree the athletic complex was a subpar site for the Independence Day celebration.

Orris asked for more clarity for the proposed change of location.

“What was the reasoning to try and move it?” he said.

Wells said the original concept was orchestrating the pyrotechnic display in coordination with Worcester County.

“It was going to be a partnership with the county,” she said. “It was going to be more of a festival atmosphere with music and the Little League.”

While Berlin would have covered the cost for fireworks, the intent was for Worcester to organize the shindig.

Wells said traffic and pedestrian safety concerns caused organizers to drop the idea.

“After meeting a couple weeks ago, it was discussed that the police were really worried about traffic situations and people trying to run across [Route] 113,” she said.

The council voted unanimously for Berlin’s firework presentation to remain at Heron Park.