By Greg Ellison

(Aug. 12, 2021) After opting against paying for a feasibility study for a proposed community center on Flower Street in June, the Berlin Town Council on Monday voted to create a committee to vet the topic.

During the discussions in June, Councilman Jack Orris proposed forming a Community Center Development Committee to sort through the various proposals for the facility.

Seconding Orris’ suggestion in June was Councilman Dean Burrell, who said the committee could sample the opinions in various Berlin neighborhoods to help chart a course to replace the aging multi-purpose building on Flower Street.

On Monday, Mayor Zach Tyndall the objective is gathering community input from residents of all ages.

Tyndall said the town would employ focus groups, surveys and town hall meetings  to determine an ultimate location and amenities the center should include.

Funding sources, either through grants, donations or backing from nonprofits, will also be explored by the committee.

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells has agreed to serve as liaison for the five-member committee.

Advisory committee membership is limited to Berlin residents.

The group will make recommendations to the mayor and Town Council, and

while the term of service was yet to be declared, the committee probably would be dissolved after the project is completed, Tyndall said.

After some minor discussion, the council agreed to set terms of service at 18 months.

“If we don’t know what we want in 18 months than that’s a problem to begin with,” Wells said.