By Greg Ellison

(Nov. 11, 2021) Looking to define major expenditures in the future, the Berlin Town Council on Monday began the process of mapping its five-year capital projects plan.

Mayor Zach Tyndall prepared the initial draft of a town wide assessment of possible capital requests for each department.

Tyndall said the intent is to establish a framework for addressing the town’s aging infrastructure and allocating financial and professional resources.

“Getting us on a path to understand financial aspects for planning in upcoming years,” he said.

The process began with the creation of a “needs assessment” by each department head, as council members took stock of their districts, and Tyndall considered the town overall.

As for the council chambers itself, one possible entry on the list for Fiscal Year 2023 would be buying and installing better audio visual systems, along with other upgrades needed to broadcast meetings on a public access channel.

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said the $45,000 cost estimate is two years 0ld and could be slightly higher.

Also, $27,500 would be earmarked to update the town’s now moribund strategic plan.

“The strategic plan expired in 2018,” Tyndall said.

Looking at administration needs, a pool vehicle replacement at a cost of $30,000 was included during FY26.

Also included for FY26 was digitizing an extensive backlog of documents currently in storage.

“Finding a way to get those documents digitized is something we need to look at,” Tyndall said.

Turning to buildings and grounds, topping the list was $250,000 to renovate the vacant police station in Town hall during FY25.

Tyndall said the town is also investigating grant opportunities for the renovations.

“That place is somewhat vacant [and] it’s used for storage right now,” he said.

Security improvements to help protect public meetings in town-owned buildings, at an estimated cost of $27,5000, were listed for FY23.

Also, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were included for FY23 for a yet to be determined cost.

Tyndall said AED units could be centrally located in Town Hall or the visitor center for access during events.

Next up was Berlin’s Police Department, which is seeking vehicle replacements from FY23-27, with average costs of $41,000 per ride for the seven slated over the five-year period.

Also included were replacement radar and car video equipment, at a cost of $2,200 and $4,200 respectively.

The police needs list also includes weapons purchases, at a cost of $7,400 in FY23 and $2,200 in FY25.

Taser purchases from FY23-27 are estimated at $7,000 annually.

Lastly, police officials are requesting funds for radios, estimated at $11,500 in FY23 and $23,000 in FY25, with another $22,000 required in FY26 for computer equipment.

On other fronts, renovating the 120-foot-by-60-foot public works building was included at an estimate of $400,000 for FY24.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood said the site upgrades would provide staff a warm, dry spot to enjoy lunch and downtime.

“We could carve out a portion of that building so it’s in the 21st century not the 16th,” he said.

The sanitation department included a garbage truck replacement for FY25 at a cost of $450,000 and a recycling truck replacement in FY26 for $400,000.

Future street paving and sidewalk improvements were also included in the mix.

Staring in FY23, $50,000 would be committed to pave both East Graham and Stevenson Lane, while comparable repairs on Decatur Street would run $70,000.

Paving West Street, at a cost of $1 million, is included for FY26.

Fleetwood said the West Street work would address storm water and sewer capacities, in addition to updating the roadway.

“Not a total reconstruction but the majority will need to be reconstructed,” he said. “It would also address drainage and sidewalks.”

Other sidewalk needs include Tripoli Street to Stephen Decatur Park for $50,000 in FY23, with Washington and East Branch Streets listed for FY25 at a cost of $250,000 and $150,000 respectively.

Other streets under consideration for sidewalk work at some point include Maple Avenue, Decatur Street, Schoolfield Street, Showell Street and Elizabeth Street.

Other needs included under streets was $300,000 in FY27 to realign Decatur Street.

Economic and community development needs include a vehicle replacement in FY25 for $35,000, along with upgrades for the Welcome Center, including HVAC replacement in FY24 for $120,000 and new windows for $50,000 in FY26.

Parks and recreation needs include updates at Henry Park for FY23, including basketball court lighting for $122,000 and playground equipment for $37,500.

Stephen Decatur Park would also get attention during FY23, including $100,000 to replace the walking path and playground equipment for $37,500.

Burbage Park is also slated for upgrades in FY23, including the pavilion, parking and landscaping for still to be determined costs.

Power Plant generation upgrades for FY23 include replacing a pair of engines with natural gas generators at a cost of $2.5 million each.

Expanding the wastewater treatment plant for an estimated cost of $2.5 million was listed for FY 24.

“Which is needed if we want to have EDUs to sell,” Tyndall said.

Other wastewater treatment plant needs include a vac truck for $500,000 in FY25, with equipment purchases listed including $110,000 for valves in FY23, West Street water main work at $750,000 and town water meter replacements at $1 million for FY24, with $2 million earmarked in FY25 for water and sewer work on Washington Street.

Other big ticket items for the water treatment system include $1 million in FY25 for a new well, $500,000 in FY26 for Showell Street sewer work and $5 million for a water tower in FY27.

On the stormwater front, high ticket items included replacing drainage systems on West Street at a cost of $3 million in FY24, with Franklin Avenue and Nelson Street improvements listed for FY26 for $4 million.

Just because certain projects and equipment acquisitions are desired doesn’t mean they will happen on the proposed schedule or at all, for that matter, as Tyndall said adjustments would be considered.

“We will have a group discussion on how to prioritize,” he said.