(Jan. 19, 2017) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a public meeting at town hall on Monday, Jan. 9.
Berlin Youth Club
Amanda Chaffee from Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services provided the council with an end-of-year update on activities of the Berlin Youth Club. An annual grant from the town helps support the activities of the club.
In 2016, Chaffee said children in the program went on a number of field trips, often aided by members of the Berlin Police Department, Robin Tomaselli from Baked Dessert Café and others. Outings included Jolly Roger in Ocean City, Stratosphere Trampoline Park in Fruitland and the Salisbury Zoo.
Chef Phil Cropper from the Worcester Technical High School also surprised the children by decorating the “Ray” room at Worcester Youth in Berlin and throwing them a Mexican fiesta. Thirteen children from the program participated in the Berlin Christmas Parade, and several were involved in the United Spirit Christmas campaign, and given $100 to spend on Christmas presents for their families at the Berlin Wal-Mart.
The Berlin Youth Club included 31 children last year. The next meeting of the club is Friday, Feb. 3.
Voicing concern
During discussion on approval for 32 town events in 2017, Councilman Thom Gulyas said he was concerned by those happenings that included special exceptions for alcohol consumption. Gulyas said he had heard reports about some destruction of property and public urination – among other things – during the town’s New Year’s Eve Celebration.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing, however, noted more arrests had been made on Christmas than during New Year’s Eve.
Growing up in Ocean City, Gulyas said he had seen bad behavior fueled by the public consumption of alcohol on an almost-daily basis, and he was concerned about that kind of conduct in Berlin. He said he could not support the six requested special exceptions unless something was changed, and was the lone “no” vote against those exceptions.
S’no biz like snow biz
Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter joked that her team was a little busy over the weekend, clearing snow from the streets and sidewalks.
“It was a lot of work – not much sleep. And if everybody got here safe tonight, you can thank the public works and water resources crew,” she said.
Downing added that only one accident had occurred during the storm and its aftermath.
“That is unbelievable,” he said, crediting the town’s CodeRED notification system, drivers staying off the roads after a state of emergency was declared and town staff working together.
Henry Park bathrooms
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said a successful bid to install new bathrooms at Dr. William Henry Park had included an error, and the town could now not accept the bid. She said staff would analyze two other bids and report back to the council, likely by the next council meeting on Jan. 23.
Building stats
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said his department granted 199 total permits last year. In 2014, 161 permits were granted, and in 2015 that number “bulged out at 271,” Engelhart said.
That included 10 new single-family dwellings. Not counting Cannery Village, Engelhart said 11 single-family dwellings were granted last year.
“We’re continuing some pretty good infill on the lots that are in the subdivisions in town,” he said. “In 2014 we only had four, so we are definitely ‘America’s coolest small town.’ People want to come here and build their home, whether it’s for their family or for their retirement.”
Façade grants
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said façade grants had been approved for improvements at the NEST and Bayside Gazette building, Burley Oak Brewing Company and at the new Island Creamery ice cream shop.
She said additional money had also been found for the façade grant at the Berlin Visitor’s Center, which would cover the entirety of the cost. Normally those grants fund 50 percent of improvements.
Construction to continue
Town Administrator Laura Allen said work on Flower Street, interrupted by winter weather, would likely continue to close the street for another three-to-four weeks.
On West Street, Allen expected repairs to start before the end of the month. Kreiter estimated that work would last about 60 days.
Drug drop-box
Councilman Zackery Tyndall said he had been attending meetings of the Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction to learn more about the heroin epidemic. While there, he learned about drop-off boxes placed at police stations where residents could turn in their expired or unused prescription medications.
Downing said the Maryland State Police Berlin Barack had such a box, and that residents could drop off items there or at the Berlin police station. The new station, under construction, would also have such a box, Downing added.
Berlin Youth Club
Amanda Chaffee from Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services provided the council with an end-of-year update on activities of the Berlin Youth Club. An annual grant from the town helps support the activities of the club.
In 2016, Chaffee said children in the program went on a number of field trips, often aided by members of the Berlin Police Department, Robin Tomaselli from Baked Dessert Café and others. Outings included Jolly Roger in Ocean City, Stratosphere Trampoline Park in Fruitland and the Salisbury Zoo.
Chef Phil Cropper from the Worcester Technical High School also surprised the children by decorating the “Ray” room at Worcester Youth in Berlin and throwing them a Mexican fiesta. Thirteen children from the program participated in the Berlin Christmas Parade, and several were involved in the United Spirit Christmas campaign, and given $100 to spend on Christmas presents for their families at the Berlin Wal-Mart.
The Berlin Youth Club included 31 children last year. The next meeting of the club is Friday, Feb. 3.
Voicing concern
During discussion on approval for 32 town events in 2017, Councilman Thom Gulyas said he was concerned by those happenings that included special exceptions for alcohol consumption. Gulyas said he had heard reports about some destruction of property and public urination – among other things – during the town’s New Year’s Eve Celebration.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing, however, noted more arrests had been made on Christmas than during New Year’s Eve.
Growing up in Ocean City, Gulyas said he had seen bad behavior fueled by the public consumption of alcohol on an almost-daily basis, and he was concerned about that kind of conduct in Berlin. He said he could not support the six requested special exceptions unless something was changed, and was the lone “no” vote against those exceptions.
S’no biz like snow biz
Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter joked that her team was a little busy over the weekend, clearing snow from the streets and sidewalks.
“It was a lot of work – not much sleep. And if everybody got here safe tonight, you can thank the public works and water resources crew,” she said.
Downing added that only one accident had occurred during the storm and its aftermath.
“That is unbelievable,” he said, crediting the town’s CodeRED notification system, drivers staying off the roads after a state of emergency was declared and town staff working together.
Henry Park bathrooms
Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said a successful bid to install new bathrooms at Dr. William Henry Park had included an error, and the town could now not accept the bid. She said staff would analyze two other bids and report back to the council, likely by the next council meeting on Jan. 23.
Building stats
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said his department granted 199 total permits last year. In 2014, 161 permits were granted, and in 2015 that number “bulged out at 271,” Engelhart said.
That included 10 new single-family dwellings. Not counting Cannery Village, Engelhart said 11 single-family dwellings were granted last year.
“We’re continuing some pretty good infill on the lots that are in the subdivisions in town,” he said. “In 2014 we only had four, so we are definitely ‘America’s coolest small town.’ People want to come here and build their home, whether it’s for their family or for their retirement.”
Façade grants
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said façade grants had been approved for improvements at the NEST and Bayside Gazette building, Burley Oak Brewing Company and at the new Island Creamery ice cream shop.
She said additional money had also been found for the façade grant at the Berlin Visitor’s Center, which would cover the entirety of the cost. Normally those grants fund 50 percent of improvements.
Construction to continue
Town Administrator Laura Allen said work on Flower Street, interrupted by winter weather, would likely continue to close the street for another three-to-four weeks.
On West Street, Allen expected repairs to start before the end of the month. Kreiter estimated that work would last about 60 days.
Drug drop-box
Councilman Zackery Tyndall said he had been attending meetings of the Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction to learn more about the heroin epidemic. While there, he learned about drop-off boxes placed at police stations where residents could turn in their expired or unused prescription medications.
Downing said the Maryland State Police Berlin Barack had such a box, and that residents could drop off items there or at the Berlin police station. The new station, under construction, would also have such a box, Downing added.