By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Feb. 12, 2026) After a lengthy and detailed discussion on Monday night, the Berlin Town Council awarded the Town Hall renovation contract to Keller Brothers and transferred $1,045,000 in unassigned dollars to the assigned side of the ledger to pay for it.

The approvals came through two motions considered at the Monday, Feb. 9, meeting of the Berlin mayor and council. The first authorized transferring $1.045 million from the town’s unassigned fund balance into capital reserves to help finance the project.

The second awarded the construction contract to Keller Brothers for a total of $3,156,693. This includes a base bid of $2.39 million, a contingency of $260,000, an elevator at $204,999, and, contingent on the future presentation of an itemized list to be actioned by the council, $300,703 for furniture.

Mayor Zack Tyndall explained that while the project was originally expected to cost about $2.5 million, unforeseen circumstances have driven the price higher.

“When we originally came up with the amount we thought we would need for Town Hall renovations, that was us throwing something against the board,” Tyndall said. “And along the way…We did not anticipate a full HVAC replacement; we did not expect the well failures with the geothermal unit…This bid includes making sure we replace those things.”

Some council members raised concerns about the overall cost and the use of unassigned funds, particularly given that other town needs, such as stormwater management, sidewalks, and parking, remain unfunded.

Councilmember Jack Orris expressed frustration that money could be moved for Town Hall but not for other projects previously deemed urgent.

“I’m frustrated … we have been told for months that things we’ve asked for will have to wait until Fiscal Year 27,” he said. “Stormwater, parking, streets, sidewalks. Yet we are now able to move [funds] over for this Town Hall renovation.”

Finance staff assured that the transferred funds will remain in capital reserves and can be reassigned if necessary.

Furthermore, Tyndall clarified that per calculations by the town’s finance department, even with the increased cost to the project, Berlin will remain in a secure financial position.

“None of this puts the town in an uncomfortable fiscal position,” the mayor said.

Additionally, to control costs, the council opted not to proceed with several alternatives, including renovations to the planning annex building, façade improvements, a new generator, and audio-visual upgrades. Those items were grouped under a third motion, which was shelved for future consideration.

Tyndall said focusing on the core building made the most sense. However, one previously alternative item, an elevator to remain compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will be factored into the approved work.

“It makes more sense to do [the elevator] when you’re doing the whole project rather than phasing that,” he said.

Furniture costs also drew criticism from the council, with some members calling the roughly $300,000 estimate too high. Ultimately, the council approved the amount on the condition that no furniture purchases be made until the itemized list is reviewed.

Staff and officials maintained that functional furniture is essential to ensure Town of Berlin employees can do their jobs.

“$300,000 is a big number,” Tyndall said. “We don’t disagree, but we have to make sure staff have the ability to have the equipment they need to do their jobs…I know what it takes for our departments to function. And the fact is, they have been holding the basics together with duct tape.”

Both motions passed unanimously, with Council Vice President Dean Burrell absent.