By Tara Fischer
Staff Writer
(March 26, 2026) As the Town of Berlin prepares to vacate Town Hall for upcoming renovations, officials this week approved plans to label a wide range of items as surplus property and offer them to the public through a sale aligned with the townwide yard sale scheduled for April 4.
At Monday’s Town Council meeting, Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said staff are still identifying items to be included. Furniture to be added to the sale consists of file cabinets, tables, chairs, and other miscellaneous goods.
“Usually, we like to have a detailed list, but unfortunately, every day we’re coming across things and going, ‘Oh, we forgot about interior doors,’ or whatever,” Bohlen said. “The best we can do at this point is say we are cataloging things as we go, and the intent is to hold a yard sale, or along with the town yard sale.”
The town plans to open Town Hall to the public for a walk-through preview on Thursday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., allowing potential buyers to view available items ahead of the community yard sale scheduled for that weekend.
A social media post announcing the event states that those interested in touring the Town Hall should call 410-641-4314 or email mbohlen@berlinmd.gov to schedule a time to view the surplus property. However, the April 4 sale will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Viewing the articles on Thursday does not guarantee purchase on Saturday.
Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the effort is designed both to clear out the building and to capitalize on increased foot traffic during the event.
“We are trying to maximize the fact that community yard salers will be out,” Tyndall said.
The mayor added that costs will be flexible, but that the municipality will still aim to get the best price. However, he maintained that whatever cannot be repurposed by the town and is not sold by the end of the day will be thrown away.
“We are trying to get the best price, but we also don’t want to have to take it to the landfill at the end of the day, which is what we have to do,” Tyndall said. “Make an offer, as long as it’s reasonable. If it’s $1 and we think we can get $10, we’ll try to get $10. But we also know that public works will have to take everything we can’t sell to the landfill. And then we’re going to have to pay to get rid of it.”
Councilmember Dean Burrell expressed his concern about underselling usable items.
“I don’t want things walking out that have some value for just a few dollars,” he said. “…The value is what someone is willing to pay.”
Officials emphasized that not everything will be sold or thrown out. Items in good condition or with future use will be retained and either reused in the renovated Town Hall or repurposed for other departments.
“If a door can be reused, we are saving it; it will not be labeled as surplus…the chairs for the council meeting, they’re being retained. We are trying to reuse where we can,” Tyndall said.
The town and all interior furniture must vacate the building by April 6 to allow contractors to begin work.
Furthermore, resident Carol Rose asked that the municipality, where possible, maintain items to keep costs low when furnishing the renovated Town Hall.
“Please be careful with our money,” she said. “…people cannot afford to have their taxes go up anymore.”
Tyndall responded that the town is working closely with its architect to evaluate what can be reused and is taking a careful approach to spending.
“We spend money with the utmost diligence, as if it were coming from our own pockets,” he said. “Because ultimately it is, from our own taxes.”
The council unanimously approved the surplus declaration and sale plan, with Councilmember Shaneka Nichols absent.
The effort comes as Berlin moves forward with a major Town Hall renovation project. In February, the council awarded a $3.15 million construction contract to the Keller Brothers for the initiative.
The project includes building-system upgrades and the addition of an elevator. Staff is required to temporarily vacate the building while construction is underway.