New Berlin Councilman Tony Weeg (District 4) is pictured with Mayor Zack Tyndall and friends and family in attendance to support him.

By Tara Fischer
Staff Writer

(Oct. 15, 2026) After Berlin’s municipal election was canceled because of the absence of contested races, council members Tony Weeg, Matt Stoehr and Jay Knerr took their seats on the Town Council Tuesday night.

Joining the governing body for the first time are Weeg, representing District 4, and Stoehr, representing District 1. Knerr is returning for another term as the council’s at-large representative. Each will serve a four-year term.

Weeg, founder of the nonprofit We Heart Berlin, has taken the seat of longtime Councilman Dean Burrell, who retired after 32 years in office. Stoehr, the former Berlin Planning Commission chair, replaced Steve Green.

Green was elected to the Worcester County Commissioners this summer. Unopposed in the November general election, Green, an editor with this publication, will be sworn in Dec. 1 as the county board’s District 4 representative.

Green said he was leaving the council with the same love and passion for Berlin that he brought to the position. While he still has concerns about the town’s future, he said he has confidence in its leadership and incoming council members.

“What we are today compared to what we were when I was growing up, it’s incredible,” Green said. “It’s the incredible organic character that brings this town special praise from magazines and websites.”

Green said he had tried to approach his council position with humility, reason, and kindness. He encouraged the new council members to listen to town employees, their colleagues, and residents while asking questions about the matters brought before them.

Stoehr served on the Berlin Planning Commission for seven years, including roughly two and a half years as its chair. He also owns Mast Contracting, a home remodeling company.

During his first meeting as a council member, Stoehr said he expects to ask many questions, including some for which he may already know the answers, to help residents understand town business.

“I’m never up here to give you guys a ‘gotcha’ question,” he said. “I’m really just trying to educate everyone because I get the calls, I talk to people at the bars, and they’re in my ear.”

Former Berlin Planning Commission Chair Matt Stoehr (District 1), left, accepts the Oath of Office from Mayor Zack Tyndall. Stoehr replaces outgoing Councilman Steve Green, who will become a county commissioner in December.

Stoehr said he would work to get residents answers and rely on town officials and other experts to explain issues.

“Talk to me,” he said. “I’ll try to get answers. I’ll try to educate everyone, not from my viewpoint, but from the experts who can explain it better than I can.”

Weeg is a photographer, videographer, and software developer who founded We Heart Berlin, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding recreational opportunities for the town and its residents.

Weeg thanked Burrell for his guidance and promised to remember the longtime councilman’s example when making decisions.

“Old bull, I appreciate everything,” Weeg said to Burrell. “This is young grasshopper telling you, ‘I got this,’ and I’ll always keep your spirit in my mind when making decisions.”

Weeg said he would bring creativity and “a lifetime of computer nerd skills” to the council, particularly when technical expertise could benefit the town.

“I promise to be fair, never vindictive, and always learning,” he said. “… Berlin, every piece of Berlin, I am here for you. I am ready to serve on this council for today and for our future.”

Knerr joined the council after winning a 2020 special election prompted by the resignation of then-councilman-at-large Thom Gulyas. He secured a full term in 2022.

Knerr, who owns the Kite Loft in Ocean City, has highlighted maintaining a stable property tax rate, supporting infrastructure improvements, and preserving Berlin’s historic character among his priorities.

“Welcome to Tony and Matt,” Knerr said Tuesday. “I look forward to working with you over the next four years. Good to have you.”

Berlin Councilman Jay Knerr, pictured with his family, accepts the Oath of Office for his third term in office on Monday night.

Berlin canceled its municipal election, which had been scheduled for Oct. 6, after the candidate filing and write-in deadlines passed without any contested races. Weeg, Stoehr, and Knerr were the only candidates to file for the three available seats and were therefore declared incoming councilmen.

With Burrell, the council’s vice president, now retired, the governing body selected a new member to fill the leadership position Tuesday night.

Councilman Jack Orris was nominated for vice president by Stoehr with Orris seconding. The council voted unanimously in favor of the appointment.