By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Jan. 25, 2018) Several cost-cutting measures saved the Town of Berlin almost $100,000 on a tennis court renovation project at Stephen Decatur Park.

Long in the works, the renovation was presented during budget hearings last year at an estimated cost of $372,000. On Monday night the Town Council unanimously approved spending $299,603, the majority of which would be paid for by grant money.

In trying to trim expenses, town officials broke the work down into several, smaller components.

Terra Firma of Delmarva, Inc. was awarded a contract not to exceed $84,798, for tennis court construction. Additionally, the town agreed to pay $59,838 to Grasso Fence. Co. for the purchase and installation of fencing, and $11,738 to Cunningham Recreation for installation of “specified amenities,” including benches and infrastructure for netting.

A reallocation of not to exceed $17,614 from reserves was also approved by the council.

Of the total cost, $215,000 will be covered by a Community Parks and Playgrounds grant and $20,000 will come from Program Open Space. Both agencies operate under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Berlin Electric Company will provide additional services valued at $46,989.

Town Administrator Laura Allen called the project “a long time coming.”

“Back in May, when the project was brought up before the council, staff was directed to do everything that they can to scale the project back,” Allen said. “We worked diligently to do that. We also worked diligently to get some additional grant money, which we were able to achieve.”

Allen said staff would do some of the work associated with the project, including removing and disposing of the old fence.

Berlin Parks Commission Chairman Mike Wiley said his group supported the project.

“About 18 months ago we were actually sitting around, talking about a rough date to have a ribbon cutting, last spring,” Wiley said. “The next month we found out that the blacktop was thicker [than expected] and this caused a lot of the cost overruns. So naturally, everything was put on hold.”

He credited Allen, Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen and other staff with developing an alternative plan and lowering costs.

Wiley said the tennis courts were not as widely used as the walking path or playground at Decatur Park, but was nonetheless a popular part of the town parks system.

“The usage may have fallen off some due to the condition of the court itself, however I feel confident in predicting it will pick up once again if the courts are reconstructed,” Wiley said. “The old saying, ‘if we build it they will come’ holds true here, in my own opinion.”

Commission member Patricia Dufendach could not attend, but sent a letter of support.

“Through the years we have seen repairs performed that were not sufficient, leaving the courts in an unsafe, unsightly manner,” she said in the statement. “Watching players attempt to use our facility was less than inspiring. [Bringing] these tennis courts up to our standards, having the work done properly, will give the citizens of Berlin many years of maintenance-free use and enjoyment.

“Nice courts attract players, [and] the potential for classes and competitions will be part of the future of Berlin parks,” Dufendach continued. “As we move towards recreational opportunities, this could be a keystone project.”

Councilman Zack Tyndall made the formal motion.

“When we first saw the project in May … at the $372,000 threshold, that was a little outside of the grant funding and a little scary for us to pull from our general fund,” he said. “Since staff has done such a great job, working with our engineers and trying to figure out where we can trim those costs, I’ll make a motion that we move forward.”

The vote was 4-0 with one member, Councilman Troy Purnell, not present during the meeting.