(Aug. 25, 2016) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a public meeting at town hall on Monday:
National Night Out
Police Chief Arnold Downing thanked participants for their help during the recent National Night Out event at Henry Park, specifically the faith-based community and three new partners who aided the cause this year. Of the approximately $1,500 expended during the event, Downing said the police department only had to spend $27.
“We’ve very proud of the community coming together on that day and throughout the whole year,” he said.
He also said the police department’s 23rd annual charity golf tournament had the highest turnout in a decade.
“The support that we as a police department has been getting from the community makes me feel really proud,” he said.
Façade grants
Councilman Tom Gulyas noted that Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells still had about $50,000 in façade grants and “she can’t give the money away.”
“It baffles me that nobody wants to take advantage of these façade grants,” he said.
Wells said the Community Legacy Foundation money, given through the Department Housing and Community Development, allowed her to match up to $10,000 – or as little as $500 – in exterior improvements to shops that could include paint, windows, gutters, or a new roof, among other things.
“Anything that makes the appearance of the appearance of their facades look better,” she said.
Hall, who is opening up a butcher shop, said she had taken advantage of the grants.
Stormwater modification
The council unanimously approved a $147,173 modification to a stormwater contract with EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc.
The modification apparently covers construction inspection services related to the Hudson Branch and Flower Street Offline Wetlands project and culvert replacement, which recently got underway, along with design work related to improvements on Williams Street and Graham Avenue, Grice Street and Nelson Avenue.
Councilwoman Lisa Hall called the change to the contract “substantial,” adding that it was her belief that those fees were covered under a prior contract.
Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter clarified that they were not, but that the addition would likely be covered by the approximately $2 million the town had received in stormwater grants.
An official with EA Engineering estimated that improvements on Williams Street would be permitted this fall and that construction could start this winter. He could not provide a timeline on upgrades at Graham, Grice and Nelson.
Later during the meeting, Kreiter affirmed that Flower Street stormwater improvements had started in the area behind the multipurpose building. She said a six-foot fence had been put up around the site, because of its proximity to a playground.
Peak peaked
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said the town engaged in peak shaving utility usage 19 times this year, a new record.
Peak shaving is the process of reducing the amount of energy purchased from a utility company during peak hours when charges are the highest. One way to reduce consumption is to generate a certain amount of offset energy back onto the grid.
“In the six years that I’ve been here, the most that I’ve seen is 13,” he said.
New construction
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said preconstruction meetings were held on Aug. 11 for the new police station near Flower Street and the Oceans East apartment complex, near Stephen Decatur High School.
He also said construction had started for an expansion of Twisters, on Old Ocean City Boulevard.
Christmas lights
The council unanimously approved a requisition order for about $12,000 to purchase 5,000 feet of LED Christmas lights, which would replace the ones currently strung up in the trees in the downtown area. Those lights are turned on each evening, year-round in the town.
Lawrence said the town had been purchasing lower quality lights that needed to be replaced often.
National Night Out
Police Chief Arnold Downing thanked participants for their help during the recent National Night Out event at Henry Park, specifically the faith-based community and three new partners who aided the cause this year. Of the approximately $1,500 expended during the event, Downing said the police department only had to spend $27.
“We’ve very proud of the community coming together on that day and throughout the whole year,” he said.
He also said the police department’s 23rd annual charity golf tournament had the highest turnout in a decade.
“The support that we as a police department has been getting from the community makes me feel really proud,” he said.
Façade grants
Councilman Tom Gulyas noted that Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells still had about $50,000 in façade grants and “she can’t give the money away.”
“It baffles me that nobody wants to take advantage of these façade grants,” he said.
Wells said the Community Legacy Foundation money, given through the Department Housing and Community Development, allowed her to match up to $10,000 – or as little as $500 – in exterior improvements to shops that could include paint, windows, gutters, or a new roof, among other things.
“Anything that makes the appearance of the appearance of their facades look better,” she said.
Hall, who is opening up a butcher shop, said she had taken advantage of the grants.
Stormwater modification
The council unanimously approved a $147,173 modification to a stormwater contract with EA Engineering, Science and Technology Inc.
The modification apparently covers construction inspection services related to the Hudson Branch and Flower Street Offline Wetlands project and culvert replacement, which recently got underway, along with design work related to improvements on Williams Street and Graham Avenue, Grice Street and Nelson Avenue.
Councilwoman Lisa Hall called the change to the contract “substantial,” adding that it was her belief that those fees were covered under a prior contract.
Public Works and Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter clarified that they were not, but that the addition would likely be covered by the approximately $2 million the town had received in stormwater grants.
An official with EA Engineering estimated that improvements on Williams Street would be permitted this fall and that construction could start this winter. He could not provide a timeline on upgrades at Graham, Grice and Nelson.
Later during the meeting, Kreiter affirmed that Flower Street stormwater improvements had started in the area behind the multipurpose building. She said a six-foot fence had been put up around the site, because of its proximity to a playground.
Peak peaked
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said the town engaged in peak shaving utility usage 19 times this year, a new record.
Peak shaving is the process of reducing the amount of energy purchased from a utility company during peak hours when charges are the highest. One way to reduce consumption is to generate a certain amount of offset energy back onto the grid.
“In the six years that I’ve been here, the most that I’ve seen is 13,” he said.
New construction
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said preconstruction meetings were held on Aug. 11 for the new police station near Flower Street and the Oceans East apartment complex, near Stephen Decatur High School.
He also said construction had started for an expansion of Twisters, on Old Ocean City Boulevard.
Christmas lights
The council unanimously approved a requisition order for about $12,000 to purchase 5,000 feet of LED Christmas lights, which would replace the ones currently strung up in the trees in the downtown area. Those lights are turned on each evening, year-round in the town.
Lawrence said the town had been purchasing lower quality lights that needed to be replaced often.