(Aug. 31, 2017) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a meeting at Town Hall on Monday:
Energy assistance
Finance Director Natalie Saleh said SHORE UP! has funds to help residents throughout the Eastern Shore pay for electric bills. Money is also available for things such as fixing air conditioners and windows.
Saleh said applications were available at Town Hall and online at www.shoreup.org/eastern-shore-md-services-programs/Energy-Assistance-and-Family-Support-Programs.
Councilman Dean Burrell said residents could also call the Snow Hill office at 410-632-3624, or the Salisbury office at 410-749-1142. Ask for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program.
Bikeways update
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said the latest revision to the grant agreement for the Berlin Bikeways project arrived on Monday. He said the staff would evaluate it and report back.
The town is planning to build a walking and biking path along the railroad tracks, connecting Berlin Falls park and the downtown area.
Engelhart said he also looked into a bikeway that would run to the east side of town.
“We do, in fact, own a 20-foot strip between Main Street and William Street, all the way through, along the fencing of the electric plant,” he said. “There could be some obstacles to using that … but it’s a place to start to look.”
Main Street award
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the town is a semi-finalist in the Great American Main Street Award.
“It’s basically the highest award that our downtown could win. It’s run by the National Main Street Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and, hopefully, we’ll win,” Wells said. “I’m not going to find out for several months, but it’s really nice to be in the top 10.”
Special events
The council unanimously approved a pair of events: the return of the annual Reindeer Run, Dec. 2, and the inaugural Bark for Life, Nov. 5.
Reindeer Run, a 5K and one-mile walk and run, will begin at the Atlantic Hotel on Main Street and end at Burley Oak Brewing Company on Old Ocean City Boulevard. The event will benefit nonprofit group Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction.
Bark for Life is scheduled to occur at Stephen Decatur Park and will include vendor and information tables related to pets. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
Phone systems
The council also unanimously approved new phone systems for the new Berlin Police Department near the corner of Flower Street and Assateague Road.
Four bids were received and the winning offer went to Chesapeake Telephone Systems, for $29,518 and an annual fee of $255. The bid included a five-year warrantee on parts.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing said the town would own its telephone system. Currently, it leases equipment from Comcast.
Jeep Jam
Chris Cropper from CC Customs, an organizer of Jeep Week in Berlin, said the event, last weekend at Berlin Falls park was very successful.
He said Saturday was the busiest day in Jeep Week history, drawing more than 1,000 jeeps and more than 5,000 spectators.
“It was pretty impressive to see the amount of people that we brought to the town for Saturday,” he said. “Just for future impact, I’d like to be able to try to do something else with Berlin, whether it’s Jeep Jam or future events at that facility.”
Energy assistance
Finance Director Natalie Saleh said SHORE UP! has funds to help residents throughout the Eastern Shore pay for electric bills. Money is also available for things such as fixing air conditioners and windows.
Saleh said applications were available at Town Hall and online at www.shoreup.org/eastern-shore-md-services-programs/Energy-Assistance-and-Family-Support-Programs.
Councilman Dean Burrell said residents could also call the Snow Hill office at 410-632-3624, or the Salisbury office at 410-749-1142. Ask for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program.
Bikeways update
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said the latest revision to the grant agreement for the Berlin Bikeways project arrived on Monday. He said the staff would evaluate it and report back.
The town is planning to build a walking and biking path along the railroad tracks, connecting Berlin Falls park and the downtown area.
Engelhart said he also looked into a bikeway that would run to the east side of town.
“We do, in fact, own a 20-foot strip between Main Street and William Street, all the way through, along the fencing of the electric plant,” he said. “There could be some obstacles to using that … but it’s a place to start to look.”
Main Street award
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the town is a semi-finalist in the Great American Main Street Award.
“It’s basically the highest award that our downtown could win. It’s run by the National Main Street Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and, hopefully, we’ll win,” Wells said. “I’m not going to find out for several months, but it’s really nice to be in the top 10.”
Special events
The council unanimously approved a pair of events: the return of the annual Reindeer Run, Dec. 2, and the inaugural Bark for Life, Nov. 5.
Reindeer Run, a 5K and one-mile walk and run, will begin at the Atlantic Hotel on Main Street and end at Burley Oak Brewing Company on Old Ocean City Boulevard. The event will benefit nonprofit group Worcester County Warriors Against Opiate Addiction.
Bark for Life is scheduled to occur at Stephen Decatur Park and will include vendor and information tables related to pets. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
Phone systems
The council also unanimously approved new phone systems for the new Berlin Police Department near the corner of Flower Street and Assateague Road.
Four bids were received and the winning offer went to Chesapeake Telephone Systems, for $29,518 and an annual fee of $255. The bid included a five-year warrantee on parts.
Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing said the town would own its telephone system. Currently, it leases equipment from Comcast.
Jeep Jam
Chris Cropper from CC Customs, an organizer of Jeep Week in Berlin, said the event, last weekend at Berlin Falls park was very successful.
He said Saturday was the busiest day in Jeep Week history, drawing more than 1,000 jeeps and more than 5,000 spectators.
“It was pretty impressive to see the amount of people that we brought to the town for Saturday,” he said. “Just for future impact, I’d like to be able to try to do something else with Berlin, whether it’s Jeep Jam or future events at that facility.”