JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Examples of homemade bee hotels were presented to the Berlin Mayor and Council last month as part of a presentation by a group of Salisbury University students.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(June 7, 2018) The Berlin mayor and council discussed the following items during a public meeting at Town Hall last Tuesday:

Special events

The council unanimously approved a new event, the Trinity Church Walk for Health on July 28 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Park, and the return of National Night Out on Aug. 7 from 4-7 p.m. at Dr. William Henry Park.

The Walk for Health event is free and open to the public, and will include health screenings, according to organizer Crystal Lockwood.

Police Chief Arnold Downing said National Night Out, the local chapter of a popular national event bringing together communities and law enforcement, draws more than 500 people each year and includes food and family activities.

Bee City

After being lobbied by Salisbury University students at a meeting last month, the council unanimously endorsed a resolution designating Berlin as a “Bee City USA” affiliate.

The mission of Bee City USA is “to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators responsible for the reproduction of 90 percent of the world’s wild plant species, by providing them with a healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.”

Water Resources/Public Works Director Jane Kreiter will be the primary contact for any bee-related initiatives or, as Town Administrator Laura Allen put it, the “queen bee.”

Storm stories

Police Chief Arnold Downing said officers helped rescue three cars stuck during the recent rain storm, including one that trapped a mother and two children inside.

“We’ve had several people ask why do we have those military vehicles … that’s the reason why,” Downing said, adding the surplus military vehicles also were used during snow rescues last winter.

“We remind folks not to go ahead and drive in high water,” he said.

“Turn around — don’t drown!” Town Administrator Laura Allen added.

Farmer’s market update

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the new Berlin farmer’s market would start on Sunday, June 17 on Artisan’s Green, near Go Organic Grocer and House by Salvaged.

The market will run on Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. through Sept. 30, and Wells said a grant from the Worcester County Arts Council would pay for live music.

The town also uses the privately owned space during the 3rd Thursday Lunchtime Concert Series.

“There’s nothing better than a great private-public partnership, and this is just a continuation of that unused space in downtown Berlin. It’s a perfect location for a farmer’s market,” Wells said.

Nonprofit meeting

Allen said an orientation meeting for nonprofits wishing to secure town grants is scheduled for June 20 at 4 p.m. in the council chambers at Town Hall.

“If you want to apply, we need you to come to that meeting,” Allen said.

Trash pickup

Allen said the town is having some issues with trash pickup.

“It seems not everybody is getting their trash out by 6 a.m. for pickup by our public works crews,” she said “To the extent that the press could just help us remind folks that we need your trash out before 6 a.m. [would be beneficial].”

Baker Street kudos

Resident Suzanne Parks, formerly an outspoken critic of the poor condition of Baker Street, said recent road repairs there have made a world of difference.

“I’m here to thank the council for that they did,” she said. “It’s just 100 percent better. It doesn’t sound like we have rumble strips on the street, the blacktop is wonderful, and I just want to thank you [on behalf of] all the residents on Baker Street.”