(Dec. 15, 216) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during their Dec. 12 meeting at Town Hall.
Audit report
PKS & Company presented an “unmodified” opinion of Berlin financials, also known as a “clean opinion,” which PKS Partner Michael Kleger said was the “highest level of service” the company could provide as auditors.
According to the firm’s review, general fund revenues grew from $5.3 million in 2015 to $5.7 million in fiscal year 2016, about seven percent, and expenses increased from $5.1 million last year to $8.1 million during the current fiscal year, largely because of the purchase of the former Tyson’s Chicken property on Old Ocean City Boulevard.
Oceans East
The council unanimously approved the sale of 24 EDUs for $400,464 to Rinnier Development Company for the first 24 apartments in the Oceans East complex on Seahawk Road.
The developer purchased a 120-acre parcel of land in 2013 that was annexed into the town last year. Rinnier plans to build 144 apartments there over a period of about a decade.
A public works agreement for the first portion of the build was also approved unanimously.
Flower Street and stormwater update
Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter said the town had to reroute part of its culvert replacement plans on Flower Street because a waterline that was not on existing maps was discovered. She said the discovery would not change the timeline of the project.
A similar discovery apparently occurred on West Street, where stormwater plans had to be redrawn because four lines – two abandoned water lines and one each for stormwater and gas – were discovered.
Break-ins
Police Chief Arnold Downing cautioned residents to lock their cars, and said seven break-ins had been reported during the last month. Thieves were apparently looking for packages purchased by holiday shoppers.
Downing urged residents to “be diligent.”
Happy holidays
Monday’s meeting was the last of 2016 in the town and each member of the council wished Berliners a safe and happy holiday.
“I hope everyone takes a few minutes during this holiday season … [to] appreciate and acknowledge how blessed and fortunate we are to live in a community where the hue and glow or coloration of the Christmas decorations is an issue,” Mayor Gee Williams said with a laugh. “That’s wonderful. We are so fortunate.”
Generator update
A two-piece, 22,000-pound generator at the Williams Street electric plant was being brought back online after repairs were done to fix flooding damage done by a recent heavy rain.
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said a new three-stage pumping system was being installed to prevent similar situations in the future, and that alerts would be sent from the system to town officials via text and email in case of any flooding concerns.
Audit report
PKS & Company presented an “unmodified” opinion of Berlin financials, also known as a “clean opinion,” which PKS Partner Michael Kleger said was the “highest level of service” the company could provide as auditors.
According to the firm’s review, general fund revenues grew from $5.3 million in 2015 to $5.7 million in fiscal year 2016, about seven percent, and expenses increased from $5.1 million last year to $8.1 million during the current fiscal year, largely because of the purchase of the former Tyson’s Chicken property on Old Ocean City Boulevard.
Oceans East
The council unanimously approved the sale of 24 EDUs for $400,464 to Rinnier Development Company for the first 24 apartments in the Oceans East complex on Seahawk Road.
The developer purchased a 120-acre parcel of land in 2013 that was annexed into the town last year. Rinnier plans to build 144 apartments there over a period of about a decade.
A public works agreement for the first portion of the build was also approved unanimously.
Flower Street and stormwater update
Water Resources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter said the town had to reroute part of its culvert replacement plans on Flower Street because a waterline that was not on existing maps was discovered. She said the discovery would not change the timeline of the project.
A similar discovery apparently occurred on West Street, where stormwater plans had to be redrawn because four lines – two abandoned water lines and one each for stormwater and gas – were discovered.
Break-ins
Police Chief Arnold Downing cautioned residents to lock their cars, and said seven break-ins had been reported during the last month. Thieves were apparently looking for packages purchased by holiday shoppers.
Downing urged residents to “be diligent.”
Happy holidays
Monday’s meeting was the last of 2016 in the town and each member of the council wished Berliners a safe and happy holiday.
“I hope everyone takes a few minutes during this holiday season … [to] appreciate and acknowledge how blessed and fortunate we are to live in a community where the hue and glow or coloration of the Christmas decorations is an issue,” Mayor Gee Williams said with a laugh. “That’s wonderful. We are so fortunate.”
Generator update
A two-piece, 22,000-pound generator at the Williams Street electric plant was being brought back online after repairs were done to fix flooding damage done by a recent heavy rain.
Electric Utilities Director Tim Lawrence said a new three-stage pumping system was being installed to prevent similar situations in the future, and that alerts would be sent from the system to town officials via text and email in case of any flooding concerns.