By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(May 7, 2020) The Berlin mayor and Town Council approved a request for youth basketball programs at Henry Park provided they could potentially reschedule the dates if needed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

During the mayor and Town Council meeting on Monday, April 27, Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood explained that the summer youth instructional basketball program is currently scheduled to take place at Henry Park located on Flower Street on Saturdays from June 6 to July 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. The event is open to children in grades 3-8 and will only cost $5 per person.

Mary Bohlen

“This is very similar to what Worcester Recreation did last summer in Henry Park, it was a very popular program,” Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said. “Obviously in light of the corona pandemic, this is what their plan is, that could very well change on what the situation is in June.”

Currently, all local parks have been closed by Mayor Gee Williams to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  All town events scheduled into the month of June were cancelled. These circumstances made it difficult for the council to come to a decision.

Councilmember Zach Tyndall recommended the program be moved to July, but Bohlen explained that all the paperwork was submitted long before the pandemic became an issue.

“They haven’t had a chance to look at it from that point of view yet,” she said. “However, if you want us to go at it with the approach that we have that no events shall take place, then we can ask them if they want to adjust those dates and bring it back.”

Councilmember Dean Burrell suggested the motion be approved on the contingency that the dates can be adjusted.

“If they cannot [adjust those dates], that’s on them,” he said. “Tonight, we can still approve based on my motion.”