By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(Feb. 27, 2020) Without enough Town Council members to establish a quorum Monday, the council cancelled its regular evening session and will reschedule both its work session on short term rentals and its bi-monthly meeting.

According to Berlin’s bylaws, in order to hold a council meeting there needs to be either a majority of the council, which would be three members, or two members of the council and the mayor.

Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood canceled both meetings Monday afternoon as there were not enough members of the council available to reach the quorum.

The work session on the proposed short-term rental rules will be rescheduled for the next mayor and Town Council meeting, set for Monday, March 9. This work session will not be open for public discussion, though the public may attend if it so chooses.

The town staff has spent several months researching short-term rental regulations, otherwise known as Airbnbs, in other communities and is working toward drafting an ordinance tailored for Berlin’s needs.

Last month, the Coastal Association of Realtors sent a letter to the Planning Commission expressing its concerns regarding short-term rental regulations. Several residents had also voiced their opinions during that meeting.

The work session will use talking points created by the Berlin administrative staff, who are seeking comments from the mayor and council so it can write a resolution that the council can consider.

The next mayor and Town Council meeting will also discuss a presentation by Planning Director Dave Engelhart and Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen on a possible change in the comprehensive plan to address climate change.

The public hearing regarding the rezoning of a Berlin property from Industrial District (M-1) to a Shopping District (B-2) that was planned for this Monday’s meeting has been postponed until late April, Fleetwood said.