By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) The Berlin Planning Commission began a review last week of proposed changes to the site plan review process to clarify the commission’s role in development projects and define when revised plans must return for additional review. Emily Morris, the town planning department’s legal consultant, said many of… Read more »
News
Berlin police chief’s request for records upgrade okayed
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) The Berlin Police Department wants a modernized communication system to streamline cross-agency collaboration and to enhance public safety. At Monday night’s Berlin Town Council meeting, Police Chief Howard Drewer asked the council to replace the department’s current Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management System (RMS), and Mobile Computer… Read more »
Berlin scales back Henry’s Mill Drive work
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) The Town of Berlin will pursue a scaled-back paving project in the Henry’s Mill community after discovering that repairing the entire roadway would cost the municipality far more than originally anticipated. The initiative was presented at Monday night’s Berlin Town Council meeting. The town had initially intended… Read more »
Grant-funded stormwater project questioned, but approved
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) The Berlin Town Council voted this week to proceed with a stormwater management upgrades project that officials hope will increase stormwater storage capacity and reduce flooding. The vote came despite residents arguing the work fails to address longtime neighborhood drainage problems. The project, which was approved with… Read more »
Berlin scores $50K in state grants for market, events
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) Downtown Berlin’s festivals, arts programs and streetscape improvements received a monetary boost after the state awarded the town’s Main Street and Arts and Entertainment District two grants totaling $50,500. The funding involves a $34,000 Main Street Maryland grant through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development… Read more »
Heron Park project gains site plan approval; No settlement but town has approved site plan for one stage of Tyson plant project
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) A push to transform the dilapidated and dormant Tyson’s poultry building on Old Ocean City Boulevard into a vibrant commercial center is finally gaining some momentum now that the project has received site plan approval. The Berlin Planning Commission last Wednesday endorsed the final site plans submitted… Read more »
Council gasps at high price of furnishings; New furniture for renovated Town Hall exceeds $250K
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) A quarter-million-dollar furniture package proposed for Berlin’s renovated Town Hall was tabled this week after councilmembers and residents expressed concerns that the expenditure is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars. Up for consideration before the Town Council Monday night was a $252,773 request to outfit the municipality’s… Read more »
Furnace Town cancels annual Renaissance Faire
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (July 16, 2026) Furnace Town has canceled its Renaissance Faire this fall because of a lack of funding, its executive director said, though the event is expected to return in 2027. The faire has been held annually since 2021 and was scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27. But it costs… Read more »
Letter To The Editor: Crab feast offers candidates
Crab feast offers candidates Editor, In Australia, voting is compulsory, and eligible citizens who fail to vote without a valid reason may receive a modest administrative penalty equivalent to $20 or more. In the United States, voting is voluntary, and there are no penalties for choosing not to vote. Even so, voting is both a… Read more »
07/16/2026 Bayside Editorial: Town’s furniture costs can be brought down
Town’s furniture costs can be brought down Town of Berlin officials, employees and some residents must not have bought furniture recently, judging from their reaction this week to the cost of the proposed re-furnishing of the renovated Town Hall. The responses to the suggested price tag of roughly a quarter-million dollars for good quality desks,… Read more »