Remediation for mold and water damage has been completed at Berlin’s Town Hall.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Aug. 24, 2023) The Berlin Town Hall Chambers have fully restored, with no evidence of the damage caused by mold and water damage that was discovered just days before the chamber was to host a hearing on Aug. 17 with Senators Ben Cardin and Chris VanHollen.

The cost of remediation and repairs for the water and mold damage for the chambers came to $36,000.

“The mold and water damage was found when a decal on the wall was being removed,” Kelsey Jensen, director of Human Resources for the Town of Berlin, said.

Because of the time-sensitivity for the repair work needed, a poll vote of the council was conducted Aug. 8, which resulted in a unanimous decision.

“The building is in bad shape, with the bricks on the north side (behind the dais). We must repair the bricks ASAP or any issues may continue,” wrote Kelsey Jensen, the Human Resources director for the Town of Berlin in an email to council members.

The north wall needed work to prevent structural damage and future water damage. Sections of the brick needed to be cut out and replaced, according to East Coast Masonry, the vendor hired to do the work. Mortar and cosmetic work were also needed on the other sides of the building.

During the Monday night mayor and council meeting, Mayor Zack Tyndall reported that everything had been remediated and that the contractors checked below the council chambers and on the side and found no further damage.

“We are hopeful that insurance will end up covering these costs, but I’m not sure if they will be quick enough with their decision and they said to do whatever we have to do and they will reimburse us if they find it to be a covered claim,” wrote Jensen.