Effort calls for referendum on recent Berlin addition

RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Jeff Smith

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(June 20, 2019) Berlin resident Jeff Smith is circulating a petition calling for a referendum on the mayor and Town Council’s approval of the annexation agreement for a proposed gas station and convenience store off Route 50 in Berlin.

“This would be the opportunity for the town to actually have a vote,” Smith said.

Per the town charter, the petition needs signatures from 20 percent of the town’s registered voters — or about 700 voters — to force a referendum. As of Monday afternoon, the petition had between 100 and 150 signatures, Smith said.

Smith introduced the idea of the referendum petition in a Facebook video last Friday.

The annexation agreement incorporated roughly six acres of land, now called Athena Plaza. It’s on Route 818 across from Berlin Main Place near its intersection with Route 50. It passed on May 28 with a 4-1 vote by the Town Council. Councilman Zack Tyndall dissented.

“I haven’t heard anyone say that there’s a compelling reason why this should be in town,” Smith said. “Why this is something that’s really important for the Town of Berlin?”

However, Williams is content with the Town Council’s decision and sees no drawbacks because of it.

“This particular annexation will in no way threaten or diminish our downtown,” Williams said. “It will provide needed services along one of our many gateways, and I think it’s just a knee jerk reaction to some people’s strong belief that most growth is bad growth.”

Smith took issue with having a convenience store at the town’s entrance.

“I think a 7-Eleven on the intersection of Main Street that is an introduction to Berlin is not really a very good ‘Welcome to Berlin’ sign,” Smith said.

Williams, however, countered that the annexation allowed the town to rid the area of several “very rundown properties.”

“Is this what Berlin should be presenting as one of our gateways? Is that what our images is? Is that what we believe the best we can be?” Williams asked. “I don’t think so and I don’t think an overwhelming majority think that’s what we should be.”

FILE PHOTO
Mayor Gee Williams

Smith and Williams concur strategic growth is key for Berlin’s success.

“I think the one thing that we do agree on is … that it’s not just about the next year or five years, but well beyond that,” Williams said.

While Smith clarified he’s not against annexation per se, he said he feels there needs to be more public participation and direction from the Town Council.

“I think the residents should be able to have more of a say in terms of what happens, and I think the council needs to have some sort of vision and plan and I have not seen that from our town,” Smith said.

Williams and Smith do seem to be on the same page about giant business complexes.

“I personally don’t think a large industrial business would ever be appropriate for our small town,” Williams said.

For Smith, he said proximity was a main concern.

“I think there’s also enough questions about Berlin spending it’s efforts developing a business district along its highway corridors that detracts from its downtown areas,” Smith said.

Smith used the example of Salisbury in neighboring Wicomico County. He said the town “built bypasses and killed its downtown.”

When asked about the expansion of business districts along major thoroughfares, Williams shut that down quickly.

“That is absolutely not what we’re doing,” he said. “We feel that it is both responsible and appropriate to allow business development at the intersections of any Berlin street where they intersect U.S. 50 or U.S. 113.”

He also emphasized the importance of keeping Berlin’s integrity intact.

“We do not want to do anything that undermines or compromises the historic nature and charm that we have been working on,” Williams said.

Still, Smith thinks the community should take a more aggressive approach when dealing with issue of annexation.

“What I would propose ultimately is that every proposal for annexation go to a referendum,” Smith said. “Any time a property owner or a developer wants to get annexed into town, then it should be put before the people.”

Since the signatures must be obtained within 45 days of the annexation’s approval, the deadline to reach the requisite number is July 12.

“As far as I’m concerned, the annexation has passed and we’ll wait and see what happens … I personally will be very surprised if 20 percent of the voters of this town think that this is a bad move,” Williams said. “I think it’s just the right move just in time, and I stand by that.”

This article was updated to reflect the petition deadline as July 12.