By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Aug. 3, 2023) The Town of Berlin has taken steps through a tattoo advisory committee to create a safe and equitable path forward for tattoo establishments within town limits, according to a letter from Mayor Zack Tyndall to Chip Bertino, president of the Worcester County Commissioners.

The committee, which includes town council members, business owners and residents, is led by Chairman Matthew Amey, a Berlin resident and award winning tattoo artist.

“Our discussions to date show that the Town of Berlin has an opportunity to set a reasonable standard for tattoo establishments within town limits and we need health department oversight to ensure the health and safety of our neighbors and visitors alike,” Amey said.

The committee has developed a comprehensive set of regulations and specific zoning requirements for tattoo establishments.

According to the mayor’s office, a meeting has been set for Sept. 13, with Bertino and the Board of Health to discuss the committee’s research and draft regulations.

The goal of the meeting is to discuss the potential for the Worcester County Health Department to provide health and safety inspections similar to the inspections already completed by the Worcester County Health Department for body piercing studios.

“The county commissioners, acting as the board of directors for the county health department, are an integral part of this discussion and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience within them,” Amey said.

The committee modeled its recommended health and safety inspections based on the current standards within the State of Delaware since no guideline exist within the state of Maryland.