THE BERLIN BULLETIN - April 2024 |
|
Spring has sprung in Berlin, and it’s been a wonderful time to emerge from our winter hibernation, which was kicked off this weekend by the Spring Celebration. What a great way to honor Berlin’s 156th Birthday, which was highlighted by nearly 100 Town Flags flying throughout Main Street and beyond. There are still a few flags left to purchase, you’re welcome to stop by Town Hall Customer Service ($30 cash or check, M-F 8am-4pm) if you’d like a flag, proceeds go to our future Community Center.
I’d like to share more with you about our plans for a future Community Center in Berlin. I hope you can join us on April 10, 2024, at the Worcester County Library at 6:15 pm to gather, share ideas, and learn about the work the Community Center Advisory Committee has undertaken to date.
I’m thrilled to share that the Town of Berlin has received a $1.2 million planning grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program. Berlin is one of the only jurisdictions on the Eastern Shore to receive this federal funding. Funding will cover community planning, design work, and site work for safe crossings along Route 113. This grant requires no match by the Town of Berlin. It will also make access to a future community center on Flower Street that much easier!
Our thanks extend to Senators Van Hollen and Cardin for supporting our federal funding request and advocating for our Town. Thank you, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for acknowledging that transportation should never divide communities, especially in rural towns like Berlin.
Click Here to Read the full Press Release from Senator Van Hollen’s office.
April is a busy month with several public FY25 budget meetings. The Mayor and Town Staff have been working together to prepare for our public budget meetings. To follow along with our municipal budget, mark your calendar for the following dates:
- General Fund Budget Work Session – April 2nd at 5:00 PM
- Introduction/First Reading of the Tax Rate – April 8th at 7:00 PM
- Utility Fund Budget Work Session – April 15th at 5:00 PM
- Public Hearing on Tax Rate – April 22nd at 7:00 PM
- Introduction/First Reading of the Budget – May 13th at 7:00 PM
- Public Hearing on the Budget – May 28th at 7:00 PM
Please come and join me on Monday, April 29th at 4 pm at BAKED Dessert Café for an hour-long ‘office hour’ to Meet the Mayor. Feel free to bring any budget-related questions or anything you would like to discuss since we are in the process of working on the Town’s FY25 budget.
Mayor Zack
|
|
Town News & Press Releases |
|
Sign up at the bottom of any page on our website to automatically receive notifications from the Town such as Press Releases and Meeting information!
|
|
From our Water Department |
|
From our Public Works Department |
|
From our Finance Department |
|
SUBJECT TO CHANGE: All Mayor and Council and Boards and Commission Meetings are being held in person without attendance limitations. For more details and the most up-to-date information, please visit the meeting page on our website.
- Tuesday, April 2, 2024: 5 PM Budget Work Session
- Monday, April 8, 2024: 6 PM Work Session, 7 PM Regular Session
- Monday, April 15, 2024: 5 PM Budget Work Session
- Monday, April 22, 2024: 7 PM Regular Session
For a complete list of Board & Commission Meetings, click here.
To receive direct notification of meetings via email, please visit our website at berlinmd.gov and sign up at the bottom of any page.
|
|
Last Month's Meeting Highlights |
|
March 11, 2024, Closed Session:
STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO CLOSED SESSION, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b): (3) To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto.
March 11, 2024, Regular Session:
- Consent Agenda: a) Approval of Minutes for: 1. Closed Session of 2.26.24; 2. Regular Session of 2.26.24
- Proclamation: March 2024 as Women’s History Month
- Item(s) For Approval: a) Motion 2024-13: Award of Contract for RFP# 2024-02 Harrison Avenue Water Utility Improvements; b) Motion 2024-14: Award of Additional Heron Park Demolition Work
- Public Hearing – Ordinance 2024-01: Mayor and Council of Berlin Infrastructure Bonds, 2024 Series A
- Presentation(s): a) Town of Berlin Financial Overview: FY24 6-Month Review; b) Town of Berlin 2023 Annual Report & 2024 Goals
March 25, 2024, Work Session:
Discussion: To review the Worcester County Comprehensive Plan
March 25, 2024, Regular Session:
- Consent Agenda: a) Approval of Minutes for: 1. Closed Session of 3.11.24; 2. Regular Session of 3.11.24 2.
- Proclamation(s): a) 2024-04: Town of Berlin’s Birthday b) 2024-05: April as Autism Awareness Month
- Announcement & Approval: Ordinance 2024-01: Mayor and Council of Berlin Infrastructure Bonds, 2024 Series A
- Item(s) For Approval: a) Motion 2024-15: Special Event Permit for Stephen Decatur High School Prom to be held in Downtown Berlin on Saturday, April 27, 2024; b) Motion 2024-16: Approval of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Parks’ Plans: i. Program Open Space (POS) Annual Plan for Acquisition ii. Parks Plan for Development; c) Motion 2024-17: Approve the Purchase of Police Department Radios; d) Motion 2024-18: Approval of AT&T FirstNet Vocality Kit
- Discussion & Consensus - Election Matters: a) Alternate member to the Board of Supervisors of Elections b) Process to address tie-votes
March 25, 2024, Closed Session:
STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO CLOSE SESSION, General Provisions Article, §3- 305(b): (7) To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter; a) Discussion of legal considerations regarding the imposing of certain fees.
|
|
Details about Mayor and Council Meetings can be found on the Town's website. Sign up to receive automatic notifications about meetings at the bottom of any page on the website.
|
|
Have friends or family visiting Berlin? Have them check out www.BerlinMainStreet.com for events, shopping and dining map, parking, attractions, and more.
Pick up your FREE reusable shopping bag at the Berlin Welcome Center Monday-Friday 11am-4pm.
|
|
Arts & Entertainment District |
|
|
|
FY24 R-CERP Now Open
for Applications!
|
The Maryland Energy Administration is now accepting FY24 Clean Energy Rebate Program applications. This program provides an incentive for Maryland homeowners to purchase and install eligible renewable energy-generating systems at their primary place of residence.
|
|
10 William Street Berlin,
MD 21811
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
