BERLIN MD BLOG

“Comprehensive means ALL!”…

Despite the warm evening, many townsfolk met last week to attend the second in a series of public meetings currently being conducted to gather citizen input for Berlin’s Comprehensive Plan. This assembly was held within the Multi-purpose Building located on Flower Street on the Town’s “east side” just off Route 113. After a brief introduction, led by our energetic “borrowed” planner Tim Bourcier, the meeting moved forward into groups where citizens could speak and be heard. Early on, almost as an admonishment, came the comment, ‘Comprehensive means ALL!’ – this uttered by one of Berlin’s leading citizens, Mrs. Phyllis Purnell. From then on people spoke freely, airing their wishes and perceived needs. The unsightly and unsafe crumbling sidewalks on town approaches, needs for an outdoor park pavilion and indoor recreation, proximity to safe shopping requiring further accountability from the Berlin Police Department, drainage ditch maintenance, road conditions, the loss of “neighborhoods”, the list went on and on. Afterwards, one wise man summed it up saying, all “Public Infrastructure”! Tim spoke again – this time outlining the main objectives of “Smart Growth” including increased density, limiting growth to accommodate population along with, building within current infrastructure.
Continued discussion bespoke of further needs and remedies – based on economics – economics in many forms…jobs for area citizens including our youth, constant vigilance of economy within Town management, and a viable and prosperous downtown district. Another important aspect mentioned was the need for “energy” awareness throughout the development of this plan. Overall, it seems as if the early comment from Mrs. Purnell was most perceptive…”Comprehensive (does) means ALL!”
There will be further meetings throughout this development process – look for notices to be posted. There is also a website for more information – click on “Comprehensive Plan Town of Berlin, Maryland” or drop down to visit Chuck Ward, Berlin’s new Supervisor of Planning and Zoning in the little building behind Town Hall.

Personal note – having attended both the first and second meetings I found this meeting far more productive – informative, perhaps we are beginning to get this right!!! Appreciated too was the presence this evening of Mrs. Paula Lynch and Mr. Dean Burrell, both members of the Berlin Maryland Town Council.

Berlin’s new “Candy Store”…opening soon!

Long-awaited and much anticipated, the building located at 10 Williams Street currently known as Town Hall will soon become the new “Candy Store” in Berlin MD. Developers, large and small, along with future-minded business folk will surely form a line awaiting the distribution of the 200 plus EDU’s (Equivalent Daily Units). These have been held back awaiting approval of the three year average flow reports required by the State of Maryland. Due to favorable weather conditions (dry) along with excellent Berlin Wastewater Treatment Plant management we’ve received that approval. It’s time now for the Mayor & Council, contracted engineering firm, URS, and professional Town Staff along with the Berlin Planning Commission and Berlin Utility Commission to determine an equitable distribution. Also to be determined is the apportioned cost. This cost to be based on the price of the upgraded portion required by MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment) for the higher ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal) and the expanded capacity of the new plant needed for future growth. Simply put, the cost of the upgrade will be paid by the current residents with an increase in our monthly water/sewer service bill and the expansion, upon future development with connection fees. To complicate this equation a bit, we are now required by Federal Clean Water Act via Worcester County to “get out of the stream” by 2010, about the time the new plant comes on line. This means additional land and piping costs for full, year-round spray field irrigation disposal and holding pond (lagoon) creating even further expense. Costs aside, the distribution of these now available EDU’s must be equitable, and in accordance with “smart growth” planning. Some must be available for growth within Berlin’s Historic Downtown areas…some for “in-fill” lots and some for area residential expansion. Many townsfolk already have been paying “ready to serve” fees for a considerable time…waiting for the “Candy Store” to open.
The groups mentioned above will be discussing these most Solomon-like decisions during a Work-session to be held on Monday, August 18th beginning at 6 pm in Town Hall. The public is invited.

A 21st Century MAYOR…from the Family of Berlin!

Ending the period of uncertainty since the sudden passing of Berlin Maryland Mayor Tom Cardinale, current acting Mayor Gee Williams announced his candidacy in the upcoming fall election during an evening reception in front of the lovingly restored, historic Atlantic Hotel. The Renaissance of this landmark building created a perfect setting which echoed some phrases from his well-delivered speech. Phrases such as, “…honor our past, but we must not live in it” and “Berlin’s best days are not in its past, but are in its future.” was telling from a man who has lived through the already unprecedented growth and change of our Town.

Although omitting the proverbial ‘chicken in every pot’ or in today’s jargon ‘a gas card with every vote’ (– that would be illegal!), interim Mayor Williams did pledge that during his term every effort would be taken to remove drug dealers/predators from our increasingly distressed neighborhoods in East Berlin. Considering the large percentage of tax collected monies – the Town budget – spent each year by the Berlin Police Department that is a most apt and fitting promise.

Berlin’s citizenry and its neighborhoods were a recurring theme throughout the announcement…Mayor Williams spoke of “the Family of Berlin”, and of his experiences thus far as interim Mayor. Of the colorful characters and of the sometimes “rambunctious’ nature of people. Yet throughout, the message was clear – he loves his home, his Town and its people. As a lifelong resident and more recently as an active Town Council member, he knows us and he knows the 21st Century problems we face and is willing to do the work. I believe he will do his best…we are willing to help, may he rely on you too?

The POWER of TRASH…energy for Worcester County

Literally, if you’re not already thinking “renewable energy” you soon will be! Faced with the ever increasing volume of trash collected throughout our area and the rising cost of electricity, some smart folks at the County have joined with a 60 year old Baltimore firm, Curtis Engine, and have put together one heck of a “recycling” program. The new Worcester County Methane Power Plant located at the Central Landfill in Newark got “turned on” last week. Seems our trash is now being transformed into power (electricity) – based on methane gas-to-energy technology – (methane being the gas produced in abundance from piled up garbage at our dump)! Additionally, the process benefits the environment…wherein the methane used is no longer being passively released, cutting harmful atmospheric emissions significantly! Here in Worcester County Maryland, this “renewable energy” source conversion will produce enough power to supply electricity to 2,700 area homes when fully implemented in the spring of 2009. Furthermore, any excess electricity produced be may be sold into the nationwide power “grid” creating income. Certainly a win-win for everyone! And, although we’re not the first methane-to-gas facility in Maryland, we are the second (Wicomico’s Naylor Mill Road plant opened in 2007) on the Eastern Shore. Just another reason I’m proud to be a resident of Berlin MD in Worcester County!

The good ol’ summertime…in Berlin MD

This past Sunday evening found many townsfolk out enjoying a live musical performance on the well-tended lawn of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum. Sitting beneath the large shade trees, enjoying the evening breeze, listening to lively, nostalgic tunes played by the Dixieland group “Backfin Banjo” was the perfect ending to a summertime weekend here in Berlin MD. The Berlin Heritage Foundation along with the Town of Berlin schedules four concerts each summer. Sponsorship of these events relies on various area businesses, on this evening – Barrett Chevrolet, a long-time, hometown supporter of nearly “everything Berlin”. There are two more summertime concerts scheduled for this season. A Bluegrass band, “The Annapolis Coalition” will be entertaining us on August 13th. For more information visit the Museum website at www.taylorhousemuseum.org and click on “events” in the sidebar. And, do remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair – admission is free – see you there!

Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”.

What price CHARM?…aka “the mail is here”