THE BERLIN BULLETIN - JULY 2020
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Please visit our website or use the Facebook link at the bottom of this page for the most up-to-date news from the Town.
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During this unique time, rules, recommendations and regulations can change very rapidly and with little notice. The Town of Berlin strives to keep our citizens and businesses as up-to-date as possible, particularly regarding issues which are within municipal control. The following news releases were issued in June:
Be sure to sign up to receive Press Releases for the most up to date information; see the bottom of any page on our website to sign up.
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Upcoming Mayor and Council Meetings
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As of today (July 1, 2020) Mayor and Council public attendance at Mayor and Council Meetings continues to be prohibited. Town staff continues to work to ensure that our meeting protocols allow as much public participation as possible within the current guidelines. Please check the Town Facebook page and website prior to each meeting to see if new information is available regarding access to the Mayor and Council meetings.
At a minimum the following will apply:
- Agendas and meeting packets will be posted on the Town's website by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the meeting date.
- Individuals may submit comments and questions in writing by 12:00 p.m./Noon on the meeting date to the following:
- Mail: Town of Berlin, Attn: M&C Meeting Comment, 10 William Street, Berlin, MD 21811. Please note that receipt by the deadline cannot be guaranteed went submitted via the postal service.
- Drop-boxes at Town Hall: Behind the Stair Tower in the parking area and on the building at the corner of Bay and William Street.
- Questions and comments will be compiled for the Mayor and Council to give them the opportunity to review and discuss during the meeting.
- Please go to our Facebook page at the meeting time to view the live-stream. Unfortunately, with the exception of public hearings, questions and comments posted during the live stream will not be responded to during the meeting.
Please note that this meeting schedule is subject to change:
- Monday, July 13, 2020
- Monday, July 27, 2020
Upcoming Board and Commission Meetings
: Board and Commission meetings are also closed to public attendance, but are being streamed live on Facebook. The protocols for submission of questions and comments for those meetings is the same as for Mayor and Council Meetings (above). For more information on how meetings are being handled during this time and for a complete list of Board and Commission Meetings for July,
please click here.
Please visit our website or use the Facebook link below for the most up-to-date news from the Town.
You can also sign up to receive direct email notification of meetings at the bottom of any page on our website.
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JUNE MAYOR & COUNCIL
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
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- Swearing in of two members of the Board of Supervisors of Elections
- First Reading of Ordinance 2020-04 the Town Code regarding Absentee Voting
- Proclamation declaring June 22-28, 2020 Pollinator Week in Berlin
- Fiscal Year 21 Contract Renewals
- Approval of a request for outdoor seating at 15 Gay Street
- Public Hearing and approval of Ordinance 2020-04 amending chapter 12, “Elections” Section 12-130, “Absentee Voting”
- Resolution 2020-2; Re-zoning Worcester County Tax Map 25, Parcels 0004 and 0461 from M1A to B2
- Staff report regarding the handling of the October 6, 2020 Municipal Election
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.
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Friday, July 3rd:
- CANCELED - Fireworks
- Town offices closed for Independence Day. There will be no recycling collection. Business trash will be collected on Thursday, July 2 along with regular Thursday collection.
Farmers Market, Pitt Street: Sundays from 9 am -1 pm
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nd
Fridays in Berlin: Shops open late & live music
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PROTECTING OUR LOCAL
STORMWATER SYSTEMS
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In our local community, various stormwater management systems play a critical role in keeping streets and property safe during periods of rain and snow, as well as helping to maintain a high standard of water quality. Stormwater systems work to move rainwater through a series of ditches, wetlands, and ponds to filter water back into the natural environment. Most stormwater systems in Berlin lead into either Kitts Branch, Bottle Branch, or Hudson Branch, all of which lead into Newport Bay. It is critical to keep these systems clean and managed so that the waterways surrounding Berlin can stay as functioning and healthy ecosystems. Here are some actions you can take as property owners and citizens of Berlin to make sure that this goal is achieved:
Pick up after your dog - according to the Stormwater Alliance for the Bay, pet waste is one of the biggest contributors to degraded water quality. It is full of excess nutrients and bacteria that is harmful to human and wildlife health. Just one single gram of Pet waste can contain 23 million coliform bacteria, that will end up in the local water during even a tiny rainstorm.
Properly dispose of yard waste – When excess leaves, grass clippings, tree branches, and other landscape waste make its way into the stormwater system, it can not only pollute the water, but it can cause large blockages, which in turn results in a backed up system and potentially large floods. Berlin offers a community yard waste collection in the Spring and Fall. Backyard composting is also a good alternative to throwing waste in a storm ditch or a catch basin.
Pick up loose trash you see and don’t litter. – Loose trash outside in the environment often gets washed right into stormwater drains. This introduces pollutants into the water and poses as a threat to wildlife.
A common misconception is that the storm drains and ditches lead to the wastewater plant to be cleaned. However, in most scenarios, it flows directly back into the environment. So, help do your part and keep the streets of Berlin clean and healthy!
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FROM OUR ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
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Peach Day in Berlin
- The Calvin B. Taylor Museum folks have made changes to the Peach Festival this year. There will be peaches for sale, a scavenger hunt, live music by the Bilenki Duo & peachy specials at the shops & restaurants.
Berlin Farmers Market Sundays 9-1
- Berlin shops are open early on Sundays.
- There are 30+ farmers & vendors at the market
New Trashcans & Recycling Receptacles coming soon to Downtown
- Thanks to a Main Street Improvement Grant
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nd
Fridays in Berlin
- Shops open late & live music
Berlin Audio History Tour
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SPECIAL CENSUS INFORMATION FOR SEASONAL VISITORS.
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The Worcester County Complete Count Committee wants to ensure an accurate census count so residents, businesses and governments have access to federal funds for health care, transportation, community services and education over the next 10 years. As summer heats up, seasonal residents and homeowners are returning to our area to relax and enjoy the beaches, waterways, trails and amusements. The census counts people where they live and sleep most of the time. If you are a seasonal homeowner or resident, we need your help to ensure an accurate and efficient count by responding to the 2020 Census for your seasonal home at
2020census.gov
. The US Census Bureau is preparing to send census takers out into the community to go door to door to those addresses that have not yet responded to the census survey.
For any property you own but usually do not live or sleep at most of the time, please take a few minutes and follow the instructions below to minimize the need for a census taker to knock on your door.
1. Visit the link above.
2. Enter the Census ID or address for this secondary property
3. Enter “0” for the number of people living at this property
4. Hit Next, and when a “soft error” occurs, click Next again
5. Select “No” when asked to confirm no person lives at this property
6. Select primary reason – Seasonal (most likely)
7. Complete!
Thank you on behalf of the Town of Berlin and the Worcester County Complete Count Committee!
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The deadline for submission of your 2020 census has been extended, but you are strongly encouraged to submit sooner rather than later. The need for accurate census data is more and more apparent every day. Accurate counts of population are used to determine needs for so many vital services including needs associated with medical facilities and distribution of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and more.
Make sure you and your loved ones are counted!
Census data is 100% confidential; every Census worker takes a confidentiality oath and violations can result in fines and prison. Data is never released to law enforcement, immigration officials, landlords, etc.
For information about how census data is used, how to complete the census, and much more click on the "2020 Census Worcester" banner above or go to
https://berlinmd.gov/2020-census/
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Sign up for our emergency notification system
CodeRed
to receive emergency alerts.
NEW: Text BerlinCodeRED to 99411 to enroll.
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10 William Street Berlin,
MD 21811
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