City of Berlin

The Work Session addressed several items, including the proposed amendment to the City of Berlin Charter, where the discussion concluded with no further action due to a lack of council majority support. The City Manager presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which represented a 9.25% increase from FY26, amounting to $48,578,099, covering items like increased paving, capital improvements, and a new Finance position. Council discussed alternative budget processes, specifically regarding setting fixed department spending caps. Council also considered a motion to reconsider the two-way traffic proposal for Main and Pleasant Street, which ultimately failed. The Work Session concluded, recessing before moving into the Regular Meeting.

The agenda for the City Council meeting includes a Committee on Accounts and Claims meeting and a Work Session. Key topics for the Work Session are a proposed amendment to the City of Berlin Charter and the City Manager's presentation of the FY27 Budget. The agenda also specifies two Public Hearings concerning Resolutions 2026-02 and 2026-03 related to Humanities To Go Grants for the Dr. Josh Duclos Library and the Mary Adams Library, respectively. New Business items include the City Manager's Report, the Mayor's Report covering elderly exemptions and re-appointments/appointments to the Berlin Water Commission and Planning Board, respectively.

The meeting began with a presentation from Stantec Engineering regarding a downtown revitalization project. Key discussions focused on whether to implement a one-way or two-way traffic system, which impacts project area expansion to include Glen Avenue and Pleasant Street, as well as potential changes to bike lanes and parking availability. Stantec presented conceptual drawings, noting that a two-way design would reduce parking spaces from 202 to 177. Board members debated the merits of each traffic configuration, generally favoring pedestrian emphasis over vehicular traffic flow. Separately, the Board reviewed feedback on draft zoning ordinance changes, including updates to the solar ordinance and signage section, and scheduled a full discussion for the March meeting. Project updates included submission of a Multi-Purpose Brownfields grant application, planning for the reassembly of a sculpture in the downtown park, and discussion regarding new FEMA flood maps.

Key discussions included the Economic Development Strategy, specifically the 'Recast Your City' initiative, for which final report findings and recommendations were shared with the board, with a public presentation scheduled for January 22, 2025. The board also discussed an upcoming business networking event hosted by the Small Business Development Center. Significant conversation centered on downtown traffic patterns, with general agreement on the need to enhance downtown as a destination while preserving its character. There were no updates regarding the Rite Aid Property.

The session involved detailed discussions on multiple critical agenda items. Key topics included establishing the downtown rehabilitation traffic configuration, with the Council ultimately voting to approve a two-way traffic plan for both Main and Pleasant Streets, noting that this decision could be reversed if necessary. Another significant discussion centered on a proposed amendment to the City Charter regarding a tax cap, where legal clarification on the amendment process versus a Charter Commission was sought. The Council also reviewed and approved abatement recommendations for two properties based on assessment reductions due to property conditions. Furthermore, the need to address delayed audits through reconciliation efforts, potentially by funding a new Finance position or hiring a contractor, was discussed. The meeting also covered administrative reports, including updates on salt deliveries and equipment breakdowns affecting snow removal operations, and the Mayor's recommendation for an appointment to the BIDPA board.