James Charles

The Planning Commission meeting agenda included a retroactive approval request for Case # PC-1-14-26-01 concerning Storage Sense at 9413 Evans Road, where construction deviated from the approved site plan by replacing one large building with two smaller, unpermitted structures. Staff recommended allowing the after-the-fact permitting process, contingent upon submission of an engineer's report, permit applications, payment of double fees, and impact fees. The commission also reviewed Case # PC-1-14-26-02, a request for a resubdivision/boundary line adjustment for properties at 31 and 33 Burley Street to create three compliant residential lots, for which staff recommended approval.

The agenda for the meeting included introductions of attendees and an orientation session led by the Town Attorney and Town Administrator. Key procedural items involved the nomination and election of a Chair. Discussions were scheduled for comments from the Commission, the Public, and the Press. The meeting planned to conclude the open session with a motion to adjourn to a Closed Session to consult with counsel regarding a received complaint, specifically to determine jurisdiction and the applicability of the Town's Ethics Ordinance.

The meeting agenda for the Regular Session included several items for approval: a motion to transfer unassigned general fund balance monies to the capital reserve for Town Hall Renovations, motions to award contracts and funding allocations for the Town Hall Renovation Project, approval for an Alcohol Permit Request for the Berlin Celebrates Vintage and Vinyl event, a motion for Declaration of Surplus Property (a Glock firearm), and a motion to amend the employee handbook regarding vacation carryover for exempt employees. Other discussions included a PJM Quarterly Report, an update from the Parking Subcommittee, and an announcement regarding a Special Sunday Permit Poll Vote. A Work Session was scheduled prior to the Regular Session to discuss initial Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) requirements.

The meeting commenced with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items included the approval of the consent agenda, which covered minutes from previous closed and regular sessions in December. A significant portion of the meeting involved a presentation recognizing an individual for the successful completion of the National Rural Water Apprenticeship Program, highlighting dedication to clean drinking water. Furthermore, the council received the FY25 audit report from PKS and Company. The audit confirmed a clean/unmodified opinion on the general statements and no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the government-wide report. A single audit report confirmed compliance with federal requirements due to spending exceeding $750,000 in federal money. Financial discussions focused on the General Fund, which showed favorable variances with revenues over plan and expenses under budget, primarily due to capital expenditures. The unassigned General Fund balance was reported as healthy, representing approximately five months of operating expenditures. Updates were also provided on the enterprise funds (electric, water, sewer, storm water), noting a decrease in operating income for the electric fund. Management discussed established internal reserve policies and multi-layered financial buffers for unexpected expenses and infrastructure needs.

The meeting commenced with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions included the proposal and subsequent discussion regarding a request for a reduction in the stormwater permit review fee for a solar farm project by Saltage Solar and Vista Design. Proponents argued that due to the nature of the solar farm design, which involves minimal earth moving and no complex stormwater facilities, less review time is required compared to standard commercial developments. The request sought to reduce the fee from $19,577.60 to $5,500 (plus administrative overhead). Council members discussed the potential precedent this reduction might set, comparing the fee structure to county charges. A suggestion was made to develop specific documentation for solar farm reviews for future cases. The proceedings also involved addressing a special 1-day permit application for a private member party in January 2026.