Town of Berlin

The Town Council meeting included several significant agenda items. The Mayor provided an update regarding the upcoming honoring ceremony for a resident turning 100 years old. The consent agenda included acceptance of donations. Key discussions involved the approval of $80,000 in non-budgeted appropriation from the general fund for design, permitting, and bid assistance for the senior center parking lot improvements, aimed at increasing ADA and regular parking spaces. The council also approved a budget transfer of $395,200 from the recycling center account to fund construction management services for the fully reimburseable Glen Street Bridge project, avoiding bonding. Furthermore, the council prioritized segments for sidewalk additions funded by the 2023 Connectivity Grant, ranking three proposed segments. Finally, an increase not to exceed $125,934 was approved for the Town Hall re-roofing contract to cover unforeseen plywood replacement costs, and authorization was requested for bond documents related to the Meridan water connection main extension.

The key discussion centered on the New Business agenda item: the approval of updated usage agreement language for the Town of Berlin Madabasset shooting range. The proposed updates detail a usage fee structure of $100 per range per day, a required $2,000 initial deposit, and reconciliation procedures based on FOB swipes. Discussions addressed clarifying the definition of 'range' versus 'lane' ($100 per defined shooting range, such as 100-yard, 50-yard, or 25-yard) and concerns regarding agencies accessing storage sheds without using the range. The commission determined that FOB swipes are necessary to maintain accountability and discourage unauthorized use, and that termination of the agreement is possible with 7 days' written notice without cause, as opposed to a fixed term renewal.

The meeting commenced with the call to order and the pledge of allegiance, followed by a roll call. A significant portion of the meeting involved issuing a public warning about a nationwide scam targeting land use applicants, where scammers request payments via wire transfer; the commission confirmed they only accept check or cash payments in person. Key agenda items included scheduling public hearings for a two-lot subdivision application (Kevin Bundy Budney) and a five-lot re-subdivision application (Cookamo brothers). A public hearing was then held for a special permit application from Britany Class for a farm stand at 56 Homerest Drive, during which discussions covered product types (fruits, vegetables, flowers) and parking considerations relative to the stand's size, as well as the applicant's separate micro-bakery business and state/town regulations regarding canned goods and cottage foods.

Key discussions and proposed actions included the approval of several financial transfers from various capital improvement accounts to the McGee Classroom Construction account. Another proposal involved approving an $80,000.00 non-budgeted appropriation from the General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance for the Senior Center Parking Lot Improvement Project design firm services. A significant budget transfer of $395,200.00 was proposed from Recycling Center Improvements to the Glen Street Bridge account to fund construction engineering and inspection services. The agenda also included an update from the Finance Director and discussions concerning adjustments to the General Government, Board of Education, and Berlin Water Control budgets, potentially leading to their submission for the Annual Budget Hearing.

The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a variance request from Michael and Cheryl Krompegal to permit the construction of a new single-family dwelling on a legally pre-existing, nonconforming lot at 384 Orchard Road, allowing for an encroaching porch structure. Additionally, the Board unanimously granted a certificate of location approval to Atlantis Management Group, LLC, for the expansion of an existing gasoline station at 109 Berlin Turnpike onto the adjacent parcel at 129 Berlin Turnpike, in accordance with BZR §VI.G.3.d.