BERLIN, PA — The Berlin Township Board of Supervisors engaged in a back-and-forth with a member of the public at its monthly meeting on December 17, 2024. At issue were the political signs …
Stay informed about your community and support local independent journalism.
Subscribe to The River Reporter today. click here
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Please log in to continue |
BERLIN, PA — The Berlin Township Board of Supervisors engaged in a back-and-forth with a member of the public at its monthly meeting on December 17, 2024. At issue were the political signs still up throughout the township from the 2025 election, with participants discussing whether they were up for too long and whether their messages were too vulgar.
Berlin resident James Barth voiced his concern about election signs and quoted Berlin Ordinance #2015-1. The ordinance governs all signs that are placed within the township. The ordinance requires that temporary political signs can be displayed 60 days prior to an election and must be taken down within seven days following the election.
Barth said that many November 2024 election signs are still displayed, despite the time limit for their removal. Additionally, Barth expressed dismay and disgust with the vulgarities found on several signs. In particular, one vulgar sign is found directly opposite the entrance of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s Van Scott Nature Reserve in Beach Lake. Buses full of schoolchildren often are presented with this sign when visiting the preserve, or even while being bused to school, he said.
“Many residents,” Barth said, “aren’t following the ordinance because they don’t know about it.” And they don’t know about it, he suggested, because it isn’t being enforced.
Township supervisors had varied reactions.
Supervisor Charlie Gries objected to the vulgarities. Supervisor Cathy Hunt said that even though the signs are vulgar, that was not part of the ordinance and was, in fact, a freedom of speech issue.
Supervisor Tony Franklin asked about Barth’s interpretation of the ordinance. If a sign has a candidate’s name but doesn’t say “vote for…,” he asked, is that an election sign and subject to the ordinance, or simply a statement of personal regard or preference?
Hunt said that she would run the issues past the town’s solicitor, and all parties agreed that this was the best first step.
Budgets, roads and more
Before the public comment period, the supervisors announced an executive session. Township solicitor Jeffrey Treat was on hand to discuss legal issues related to a proposed solar project on Navajo Road that the board had previously rejected.
Later in the meeting, Hunt reported on improvements made to the Berlin Community Center as part of a state grant. Lighting improvements have been completed; the town is waiting for new heaters to be installed. Additionally, Hunt located a vendor to replace the back stairs at a cost of $7,037, which is within budget and much lower than previous bids. A motion to accept the new bid was unanimously approved.
Hunt also reported that the town will receive $8,382.58 from PennDOT to maintain 6.4 miles of state roads this winter. The supervisors favorably agreed to an arrangement between the townships of Berlin and Lackawaxen, which entails Berlin taking over maintenance of Miller Road and Cosgrove Road, with Lackawaxen maintaining Cortese Road.
Before adjourning, the town’s budget for 2025 was adopted unanimously. There will be no raise in taxes in 2025.
The Berlin Township Board of Supervisors usually meets on the third Tuesday of each month. However, the next meeting will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025. A yearly reorganizational meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with the regular general meeting to immediately follow.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here