Maintenance progresses for Berlin Community Center

BERLIN, PA — The Berlin Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly meeting on November 19. The meeting was held at the Berlin Township Community Center in Beach Lake.  Presiding were supervisors Charlie Gries, Cathy Hunt and Tony Franklin. Four community members were present as well.

During a motion to pay the bills, Franklin noticed that there was a discrepancy on a bill for EDP (a road dust suppressant) from Suit-Kote Corporation. The price for the EDP appeared to be different for two orders. Since the reason for the difference could not be determined at the meeting, the supervisors agreed on a work-around. The motion to pay the bills was accepted minus the payments to Suit-Kote, allowing the supervisors to look into the matter further.

Hunt gave the report on the Berlin Township Community Center. As reported at last month’s meeting, a $32,000 grant has allowed the center to begin needed maintenance. The switch to LED lighting is progressing; new heaters have been ordered for all rooms; and Hunt has done more research on finding vendors to replace the outdoor back stairs.

Hunt read correspondence to the township. Berlin had emailed New Leaf Solar to inform them of the township’s decision on a proposed solar project for Navajo Road. Due to negative community feedback, the board denied New Leaf’s permit. New Leaf acknowledged receipt of the township’s email and its decision, but did not otherwise respond.  

Hunt read an email from the Wayne County Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Franklin lamented that our area has little EMS coverage. It often isn’t cost effective for paid ambulance businesses to operate over the whole year and EMS can be unaffordable for small townships such as Berlin, he said. Franklin said he would like to see a central county-wide agency in charge of dispatch, fund distribution and billing.

Franklin, who is also the Berlin Township roadmaster, gave a report in that capacity. The township’s trucks and equipment have been examined, inspected and/or repaired to get them ready for the winter season that is upon us. Additionally, some road repairs have taken place.  Guardrails along Cortez Road were removed, repaired and reinstalled. About 100 feet of new guardrail will be installed as well.

The township also received an email from the Central Wayne Regional Authority (CWRA). The CWRA provides sewage services to some homes in Kernwood Development in Berlin. It is revising its ordinance regarding inspection on sewage laterals, the connection that runs from homes into CWRA’s sewer lines. Laterals typically are inspected when a property is sold. The Berlin township board will hold a public hearing about the revised ordinance before their next meeting on December 17. Interested residents are encouraged to attend.

In new business, Hunt said that the township had received a grant from the Upper Delaware Council to replace outdated tax maps. A grant of $70,000 was received from the state for a canopy over the township’s sewer treatment plant.

Hunt presented copies of next year’s budget for Berlin. The budget states that there will be no tax increase for next year. A further discussion of the budget will take place during next month’s board meeting. 

The Berlin Township Board of Supervisors meets on the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is December 17 at 7 p.m. Prior to the regularly scheduled meeting, there will be a public hearing at 6:45 p.m. about the township’s lateral inspection ordinance.