Berlin Announces Further Cancellations

Posted on April 6, 2020

Mayor & Council Meetings to be livestreamed on Facebook

(April 6, 2020) — In light of the ongoing national and Maryland States of Emergency, events in the Town of Berlin have been cancelled through June 2020. The Town had previously announced the cancellation of all April events, but has extended that cancellation through June to avoid confusion and uncertainty.

“The Town and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce are cancelling, or postponing, all special events through June, in an abundance of caution during this unique time,” Mayor Williams stated. “We feel it is the prudent decision to make this announcement of further event cancellations now, instead of waiting until the last minute.”

Berlin Chamber of Commerce President Steve Frene said, “If at all possible, some of these events may be rescheduled. We are also working with the Town of Berlin to help promote a new event to responsibly and safely celebrate the end of this very difficult time.”

This week’s announcement of cancelled events and activities include:

Saturday, April 11 – Spring Celebration
Saturday, April 18 – Saturday, April 25 – Take Pride in Berlin Week
Saturday, April 18 – Clean-Up Day
Friday, May 1 – Reggae Play Day
Saturday, May 2 – Spring Just Walk Berlin
Saturday, May 9 – Berlin Jazz & Blues Wine & Brews
Saturday, May 16 – Berlin Spring Cruisers
Sunday, May 24 – Memorial Day at the Monument (Main & West Streets)
Monday, May 25 – Old-Fashioned Memorial Day and Parade
Friday, June 19 – Berlin Bathtub Race
All Business After Hours through June
All 2^nd Friday Art Strolls and Makers Markets through June

The Town has also decided to cancel Spring Bulk Waste Collection, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 29. Yard Waste Collection scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 13, will proceed as scheduled. Important information regarding Yard Waste Collection can be found on the Town’s website on the Public Works Department page.

As a food market, the Berlin Farmers Market will be able to open as scheduled on Sunday, May 3 at 9:00 a.m. Wells, Berlin’s Economic and Community Development Director, said “The Farmers Market will open on Sunday, May 3rd and the Town will be implanting social distancing and safety measures recommended by the Maryland Farmers Market Association as well as other farmers markets around the state.”

Reservations of facilities in Town parks will also be canceled through May and the parks will remain closed to the general public through the end of May at a minimum. This will be re-evaluated later this spring as coronavirus health emergency conditions change.

Mayor & Council Meetings on Facebook

The Town of Berlin will also move forward with holding Mayor and Council Meetings in April, including Budget Work Sessions. The first will be held on Monday, April 13 with the General Fund Worksession starting at 5:30 p.m. and the Regular Session at 7:00 p.m. Two weeks later the Enterprise Fund Worksession will be on Monday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Regular Session at 7:00 p.m.

“Town staff has explored our most readily available options for ensuring that our municipal business can be conducted as seamlessly as possible while maintaining the public’s ability to be fully informed and to participate under the circumstances”, said Mayor Williams.

The Town of Berlin will publish the meeting packets on the Town website by 5:00 p.m. the Wednesday before the meeting and allow members of the public to submit questions and comments in writing up to noon on the meeting date. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 410-641-2316, dropped at Town Hall in either of the two drop boxes, or mailed to Town Hall, 10 William Street, Berlin, MD 21811.

It is recommended that comments be mailed no later than Friday to help ensure receipt by the Town on Monday. The comments will be compiled for the Mayor and Council to provide them the opportunity to review and discuss during the meeting.

The meetings will be then be streamed live on the Town’s Facebook page, which can be readily accessed through the Town website at berlinmd.gov by clicking on the Facebook icon at the top of the page, or directly via Facebook by typing @berlinmaryland in the search bar.

“We do ask the public’s patience as we adapt to what is, for us, a new way of conducting our public meetings”, said Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen. “We have been doing trial runs of the video streaming equipment, but there is still a learning curve at this stage. After the current coronavirus health emergency is over the mayor has said he wants livestreaming our town meetings to continue going forward.” Ms. Bohlen also noted that, live commenting via Facebook during the meeting will not be possible at this time due to the configuration of the room and the limitations of staff.

To receive direct notification when meeting packets are available, visit the Town website at berlinmd.gov and sign up for email alerts at the bottom of any page.

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