Berlin Maryland blog

Recently a friend stopped by and asked, “What’s up with LA HA?” My reply that day was uncertain at best. The LaHacienda Project Application, as many may remember, was and is an example of a Town and its Planning Commission in flux (confusion). It began when a popular area restaurateur came before our Commission requesting site plan approval for a mini, two-story business center incorporating a restaurant be built upon a currently dispirited looking property located at the entrance to our town proper – the northwest junction of Rts. 818 and 346. From the initial proffering of that application the process took many, many months of tedious negotiations and untold dollars whereby the applicant would propose and the Commission members would dispose…requesting sometimes most arbitrary changes to the plan – not always in accordance with a then known, credible, system. Throughout, opinions and thusly some tempers ran high resulting in more dollars and time lost. Approval, albeit reluctantly, was finally granted last year however the current economic difficulties were already being felt and groundbreaking has been delayed for an indeterminate period while the populace is deprived of a very nice place to eat.
I never quite understood why, when a legitimate and good faith applicant/developer offering to invest both time and money in our little town – to stake his further business success in a much welcomed (at least by the general population) and beneficial endeavor received such a negative response. However, watching this debacle from close range during many lengthy Commission meetings I was able to draw a few conclusions – some quite unattractive. Many of the negative responses to the plan seemed to be based on “personal and subjective” opinions – rather than the current Town code. Each time the applicant returned with a set of revised drawings – it was decided from the dais that they were “just short of what we want” and to “come before us again next month”. I felt it was never made clear exactly what was wanted, what would receive approval!
There must be a remedy for such an ordeal…one which, I’ll say it again, cost money and effort from the developer and certainly needless frustration all around.
FINALLY, the Berlin Planning commission is working on a solution…a Comprehensive Plan for the Town - a definitive plan whereby all future growth and development within and nearby would be held to certain standards. And, these new standards shall be based, hopefully, not only on the current law but with the addition what the citizenry (you and I) ultimately desire this town to be…to look like, how it is to grow and most important - how it functions…the LIVABILITY factor. The best news is – YOU get to be a part of this process!
There will be a series of work sessions beginning on Wednesday evening, April 30th, 7 pm at Town Hall on William Street. Be there and be heard, let everyone know what you want!

This is the year, 2008 when we elect a new United States President, also the year during which we pick a new Mayor for Berlin MD! On the TV and radio, in the newspaper, online, with signs and billboards - the candidates are speaking – all desiring to be the chosen one. Though it is somewhat less apparent here in our little town of 3,000 or so…the intent of a few is just the same – hoping to be the chosen one this fall. Our present Mayor, Tom Cardinale has already declared his intention to run for a second term and recently our former Mayor, Rex Hailey quietly said that he would be running again. So that makes two – both of which have been there before - up on the dais, occupying the middle seat at Council meetings held twice monthly or in a corner office on the second floor of Town Hall. I’m hoping that before the filing deadline in September some other good folks here will decide to put themselves into the running.

What are we asking for in this candidate…someone who is willing to do a whole lot of work for $5,800 a year…one who will agree to represent Berlin always with confidence and dignity before the County Council and within all the necessary government and public arenas in which he or she may find himself. And, we want someone who can listen to varied voices of the people of Berlin yet avoid the allure of back room politics. Our Mayor cannot vote, yet sets the Agenda and the TONE for all of the public’s business transacted by our town.

Transparency in government is the new buzzword. Even now the State of Maryland is attempting to put all information online, in public view – to reveal nearly action taken by our governing body in Annapolis, real time. And, although seldom having time to view – C-Span is available too at the touch of a button.

Currently our town is faced with some huge challenges, although no different from those being faced by other places, large and small throughout the U.S. The growing cost of energy, meeting higher State and Federal treatment and disposal standards for our wastewater, obtaining and providing storage for clean, fresh water to meet the needs of an ever increasing area population. Huge challenges all, yet basic necessities, thus the word “UTILITIES”, provided by a town and demanded by its people. And, we must find best solutions, now, within an erratic world economy, at the most reasonable cost!

We are seeking a Mayor with the Wisdom of Solomon, who is knowledgeable and willing to learn more, who is frugal, who can be a visible example to us all, standing before public scrutiny every day. Candidates, speak up and become the Mayor, representing the fine little town of Berlin, Maryland - become the chosen one.

While talking with a friend recently I was again gently chided about my then noisy support to retain the Town owned utility, our “Legacy”, during the recent Electric Company debacle. We may all remember a year or so past when the attempt was made by some, in my opinion, somewhat misguided folks to sell the Berlin MD Electric Company lock, stock and barrel – in this case, power generation plant and the land on which it sits, distribution and transmission systems – maybe a ‘baby out with the bathwater’ approach? Fortunately in the end the prospective purchasers changed their minds and today the utility remains Town owned and operated. Sadly though, during this time of confusion we did not take the time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our “Legacy”. Maybe the 200th?
I continue to proudly support the Berlin Electric Company. Especially at times when told by friends in other districts that they have experienced inconvenient outages such as on a recent, very cold Friday evening in Ocean City MD. There is comfort in knowing our Town guys work very hard to keep the lights continuously lit in our little community.

Today, though it seems as if everyone is chafing about power costs – especially right after receiving their monthly utility bills. “What was your PCA (Power Cost Adjustment) this month?” is an oft-heard query during any gathering. The PCA is just that – the difference between the actual cost of purchasing or producing power and the rate at which we are allowed to charge as set by the Maryland Public Service Commission at an annual meeting in far off Baltimore. That energy costs money is a fact of life! One remedy has recently been advanced – and that is to reset rates on a rolling three-month basis to help with our “sticker shock” during times of intense usage - to smooth out these costs. Another remedy brought forth at a recent Town meeting was to hold a public gathering where various energy conservation suggestions and methods would be discussed and implemented. This is in response to receipt of a request from the State for the Town to develop a plan to reduce overall consumption by 15% within a couple of years. I’m waiting for the time of that presentation to be announced and will be glad to attend. Conservation seems to be the best remedy – lots of twirly light bulbs in my home these days using a fraction of the energy! A third solution is also in the works – replacement of meters, both for water and electric using the new “Smart Meter” system. This will not only lessen the time (aka man hours = $) which it takes to do the monthly Town meter reading but can offer consumers the option of using energy during off-peak hours when rates are lower. Whether we like it or not the cost of power, to our homes, our businesses, for our transportation, and in the passed-along costs of manufactured and transported goods that we purchase shall remain high and will continue to increase despite all of our efforts due to unprecedented worldwide demand on power generation using our current sources of fuel.
I remain believing that it is in the best interest for every Berlin citizen to become more educated in ways of conservation and to support those hard working folks in our town such as Joe Davis, our Town Utility Manager, the great Town utility crew members who daily keep Berlin’s power flowing, and the members of the Berlin Utility Commission along with our Mayor and Council members – after all, this is our “Legacy” and still belongs to all of us – and it is a good one!
Note: To enlarge any photo - just “click”.

Situated at the north end of Main Street in the downtown shopping district of Berlin MD is a new shop. The name of this establishment is the Pink Box and consists of a bit bakery, a bit café and keeping with our town’s Victorian character, also offers some vintage items for sale. Opening quietly on January 18th after some attractive renovations, this shop is the latest incarnation of the building, which many remember being the home of the old Dairy Queen. Nevertheless, new business owner Roberta Ward and her daughter Erika have done a terrific job of redecorating. Once through the front door one sees several artfully crafted displays of “pretties”…knick-knacks, furnishings and gift items from bygone times that invite the viewer further inside. Several large “treat-filled” bakery display cases then guide you on until the service counter is reached where you are met with a smile.
Chatting with Roberta this week she spoke of her many plans for this eatery/bakery/shop…one being most near and dear to many Berlin hearts (stomachs), an emphasis on “regional” specialties such as the Smith Island cake and real sweet potato biscuits. On this day there was a towering strawberry version of the famous cake waiting to be sliced in the cold case just behind the counter. Very tempting indeed! Available now too are some daily lunch specials – soups and sandwiches…grab and go kind of foods. And, for those of us who love gardening Roberta has plans to decorate her PINK BOX with her collection of live flowers – pots of African Violets – being herself a Master Gardener. Current business hours are 10 until 3 pm daily. Sundays 10 until 1. With the advent of warm weather she hours will be extended. To enjoy a treat-filled experience and to find out what’s inside the PINK BOX drop down and say, “Welcome to Berlin” very soon. For further information and custom ordering telephone 443-359-1624.

Stopping by our local Berlin MD (north Main Street) library the other afternoon I was very pleased to learn about a new program – Maryland AskUsNow! This is a project from the Division of Library Development and Services, Maryland State Department of Education, funded through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Lots of words of attribution to tell about better serving the information needs of Maryland residents and students – What is it?
It’s a service that lets you communicate live online with a librarian any time, day or night, seven days a week! It uses the expertise of trained librarians to provide answers to questions, research guidance, and help navigating the Internet. And, it’s FREE! Just log on to the website at www.askusnow.info. Once logged in (no password necessary) you are given a list of various college and university libraries or public libraries throughout the state from which you may select. Then you are asked to put in your name and email address so a reply may be sent to you later if a backup in the question queue is encountered. There is a Policy of Mutual Respect – the privacy of your question is protected so even if you feel you have a “dumb” question (as many of us do from time to time) you are respected. This a grand service in my opinion…when “Googling” I sometimes become overwhelmed with the 10,000 or so sites that are listed in response to my most mundane of queries.

Also, on your next visit to any Worcester County Library to pick up some fun reading aka “mind candy”, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Calendar of Special Events – Winter 2007-2008. Currently listed are several book discussion groups, a seafood cooking demonstration series, the children’s story hour dates and times, game nights and much, much more.

Presented during the recent (January 3rd, 2008) special meeting of the Berlin Mayor and Council, we were shown a real deal. For around $20 million dollars we’ll get to continue to flush our toilets, now in accordance with some harsh guidelines recently set forth by the Worcester County Commissioners and meeting the new effluent (aka “poop”) treatment standards set forth by the State.
While the presentation by the engineering firm URS was smooth and simple this viewer was left scratching her head in puzzlement. Basically we were told that to pay for the new Wastewater Treatment Plan project including additional spray land an additional charge of a mere 8% beginning in July ‘08 or what equates to $4.00 of my monthly water bill would be used toward funding. My math tells me that’s surely not enough especially since the required plant upgrade is for our already existing, already allowed, treatment of 600,000 gallons per day. In the current proposed “deal” the remainder of the monies to “service the debt” can to be levied upon those “developer guys”. From the elected on the dais we were told it was so…that all of the cost (excepting our little 8% increase) to achieve the mandated standards of an upgraded treatment plant along with spray irrigation disbursement was to be borne by “growth” in the form of a 225% increased tap fee or cost of an EDU. “Growth”, that word the utterance of which sometimes may bring forth fear, anger, blame or gladness. Now that is a puzzle – both the already required effluent treatment upgrade of 600,000 gpd and the 150,000 gpd anticipated allowed increase for growth mainly to be borne by any new residents. More head scratching… Does that equate? Is it fair?
Berlin Maryland is traditionally seen as a workingman’s community – an old established town, in which folks live, work, raise families and then pass on, an ideal place to reside in my opinion. We have few millionaires and mainly attract folks desiring affordable homes. How can the goal of providing affordable housing be achieved with dramatically increased costs, the costs that essentially pay for a new/upgraded wastewater treatment plant that we all use and which is already necessary without growth??? I don’t get it? And, I won’t get it until the “real deal” is presented.

Note: Many further questions were raised during this special meeting presentation. This writer hopes to examine each one on this blog in the weeks to come. If you are also seeking answers, plan to attend the regularly scheduled meetings of the Berlin Mayor & Council (second and forth Mondays – 7 pm at Town Hall) or contact your local Berlin district Councilperson directly.

The thought of the recent “yes, but(s)…” decision on the Berlin MD amended Wastewater Treatment Plan handed down by the Worcester County Commissioners on December 18th continued to rankle this taxpayer throughout the Christmas holidays. The “yes” was that the Town of Berlin could now go forward to the State of Maryland with the Plan to seek further approvals – the “but(s)” were several last minute (with no public hearing) changes by the Commissioners to the proposal including taking away the authority of the Town and the very folks who were to pay for this – you and I! Sounds corny I know however my father taught me one lesson early on…”He who pays, says!” Specifically, the decision voted upon now cites that the Town is to build one treatment plant and must be using 100% spray irrigation to disperse ENR treated effluent within 5 years…and…must come before this same body of elected officials to report progress towards this end by September 2010. The single study considered shows this to be possible spending upwards of $20 million dollars… of our money! Early on the Berlin Utility Commission (BUC) in its advisory capacity to the Town and the Berlin Mayor and Council had considered a two treatment plant scenario, one which offered advantages such as the ability to get the plant built more quickly, allow room to accommodate reasonable town growth and allow a private partner to participate in overall funding while donating land for both the plant and a much needed water tower. Whether or not the final selection would have been this option doesn’t really matter – what matters is that the folks in Berlin had choices – room to decide? Now, with the final “yes, but” County decision we are told what to do and how we are to spend our money. This rankles me… Perhaps a better explanation of the possible solutions shall be offered at the
Berlin Town meeting that will be held on Thursday, January 3rd in Town Hall beginning at 7pm. If you too ascribe to my father’s axiom perhaps you will attend?

Early this morning here in the lovely quiet town of Berlin MD I opened the online edition of the Daily Times and was greeted with the face of the man who phoned me last evening…State Senator E.J. Pipkin, R-36- Queen Anne’s. Last evening at 7:30 our telephone rang and, after a pause (the techys haven’t quite overcome this bug yet) in an annoying canned voice recording, Senator Pipkin told me that he had decided to run for………and then I hung up the phone not wanting to know and not caring what Mr. Pipkin had decided. The various campaigns actually began months back and despite being signed up on the National DO NOT CALL list my phone has been ringing quite frequently with politicians and pollsters requesting “just a moment” of my time.

Stop people, stop disrespecting my time and my privacy, if you want my vote – earn it! Stop talking and although it sounds almost idealistic now, DO SOMETHING! As my father would say – “Deeds, not Words”! The fact that so many of today’s politicians rely heavily on polls only proves this out - the desire to know “what to say”, how to spin an issue, to effect a better rating. Please don’t say what you PLAN to do…tell me what you’ve DONE or are DOING by mail or even as noted by the media!

My spouse and I keep pen and paper near the phone and when a call is received the name of the “hopeful” (now, “hopeless”) is logged in. By the time Election Day comes around the remaining candidates who “DID not call” are carefully reconsidered before heading out to pull the lever or “touch the screen”. Last evening after receiving another call my husband commented that, although we’ve prided ourselves on never missing an election it’s already beginning to look as if next year we may not get to vote at all!

What has happened to “running” on past or current PERFORMANCE? Want my Vote? Earn it!

Perhaps it’s because of the size of our downtown commercial district – only 3 ½ blocks in length and 2 scattered blocks wide – the goings and comings of the various shops and commercial establishments, the changes, within Berlin MD are more apparent and more strongly felt by the local citizenry. Too, recently there seems to have been an intensification of these changes. Last year the Waterline Gallery, housed in the lovely old Odd Fellows building on Main and Jefferson disappeared only to be quickly replaced by M R Ducks with new the Water’s Edge Gallery upstairs. Then, the Atlantic Hotel changed management with the long-anticipated Solstice Restaurant opening this past spring causing quite a furor over the décor changes but serving some very, very nice food. Even more recently, the good folks, Les and Peggy Katona of Main Street Gift Gallery moved on - again rapidly replaced by another gallery, A Step Above, in its place. Noticed that the Corner Cupboard at the corner (what else?) of Pitts & William Street has recently become vacant. Wonder what will go in there? Another block south at the junction of William and Bay Sts., A Perfect Touch gift shop has sprung up. Besides the ubiquitous candles and cards, the Touch has a small but powerful selection of leather “leaf” handbags. Nice! Probably the most “felt” of the “goings” is the Berlin Hardware Store. How can we not see Mabel Hall Powell out front each morning sweeping the sidewalk??? This writer will sorely miss both her and the hardware. No one seems to know exactly what will “go in” but Mr. Gerardi will eventually give us something. I’m still sorry that the Town could not give us a couple of those precious EDU’s to get something going earlier. The recent auction was a sad experience for all. On a more cheery note though, following right on the heels of the auction, Solstice at the Atlantic Hotel opened a General Store out back on Jefferson Street. It’s just the right place to find the perfect wine or gourmet accompaniment for your next party! And, they have hand-dipped ice cream. Finally, to prove that Berlin is a growing community in spite of the current tough economy we now have the new ACE Business Center on Rt. 346 near the new Bank of Ocean City building. Housed within the almost too clean exterior (needs some “patina”) and beside the new location for ACE Printing & Mailing is a gem, a new retail space from Belinda Gulyas named The Willows Gallery which currently features “Sticks” - www.sticks.com , fabulous hand painted furniture and other fun stuff. In closing, we surely cannot ignore the wonderful change, the face-lift that’s being given to a town icon – Rayne’s Reef, thanks to the perseverance of the Queen family. Guess it’s time to get together and wish a fond farewell to many and to the others a very hearty and warm welcome to Berlin.

Imagine a large yellow delivery truck traveling west to east or south to north across the US delivering our groceries along the way. When it finally arrives in here in Berlin MD it is nearly empty, all that remains are the dregs…which are then swept into the door of our local supermarket to be offered for sale. This is an image that has plagued me for over ten years, and with the advent of cool weather, returned to me again last evening when I went shopping for a squash. Happily, there were eight acorn squashes in the bin! However, upon closer inspection each revealed either a soft spot indicating rot or some furry white mold. None were edible! There was however a lone, huge butternut squash nearby…enough to feed us for a week or more. It would be wasted. So it was off to the bin of sweet potatoes…! Looking across the produce area some apples caught my eye, all large, brightly colored and very shiny, again upon closer inspection, many of these turned out to be bruised or damaged in some fashion – and they were very expensive! What has happened to the adage of “buy in season – it’s fresh, healthy and cheap”? No apples this day! It is clear that with our local growing season at an end and the local Farmers Markets winding down we’re again faced with nearly six months of leavings from the yellow truck! . It was then time to go off and fulfill my husband’s request, “don’t forget ice cream”. Picking up two cartons of ice cream (buy one, get one free) I then went to the checkout. Putting my selections on the conveyor belt I noticed that both of the cartons had leakage over the seal. Running quickly back to the freezer to grab replacements I then discovered that most had leakage! No ice cream for tonight! Perhaps that darned yellow truck wasn’t refrigerated properly either! It’s sad, this market recently underwent an upgrade…but apparently only in the way the products are displayed – not in handling! Next time you find the quality of your grocery purchases to be unsatisfactory you too may think of that yellow truck!