Sunday, April 24, 2016

 

Berlin News to Know March 10, 2016

BERLIN NEWS TO KNOW March 10, 2016
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This communication is put together and distributed on a volunteer basis by resident Corinne Stridsberg simply in an effort to share information and build community, it is not from the town of Berlin.
Please share this with your Berlin friends and neighbors.  If you're not already receiving this news directly by email, send an email to request this to corinnestridsberg@gmail.com.
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For current news look for "BerlinVermont" on facebook for a constant flow of information.  You don't need to be a facebook user to access it, but if you do use facebook, be sure to "Like" it:

For historical news look for "BerlinVermont Memories" on facebook.
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Note:

Below you will find:

CROSSTOWN ROAD CLOSING BEGINNING MARCH 11TH
GRAFTING CLASS AT PERFECT CIRCLE FARM IN BERLIN
UPCOMING MEETINGS
U-32 SCHOOL DIRECTOR NEEDED
BERLIN MALL OWNERS ENVISION TOWN CENTER
BERLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRING
ANNUAL ALL YOU CAN EAT PIE BREAKFAST AT RUMNEY ELEMENTARY

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CROSSTOWN ROAD CLOSING BEGINNING MARCH 11TH
From the Berlin Town Administrator, Dana Hadley
Due to spring conditions, Crosstown Road will be closed to through traffic beginning on Friday, March 11th.  The road will be closed from the top of Erhardt Hill to halfway down the hill – approximately between 3000 and 3496 Crosstown Road.  The road will be opened as conditions permit.  With the spring like weather several roads in town are experiencing serious mud conditions. The Highway department is working to address problem as soon as they can.
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GRAFTING CLASS AT PERFECT CIRCLE FARM IN BERLIN
If there is sufficient interest, Buzz Ferver, will be offering a grafting class at their farm on Airport Road in Berlin on April 23rd 10am – 2pm.  Cost will be $50 per participant (scholarships and sliding scale are offered).  Everyone will go home with at least 4 grafted fruit trees.  We will cover the history and basics of grafting, a demonstration of techniques, and then everyone will graft their own trees.  Rain or shine, bring your lunch!  Contact Buzz at BuzzFerver@gmail.com Perfect Circle Farm, 1170 Airport Road, Berlin, VT 05641  https://www.facebook.com/APerfectCircleFarm
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
Monday, March 14 6:15pm Berlin Elementary School Board, Berlin Elementary Learning Center
Monday, March 14th 7pm Sewer Commission, Town Office
Monday, March 21st 7pm Selectoboard, Town Office
Note, the next scheduled Development Review Board meeting is April 5th.
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U-32 SCHOOL DIRECTOR NEEDED
The Berlin Elementary School Board of Directors seeks to appoint a Berlin resident to the seat representing Berlin on the U-32 School Board. The term lasts until Town Meeting Day, 2017.  Please consider becoming part of a dynamic decision-making team that directly impacts the educational experience of our middle and high school aged children. Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity is asked to contact Vera Frazier, Chair of the Berlin Elementary School Board, via email at vfrazier5477@aol.com or by phone at 229-0074 or Bill Kimball at bkimball@u32.org or call WCSU office at 229-0553
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BERLIN MALL OWNERS ENVISION TOWN CENTER
Check out the WCAX video (under 3 minutes) of this story which includes some drawings. http://www.wcax.com/story/31406296/berlin-mall-owners-envision-town-center
Comment posted from Michael Fiske – “Berlin did have a town center in the early 1800's. It was the Congregational Church whose original site is now over grown and neglected. I have the diary of my fourth great grandmother Mary (Hubbard) Nye written in Berlin and Montpelier between 1811 and 1837. She speaks of community life in Berlin. My third great grandfather Bemsley Huntoon conducted a mercantile business at the four corners around 1808. Hope a new town center can be founded.”

BERLIN, Vt. -  In Vermont and around the country, planners in recent  years have been taking a close look at suburban malls, trying to re-envision how they can better fit into communities.  Now efforts are underway in Berlin to give the community the town center it's never had.
The opening of a new Kohls Department store in Berlin this month drew hoards of visitors.  But aside from the new retailer, and the other major anchor in the area -- Walmart  -- much of the Berlin Mall can at times feel vacant. With the growth of online shopping and other changes, many malls have struggled to remain relevant.  
"Retail locations today have found that they need to offer a wider variety of experiences to shoppers to attract them," said Michael Rushman, a consultant working with the Berlin Mall's owners to take a new look at how the mall fits into the community. He's pitching a proposal to transform the 65-acre site into the town center that Berlin's never had.  Between the close proximity to I-89, and major employers like Central Vermont Medical Center just next door, he says it's an ideal location. "I suspect that's probably the third most heavily trafficked retail site in the state, but what you don't have here is the range of uses and services and activities that one associates with a town center or a downtown, and that's what this concept is intended to bring to this site," Rushman said.
It starts with transforming the parking lot out front into a traditional 'Main Street,' lined with vertical, multi-use buildings on one side, and reconfigured mall entrances on the other.  Housing -- including for seniors -- a hotel, shops and restaurants would appeal to a key demographic. "Two population groups are driving this -- Millennials, those in their 20's, and empty-nesters, baby boomers -- that are reaching the end of their careers or retiring, and both those groups are seeking sort of center city, downtown, village center, town center kinds of locations to live, work and play," Rushman said. He says parks and recreation trails are included.
Efforts to create a town center here have come and gone for decades, with the most recent crumbling during the economic downturn.  Rushman says this time is different. "You've got the state with a policy in place that makes available a new town center designation, and perhaps most importantly you have a single land owner -- the owner of the 65 acre site that the mall sits on," he said.
Mall goers we spoke to seemed to like the idea. "I come here everyday that I work -- Monday through Friday -- to do walking and it would be nice to be able to got outside in the nice weather and have a nice place to walk instead of around a parking lot, " said Chris Covino of Williamstown.  
"I think that would be really nice," said Melissa Hamilton of Huntington, was killing time while her car was getting fixed. "That was one of the things I asked them before I made my appointment, was what can I do when I come over here."
The malls owners recently pitched the proposal to Berlin's planning committee. The selectboard is expected to take up the proposal in the coming weeks.
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BERLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRING
Berlin Police Department: Caring For Our Community
The Berlin Police Department is seeking an energetic, positive-thinking, service-oriented individual with a strong desire to provide quality police services. The Berlin Police Department is looking for Police Officers who want a rewarding career that combines an excellent work environment with a community rich in family-oriented activities.
The Town of Berlin offers excellent benefits. All uniforms and police equipment are provided. We have, or participate in, special units such as, S.T.A.R.T., GHSP events, Commercial Truck Enforcement, The DUI Task Force and other programs. The Department also actively participates in many community-oriented events including the Officer Baseball Card program, Toy’s for Tot’s and other community/children programs.
This is a Union position, the Teamsters, with starting wage, after probationary period is complete and enters a step system per Union contract. Pay is augmented by occasional overtime and special-duty opportunities. The Berlin Police Department is contracted with the only hospital in Washington County for security details 365 days a year. The Town of Berlin offers four personal holidays, vacation time increasing to five weeks depending on years of service, participation in the Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System Plan B, life insurance, twelve paid sick days, ten paid holidays, short term and long term disability and AFLAC. The Town of Berlin also offers Compensatory Time, Bereavement pay, shift differential and automatic payroll deposits.
Requirements: U.S. citizen, minimum age of 21; must have a valid driver’s license; high school diploma (college degree preferred). Applicant must be able to perform all the essential functions involved with police duties. Police testing, including a physical fitness examination, polygraph, oral board, medical exam, fingerprint check and extensive background check will be required of applicants selected for hire. Preference shall be given to VT-certified officers. All shifts, weekends and holiday work are a must when scheduled.
The Berlin Police Department is an equal opportunity employer. Please submit your resume, a completed Berlin Application and a letter of interest to the:
Berlin Police Department
108
Shed Road
Berlin Vermont 05602
Attention: Chief Wolfe
Sgt. Mark Monteith
Sgt.
Chad Bassette
Cpl. Kevin Blanchard
Applications can be sent via email per request at berlinpolicedepartment@gmail.com.
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ANNUAL ALL YOU CAN EAT PIE BREAKFAST AT RUMNEY ELEMENTARY
The pie breakfast just got better! Arnie’s Ice Cream will be there to make it pie à la modeThis scrumptious event takes place Saturday, March 19th 9am -11pm or until the pies run out!  Fruit pies, cream pies, quiches, Shepards pie, anything the creative people of Middlesec can come up with.  There are usually some gluten free pies included in the selection. The cost is $7 per person, under 3 is free.  Bring your own plate, cup, and utensils for $1 off admission.  Enjoy live music and bring an extra dollar for the 50/50 raffle.  All funds raised go to support he Middlesex Bandstand Summer Concert Series and Rumney PTO enrichment activities.  Be sure to tell your friends and neighbors!

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