THE BERLIN BULLETIN - OCTOBER 2021
Town News
Please visit our website or use the Facebook link at the bottom of this page for the most up-to-date news from the Town.
Upcoming Town Meetings
SUBJECT TO CHANGE: All meetings of the Mayor and Council and Boards and Commission are being held in-person with face coverings required for all in attendance. For more details and the most up-to-date information, please visit the appropriate meeting page on our website.
 
  • Tuesday, October 12, 2021 (rescheduled due to Columbus Day Holiday)
  • Monday, October 25, 2021

For a complete list of Board & Commission Meetings, click here.

To receive direct notification of meetings via email, please visit our website at berlinmd.gov and sign up at the bottom of any page.
Last Month's Meeting Updates
  • Honored the Berlin 2021 Junior Little League State Championship Teams
  • Approved a Hope 4 Recovery 5k Special Event
  • Approved the Boggs Disharoon Special Sunday Permits
  • Tabled the East Bound Disc Golf discussion until October 12th
  • Approved the Berlin Police Department to pay $20,000 now and the remainder next fiscal year to Axon Enterprises for the tasers contract
  • Discussed the FY '21 Financial Highlights
  • Approved amending the budget to acquire real property
  • Nominations approved for the Ethics Commission vacancies
  • Approval of the Goals and Objectives of Berlin Beautification Committee

  • Swearing-in of Board and Commission members
  • Discussions re: Short-term rentals
  • Discussion re: Downtown tree lighting
  • Approved a request for funding for replacement/repair of the Towns stormwater piping located at 105 Washington Street and funding of downstream modeling

Details about Mayor and Council Meetings can be found on the Town's website. Sign up to receive automatic notifications about meetings at the bottom of any page on the website. 
Upcoming Holidays
and changes to trash and recycling schedules
Columbus Day, Monday, October 11th: The recycling collection will be postponed to Tuesday, October 12, 2021, along with the regular Tuesday Trash Collection.
What's happening in Berlin?
harvest-banner.jpg
Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt through Downtown Berlin
October 1 – 29 There are 20 pumpkins in & around the downtown shops.
Find them all for a chance to win $100!
1. Pick up an entry form at The Welcome Center
2. Stroll around town
3. Find all the pumpkins
4. Write the words tattooed on each pumpkin on the entry form
5. Place your completed form in the drop box at the Berlin Welcome Center for your chance to win $100!
You must find all pumpkins to be eligible. Random drawing will take place on October 30.
Berlin Touch A Truck
Sunday, October 3, 10am-Noon
Stephen Decatur Park
Free event! Bring the family to learn about all the trucks Berlin uses! Kids get to see our fire trucks, garbage trucks, utility trucks, and more. Also attending: Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff Department, Worcester County Services, Berlin Police Department, Berlin Fire Company & Rescue, Berlin Water, Sewer, Electric & Public Works.

Walk Maryland Day & Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday, October 6, 8am-8pm (dark)
Stephen Decatur Park
Self-Directed Scavenger Hunt for Walk Maryland Day. Sponsored by the Worcester County Health Department. Contact 410-632-1100, ext. 1108 or click here for more information about this event and the Just Walk Worcester program. 

Fall Cruisers
Saturday, October 9, 10am-2pm
Downtown Berlin
Classic car show.

Berlin Homecoming Harvest 
Sunday, October 10, 2pm-5pm
Taylor House Museum
Kick-off WORCESTER COUNTY HISTORY WEEK! Celebrate our local heritage with stories of Berlin. Record your oral history, research genealogy, and more!

Oktoberfest & Fall Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, October 16, 11am-4pm
Downtown Berlin
The Edelweiss Band & Dunehounds perform; Assateague Scales-N-Tales; Face Painting; Kids Crafts; Brats, pretzels, German Chocolate Cake, beer, mead & more.

Trick-or-Treating
Sunday, October 31, 5pm-7pm.
See below for more information.
Fall Glow Walk
Friday, November 5, starting at 5pm
Stephen Decatur Park
Get your glow (sticks) on! Enjoy a fun free walk starting in Stephen Decatur Park and following a route through the downtown and surrounding area (approx. 4.5K). Hosted by the Berlin Parks Commission in partnership with the Worcester County Health Department Just Walk Worcester program. Registration will start at 4:30 PM at Decatur Park, or you can pre-register at the Just Walk Worcester website. Free raffle entry for every walker. Strollers and friendly leashed dogs welcome. See below for a volunteer opportunity.

Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday, November 7, 2021, at 2am; Remember to set your clocks back one hour.

Fall Bulk Trash CollectionIf your normal trash day is on Tuesday, or Wednesday, your special collection date will be Wednesday, November 3, 2021. If your normal trash day is on Thursday, your special collection date will be Wednesday, November 17, 2021. Advanced sign-up is required; for more information, please visit our website or call 410-641-2770.
Free Yard Waste Collections are scheduled in December; more information to come.
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteers Needed for Evening Glow Walk!

The Berlin Parks Commission and the Worcester Health Department are shaking up the Berlin Fall Walk for 2021!
 
Walk participants will create a fun visual by walking while wearing and carrying glow sticks, bracelets, etc., and volunteers are needed to be stationed at key points along the route to help direct walkers. The Walk will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021, and will start at 5:00 pm (time may be adjusted) at Stephen Decatur Park, then follow a route through the downtown.  A strong walker or two will also be needed to bring up the rear of the group.
 
Volunteers will be asked to meet at Stephen Decatur Park at about 4:30 pm and then will walk or drive to their spot. Typically, the walk takes about an hour – volunteers should be done by 6:30 pm.
 
Please contact Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen at mbohlen@berlinmd.gov or 410-641-4314 with any questions and to let her know you want to volunteer. Thank you!
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Trick-or-Treat from 5pm-7pm
on Sunday, October 31st
Safety Tips
  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children during trick-or-treating.
  • Please walk with your child rather than following in a vehicle, this allows through traffic and promotes safety.
  • Only go to homes that have porch lights on.
  • Never enter a house, business, or vehicle for a treat.
  • All costumes, wigs, and accessories should be fire-resistant.
  • Remain on well-lit streets and ALWAYS use available sidewalks.
  • Never cut across yards or use alleys.
  • Only cross the street as a group using established crosswalks and don’t cross between parked cars.
  • Don’t assume motorists can see you: It is best to use reflective tape for dark-colored costumes and trick-or-treat bags and a flashlight with fresh batteries.
  • Throw away opened candy and do not allow children to eat their candy until it has been checked.
 
If older children are going trick or treating alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time that children should return home, and have them carry a cell phone for quick communication. 
 
Safety Tips for Motorists
  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways with extreme caution.
  • At dusk, watch for children in dark clothing.

If you are not going to be home or do not want trick-or-treaters to visit your home, please make sure to keep porch lights turned off.

Call the Berlin Police Department, (410) 641-1333, immediately if you witness or hear of any suspicious or unlawful activity. 
Sign up for our emergency notification system CodeRed to receive emergency alerts:
Click on the icon below;
Text BerlinCodeRED to 99411; or
Call us at 410-641-2770 to enroll.
410-641-2770
10 William Street Berlin,
MD 21811