Council honors Berlin Fire Co., local competitive racer

Berlin Borough Council discussed various agenda items at its meeting Nov. 14, while recognizing the borough’s fire company and a local racer.

The Berlin Fire Company was presented with a proclamation in honor of its 110^th year as a volunteer fire service. The company was established on Oct. 31, 1909. Dan Pomponio Jr. was recognized as the Inter-Community Celebration Committee’s Parade Honoree for the 2019 Fourth of July parade. He is a competitive racer from Berlin Borough.

Councilman Len Badolato pointed out during reports that a $50,000 Historic Preservation Grant was to be accepted and included in the borough’s budget to provide additional funds for work on The Dill House. According to Councilman Andy Simone, no taxpayer dollars have been used for the ongoing building restoration project.

Simone stated during his report that nearly all construction projects with the borough’s annual roads program are complete and that residents who had disruptions from the work  can request attention shortly. Work is expected to be completed by the end of November.

“The 2019 Roadways Improvement Program is in its final stages of construction,” Simone said. “For residents who have had property disturbed by this work, please be patient. If you feel that some work has not been completed over the last week, please call the construction hotline.”

For those who may not have noticed, the borough’s website redesign was launched earlier this month, said Councilman Rick Miller. The site’s address — www.berlinnj.org — is the same.

Miller said nearly all of the website’s previous content remains and residents who notice possible glitches or problems should reach out to officials.

“I’d say about 90 percent mapped over correctly,” Miller said, “but if you find anything, I’d ask you to contact myself or Councilman [Keith] Hohing.”

Miller emphasized the redesign is a substantial upgrade compared with what the borough previously used. The site now has more functionality and gives the borough the capability to make updates rather than relying on a third party to do so.

Recently appointed Councilman Hohing said he continues to review financial information as he gets acclimated to council. He also is reviewing the possibility of “fleet leasing” for the Berlin Police Department as well as addressing continued recycling issues that cost Berlin Borough and a majority of state municipalities.

In other news:

• The Downtown Berlin Revitalization Corp. Holiday Tour will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. The event starts at the Municipal Building and more information can be found at DowntownBerlin.org.
• The annual Christmas Tree lighting will take place at the Municipal Building at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
• The Berlin Police Department recognized Eric Wolfe as this month’s Behind the Badge  Office for October. Wolfe organized the department’s annual blood drive at the Berlin Community Center.
• Mayor Jim Bilella declared November Epilepsy Awareness Month in Berlin Borough, bringing attention to a resident who suffers from the disease. Borough hall is currently decorated with purple ribbons in recognition of the month’s significance.
• Bilella also noted that the Royal Farms location across from borough hall is expected to open by the end of the year. Bilella noted the project has been a four-year process, requiring various borough, county and state approvals.
• Berlin Borough shred more than 10,000 pounds of documents at the its shredding event Saturday, Nov. 9.