BERLIN – Plans to increase recreation opportunities, enhance public safety and preserve the Berlin’s quality of life are just a few of the goals town officials identified this week as they wrapped up the strategic planning process.
Elected officials and town staff participated in a two-day work session, led by facilitator Christine Becker, using the guidance they received from residents during the past two months to create a three-year strategic plan.
“The most encouraging fact is we all seem to be on the same page,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “The direction and values we believed the community had they confirmed.”
During the work session the, group came up with five goals for the town: increasing parks and recreation facilities, addressing infrastructure needs, promoting economic development, enhancing public safety services and preserving the town’s quality of life.
Associated with each are more specific objectives. In increasing parks and recreation opportunities, officials talked about establishing new facilities, such as the one planned for the former Tyson plant, as well as making better use of existing ones, like by offering fitness programs in Stephen Decatur Park.
When it came to discussing the town’s infrastructure goals, town staff members said they wanted to reduce flooding and improve water quality. Continuing to provide affordable electric rates was also identified as important.
Ivy Wells, the town’s economic development director, outlined the importance of attracting businesses to the town’s empty buildings. Natalie Saleh, the town’s finance director, agreed, and stressed the need to occupy the old Boomer’s building, as it was located at a main entrance to Berlin.
“It’s an eyesore now,” she said.
Wells also said she wanted to list available properties on the town’s website and enhance the site so potential merchants could find the necessary forms and paperwork online.
Other items officials touched on during the work session included partnering with local schools and churches to provide extra parking during special events as well as continuing site design work for a new police station. Williams also spoke of the importance of getting commercial architectural standards in place.
Now that municipal leaders have organized and prioritized the input they received from the town’s citizens, Becker will compile the actual strategic plan. Later this spring the council will adopt it and distribute it. Becker encouraged officials to send copies of the plan to those who participated in the community input sessions as well as town staff. When complete it will also be available on the town’s website.
“The more you can emphasize how closely you adhere to what the community meetings told you, there’s a lot of value in that,” she said.
Town Administrator Laura Allen said town staff would provide the council with updates on how items listed in the plan were progressing throughout the year.