Page 4 - 08.11.2025 Council Packet

Reg. Session 07.28.25

4. Public Hearing: FY25 Maryland Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) – Mayor’s
Executive Assistant Sara Gorfinkel (Strategic Plan: DS1 - DS6)

Mayor Tyndall opened the Public Hearing at 6:19 PM. Ms. Gorfinkel provided the public with an
update and overview of where the Town stood with the Maryland Community Development Block
Grant Program. She explained the Town had spent $100,000 of CDBG funding that had been
awarded to Berlin in July 2024. This allowed the Town to move forward with architecture and
engineering for the site of the future Community Center. This included conducting a community
survey, collecting data for a feasibility study, providing comprehensive architectural and engineering
services, and hosting in-person focus groups. Ms. Gorfinkel informed the public that Haley
Architecture would be presenting the Comprehensive Feasibility Study to the Mayor and Council at
th
the meeting on Monday, August 11 .
Ms. Gorfinkel noted the Town had until July 2026 to spend the funds, but believed the sooner the
Town spent the funds, the faster the Town would be able to reapply for a third and final time for
future funding. In addition to the CDBG funding, the Town also received a special grant regarding the
demolition of the Multipurpose Building.

As there were no questions or comments from the public, Mayor Tyndall closed the Public Hearing at
6:22 PM.
5. Comments from the Public (Strategic Plan: DS4; DS5)

Approximately 47 Town of Berlin residents were in attendance to discuss the concern of public
safety and the need for sidewalks on Old Ocean City Boulevard. Mr. Dirk Widdowson and Ms. Gale
Widdowson, Purnell Circle, shared statistics regarding the importance of sidewalks in both safety and
fostering community connection. They noted people were afraid to walk or ride bikes due to
distracted drivers and speeding.

Mr. Austin Purnell, Prospect Drive, said he had witnessed multiple near-death experiences between
drivers and walkers on Old Ocean City Boulevard. He stated there was money in the Impact Fund and
inquired why the Town wasn’t using it as this was something the money was there for. Mr. Purnell
agreed with everything Mr. Widdowson said.

Mr. Matt Stoehr, Purnell Circle, discussed the large number of distracted drivers on Old Ocean City
Boulevard as well as liquor bottles scattered along the side of the road. He emphasized the
community had changed, and there were now so many kids that the Town needed to consider. Mr.
Stoehr stated the Town needed to be proactive instead of reactive when it came to the safety of
residents and avoiding future accidents. He noted the Town had been waiting 5-6 years for state
funding, so he asked how the Town of Berlin could provide funding and help the 60+ townhouses in
that area.

Ms. Vanessa Stein, Sunlight Lane, and her two young children discussed the risk of getting hit by a
car when they want to get ice cream or walk into town due to the lack of sidewalks. They want to be
safe and feel safe. Ms. Stein also agreed with the comments regarding the number of distracted
drivers.

08.11.25 Council Packet Page 4 of 140