Page 8 - 08.11.2025 Council Packet

Reg. Session 07.28.25

Voting Tally 5

d. Motion 2025-45: To Designate No Parking areas on West and Washington Streets –
Town Administrator Mary Bohlen (Strategic Plan: DS2, AS1; DS3, AS5)
Ms. Bohlen discussed the motion to establish a No Parking Zone on West and Washington
Streets. The map displayed on the screen showed the existing No Parking Zones in yellow
and the proposed No Parking Zone in red. No parking would be allowed on West Street from
Main Street through Buckingham Lane. Councilmember Orris informed the Mayor and
Council of a conversation he had with a resident, and this resident didn’t think it was
necessary to extend the No Parking Zone through Buckingham Lane, as it was not as
congested in that area. However, Chief Downing stated that sidewalks would be coming in
that area, and the Town needed to maintain consistency.

Councilmember Green stated the committee expected cars to park on West Street as
opposed to in the lot, and the activity over the last month has proved this to be true so the
No Parking Zone was needed. He has been happy with the number of cars that have parked
in the lot so far, and keeping the street clear would only improve utilization and accessibility.
Councilmember Orris inquired if there would be a standard 10- or 20-day leeway time
before the changes were implemented. Ms. Bohlen informed him that the changes would
not go into effect until the signage was up, which would take some time due to the
turnaround time for signage.

On the motion of Councilmember Knerr, second by Councilmember Green, Motion 2025-45:
To Designate No Parking areas on West and Washington Streets was adopted by the
following vote:
Name Counted toward
Quorum
Aye No Abstain Recused Absent
Dean Burrell, VP X
Steve Green X
Jay Knerr X
Shaneka Nichols X
Jack Orris X
Voting Tally 5

7. BFC & BFCEMS Bi-Annual Presentation – President David Fitzgerald (Strategic Plan: DS2, AS2)

Berlin Fire Company (BFC) President David Fitzgerald presented the Semi-Annual Update to the
Mayor and Council. Mr. Fitzgerald discussed the fire-rescue data and findings that ranged from
January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. The report covered such information as the number of in-town
and out-of-town calls, busiest days and times of day, response times, and overall response hours.
Discussion regarding call-volume impact and volunteer turnout was included.

08.11.25 Council Packet Page 8 of 140