Berlin Town Meeting voters approve spending; created Affordable Housing Trust, OPEB fund
BERLIN - It took about two-and-a-half hours for Berlin voters to run through a 37 article warrant at the May 2 Town Meeting.
Voters did wend up approving all the articles brought forward by officials, only passing over the article for the police contract, which is still being bargained.
Voters did approve several changes to operations, including one to establish an Affordable Housing Trust to preserve and create affordable housing in town, establishing an Other Post-Employment Benefits Fund (otherwise known as OPEB) and authorized the Select Board to acquire three parcels of land near the junction of Linden Street and Lyman Road for open space purposes.
Some of the funding articles approved: adjusted or removed “sunset” clauses to allow funds to be spent later than planned, in some cases because of supply chain issues; removed obsolete revolving funds and approved capital spending, including for cable television expenses and audio visual equipment.
Money was also authorized for several public safety purchases, including more money for an ambulance, added to money approved at the November 2021 special town meeting.
Community Preservation Act funds approved to be used for Bullard House historical work.