BERLIN, Ala. – The Berlin Town Council on Monday evening opened three submitted bids for its proposed community tornado shelter, awarding a contract to Hartselle-based Aqua Marine Enterprises, pending adjustments for a change to the bathroom from a proposed chemical vat system to a plumbed system linked to the current septic system that serves Berlin Town Hall. All three bidders proposed the same chemical system.
Aqua Marine was the low bidder at $123,500 for a shelter to hold 96 people. Fairview-based Torshel Storm Shelters submitted a bid of $148,970 for three small shelters holding a total of 96 people and Decatur-based RemainSafe Storm Shelters submitted a bid of $197,770 for a 117-person shelter.
Construction of the community shelter will be funded in part by a $75,000 grant from the North Alabama Regional Council of Governments.
The council also discussed Sweet Grown Alabama Day, coming this Saturday, July 22, 2023, to the Berlin Farmers’ Market. According to information provided, “Sweet Grown Alabama Day gives community members the chance to visit Berlin Farmers Market and engage with local farmers to ask questions about their food and other agricultural products.”
Children 12 and younger will receive $5 in Power of Produce (POP) program bucks to spend at the market, when they sample freeze-dried local squash and zucchini made by Crazy Sweet Tooth. Inflatables, a painting project, basketball and a hands-on potting project will be available for kids, and Fro’z Shaved Ice will also be available for purchase.
The council adopted a fiscal year 2024 transportation plan without a specific target for available Rebuild Alabama funds. Mayor Patrick Bates told the council that the Town is almost caught up on its roads, with the exception of County Road 1612, which the County has said it will work on later this year. Review of conditions on roads around current construction projects in the town will be reviewed after construction is finished.
Bates told the council that he canceled a proposed flood control project when engineers returned with a $300,000 estimate for the project. The Town received an $85,000 for the project based on estimates engineers from St. John & Associates concluded were too low. Council members supported his decision. Bates said he hopes to get a higher grant.
The council concluded with a brief overview of the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget. Bates noted that the proposed budget exceeds $900,000, including around $500,000 for the town park project and $200,000 for the storm shelter. Bates said that he also made allowances for upcoming increases in insurance costs through the Alabama League of Municipalities, and for increased internet costs to provide Wi-Fi access to new structures coming in the parks and recreation project.
The Berlin Town Council meets at Berlin Town Hall at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The public is invited to attend.
Copyright 2023 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
