BERLIN, Ala. – Mayor Patrick Bates commenced the monthly session of the Berlin Town Council on Monday, June 16, 2025. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge of allegiance led by Councilman James Sanford.
Bates informed the council that the Town will be forced to forfeit a $5,000 state Resource Conservation and Development grant that was to help pay for handicap-accessible restrooms at the farmers market. He said that because the contractor is behind schedule, there would not be enough materials purchased in time to submit an expense report to complete the grant.
Councilman Keith Hardman expressed concern for the funding and asked who would be responsible for making up that difference.
Bates reassured the council, “At a rate of $500 dollars a day for missing the completion date, they will end up paying at least that much if not more.” With an original deadline of August, already pushed back to September, the company looks to pay exponentially, he said.
In other news on the farmers market site, former Rep. Randall Shedd, who now works as director of constituent affairs for Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, promised to dedicate his efforts to acquiring $25,000 toward improvements for the site. Shedd notified Bates prior to the meeting that the Town will receive $13,000 from State Tourism and an additional $12,000 from Gudger to help fund the project.
The next order of business, the council discussed a damaged pipe on County Road 1611. The pipe had been partially cleaned out, but required additional excavation to complete the job due to the extent of the damage. Bates suggested installing a prefabricated aluminum culvert in its place to prevent this issue in the future. The council suggested talking to the Town’s engineer to determine the best course of action before making a final decision.
In other business:
- The audit for the 2024 fiscal year has been completed
- A public hearing was held to vacate an unnamed county road south of County Road 1611 – passed unanimously
- Cullman County Water Department will relocate a water meter from County Road 1614 to County Road 747 to allow a ditch to be made
The next meeting of the Berlin Town Council is scheduled for July 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Berlin Town Hall.
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