Berlin Borough Notes Berlin Borough & Municipal Authority Spring 2014 Berlin Borough is going paperless.. We are planning to be paperless with this newsletter and other correspondences by the end of 2014. The utility bills will continue to be mailed. We prepare a spring and fall newsletter which will be posted on our website at berlinborough.org. If you wish a personal copy of all Borough newsletters and correspondences, please provide your email address to the Borough Office at cindy.flamm@berlinborough.org or by calling the office at 267-3837. Copies will be available at the Borough Office during office hours, Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Clean-up Day THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 ALL ITEMS FOR COLLECTION MUST BE PLACED AT THE CURB BY 7:00 A.M. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS, PAINT, AIR CONDITIONERS, DEHUMIDIFIERS, TIRES, VEHICLE BATTERIES, BUILDINGS OR DEMOLITION WASTE PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT ACCEPT TVS, COMPUTERS, OR THEIR COMPONENTS. MORE INFO ON PAGE FOUR. Water Notice ON SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 3, 2014, STARTING AT 10:00 P.M., WATER SERVICE WILL BE IN- TERRUPTED WHILE FIRE HYDRANTS ARE OPENED AND WATER MAINS ARE FLUSHED. PLEASE RUPTION WILL EXIST FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX HOURS. SOME TURBIDITY OF THE WATER MAY OCCUR DURING AND AFTER THE FLUSHING OPERATION. Annual Drinking Water Report THE 2013 CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT FROM OUR MUNICIPAL WATER AUTHORITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE BERLIN BOROUGH S WEBSITE AT: CLOSE THE VALVE AT YOUR WATER METER TO KEEP YOUR SYSTEM FROM DRAINING. THIS INTER- http://berlinborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2013-annual-drinking-water-quality-reportfor-the-berlin-municipal-water-system.pdf WE WILL ONLY MAIL THIS REPORT AT YOUR REQUEST. YOU MAY ALSO OBTAIN A COPY AT THE BOROUGH OFFICE.
Notes Page 2 Building or Remodeling Effective February 2014 the Borough contracted with Commonwealth Code Inspection Services, Inc.(CCIS) to provide complete administration and enforcement of both the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). CCIS maintains an office at the Georgian Place, Suite #421 in Somerset and can be reached by calling 445-8133. Property Owners or their designated agent are responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures and premises and are encouraged to contact CCIS prior to beginning construction, alterations or repairs of any buildings or structures within the Borough. When in doubt on whether a permit is required, pickup an information/application packet at the Borough building and follow up with CCIS on any questions you may have. Stormwater Management Regulations If you are planning any building construction projects (including the placement of premanufactured structures as well as the installation of concrete and/or blacktop surfaces) please contact the Borough Office at 267-3837 to determine if your project requires stormwater management review and/or plan approval. New Voice Mail System Information is now listed on our voice mail system if you have an electrical, water or sewer emergency after our office hours. Please call 267-3837 to obtain this information. Also, after business hours, you may now phone your water meter reading to the our Office. Please call 267-3837 and leave your meter reading along with your name and account number on this voice mail system. Coming Soon..Collection Boxes Support the Berlin Fire Department and Missions The Berlin Volunteer Fire Department is teaming with Mission Partners to collect gently -used clothing, shoes, purses, belts and hats. The Fire Department will receive 50% of the revenues generated from these items. By May 1, 2014, the red collection boxes will be located on the Borough lot (block party lot) along Sixth Avenue.
Police Department Notes Page 3 Please watch for the Children: Since the weather is getting warmer and the days longer, the Berlin Police Department would like to remind motorists to be aware of their surroundings as they drive the streets in the Borough. Children are out playing and are not always paying attention. Slow down and watch for the children. Bike registrations: Now is a good time to register your child s bicycle. There is not a cost for this registration. Bring the bicycle to 721 1/2 North Street, the Miller Memorial Complex and speak with an officer on duty. Lost and Found: From time to time, found items such as bicycles, helmets, phones, purses, etc., are turned into the Police Department. If you have lost any items, feel free to contact an Officer and see if they have been turned into our Department. Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Pa.C.S.A. 3353 prohibits any vehicle riding, driving, parking or passage of any animal or vehicle, over, along and across sidewalks. The term vehicle includes any device in, upon or by which any person or property may be transported, but not a self-propelled wheelchair or an electrical mobility device operated by and designed for the exclusive use of a person with a mobility related disability. Your cooperation in keeping all streets and sidewalks safe is greatly appreciated. Ordinance No. 156 prohibits the burning of garbage, rubbish, brush or similar substances outside of any building within the Borough limits. Ordinance No. 314 prohibits the storage of abandoned vehicles within the Borough limits. Any vehicle that does not have a current registration or inspection would fall under this ordinance. Do not attach yard sale signs (or other signs) to utility poles it is a violation of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code 6905 (a). This violation is a summary offense. Violators will be prosecuted. Also, signs placed on the ground should be shorter than two and one half feet, so the view of traffic is not obstructed. Borough Ordinance No. 213 prohibits the shoveling or sweeping of shale, grass, or other materials from yards or sidewalks onto Borough streets. Mowing of grass - Section Two, Paragraph A, of Berlin Borough Ordinance No. 214 requires that grass be mowed when it exceeds six inches in height. Paragraph B, of the same Ordinance holds the tenant/occupant of a single dwelling property responsible for compliance with this section of the Ordinance.
Refuse Collection Notes Page 4 Summer Refuse Collection Schedule The Berlin Borough Offices will be closed on Memorial Day, July 4 th and Labor Day. There will be no garbage collection on these days. Please mark your calendar. Normal collection day The revised garbage collection schedule is as follows: Will be collected on this day Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014 ------------------------------- Tuesday, May 27, 2014 Fourth of July, Friday, July 4, 2014 ----------------------------- Thursday, July 3, 2014 Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014 -------------------------------------- Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014 Televisions, Computers and their components.as of January 24, 2013, landfills were no longer allowed to accept Covered Devices or their components for disposal. Covered Devices include desktop and laptop computers, computer monitors, televisions and their components. Please do not place these items with your refuse. AT THIS TIME THESE ITEMS ARE ACCEPTED AT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, 1606 N. CENTER AVE., SOMERSET, PA. TELEPHONE : 444-8319 Road Dirt and Heavy Material Request... Please place road dirt and heavy materials in 5 gallon buckets. Borough Employees will use a dump truck for collection of this refuse and they will be lifting these buckets to the bed of the truck. Keep this material separate from the grass, leaves and brush. Please use small containers or buckets. Demolition Waste Not Accepted...The Berlin Municipal Refuse System no longer accepts or collects bulk demolition waste or provides dumpster containers for the collection of demolition waste. Leaves... Only leaves, grass, and similar organic matter will be collected every Thursday. These items are collected for composting, at no additional cost to refuse customers residing in Berlin Borough. All items for collection must be placed at the curb of a public road, in containers not larger than 30 gallon and/or not to exceed more than 40 pounds. (Borough employees must lift these containers unto a dump truck.) Brush Collection...will be on the last Thursday of each month. Additional pick-up can be scheduled at an additional charge. Please call the Borough Office for information at 267-3837.
Pet Notes Page 5 Please show consideration for our refuse collection workers by placing animal waste (feces) and/or used kitty litter in plastic bags before placing it in a container with your other residential garbage. Thank you! Berlin Borough Ordinance No. 264 states that it shall be unlawful for any person owning, harboring, keeping, or in charge of any dog, cat, or other animal, to cause, suffer or allow such dog, cat or other animal to soil, defile, defecate on, or commit any nuisance on any highway, street, alley, sidewalk, park or any public property whatsoever, or on any private property without the permission of the owner of said property (the pet owner must remove and dispose of the feces in a sanitary manner). Ordinance No. 310 provides for animals disturbing the peace. It also contains provisions prohibiting owning, keeping or the possessing of animals that disturb the peace, tranquility and good order, and provides penalties for violations of these acts. According to the State Dog Law, owners of dogs must keep them confined within the premises of the owner and under reasonable control by a person when away from the premises. Memorial Day Parade Starting at the Upper Diamond May 26, 2014 @ 10:00 a.m. Community Events Fireman s Block Party August 12-16 2014 Parade: August 14, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m. Red Cross Blood Drives Berlin Borough Community Building June 9, 2014 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m. Great Community Spirit Day @ Block Party Lot, North Street June 21, 2014 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Benefits the J.B. Schrock Playground Berlin Benefit Day July 12, 2014 Rent a space $10 call Tracy @ 267-6299 Event held at Somerset Family Practice Parking Benefits the Berlin Food Pantry
Council Notes Page 6 Support a Hiking Trail. If you support a hiking trail through Berlin Borough please send a letter of support to your County Commissioners Pamela Tokar-Ickes, John Vatavuk, and Joseph Betta at 300 North Center Avenue, Suite 500, Somerset, PA 15501 BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMITTEES ELECTRIC & EQUIPMENT Meeting - 4th Wednesday each month @ 3:00 pm Brett Custer, Chairperson FIRE & GARBAGE Meeting - 3rd Monday each month @ 7:00 pm Roger Clarke, Chairperson HOUSE Meeting - 3rd Monday each month @ 7:00 pm Kerrie Broderick, Chairperson POLICE Meeting - 4th Wednesday each month @ 3:30 pm Kerrie Broderick, Chairperson PERSONNEL & FINANCE Meeting - 3rd Thursday each month @ 6:30 pm Neil Scheller, Chairperson BUILDING PERMIT & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Meeting - 3rd Tuesday each month @ 7:00 pm Neil Scheller, Chairperson STREETS, STORM SEWERS & SIDEWALKS Meeting - 4th Wednesday each month @ 3:00 pm Eric Glotfelty, Chairperson PLANNING & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Meeting - 3rd Monday each month @ 7:00 pm Barb Zerfoss, Chairperson If meetings are cancelled or rescheduled a notice will be posted at the Borough Office. Regular Borough Council Meetings are the first Thursday of each Month @ 7:00 PM. The above listed meetings are open to the Public. Berlin Borough internet sites: Website www.berlinborough.org Facebook/Borough of Berlin Pennsylvania Twitter account - @berlinpaborough
The Borough of Berlin & The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Berlin 700 North Street Berlin, PA 15530 Presorted Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid Berlin, PA Permit #4 Siren for Disaster: If an emergency situation should occur in the Borough of Berlin, there will be a 30-second continuous cycle siren blast. You can obtain information by tuning to radio stations WFGI, Froggy 95.5 Johnstown, WQZS, Meyersdale 93 FM and WFRB, Frostburg FM105.5-98.5. Call Before You Dig Report your dig to PA One Call by dialing 811 Pre-Authorized Bill Payment is available -- For more information contact the Borough Office at 267-3837. Curfew: There is Curfew Ordinance in Berlin for individuals up to age 18 as follows: 10:00 p.m. Minors 11 or less years of age. 10:30 p.m. Minors 12 & 13 years of age. 11:00 p.m. Minors 14 or more years of age; except on Fridays and Saturdays when it shall be 12:00 midnight. Parents may be fined for violations of minor children.