Town Seeking Public Input On Phase II of Veterans Park

The Town of Berlin is seeking input from the town and all groups as to what they want included in Phase II of Veterans Park. 

Phase I was completed and now it is time for the project to go forward with Phase II. 

The town has retained TPA Design Group to prepare plans and specifications for design of improvements for phase II of Berlin Veterans Memorial Park located on a 1.4 acre portion of a 9.2 acre parcel owned by the Town in the block bounded by Farmington Avenue, Massirio Drive and Porters Pass. 

The project is funded by a State Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant of $500,000 that has been awarded for design and construction of the phase II Park improvements and the Town has appropriated $25,000 for this purpose. 

"We will listen to ll groups, the VFW, The Legion, the Veterans Commission, Planning and Zoning, Parks and Recreation, anyone that has an opinion on what they think should be in the park," Berlin Economic Development Director Jim Mahoney said. "The process is that the plan will be subject to an 824 hearing by the Planning & Zoning Commission then it goes back to the Town Council. We have a budget and we are operating on a capped landfill so there are some limitations as to what we can do. It's not a completely blank page."

TPA will use these concept plans as a starting point for its process. TPA will also take into account comments received at a previous information session held by the Economic Development Commission in 2012. Also TPA developed initial revised concepts for its presentation during the consultant selection process.

The public meeting will be Wednesday June 26 at 7 p.m. in Town Council Chambers. 

TPA will present their concepts and additional concept ideas at this public information session. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain additional public comment prior to moving to the final design phase for the project. Additional information may be obtained on the home page of the Town’s web site at www.town.berlin.ct.us.

Mahoney said he will take comments from the public before the meeting by calling him at (860) 828-7005. Residents may submit written comments or questions to: Jim Mahoney, Economic Development Director, Town of Berlin, 240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037 or by email to jmahoney@town.berlin.ct.us