BERLIN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Berlin Township supervisors at their August 20 meeting scheduled a public hearing on the application for a new solar farm.

LaBella/New Leaf Energy wants to build a solar farm on Navajo Road in Beach Lake. Since such a project could affect many residents, a public hearing will be held at the Berlin Community Center at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17.

Representatives from the solar company will be present to answer questions. Following the hearing, at 7 p.m., the regularly scheduled board of supervisors meeting will convene.

Presiding at the August 20 meeting were supervisors Charles Gries, Cathy Hunt and Tony Franklin.

In other business

• Community center—Supervisors have received two bids for the community center’s electrical fixtures, and the board is waiting for a third. Also, bids have been requested for the replacement of stairs in the back of the building. Additionally, the board discussed the renewal of worker’s comp insurance, as well as recent requests for building permits within the township.
• Roads—The township’s roadmaster reported that the spate of recent storms has left Berlin largely untouched, with few power outages. The roadmaster attributed this to the recent clearing of trees and cleaning of roadside ditches. His crew will continue to trim any overhanging bushes and trees before the start of winter. The roadmaster reported on the ongoing maintenance of equipment: The town’s backhoe will be serviced and its boom repaired. The need for a new roller was discussed.
• Cemetery—A resident asked the board for assistance in paying for the upkeep of the cemetery at Berlin Valley Baptist Church. Although the church is no longer used for worship, many Beach Lake families have relatives interred there. One family has maintained the site through the years, and has received $60 per year to defray costs. But this payment has not increased since the 1950s, and would equal more than $700 if it had kept up with inflation. The board unanimously voted to increase the annual payment to $500.