BERLIN – While minor changes were approved this week, Berlin officials agree discussion needs to continue regarding trash fees and potential parking solutions downtown.
An updated municipal fee schedule presented this week led to a lengthy talk about the need for more parking in the downtown business area, as well as concerns about trash fees not covering the cost of providing the service. Although the council agreed to increase the long-term rental license fee to $75 and to end commercial dumpster pickup July 1, officials agreed discussions should continue about trash costs and potential parking solutions.
“It’s obvious staff has a bit more work to do on this,” Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said.
Staff presented officials with an updated fee schedule this week, citing inflation and the fact that fees hadn’t been adjusted in years as the need for slight increases. Bohlen said the fees being adjusted were for things like rental licenses and building permits.
“They are only paid by the person using the service,” she said, adding that they weren’t things that would affect every taxpayer.