NEW BERLIN – Concern over the potential closure of several state parks by Albany lawmakers attempting to balance a 9.2 billion dollar state deficit prompted the Town of New Berlin to begin construction of its own campsites at Millbrook Reservoir.

The New BerlinTown Board approved the project on June 14 and the municipality’s highway crews immediately began construction of the 12 to 15 eventual sites.

“The motion was to go ahead and create the sites. Over all, it doesn’t cost very much, no additional insurance costs and the park’s recreational employees will be checking on the 15 overnight sites and the town’s highway department will be making them,” said New Berlin Supervisor Ross Iannello.

“It was an idea from a long time ago but we didn’t have plans to do it until Hunt’s Pond closed. We got a lot of calls from people telling us it would be a great idea and there’s been a lot of interest since we announced our intentions to go ahead and do it,” said New Berlin Councilman Roger Foote.

Foote said currently Hunt’s Pond was still open to the public for day time activities such as boating or hiking but banned over night camping at the site. He said the town had been unable to clarify the details regarding the park’s operation and was waiting for additional information from state officials over its status.