New Berlin Village Mayor Peter Lennon

As spring arrives in New Berlin, your Village team is busily working not just to bring the community we call home back to normal but to move it forward. As we carefully, but aggressively work to launch on this new course, I would like to share some of the actions, objectives, and milestones that I believe will keep us on course.

Our overall plan of action is built on two foundational themes: 1) greater collaboration, and 2) a revitalized infrastructure. Collaboration means working with the talented individuals and organizations in our community to create expanded opportunities and better products and services for our residents. That process has already started: The Town of New Berlin and Village of New Berlin are working very closely- Town Supervisor Bob Starr physically attends monthly Village meetings and I attend those of the Town. Being “in the audience” allows us to better share information about upcoming projects and events. It’s also an opportunity to openly discuss common challenges and more clearly see ways we might work together. There’s wisdom in the old expression: Working together allows you to “Make-One-Plus-One-Equal-Three.”

Another blooming partnership is with Unadilla Valley Central School. The flowers you will soon be seeing throughout the Village are currently being grown at the school’s greenhouses by the talented FFA Students under the direction of Jessica DeVries. Projects like this are a win-win; for the students and the Village: And I’m confident that we’ve only scratched the surface.

Nearly every day we receive an offer from a local organization such as the New Berlin Rotary, a business, or an individual wishing to be part of this “move forward”. Sometimes only an hour or two can make a huge difference. That community spirit is what has always made New Berlin a great place to live. If you’d like to be part of our move forward, don’t hesitate to contact me, your Village Office or a member of your Village team.

Our second core theme is infrastructure: I believe that infrastructure is a key to both the health and safety of our residents and the economic future of our Village. While the term infrastructure is like an octopus its tentacles stretching into many program areas, I believe our infrastructure starts with well-lit streets and safe drinking water. Through the efforts of former mayor Terry Potter and the previous Village Board, you will soon enjoy brighter, more cost-efficient LED lights above our streets.

We will also soon be submitting applications for Federal and State grants to renovate and repair our drinking water storage and distribution network. Over the last several years the Village of New Berlin has worked hard to ensure a steady flow of quality drinking water through the Village system, but many of these actions and reactions have only been costly “band-aids” on an aging network.

This year offers a unique set of opportunities. The American Recover Program (often referred to as the COVID-19 Recovery Program) and numerous state recovery programs are making unprecedented amounts funding available for water projects through grants and low-interest loans. Our focus will be primarily going after grants (which we don’t have to pay back and thus don’t impact our taxes) with vigor. We will keep you updated on this fast-moving train. In the coming weeks you’ll also be hearing more about our efforts in the key infrastructure areas of hi-speed internet and waste-water collection and treatment.

Underlying any action taken by your Village team will be two foundational principles: Communication and accountability. We will remain transparent and adhere to the procedures, laws, and ethical standards demanded by those we serve. We will strive to keep our residents informed and we respect and value your input.

I encourage you to complete one of the questionnaires currently at the Post Office, Library and other locations around town- this will help us refine our vision and priorities. As we work to expand our use of social media usage, I encourage you to subscribe to the Village’s text-notification service; it’s free and helps you stay current on local events. Details are on the Village of New Berlin website at http://thevillageofnewberlin.org/.

This year, in spite of the revenue challenges associated with COVID and a decrease in overall taxable property value, the Village was able to keep its tax rate well below the 2-percent increase cap mandated by the state. We will continue to actively scrutinize our expenditures and are committed to managing your (and our) tax dollars responsibly.

We have an outstanding Village Trustees (Michelle Priola, David Smith, Jamie Burchill, and Megan Brenna), Village Clerk/Treasurer (Kelly Anderson), and Public Works team (headed by Jared Kline). Our Ambulance Service (headed by Dale Barton) and Volunteer Fire Department (Fire Chief Don Anderson) join me in their passion for this Village. By working together in a focused, transparent and accountable manner, I believe New Berlin is poised to move forward and achieve our full potential.

Finally, I ask that you mark your calendars for two upcoming Village events-

On May 22nd, we will be hosting Lourdes Ascension Hospital’s Wellness Day at the beautiful new Chobani Community Center (75 South Main Street) from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (Flyers around town provide the details to this free health event), and

On May 31st, New Berlin’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will start at 9:30 A.M. at Hyde Park and process to the field in front of Milford Academy

I encourage you to stay tuned and become engaged as we Move New Berlin Forward.

Mayor Peter S. Lennon