Residents File Petition to Challenge Land Annexation

Berlin, Md.-Over 700 people signed a petition asking the City of Berlin for a referendum on annexing land intended for building businesses.

Spiro Buas, the owner of the land, is looking to build a 7-Eleven gas station in the near future and he doesn’t understand why people don’t want him in Berlin.

“I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want this in the city and have the city have a say on whats going to happen on this property,” Buas said. “I don’t understand the petition, it’s not going to stop me.”

It’s a move that Mayor Gee Williams believes was made by people who don’t fully understand the process.

“I think people are signing the petition due to misinformation,” Williams said. “If the annexation is rejected, it will only result in one thing…the town of Berlin not receiving taxes. The project can still go through.”

Williams says annexing the land will not cost the city anything. He says the town of Berlin would still be responsible for emergency services plus the sewer and water line regardless of the land getting annexed.

“This to me in an absurd situation, and I hope that when people are fully informed on whats going on that they’ll understand why the annexation was approved and why it should be continued to be supported,” Williams said.

But some locals say the city government has acted in a way that leaves the people without any say, arguing that transparency and a discussion is all they want.

“The point of the petition is so that the town can be informed what the costs and benefits are what the positives negatives are and then the community can make a decision,” Jeff Smith, a Berlin resident said.

Williams said the next step in the process is to make sure all the signatures are valid and if they are, a referendum will be held at a later date.