Berlin applies for grant to build bathrooms

BERLIN, Md. – Berlin’s town council voted to approve an application for a grant that will bring new public restrooms to Stephen Decatur Park.

The Community Parks and Playground grant would award the town with $99,000 from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “We’re very hopeful. We have a great relationship with Maryland agencies, including Department of Natural Resources and all the others. So we’re hopeful that our time will come,” said Mayor Gee Williams.

Berlin received a similar grant back in 2016 to install bathrooms at Dr. William Henry Park. Mayor Williams tells 47ABC that permanent restrooms are something that people should have access to when they visit the town’s parks. “It’s time for permanent restrooms. Things evolve and I don’t think anybody is against it in anyway. It’s just a matter of where is Berlin’s place in line,” said Mayor Williams.

If the town gets the grant – the bathrooms will be installed near where porta-potties have been sitting for decades. Mayor Williams says that the town will use part of the grant to provide water and sewer service to the restroom. The grant would be awarded for the fiscal year of 2022.