Berlin Planning Board to Pursue State Housing Grant for Town Center Improvements

BERLIN — May 12, 2026 — Berlin Planning Board eyes state housing grant for town center as mall project stalls. Chair Tom Sanford told the board Tuesday that Berlin's Housing Choice Community designation makes the town eligible for a Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission-administered Housing Choice Grant Program, with a June 7 application deadline, and proposed targeting funds toward improvements at the 1870 Town Hall, streetscape and rail trail planning, and septic and water supply infrastructure in the town center. Grant writer Dominique de Tremblay, affiliated with the commission, has expressed willingness to help develop a proposal, and the board agreed to invite her to its May 26 meeting. Meanwhile, the ongoing zoning bylaw update led by consultant Ron Barron awaits his presentation at the next meeting, and the mall redevelopment the bylaw work was partly designed to enable remains stalled, with anchor tenants Sears and JCPenney still operating and no communication recently received from the development proponent or from Marlboro.