3 candidates seeking Berlin Twp. trustee seats

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Voters in Berlin Township will choose two of the three trustee candidates running for the board in the Nov. 7 election.

Tom D’ Amico

D’Amico is currently serving on the board of zoning appeals and is a former trustee. He began his service to the township in 1997 as zoning inspector, served on the zoning commission, and was involved in developing the township’s Land Use Plan.

“You might say I have my finger on the pulse of the township,” he said.

D’Amico said the rapid growth of the township is the most pressing issue and he doesn’t want to see it mismanaged.

“I’ve watched the township grow,” he said. “I want to make sure it continues.”

D’Amico said by working with the surrounding municipalities the township can be more proactive as opposed to reactive.

“We’re growing really fast,” he said. “We need to keep the taxes in Berlin Township to pay for the increased infrastructure from the growth.”

Steve Flaherty

Trustee Steve Flaherty has lived in Berlin Township since 2011 with his wife and three children.

“I would like to continue the direction we have been heading for the last four years,” he said. “We are in a period of growth that takes careful planning and well-executed decisions for changes to current conditions.”

Flaherty said the township is facing a “period of growth” and “with it comes many challenges and things to manage.”

He said the key is a smart development plan that brings desired assets such as parks and multi-use trails, but also preserves the rural character and charm of the township.

“Fiscal responsibility is the key to financial security for the future,” he said. “Being proactive is vastly cheaper than being reactive. With proper planning and vision, we keep ourselves ready for change, but secure in our future.”

Ken O’Brien

O’Brien said his family has lived in Berlin Township since the 1820s. He retired as a Delaware County Commissioner in 2015.

O’Brien said he is the most experienced of the three candidates running for the two open trustee seats.

“My previous experience as Berlin Township Trustee gave me the opportunity to work cooperatively with the other trustees to build our fire station on time and under budget and to secure Medic 10 from the county to reduce run times at an efficient cost to Berlin,” he said. “As a member of the Zoning Commission, I am working to implement the township’s vision of a rural setting and protecting land rights.”

O’Brien said the most pressing issue for the township is the rapid growth it is currently experiencing.

“Developers need to pay their fair share and provide green space along with amenities that complement the character of Berlin,” he said. “Berlin needs to add full-time firefighters so they can respond to fires and rescues in a timely fashion.”

D’Amico
http://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/11/web1_D-Amico_1.jpgD’Amico

O’Brien
http://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/11/web1_obrien-ken-photo-2017_1.jpgO’Brien

Flaherty
http://www.delgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/11/web1_Flaherty-copy.jpegFlaherty

Gazette Staff

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