City Council Story- Unpublished

Concerned with parking issues, Berkley residents confronted the city council at the bimonthly meeting on Monday.
Residents living on Edgewood Street voiced their concerns to the council about the potential dangers of a new local restaurants parking situation.
Bagger Daves’, located at the corner of Edgewood Street and Coolidge Highway, patrons are parking on Edgewood Street when the lot is full.
Resident Mary Nelson voiced her concern about being unable to park in her driveway.
“It is very inconvenient, more than inconvenient, in fact, dangerous when they park on either side of my driveway in particular,” said Nelson. “I don’t think we are getting a fair share of our tax dollars.”
Resident, Michelle Buckler, voiced her concerns about child safety.
“I think it is rather dangerous,” said Buckler. “We have a lot of children on our block who play outside and run around.”
The solution may be as simple as stop sign at the exit or making the street permit paring only.
“Why couldn’t e make this permit parking for residents?” asked Buckler
Another resident Lyoness Borowski is trying to sell his house but fears the constant traffic on his street will drop property values.
“ Seven days a week there is no chance for anyone stopping by to visit to park there,” said Borowski. “Property values with the way they are going is going down and people aren’t going to want to move here with the parking situation.”
Councilman Phil O’Dwyer said most Berkley citizens are receptive to the new businesses coming to the area.
“We will need to look to a way to work with Bagger Daves to allow business to continue but also satisfy the citizens,” said O’Dwyer.
The city council welcomed a new member to the Berkley Police Force. Dennis Greary was sworn in as a Public Safety Officer.
“There are roughly 45 officers in the Berkley Police Department,” said O’Dwyer. “There were two sworn in this year because of retirements”
Another major topic of discussion was the closing of the Berkley Veteran’s of Foreign War Post 9222.
Resident Ben Baily wants the community to understand that VFW Post 9222 is not just for socializing and drinking.
“We are currently doing things like adopt a highway and we are staying active,” said Baily. “We are not trying to receive recognition or accolades we are trying to get an understanding from the community that we are more than just old guys who sit at a bar.”
Post 9222 served the community for 54 years.
“The VFW was present in the community through service,” said O’Dwyer. “This certainly is a nostalgic time.”