An initial community forum held in the summer of 2019 where New Berlin officials, project engineers and volunteer firemen made a presentation on why they need a new firehouse, and how they intend to spend $900,000 in donations and funds on the $1.5 million project. The groundbreaking for the community center and firehouse began in October but while waiting on a state grant, officials are now seeking to fill a $150,000 funding shortfall. (Tyler Murphy photo)

NEW BERLIN – The Village of New Berlin will ask residents to approve an additional $150,000 in costs to move ahead with a nearly $1.5 million project to build a new downtown community center and firehouse.

 

Village of New Berlin officials have announced that they will hold a permissive referendum regarding their firehouse project and ways they will cover a $150,000 gap while they wait to hear about a grant.

 

The funds are part of a larger project to build a new community center and fire house. First announced in 2019 the project has raised about $1 million to help fund the effort to replace the 50-year-old existing firehouse nearby, which has suffered a number of issues in recent years.

 

According to Village of New Berlin Clerk Kelly Anderson, construction on the project has continued, and they are still able to get the grant, but want to ensure all of the bills are covered in the meantime.

 

In village documents Anderson notes that the decision for the permissive referendum was made on February 9th. They state that the village has approved upwards of $1,550,000 towards the construction of the new firehouse.