Board approves utility easement with town of Berlin for Buckingham Elementary improvements

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. — Worcester County Public Schools approved a utility easement with the town of Berlin on July 14 to allow municipal water, stormwater and wastewater improvements adjacent to Buckingham Elementary School. Maintenance and operations staff said the easement expands an existing utility corridor to accommodate a pumping station to support the town’s West Street improvements. Town and district staff met in early 2025 to determine the easement location and ensure it would not affect planned school construction. Why it matters: The easement is part of the town’s infrastructure upgrades; district staff told the board they intentionally sited the easement to avoid impacting future school construction or staging. What officials said: Sam Slaken said he and town officials, including Joe Price, ‘‘took great care to ensure that this would not affect any part of the new construction.’’ A motion to approve the easement passed by voice vote. Next steps: The town will proceed with installing infrastructure within the easement area; school construction plans remain in place. Staff will continue coordination with Berlin on implementation details.