By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Aug. 9, 2018) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors discussed the following items during a public meeting in the community center on July 27:

Honoring Jacobs and Herrick

Association President Doug Parks recognized two directors, Cheryl Jacobs and Tom Herrick, during what was likely their last meeting. Both were elected to three-year terms in 2015 and opted not to run for reelection this year.

“I’d like to officially recognize two individuals, directors Jacobs and Herrick, for their service to Ocean Pines,” Parks said. “Their contributions have been many and I’d like to publicly thank them for the service to the organization, and thank them for the time and effort they put in to help making Ocean Pines who we are today.”

Treasurer’s report

Based on the June monthly financial report, Association Treasurer John Viola said revenues were over budget by about $8,000 and expenses were over budget by $43,000.

He said legal fees of $26,000, information technology contract services of $12,000 and accounting fees of $5,800 drove the expense overage. According to Viola, the legal services budget for the year had already been met.

Year to date, he said Ocean Pines is about $138,000 off budget, largely because of legal overages ($35,000), information technology contract services ($38,000) and general maintenance ($46,000).

Viola said the association had $14.3 million in cash as of June 30 and $10.4 million in three reserve accounts, including roads and bulkheads.

General Manager’s report

General Manager John Bailey said final changes would soon be made to the reserve study, which was begun several years ago but never finalized, and presented to the board for approval.

He said renovations plans for the second floor of the country club were moving along, with architectural drawings “pretty well complete” and procurement documents coming soon. Bailey said a request for proposals was scheduled to release on Aug. 10 and due back in September.

The board is expected to consider bids when it reconvenes after the Aug. 11 election. Currently, the target date to finish the renovation is March 8, 2019.

On drainage, Bailey said an interesting problem had been uncovered, namely that those responsible for Ocean Pines ditches was “a murky, legal mess.” He said the association was apparently responsible for some sections, but not for others. The outcome, he said, was about “as clear as the mud in the ditches.”

Appointments

The board unanimously approved several appointments to advisory committees: Frank Brown to the budget and finance committee, and Donna McElroy, Henry Dow, Roger West and John LaRue to marine activities.