By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer

(Dec. 22, 2022) Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola reported the following during the regular meeting of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors on Saturday:

Budget

The Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Committee has issued its advice on how to proceed for the FY23-24 budget. Viola said he’s met with each department head and has prepared a budget packet, which the department heads approved. The committee will review the budget from Jan. 4 to Jan. 6 and the board will review it from Jan. 18 to Jan. 19.

Viola said that during the budget process the association will need to be mindful of the fluidity of the current economy. Inflation, rising minimum wages, labor pool issues and insurance premiums are all factors that must be watched closely.

“You will see in the budget that we have addressed that financially,” he said.

Likewise, the association needs to be aware the improved performances of its amenities and departments, a goal that many departments and committees will continue pursuing in the new year.

Drainage

Deppe Bros. Excavation is working on pipes on Birdnest Drive and Abbyshire Road for $10,200, the Ocean Parkway-Wood Duck bulkhead pipe for about $9,600, Teal Circle bulkhead stormwater pipe for $10,200 and the Teal Circle road pipe for $7,800.

Viola estimated that the final price tag for 2022 would be around $550,000, with drainage maintenance coming in at around $175,000.

Bulkheads

Viola said his staff is looking to lock in a contractor for the next budget cycle to enable cost savings. Bulkheads on Watergreen Lane, Goldeneye Court and Wood Duck Drive — a total of 2,300 square feet and costing $978,000 — will be addressed.

Acoustic Panels

Ocean Pines installed 30 acoustic panels in each room of the Golf Clubhouse to adjust noise to acceptable levels. The Golf Advisory Committee met on Dec. 15th and gave positive feedback on the project, Viola said.

Kayak pier

Viola said the Recreation and Parks Committee chose Pintail Park as the location for a $100,000 kayak pier, which is part of next year’s proposed budget. County, state and the federal government have approved the project and the association is just waiting on the Maryland Department of the Environment to sign off on the project. Once signed, the county will release the construction permit.

Golf

The successful Santa’s Open on Dec. 10 featured 32 teams, with Big Brothers and Big Sisters raising “thousands of dollars,” as they do each year, Viola said.

Clean-up efforts are underway on the golf course as well. Viola said that they will be reopening the driving range teeing area and reorganizing other areas.

“The numbers are always good,” Viola said of the revenue generated by the Golf Club. “They’ve been record-breaking.”

Roads

Paving projects that are finished include Barnacle Court, Beach Court, Bidets Court, Garrett Drive, Liberty Bell Court, Moonshell Drive, Rabbit Run Lane, and Surfers Way.

Fosse Grange, Ivanhoe Court, Little John Court, Watergreen Lane and Willow Way are scheduled to be done in the next couple of weeks, administrative assistant Linda Martin said.

The paving project totals more than 3 miles of roadway at a cost of about $363,000.