Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors President Rick Farr thanked the community’s staff and volunteers and highlighted the HOA’s most notable accomplishments from the past 12 months at the neighborhood’s annual meeting last Saturday.
Ocean Pines Association Board President Rick Farr addresses the crowd at the neighborhood’s annual meeting on Aug. 10.
Photo courtesy Ocean Pines Association
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors President Rick Farr thanked the community’s staff and volunteers and highlighted the HOA’s most notable accomplishments from the past 12 months at the neighborhood’s Saturday, August 10 annual meeting.
The advisory committees, for instance, were an integral part of getting new and approved initiatives off the ground.
“I want to thank our committee members who have done an outstanding job recommending ideas for our membership and working through their liaison on issues that they feel need to be brought to the attention of the board and the operations team,” Farr said. “I appreciate the time and effort you put into our volunteerism. It is very important for the type of work for the association.”
According to Farr, within the last year, the governing body has lowered their annual assessment “while refreshing and upgrading all the amenities.”
The president described the golf course as a destination spot and maintained that a new irrigation system was approved for the space. Phase one of the update, which is expected to cost $934,000, will include the replacement of pump stations at fairways one, nine and the range. The project was approved by the board at their December 16, 2023, meeting.
“The golf course…continues to be improved and we are going to continue down that avenue to make sure it remains a destination golf course,” Farr said.
The Tiki Bar at the Yacht Club was expanded, and the president claims it has generated record sales since its unveiling. Renovations for the racquet center building were green-lit this year and Viola said he hopes to see progress on the project around November.
Farr highlighted the work at the Ocean Pines Beach Club, located on 49th Street in Ocean City, noting the association staff did a “refresh of the building’s interior.” Landscaping was also prioritized, and new palm trees were added to the space.
The electric sign at the North Gate entrance was installed within the past few months. The initiative, which was unanimously approved by the board in December 2023, carried the price tag of $22,118. Farr said that the governing body intends to invest in more of the technological banners in the future.
A kayak dock was constructed at Pintail Park, beautification efforts within the community have increased, including the planting of the sunflowers at the North Gate entrance bridge, the dog park was renovated, and OPA has been “aggressive” in their collection of overdue assessments. According to the president, staff has obtained $80,000 with no cost to the association.
Farr reiterated the HOA’s commitment to safety. In July, the board and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pave the path for a new station.
“That is historic,” he said of the agreement. “The board worked well with the leadership and the department to realize this MOU. The next step is to furnish a new firehouse to protect the community.” Officials hope to see progress on the facility in 2026.
The community leaders purchased two new police cars to ensure the chief had the “necessary tools” to secure the area. The department welcomed new officers, including Michael Ebersole in May, who previously worked with the York, Pennsylvania Police Department, and the Princess Anne Police Department. Freddie Howard, originally of the Ocean City force, was sworn in in April.
Farr noted his report by thanking the current board of directors, including Vice President Stuart Lakernick, directors Steve Jacobs, Elaine Brady, Jeff Heavner, Secretary John Latham, and Treasurer Monica Rakowski.