By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (May 2, 2019) Downtown Berlin is expected get jazzed up with wine, beer and live music this weekend at the 13th annual Jazz and Blues, Wine and Brews Festival. Presented by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday on… Read more »
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Reduced number of geese in the area
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 2, 2019) The steep decline in the resident goose population at Ocean Pines’ ponds, following the eradication of a large year-round flock last June, has negated the need for another round-up and removal this spring. Canada geese, once a protected species, has taken up residence in the state in… Read more »
Berlin tax rate proposal falls a few notches
Mayor, council present plan to go from 68 to 80 cents By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (May 2, 2019) After months of debate and presentations, members of the Berlin Town Council now appear to favor a tax increase much lower than the harshly criticized 29 percent. When next year’s budget was introduced last week, Mayor… Read more »
Golf committee refutes many town hall claims
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Ocean Pines Golf Committee members were not thrilled with information shared about golf clubhouse operations during former board member Slobodan Trendic’s town hall meeting on Monday. On Tuesday, committee members shared their frustrations about what they saw as inaccuracies being distributed to homeowners. “All of this misinformation… Read more »
Tax rate increase gets first reading
Business owners, residents again storm Town Council meeting to voice opposition By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Despite strong opposition from residents, organizations and businesses, the Berlin mayor and Town Council presented a 20-cent increase in the property tax rate on the first reading of the enabling ordinance Monday night. Nearly every seat in… Read more »
Buckingham unveils new outdoor classroom
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Buckingham Elementary School unveiled its new outdoor classroom at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday after taking steps to go green over the past several years. “It’s been a joy to watch this vision grow as more people become invested,” said second grade teacher April Eichelberger. Eichelberger, the green… Read more »
SABERS take home grant from env. summit
Berlin youth group proposal gets $1,400 for Dr. William Henry Park improvements By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Dr. William Henry Park on Flower Street in Berlin will get an environmental facelift through a $1,400 grant won last Friday by the Strengthening Adolescent Boys with Education and Resources (SABERS). The Worcester Youth and Family… Read more »
Golf clubhouse sketch offers general ideas
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors has released rough drawings of the proposed clubhouse to replace the existing building at Ocean Pines Golf Club. The building is designed to provide space for golf operations and community use. The 7,400-square-foot structure would be half the size of the original… Read more »
Berlin weighs how to handle utility rates
Options range from painful to stretching out payments By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Budget discussions continued Monday evening as the Berlin mayor and council tackled the utility fund budget. Finance Director Natalie Saleh said the overall utility budget for fiscal year 2020 consists of $9.1 million, down $2 million, or 18 percent, from… Read more »
Now off board, Trendic seeks public meeting
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Although Slobodan Trendic resigned from the Ocean Pines Board of Directors last week, he is not getting out of community politics. This week he said he wants to “make Ocean Pines great again” with a town hall meeting at the Ocean Pines Library on Monday. Elected in… Read more »