By Tara Fischer Staff Writer A railbike excursion business in Berlin has negatively impacted residents with a rise in public indecency, drug use, parking issues, and an unsightly property, town citizens claimed during the public comments portion of a meeting this week. The Berlin Mayor and Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April… Read more »
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Berlin closes deal on park parcel with sale to Gillis; Council votes to authorize sale of chicken plant land for major redevelopment
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Local developers officially purchased a portion of the property at Berlin’s Heron Park, home to a former chicken processing building, following a 3-1 council vote this week. At a regularly scheduled Berlin Town Council meeting on Monday, April 14, the town’s governing group authorized the contract for the sale of… Read more »
Extended pool hours viewed as positive for Ocean Pines; Later hours on weekend planned for community’s Swim and Racquet Pool
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer This summer, Ocean Pines’ Swim and Racquet Pool will be open a few more hours a week than in years past. Beginning May 24, the Swim and Racquet Pool will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. In a deviation from previous years, the hours are… Read more »
Berlin parking lot granted variances by BZA; Town’s request largely due to lease not allowing for paving of existing parcel
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer A new public parking lot planned for the corner of West and Washington streets in Berlin will not be paved and will likely be grass in its first season with only modest improvements. The Town of Berlin has struggled to increase its available parking supply for years. To remedy the… Read more »
Worcester Tech students head to nat’l contest after scoring big in SkillsUSA competition
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer After a successful run at their state competition, Worcester Technical High School’s SkillsUSA participants are gearing up for the national contest, where the students will display their real-world abilities as they compete against peers from across the country. This June, over 20 Worcester Tech students will travel to Atlanta, Georgia,… Read more »
Berlin looks to double planning department staffing, budget; Comp plan update included in budget
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Berlin Planning Department budget is proposing a 102% increase in funding for fiscal year 2026, including two new employees, new professional services, an updated comprehensive plan, a vehicle and modern equipment. At a Berlin budget workshop on April 7, the town’s acting planning director, Ryan Hardesty, went before the… Read more »
Berlin tax rate could stay as-is after preliminary review; Rate left unchanged would bring in about $359,000 more money for FY2026
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Berlin Mayor and Council plan to keep the property tax rate flat for fiscal year 2026 at $0.8275 per $100 of a property’s assessed value. The Berlin Mayor and Council met for a general fund budget work session earlier this week. While stagnant, the property tax rate will generate… Read more »
Kids to take over class; Not really, but two does will become part of a new instructional program at Worcester Tech
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Worcester Technical High School’s live stream, called the “Kidding Kam,” is offering agricultural students a deeper dive into the intricacies of animal health this semester. The Kidding Kam is a project spearheaded by the WTHS agricultural program to provide students with a deeper look at the labor process of goats…. Read more »
Bertino pledges to fight rate plan; Proposal to bail out debt for sewer, water districts would lean heavily on OP
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Worcester County and Ocean Pines officials pledged at a public meeting this week to fight a proposed budget plan that could increase Pines ratepayer bills to make up millions of dollars in water and wastewater debt despite the wooded community’s minimal contribution to the deficit. At a March 29 meeting… Read more »
Berlin’s electric department earns safety award honor
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Town of Berlin Electric Utility Department has earned a Gold Designation under the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for maintaining safe operating practices in 2024. Per a release issued by the town this week, Berlin’s Electric Utility Department was recognized for its commitment to safety through… Read more »