Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 13, 2022) Rick Farr, the previously disqualified candidate for the Ocean Pines Board of Directors, was vindicated last week in a Worcester County Circuit Court finding that current board leadership acted improperly to block his campaign. Visiting Judge Sidney Campen of Talbot County issued his opinion Wednesday, and ordered the association… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 13, 2022) Ocean Pines officials took a deep dive on the proposed budget for next year during multi-day departmental presentations begun last Tuesday. General Manager John Viola said the association anticipates both favorable tailwinds and challenging headwinds during the next fiscal year that starts on May 1. Among the financial hurdles… Read more »
As volunteer numbers drop, department emphasizes need for more paid staff By Greg Ellison (Jan. 13, 2022) Immediate costs for additional staffing and long-term expenses to transition to an all-paid staff dominated budget planning discussions with the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department last Wednesday. OP Fire President Dave VanGasbeck, Chief Steve Grunewald and Capt. Harvey… Read more »
Asks for public’s opinions on what it hopes to see By Greg Ellison (Jan. 13, 2022) Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall gave the Town Council his overview of operations for 2021 on Monday evening, and followed that up by promoting the formulation goals for this year when the council convenes again on Jan. 24. Tyndall said… Read more »
(Jan. 6, 2022) Previously disqualified Ocean Pines Director candidate Rick Farr was vindicated yesterday after Worcester Circuit Court ruled that current board leadership acted improperly to stymie his campaign mid-election. Judge Sidney Campen issued an opinion-order on Wednesday instructing the association to appoint Farr and Frank Daly, who finished second in the 2021 board contest,… Read more »
But no guarantees come with first round proposal By Greg Ellison (Jan. 6, 2022) Despite anticipating reduced revenues of $1.2 million in the next fiscal year, the proposed Ocean Pines budget for FY 2022/23 cuts a dollar off assessment fees. Association officials released a draft budget late last month as they prepared to hear departmental… Read more »
Cutting park purchase debt leads list of priorities, along with new community center By Greg Ellison (Jan. 6, 2022) Long-term goals, such as selling parcels in Heron Park and planning a new community center, along with recent conversations about short-term rental regulations, are among the Berlin Town Council’s priorities for 2022. In early December, the… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 6, 2022) Berlin’s sixth annual Restaurant Week will kick off Monday and run through Sunday, as local dining establishments offer special fare with special pricing. Economic & Community Development Director Ivy Wells said as of Tuesday the Atlantic Hotel and Crush N Crab were the only establishments to submit menus. “Hopefully,… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Dec. 23, 2021) Potential tweaks to qualification criteria for Ocean Pines Board of Directors candidates were examined by the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee last Friday. Committee Chair Jim Trummel said member Keith Kaiser recently conducted research on comparable HOAs’ rules. “A couple of committee meetings ago … the issue of determining owner… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Dec. 23, 2021) In addition to sending utility crews south next month to help parts of west Kentucky recover after a series of tornadoes leveled parts of the state on Dec. 10, Berlin Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence is organizing donations for displaced residents there. “I’m looking as far as both the… Read more »