Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
Council members suggest detailed financial figures should be shared with town By Greg Ellison (July 29, 2021) Town Council members raised concerns over scant details for future funding assessments during a quarterly update from Berlin Fire/EMS companies on Monday. Berlin Fire President Dave Fitzgerald reviewed response times and budget highlights for Berlin’s emergency responders for… Read more »
Two months into new year, receipts, expenses come in much better than expected By Greg Ellison (July 29, 2021) Two months into its current fiscal year, Ocean Pines Association financials are ahead of budget estimates by more than $740,000. Finance Director/Controller Steve Phillips reviewed departmental budget figures for May and June during the board meeting… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 29, 2021) Two adults and two children escaped unharmed Monday evening, as Berlin firefighters took more than hour to extinguish a fire at 6 Stevenson Lane. A trio of felines was rescued later inside the structure. The incident, which was reported at 6 p.m., displaced Ocean Pines Marketing and Public Relations… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 22, 2021) Berlin’s Historic District Commission approved extending fencing behind the Globe Theatre and renovating a drive-up window at Mother Flowers during its meeting last Wednesday. Globe fence Globe Gastro Theatre General Manager Joe McElroy was given permission to remove, update and extend existing fencing along Gay Street. Both safety and… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 22, 2021) The Ocean Pines Communications Committee discussed its plans to publicize the current board election and next months annual homeowners’ meeting last Thursday, and previewed a tie-in with Worcester County History Week this October. Marketing and Public Relations Director Josh Davis told committee members an elections webpage has been added… Read more »
With millions available now council must develop plan By Greg Ellison (July 22, 2021) Town of Berlin officials have yet to determine where to direct $2.4 million in American Rescue Plan funds recently awarded to the municipality, with federal program directives mandating allocations by December 2024 and expenditures prior to December 2026. Town Administrator Jeff… Read more »
Choice of words leads to hint of election committee unfairness in directors race By Greg Ellison (July 22, 2021) What was intended to be a closed session meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss whether to respond to accusations of political bias by the Ocean Pines Elections Committee instead turned into a 45-minute open session, with the… Read more »
Special exception granted for flood zone workaround By Greg Ellison (July 15, 2021) Berlin’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved both a conditional use and special exemption request for a proposed 33-townhome community on Maple Avenue during its meeting last Wednesday. Maple Avenue of Berlin LLC and UTR Ventures LLC are looking to develop three parcels… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 15, 2021) Throngs of spectators cheered the return of the annual Bathtub Races to Main Street Berlin Friday, when the 31st annual outing saw the Worcester County Parks and Recreation team take the trophy away from Deeley Insurance Group, the 2019 champions. Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said after… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (July 15, 2021) After jumping on board in the early phases of the downtown’s resurgence, Berlin Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen has witnessed the evolution of Berlin from a typical Eastern Shore community into Budget Travel’s 2014 title holder of America’s Coolest Small Town. Native to the region, Bohlen grew up in… Read more »