Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison Complaint against director dismissed without comment (Feb. 11, 2021) After holding a pair of closed session meetings over an ethics and conduct complaint against an unnamed director the week before, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors last Thursday held a special meeting lasting only several minutes to dismiss the allegations. Director… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Feb. 4, 2021) Following two closed session discussions last week tied to an ethics and conduct complaint against a yet-to-be identified member of the board of directors, the Ocean Pines Association board scheduled a third special meeting for today at 10 a.m. Last Tuesday, the board held a special meeting after an… Read more »
Not about who next GM is, but employee advancement By Greg Ellison (Feb. 4, 2021) The Ocean Pines Association’s succession planning process for general manager and personnel hierarchy, which was launched last fall, is being revamped based on consultant feedback. Succession planning began last September, with additional comments coming in recent weeks from Sibson Consulting,… Read more »
Heron Park considered for designated site to resolve issue of safety downtown By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Feb. 4, 2021) Berlin’s elected officials began discussing the concept of a skate park years ago as one way to resolve the safety issues with skateboarders downtown, and now the Berlin Police Department has voiced its support. Police… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Feb. 4, 2021) As Berlin residents take to social media to express concerns about an increase in their electric utility bills, Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood explained the factors that produced the recent charges. “What is the power cost adjustment? The electric bill you receive every month lists several individual charges… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 28, 2021) Seeking clarity regarding ongoing financial impacts from coronavirus, last week the Ocean Pines Board of Directors weighed options to reduce projected six-figure losses next year in aquatics. The board performed departmental reviews of the proposed fiscal 2021-22 budget during an all-day meeting on Jan. 19, which followed a vetting… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 28, 2021) With the current budget year getting closer to its conclusion, and net operating favorability projected to eclipse $600,000, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved nearly $300,000 in capital expenditures last Wednesday. Of that tally, more than $160,000 is earmarked for proposed upgrades at the Manklin Meadows Racquet… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 28, 2021) The Berlin Mayor and Town Council on Monday agreed to disband the Heron Park Advisory Committee and make it an ad-hoc committee as needed because of a lack of funds for suggested projects. “It’s no surprise to anyone that the funding that was associated with Heron Park… Read more »
State compliance board finds multiple instances where act wasn’t followed By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 28, 2021) The Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board found that the town of Berlin violated the Open Meetings Act at the Nov. 16 closed session and the following Nov. 23 open session, according to an opinion dated Jan. 20…. Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 21, 2021) The Worcester County Technical Review Committee met virtually on Jan. 13 to discuss a site plan of a 5,154-square-foot Royal Farms convenience store near Ocean Pines with a 1,248-square-foot car wash and eight gasoline pumping stations under canopy. The proposed Royal Farms will be located at 11073… Read more »