Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
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 »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 21, 2021) The Worcester County Technical Review Committee reviewed plans for a proposed hotel/motel called Shorepoint Cottage Court located at 9543 Stephen Decatur Highway in Berlin during a teleconference on Jan. 13. The development would have 52 units, each 390 square feet. The property is zoned C-2 General Commercial… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 21, 2021) Ocean Pines resident Kim Shanahan, who runs the web-based business “Gifts Fulfilled” that employs adults with intellectual disabilities, experienced an economic boost following the surge in online commerce after the onset of coronavirus last spring. Shanahan, who is a board member with the Worcester County Developmental Center, relocated the… Read more »
Earlier estimate for pending fiscal year fee increases cut from $121 to roughly $35 By Greg Ellison (Jan. 21, 2021) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors started its two-day review of the next fiscal year’s budget on Tuesday, with instant good news after learning earlier estimates for potential assessment increases have been reduced substantially. General… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 14, 2021) Schools in Worcester County have begun preparations to return to in-person instruction next week after conducting virtual classroom learning during the first two weeks following the winter break. The classroom closure followed the Worcester County Health Department’s strong recommendation that schools wait to bring students and staff… Read more »
By Greg Ellison Department proposals get scrutiny in uncertain times (Jan. 14, 2021) Ocean Pines kicked off a multi-day FY 2021-22 budget presentation last Wednesday, with covered food and beverage services, fire/EMS, golf operations, finance, marketing and general administration. In-depth departmental presentations were provided for the Budget and Finance Committee, which will subsequently issue guidance… Read more »