Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison (March 17, 2022) The long-desired addition of ping pong at Burbage Park was approved by the Berlin Town Council on Monday. In November, the council authorized the nonprofit We Heart Berlin to purchase ping pong tables and equipment ahead of receiving formal approval. We Heart Berlin Vice-President Jeff Smith presented final project… Read more »
Speakers challenge rules on candidate eligibility By Greg Ellison (March 17, 2022) Granting more time for consideration or voting no for a host of proposed bylaw changes were the main messages residents sent to the Ocean Pines Board of Directors during a town hall on Saturday. Communications Advisory Committee Chair Cheryl Jacobs moderated the hybrid… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 17, 2022) Ocean Pines Racquet Sports Committee members met last Thursday to review pending business as warmer weather begins to seep into the region. Committee Chairman Rhett Parsons said a new racquet sport option is planned for this spring. “The official Spec Tennis Club in Ocean Pines has been approved,” he… Read more »
Parties argue over project’s appropriateness in town By Greg Ellison (March 17, 2022) A discussion of a proposed zoning amendment that would permit crematoriums in town as a conditional use resulted in a spirited disagreement at the Monday night meeting of the Berlin mayor and Town Council. The amendment sought to revise the town zoning… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 17, 2022) Future townhouse projects in Berlin could include fee simple ownership options after a related text amendment was given a favorable recommendation by the Planning Commission last Wednesday. Attorney Mark Cropper and Vista Design principal/founder Steve Engle reviewed a proposed addition to the zoning code that would allow fee simple… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 17, 2022) Along with reviewing mailing materials for the Ocean Pines Association’s upcoming referendum, the Ocean Pines Elections Committee discussed procedural duties for the next board of directors’ contest at its meeting last Friday. Committee Chair Carol Ludwig said design details of the referendum mailer is nearly complete. The piece includes… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 10, 2022) Analyzing survey data acquired in 2021 to develop long-term strategies was the focus of the Ocean Pines Strategic Planning Committee last week. On Tuesday evening, Committee Chair Bernie McGorry hosted a town hall to review results of the recent property owners’ survey. That was followed by a group meeting… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 10, 2022) Spring plantings and town clean-up efforts dominated discussions during the Berlin Parks Commission meeting last Tuesday. Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said signup for the annual Backyard Tree Buffer giveaway is getting underway. “I’ve already had 14 people sign up,” she said. To this point, Worcester County has allocated… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 10, 2022) Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce ‘s inaugural Restaurant Week, which kicked off last Sunday, continues through Saturday Chamber Executive Director Kerrie Bunting said the first year event has been well received by the community. “It’s going amazing,” she said. Bunting said the fresh venture was planned in conjunction with… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (March 10, 2022) Berlin resident Robert Skinkle, 32, who was sentenced in 2016 to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter stemming from the overdose death of Christopher Taylor, had his conviction overturned last month by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. In May 2016, Skinkle was convicted in Worcester Circuit Court… Read more »