Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison (May 21, 2020) Despite Gov. Larry Hogan easing Maryland into the first phase of recovery from the covid-19 health safety restrictions last week, the picture remains hazy for playgrounds and pool facilities in Ocean Pines to resume activities. Speaking on Tuesday, Recreation and Parks Manager Debbie Donahue said in addition to consulting… Read more »
By Greg Ellison PPP rules changed after board had applied for aid (May 21, 2020) After sparking criticism in April for receiving $1.143 million through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, the OPA Board of Directors spent an hour in open session last Tuesday debating the merits of retaining the low or no-interest loan before voting… Read more »
By Greg Ellison Prepares for multi-phase reopening of restaurant (May 14, 2020) Nearly two months after being laid off with two days notice due to the covid-19 pandemic, Ocean Pines Yacht Club staff members were welcomed back to work last week with warm sentiments and cold cash. Anticipating Gov. Larry Hogan’s multi-phase re-opening plan to… Read more »
By Greg Ellison As OP filing deadline nears, officials hope to see more candidates join board race (May 14, 2020) With the candidate-filing deadline for the 2020 Board of Directors contest arriving Monday, the members of the OPA Election Committee discussed their next steps during a virtual meeting last Friday. Elections Committee Chairman Steve Habeger… Read more »
By Greg Ellison East Coast Construction, 5 Star Plumbing, Heating use money to retain staff (May 14, 2020) As numerous enterprises flirt with economic disaster during the covid-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program has kept two small business owners in Ocean Pines fiscally sound. East Coast Construction owner Dale Christensen was able… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (May 14, 2020) The Ocean Pines Golf Course sprang back to life this weekend following Gov. Larry Hogan’s decision last Wednesday to include 18-holes on the links among expanded outdoor activities permitted under the current stay-at-home order. Starting May 7 in Maryland, a slight return to normalcy went into effect that broadened… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (May 14, 2020) Recognizing food insecurity issues have heightened during the covid-19 pandemic, Choptank Electric Trust recently donated $10,000 to support nutritional assistance campaigns operated by the Maryland Food Bank. Eastern Shore Food Bank Director of Programs Jennifer Small said the financial backing would bolster the Maryland Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry-on-the-Go and… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 14, 2020) As the federal government continued its Payroll Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration, Berlin businesses joined many others in the area seeking to keep their doors open and employees working. The SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer Council votes for no change as decision goes to hearing (May 14, 2020) The Berlin Town Council on Monday voted to stick with last year’s real property tax of 80 cents per $100 of assessed value as pursues its budget for the Fiscal Year 2020/21. Despite being limited to less… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 14, 2020) The Berlin mayor and Town Council considered but took no action on a proposed $50 increase in stormwater utilities for residential properties and $10 increase for commercial properties at its meeting on Monday. Members of the council listened to a stormwater utilities presentation that explained the history… Read more »