Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
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 »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 14, 2020) Berlin Mayor Gee Williams announced the reopening of Heron Park last Wednesday, following Gov. Larry Hogan’s address that afternoon. Heron Park, on 10009 Old Ocean City Blvd, is now available to the public seeking exercise and some fresh air. “I decided to open Heron Park immediately after… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (May 14, 2020) The Berlin mayor and Town Council on Monday read the first reading of the ordinance to adopt next year’s $5.9 million general fund budget. Unveiled at a work session meeting in April, the financial package proposed for FY 2020/21 is 4 percent less than the current budget,… Read more »