By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (July 4, 2019) Language in an ordinance regarding variances was revised following unanimous approval at Berlin’s Town Council meeting last week. Planning Director Dave Engelhart introduced the need for the change during a May 28 council meeting. An applicant appealing a case before the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals in… Read more »
News
Work groups show results under Viola
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (July 4, 2019) Since taking on the responsibilities of general manager in April, John Viola has worked to create a more effective operation through multiple workgroups that focus on single projects throughout Ocean Pines. Overall, 10 workgroups have been created to keep projects on task, and they are comprised of… Read more »
$319K allocated in EMS grant for fire co.
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (July 4, 2019) A $319,000 emergency medical services operating grant for fiscal year 2019-20 was approved by the Berlin mayor and Town Council last Monday. The grant allocation comes as part an agreement for emergency medical services between the Town of Berlin and Berlin Fire Company and Emergency Services Inc…. Read more »
Mayor and council vote down Graham Ave. stormwater bids
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) The Graham Avenue submerged gravel wetland project hit a financial roadblock Monday evening after Berlin’s mayor and council rejected a contract when bids for the work came in well above what the town had budgeted. The town received a $75,000 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust for the… Read more »
Town OK’s PD body camera policy
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) The Berlin Police Department officers will add a new accessory to their uniforms following the Town Council’s unanimous approval Monday of a new body camera policy. “We feel the policy is ready to go ahead and move forward,” said Chief Arnold Downing. Police aim to use these body… Read more »
Pines Fire Dept. finds volunteers tougher to recruit
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) The Ocean Pines Fire Department has seen a 17 percent decrease in volunteers since 2012, a drop that has left it with half the number of volunteers it needs for the summer. The fire department has roughly 45 employees and volunteers, including firefighters, the auxiliary, fire police… Read more »
Train makes tracks through Berlin
After long hiatus, railroad resumes route between Delaware and Maryland By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) Berlin residents felt that once-familiar rumble of a train rolling down a track last Tuesday, as a diesel locomotive pulled a freight car of corn south to the Tyson Foods feed mill in Snow Hill. It was… Read more »
Comm. endorses ‘Heron Park’ as new name
Survey reveals options for ‘Berlin Falls Park,’ members to make recommendations By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) Odds are the informal name, Berlin Falls Park, will be formally named Heron Park if the mayor and Town Council accept the recommendation of the Berlin Falls Park Advisory Committee. After reviewing the results of a… Read more »
OP candidates face off again in final forum
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) All seven candidates for the Ocean Pines Board of Directors participated in the second and final official candidate forum in the community center last Saturday. The candidates, in ballot order, Tom Janasek, Larry Perrone, Camilla Rogers, Paula Gray, Shawn Kotwica, Edward Solum and Greg Turner, took turns… Read more »
Council approves FY20 contract for Berlin Fire, EMS
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 27, 2019) The Town of Berlin’s Mayor and Council approved the fiscal year 2020 contract for the Berlin Fire Company Monday, with Mayor Gee Williams saying he’s pleased with the town’s “fruitful” discussions with the Berlin Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services. Williams added the two agencies have “ma[d]e recognizable… Read more »