By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 13, 2019) Ocean Pines Association interim General Manager John Viola agreed to a six-month extension of his services with the board of directors last Thursday while the association searches for a more permanent replacement. The terms of the agreement between Viola and the board are good through Dec. 1…. Read more »
News
Candidate draw determines order, seats for forums
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 13, 2019) The candidates draw has been completed Drawn at random using a series of playing cards, the results determine the ballot order and the order candidates are seated during election forums. The results for the draw are: Tom Janasek; 2. Larry Perrone; 3. Camilla Rogers; 4. Paula Gray;… Read more »
Forensic audit finds problems but little crime
By Stewart Dobson, Editor (June 13, 2019) Many of the problems identified by the year-long forensic audit of the finances of Ocean Pines’ Food and Beverage and Public Works departments had already been corrected by the time the final audit report was released to association members last week. Accounting procedures were stiffened, accountability between management… Read more »
Berlin Town Council approves FY20 authorized contracts
Several officials also agree to further discuss options By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 13, 2019) The Berlin Town Council on Tuesday unanimously approved fiscal year 2020’s budget contract authorizations, which are valued at a maximum of $386,400. “This is a standard practice the town has followed for [the] past several years,” Town Administrator Laura Allen… Read more »
SHMS takes personalized learning approach in class
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 6, 2019) Snow Hill Middle School has been taking a personalized approach in the classroom for the last three years by using the using the Summit Learning platform, teachers told Worcester County Board of Education members last month. “Personalized learning is considering the interests of your students, giving them a… Read more »
Pines budget finishes year on plus side
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 6, 2019) The Ocean Pines Association continued its positive fiscal trend for 2019, wrapping up the fiscal year in April $130,584 ahead of its budget. The unaudited numbers were delivered by interim General Manager John Viola in his monthly treasurer’s report at last Saturday’s board of directors meeting and… Read more »
Board holds violation referendum
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 6, 2019 The Ocean Pines Board of Directors compromised on a motion by Director Frank Daly last Saturday to offer homeowners a referendum that will decide whether the association can levy fines for violations of the declarations of restrictions. Daly said a recent survey of association members supported such… Read more »
Downtown coffee shop gets approval for outdoor seating
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 6, 2019) The coffee shop, On What Grounds?, received Town Council approval for outside seating during last Tuesday’s Berlin council meeting. “I think [having] tables and chairs make[s] it that much more inviting and asks people to stay, have a seat and enjoy…,” co-owner Dana Gottloeb said. Mayor Gee… Read more »
Four injured after deck collapses in Ocean Pines
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 6, 2019) Four people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries last Friday, after the residential deck on which they were standing collapsed last Friday evening. Around 6:30 p.m., the deck, located at the Borderlinks Resort condominiums, was unable to hold the weight of seven people and fell… Read more »
OPA owners can see audit report
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 6, 2019) The final chapter of one of the more painful episodes in Ocean Pines Association business has been written and property owners will be able to see for themselves next week what its authors, a team of forensic accountants, found in their year-long examination of the association’s books…. Read more »