Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 20, 2019) Sitting as it does on low-lying land, Ocean Pines often has issues with flooding and drainage, which is why Operations Director Colby Phillips is working on a three-to-five-year plan to “drain the swamp.” “We recognize our drainage problem as one to be managed rather than fully resolved,”… Read more »
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 20, 2019) Frustration might not be a strong enough word to express how some members of Berlin’s Planning Commission feel about the lack of remedial action on a few building eyesores throughout Berlin. “It is an abomination,” Planning Commission Member Newt Chandler said. That and other spontaneous observations were… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 20, 2019) Six of the seven candidates for the Ocean Pines Board of Directors met for this election’s the first candidate forum last Wednesday at the Ocean Pines Community Center. Tom Janasek, Larry Perrone, Camilla Rogers, Paula Gray, Shawn Kotwica and Gregory Turner attended the forum. Edward Solum could… Read more »
Social Services dept. receives proclamation from commissioners By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 13, 2019) The work being done to protect Worcester County’s vulnerable adults was recognized by the Worcester County Commissioners meeting last Tuesday. “It’s important to educate the community on elder abuse because it is so under reported,” Roberta Baldwin, director of Worcester County’s… Read more »
Taxes, fees up, as spending drops about 16 percent to produce balanced package By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (June 13, 2019) The Berlin mayor and council adopted a $15.2 million budget for fiscal year 2020 at their meeting Monday night. The budget represents a 16.26 percent decrease from the fiscal year 2019’s $18.2 million budget,… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (June 13, 2019) Edward Solum, 73, believes the Ocean Pines Board of Directors needs to be more throughout and transparent with projects and other aspects which could affect the community, prompting him to run. Initially a seasonal resident, Solum, now retired after 45 years as a lawyer, wants to make… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »