Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) The Ocean Pines Elections Committee is seeking a fifth member following the recent departure of committee member Rick Turner. Chairman Steve Habeger on Friday said Turner had to leave the committee because he moved out of Ocean Pines. Up to five members are permitted in the committee. The… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) A few eyebrows were raised last Monday, when General Manager John Bailey publicly said the proposed 2020 general administration budget included a $10,000 increase for a potential referendum. “That remains to be seen whether or not that would take place, but there certainly has been a lot… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) A reoccurring topic of discussion emerged during the start of Ocean Pines Board budget hearings Monday, as several directors said they wanted to see five-year plans when considering how much to spend and how much to set aside for bulkhead, drainage and road repair programs. Board members also… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2018) A closed session of the Ocean Pines Board on Saturday included discussion of an employee complaint against a director, but the person in question, Slobodan Trendic, was found not to have violated any rules. Before the meeting, there was some speculation as to exactly what the complaint was,… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) After several years of searching for a solution to outdated financial and operational software, the Ocean Pines Board on Saturday voted unanimously to allow General Manager John Bailey to begin negotiations to purchase Northstar Club Management Software. The 7-0 vote was based on a motion by Director Ted… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) One of the older homes in downtown Berlin, on 101 South Main Street and said to be a “sister house” to the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, will get a restored, two-story front porch after earning unanimous approval from the town’s Historic District Commission last Wednesday. The highly… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) If Ocean Pines General Manager John Bailey has his way, community assessments will not increase this year, based on a budget draft released last Friday. The proposed budget, developed by Bailey and his staff, would keep assessments at the same level as last year and cut another $100,000… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Day one of public hearings for Ocean Pines’ fiscal year 2020 budget was rocky for General Manager John Bailey, as he tangled with several association members over many of the details of his proposal. To start, Budget and Finance Committee Chairman John Viola, who ran the meeting, began… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Director Frank Daly on Saturday said it’s time to “crap or get off the pot” in terms of meaningful reforms to Ocean Pines’ declarations of restrictions, while others said that’s easier said than done. The declarations are the legal documents laying out a community’s rules. As they’re currently… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Like the Berlin Shoe Box before it, the closing in March of Walt’s Train Shop and retirement of owner Walt Dennison will mark the end of an era – and an industry – in the Town of Berlin. The one-of-a-kind business has been an institution in the town… Read more »