Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) Ocean Pines Director Slobodan Trendic on Saturday said he was not yet ready to vote for the fiscal 2020 budget. He made good on that promise, marking the third time in three years he voted against budget finalization. “The issue I have basically goes to how we, as… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors “has a serious concern” with how the clubs advisory committee has been operating, according to Director Slobodan Trendic. Trendic, during a committee meeting last Thursday, called out the committee for involving itself directly with the previous general manager and the Matt Ortt… Read more »
Town will take over, begin process of planning new Berlin community center By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) After several months of public discussion and debate, the Berlin Community Improvement Association has reached a tentative agreement with the Town of Berlin to transfer its 130 Flower Street property, which encompasses the multipurpose building and… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors finalized a $12.8 million fiscal year 2020 budget on Saturday, and set the basic annual assessment at $986 per homeowner. Assessments fluctuated wildly throughout the budget process, from a low of $951 with the proposed budget released on Jan. 4, to a… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors on Feb. 16 sharply reduced interest rates on unpaid assessments, citing the presumption of increasing collections. Legal reasons may have contributed to the reduction as well. Association President Doug Parks said governing documents require establishing the annual interest rate by February of… Read more »
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (Feb. 28, 2019) Former Berlin Police Department officer David Lockwood Sr., 70, walked into the new station on Decatur Street last Wednesday to share some history. Much to the surprise of members of the department, including Chief Arnold Downing, Lockwood had found an old newspaper article tucked behind his high school… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) Berlin Falls Park Committee members last Thursday discussed subcommittee reports on a park development map and how the grounds could find a permanent name. Roger Fitzgerald, in leading the physical park subcommittee, presented a plan that included small improvements like park benches and a viewing blind for… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) Town of Berlin budget work sessions for fiscal 2020 began last Thursday with rate increase recommendations for utility fees and property taxes, with the latter possibly going up by a third or more. Stormwater fees are recommended to double for residents – from $50 annually to $100 –… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 28, 2019) Five years ago, this week, former Anne Arundel County firefighter Mike Wiley went to his volunteer post at the corner of Route 50 and Main Street with a special purpose: to announce that Berlin had been named “America’s Coolest Small Town.” Wiley, a Berlin resident, has been in… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Feb. 21, 2019) “Your vote counts” is the theme of a new publicity campaign of the Ocean Pines Elections Committee aimed at increasing voter turnout and reducing voter error in the next board of directors election. Last year, 80 votes were not counted, including 66 received after the voting deadline. Ocean… Read more »