By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) After several years of searching for a solution to outdated financial and operational software, the Ocean Pines Board on Saturday voted unanimously to allow General Manager John Bailey to begin negotiations to purchase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 »
News
Historic Main St. home approved for renovations
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 »
Pines GM Bailey releases draft of fiscal ‘20 budget
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 »
Highlights from first day of OPA budget hearings
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 »
Ocean Pines Board considers D&R overhaul
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 »
Train Shop closing end of an era
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 »
Poli tackles wheelchair ramp and downtown shop windows
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) With only one item on the agenda last Wednesday, Historic District Commission Vice Chairman Robert Poli turned his attention to several items he said had been nagging him. Poli was filling in for Chairwoman Carol Rose, who could not attend the meeting. After the commission unanimously approved renovations… Read more »
Diller to OP GM: ‘we’re not your babysitters’
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2018) A 6-1 vote by the Ocean Pines Board on Saturday to rescind a directive came with several notes of caution and a fiery dig at General Manager John Bailey. A previous board, on Jan. 27 last year, approved a motion to “instruct the General Manager to issue an… Read more »
Community talks to be held on tax and fee increases
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 3, 2019) The next Town of Berlin budget will probably include property tax and utility fee increases, and public discussions related to how and to what levels that would occur could have implications on the next decade or more. Last month, representatives from Ocean City firm PKS & Company, in… Read more »
OPA Clubs committee adjusting to new role
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 3, 2019) For more than a year, Ocean Pines Clubs Committee members have debated what to do with comment cards submitted by customers at the yacht and beach clubs. With a professional management company now overseeing food and beverage operations, they’ve also wondered about their larger purpose. A year ago,… Read more »