By Brian Shane Staff Writer Worcester County officials have proposed raising water and sewer rates as a possible solution to balancing the county’s water and sewer district budgets, which have run at a deficit for years, relying on comingled reserve funds to cover losses. The operational deficit, affecting seven of the county’s 11 independent sanitary… Read more »
News
Employee honored for completing apprenticeship program
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Town of Berlin Mayor and Council recognized Dave Davis, a recent graduate of the municipality’s utility meter technician apprentice program, earlier this week at a meeting. The honoree was joined by his family, and Berlin leaders, staff, and state representatives celebrated the accomplishment. Berlin’s electric and utility director, Tim… Read more »
Berlin spikes EDU financing policy for now; Citizen, council member disagree on east side ramifications
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Berlin Town Council this week voted to abandon a previously existing policy that allows developers to finance up to five equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) over five years. At a Berlin Mayor and Council meeting on Monday, March 24, the municipality’s governing body unanimously voted to eliminate a 2017 policy… Read more »
Ocean Pines didn’t cause Enterprise Fund problem, but would help pay for it under county proposal
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Ocean Pines residents could experience a significant increase in fees if a proposed water and wastewater budget presented at a Worcester County Commissioners meeting last week is passed. The fiscal year 2026 Water/ Wastewater Enterprise Funds budget was presented at a meeting of the Worcester County Commissioners on March 18…. Read more »
Firm selected to evaluate utility extensions
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The engineering firm George, Miles, and Buhr (GMB) will evaluate and provide recommendations for the extension of water and sewer utilities from the Ocean Pines Service Area to parcels along Route 589 south of Pennington Commons as interest in developing there increases. Per a letter from Dallas Baker, director of… Read more »
Opening Day Scramble will kick off Pines golf season
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer As spring approaches, the Ocean Pines golf community is gearing up for its season kickoff event to welcome the warmer, golf-playing months. The 2025 Ocean Pines Opening Day Scramble is set for Saturday, April 5 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The community’s Men’s Golf Association and the Ladies’… Read more »
OPA seeks vendor for summer election
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer The Ocean Pines Association has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a contractor to handle this summer’s OPA Board of Directors election. The selected vendor will print and mail ballots and election materials such as candidate biographies, photographs, an annual meeting notice, and ballot instructions to all eligible voters…. Read more »
Crimson Coward franchise brings hot chicken to Berlin
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer A new chicken restaurant option has come to the coastal area, this time with a southern twist. Crimson Coward, a Nashville hot chicken franchise based in California, opened its doors in Berlin last month. Morad Ramadan, the owner of the Berlin location and a 2001 Stephen Decatur High School graduate,… Read more »
Taylor House Museum to reopen early with new offerings
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer Berlin’s Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will welcome visitors to its exhibits again this spring as the facility gears up to reopen its doors officially on Wednesday, April 2. According to Taylor House President Melissa Reid, the museum opens annually in early May. This season, however, the exhibition has moved… Read more »
Coastal Bays watershed awarded $2M grant
By Brian Shane Staff Writer The Maryland Coastal Bays Program will receive at least $2 million in state funding in the coming fiscal year as part of a five-year grant toward restoration the Newport Bay watershed, state environmental officials said. But in light of the state’s dire budget shortfall and legislative recommendations to slash Maryland… Read more »