Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 21, 2026) A proposal to redevelop the former Tyson chicken processing facility into a mixed-use commercial complex advanced last week after the Berlin Planning Commission approved preliminary site plans, contingent upon the mayor’s and Town Council’s approval of related plats. Development representatives presented initial plans for the long-vacant industrial… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) To balance the Town of Berlin’s fiscal year 2027 general fund budget — a spending plan that had been facing a $280,000 shortfall this week — the Town Council on Monday axed the proposal to replace an old public works truck and postponed a street paving project…. Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) The Berlin Town Council voted this week to maintain its current tax rate of 0.8275 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2027, despite push from town leaders and staff to consider a modest increase of a penny and a quarter of a penny. Following a… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) Newly appointed Berlin Chief of Police Howard Drewer received a warm welcome Monday night when he was sworn into office surrounded by town staff, government officials, family and representatives from agencies across the Eastern Shore. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall opened this week’s mayor and council meeting by… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 14, 2026) Students at Showell Elementary School now have access to new and upgraded recess products thanks to a donation by local volunteers earlier this week. On Monday, May 11, members of the Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club visited Showell Elementary School, with a truck full of items intended for… Read more »
Change to increase display of political signs from 30 days to 45 day, officials say By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The timeframe for allowing election signs to be posted in Ocean Pines is likely to be extended, association officials said this week, assuming that Gov. Wes Moore signs the recently passed Senate… Read more »
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Town of Berlin is pursuing the possibility of paying for parking improvements in public and quasi-public lots with a slice of local room tax revenue. At the Town Council meeting Monday, council members approved a proposal by Councilman Jack Orris that will allocate 10% of the… Read more »
Mayor, finance director oppose approach, decisions in speeches By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Berlin Town Council proposed cutting approximately $389,000 from its proposed budget for next year to help cure a revenue shortfall of roughly $400,000 against expenses and to avoid a tax increase. At Monday night’s meeting of the Berlin… Read more »
County reserve fund gives officials flexibility, as other operating costs increase By Brian Shane Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) Ocean Pines sewer customers will see one part of their quarterly bill cut in half, as Worcester County moves to pay down some long-term debt. The county plans to reduce the sewer district’s debt service fee… Read more »
Berlin Town Council seeks ways to eliminate $400K shortfall in FY27 budget By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Berlin Town Council discussed eliminating the community’s Independence Day fireworks celebration next summer as part of a broader effort to reduce a $400,000 shortfall in the drafted fiscal year 2027 spending plan. At a… Read more »