Maintaining that delicate balance between want, need and have is the primary assignment of elected officials, even though every one of them is likely to list this obligation as the most troubling. Although holding office does have its rewards — a little bit of prestige, public recognition and influence — all that goes out the… Read more »
News
Decatur Park recommended as skate park site
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (April 6, 2023) Stephen Decatur Park looks like the most likely candidate for a skate park after developer Spohn Ranch recommended it over Dr. William Henry Park in a report it released to We Heart Berlin last week. “It feels incredible to finally have some professional eyes on Berlin from… Read more »
Smart water meters coming to Berlin
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (April 6, 2023) In an effort to revise how the town records and bills water usage, Berlin homes should be equipped with smart water meters by the fall. The Berlin Mayor and Town Council voted unanimously last week to proceed with requests for proposals (RFPs) for installing smart water meters… Read more »
Berlin looking at ‘painful’ year ahead as budget work steps up
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (April 6, 2023) Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall and the Town Council praised their department heads for submitting fiscally conservative requests during an FY24 budget work session on Monday, but after most items discussed in the nearly four-hour session, one troubling question continued to persist: How are we going to pay… Read more »
Crew commended for inlet rescue
By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) The crew of the Ocean City headboat Ocean Princess, Capt. Victor Bunting of Berlin and mates Jeff Nottingham and Matthew Moran of West Ocean City, were honored Monday night by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for helping to rescue a group of personal watercraft operators on… Read more »
Jury finds Ocean Pines man guilty of child abuse, assault
By Hunter Hine, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) On March 15, a Worcester County Circuit Court jury found Connor Paul Kelly, of Ocean Pines, guilty of second-degree child abuse, three counts of second degree assault and neglect of a minor, said Worcester County States Attorney Kristin Heiser. Sentencing is scheduled for May 19. The offenses… Read more »
Grievances aired by many regarding sex ed in HB119
By Hunter Hine, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) When the Worcester County Board of Education opened the floor to individual comments at their meeting on March 21, many took the chance to air concerns about the Health Education Framework Bill (HB119), state legislation that outlines sex education requirements for public schools. Most community speakers used… Read more »
Berlin disagreeing with state board open meeting violation
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) The Town of Berlin received a wag of the finger on Friday from a state advisory board after it issued an opinion that a closed meeting earlier this year should have been open to the public. But some officials, including town attorney Dave Gaskill and Mayor Zack… Read more »
Council sticks with tax rate … for now
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer Last year’s 81.5-cent levy might be in notice, but not necessarily in new budget (March 30, 2023) The Town of Berlin will advertise that the property tax rate of 81.5 cents may stay the same in FY24, but plenty could change before a final vote. On Tuesday, the Berlin mayor… Read more »
Mayor and Council OK wish list topped by new skate park
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (March 30, 2023) The Town of Berlin reordered its project priorities for the state’s 2024 Program Open Space (POS) Monday, as it prepares to seek grants to help pay for the recreational undertakings that it hopes to pursue. The official order of the list is the first phase of a… Read more »