By Greg Ellison (Dec. 23, 2021) After bringing two new members aboard, the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Committee reviewed top priorities for 2022 during its meeting last Monday. Committee Chair Patti Stevens said new members William Barnard and Roy Foreman were welcomed on Dec. 13. “Roy was introduced and Bill Barnard was on the… Read more »
News
Bruce James Coulbourne
Bruce James Coulbourne Berlin Bruce James Coulbourne, age 73, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Milford Delaware, he was the son of the late James and Catherine (Truitt) Coulbourne. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy (Hearne) Coulbourne; and daughters, April Coulbourne of Whaleyville, Maryland,… Read more »
Gazette Cartoon
No easy solutions for short-term rental rule
Berlin, like many other municipalities, cities and counties, is trying to balance a scale that has property owners’ desire to earn income from short-term rentals on one side and traditionalists’ wish to preserve their long-held sense of community on the other. The fulcrum on which this debate teeters is what property law experts call the… Read more »
Letter to the Editor
OPA should adopt minimum wage This letter was sent to the Ocean Pines Association Board and forwarded to Bayside Gazette Members of the Board: On March 20, 2019, the Maryland General Assembly passed a new state minimum wage law. The law raises the state’s minimum wage from $10.10 to $15 by 2025. For example, in… Read more »
Ocean Pines survey highlights challenges
Strategic Planning Co-Chair Bernie McGorry presented summary of data on Saturday By Greg Ellison (Dec. 16, 2021) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors received a preliminary summary of data compiled from the recently completed property owners’ survey during its meeting on Saturday. Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chair Bernie McGorry said 1,838 survey responses were received by…. Read more »
Rental rules talk gets into property rights
Main obstacle to ordinance regulating short-term units By Greg Ellison (Dec. 16, 2021) Concerns about limiting property rights were a key point during a discussion of regulating short-term rentals during the mayor and council meeting on Monday. Mayor Zach Tyndall said the intent was reviving earlier talks to ascertain what points council members feel should… Read more »
Berlin adds third parcel to Heron Park RFP
Interested parties inquire about additional property, so town makes it available By Greg Ellison (Dec. 16. 2021) After issuing a request for proposals for parcels 57 and 410 in Heron Park last month, the Berlin Town Council on Monday agreed to add a third section, parcel 191, to the package. Mayor Zach Tyndall said an… Read more »
Pines GM updates budget, capital projects, bulkheads
By Greg Ellison (Dec. 16, 2021) In addition to discussing the 2022/23 fiscal year budget process, Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola also provided updates on bulkhead repairs, drainage work and audio system enhancements during the board meeting on Saturday. Viola said next fiscal year’s proposed budget figures have been reviewed and signed off on… Read more »
Berlin Briefs
By Greg Ellison (Dec. 16, 2021) the Berlin Town Council reviewed the following topics during its meeting on Monday. Arts and Entertainment Council members approved the establishment of a Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee. Mayor Zach Tyndall said the entity will revive efforts undertaken in the past. “We have had an Arts and Entertainment Committee… Read more »