Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison (Feb. 4, 2021) The Ocean Pines Association will be updating its reserve study to track account balance percentages and revise the fixed assets list to reflect recent capital building projects. During the Budget and Finance Committee meeting last Wednesday, General Manager John Viola discussed plans to revise the study, which was updated… Read more »
Not about who next GM is, but employee advancement By Greg Ellison (Feb. 4, 2021) The Ocean Pines Association’s succession planning process for general manager and personnel hierarchy, which was launched last fall, is being revamped based on consultant feedback. Succession planning began last September, with additional comments coming in recent weeks from Sibson Consulting,… Read more »
Homeowners would have to foot bill for engineering solutions to be reimbursed By Greg Ellison (Feb. 4, 2021) In addition to investing in expensive stormwater runoff solutions, the Ocean Pines Association is looking for grants to help property owners resolve their own flooding problems. Director of Amenities and Operational Logistics Colby Phillips said General Manager… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Feb. 4, 2021) Water quality issues and the possible restoration of the St. Martin River dominated an online meeting discussion last Thursday between the Ocean Pines Environmental and Natural Assets Committee and Maryland Coastal Bays Program officials. Environmental Committee Chairman Ken Wolf convened the meeting with program officials to review efforts to… Read more »
Heron Park considered for designated site to resolve issue of safety downtown By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Feb. 4, 2021) Berlin’s elected officials began discussing the concept of a skate park years ago as one way to resolve the safety issues with skateboarders downtown, and now the Berlin Police Department has voiced its support. Police… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Feb. 4, 2021) As Berlin residents take to social media to express concerns about an increase in their electric utility bills, Town Administrator Jeff Fleetwood explained the factors that produced the recent charges. “What is the power cost adjustment? The electric bill you receive every month lists several individual charges… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 28, 2021) Seeking clarity regarding ongoing financial impacts from coronavirus, last week the Ocean Pines Board of Directors weighed options to reduce projected six-figure losses next year in aquatics. The board performed departmental reviews of the proposed fiscal 2021-22 budget during an all-day meeting on Jan. 19, which followed a vetting… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 28, 2021) With the current budget year getting closer to its conclusion, and net operating favorability projected to eclipse $600,000, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved nearly $300,000 in capital expenditures last Wednesday. Of that tally, more than $160,000 is earmarked for proposed upgrades at the Manklin Meadows Racquet… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 28, 2021) Along with updating investment and reserve account balances, Ocean Pines Treasurer Doug Parks reported continued progress on homeowner assessment collections during the Board of Directors meeting last Wednesday. To end November, the association had approximately $12 million in cash and investments, divided between $7.1 million in CDARs (Certificate of… Read more »
By Greg Ellison Spending reductions make revenue needs less urgent (Jan. 28, 2021) In addition to reviewing current financials with two thirds of fiscal 2020-21 now in the ledgers, Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola last Wednesday gave the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors the latest figures for next year’s proposed budget. Viola said… Read more »