Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
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 »
By Greg Ellison (Jan. 28, 2021) While holding off in-person meetings until pandemic health-safety protocols are eased, the Ocean Pines Communications Committee convened virtually last week to discuss updating community signs, establishing an online residents academy, recruiting new committee members and staging town halls. MARQUEE SIGNS Efforts to update existing analog community marquee signs with… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 28, 2021) Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald presented the quarterly report from Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 to the Berlin Mayor and Council on Monday. During that period, the Berlin Fire Company responded to 37 in-town fire or rescue calls, which is 42.5 percent of the… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Jan. 28, 2021) The following took place during the Worcester County Board of Education meeting on Jan. 19: New board president, VP Eric Cropper Sr. was approved as the board president for 2021. This is Cropper’s second term as president. Elena McComas was elected as the vice president to replace… Read more »