Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Greg Ellison (Nov. 26, 2020) Reconvening for the first time since the covid-19 outbreak, last week the OPA Communications Committee resumed discussions about upgrading community marquee signs to electronic versions, contingent on approval from Worcester County. Committee Chairwoman Jenny Cropper Rines said despite the lack of recent gatherings, the group remains committed to the… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Nov. 26, 2020) After assessing the state of the spread of coronavirus in this area, Ocean Pines officials have decided to stage the annual Ocean Pines Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting in White Horse Park virtually without participants this Saturday. In the meantime, the inaugural Thanksgiving “Family Gobble Wobble” stroll around the South… Read more »
By Greg Ellison Interactions involving GM leads to board censure (Nov. 26, 2020) Personality clashes between Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola and Director Tom Janasek had other directors contemplating his removal from the board before they agreed to censure him instead in a public hearing on Friday. A hastily convened special meeting in… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Nov. 26, 2020) Ocean Pines Treasurer Doug Parks reviewed short-term investments, current reserve account balances and the status of homeowner assessment collections during the Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday. Parks said to close September the association had approximately $13.4 million in cash and investments, which includes $7.1 million in CDARs (Certificate… Read more »
By Greg Ellison (Nov. 26, 2020) The Ocean Pines Environmental and Natural Assets Committee on Wednesday discussed revamped efforts to address the impact geese and other waterfowl have on area ponds, including the new water testing program. Committee Chairman Ken Wolf said the group was updated on Nov. 18 about recent bacterial levels tests performed… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Nov. 26, 2020) The Berlin Planning Commission emphasized the need for sidewalks and bike paths in town when they met with Maryland State Highway Administration officials last Wednesday. Commission members also discussed goals and matters of accessibility with Brett Deane, assistant district engineer for construction, Dallas Baker, assistant district engineer… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Nov. 26, 2020) School teacher Maria Grosskettler will sign copies of her historical fiction book, “Tracks,” Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Greyhound Independent Bookstore and Fine Art Gallery on South Main Street in Berlin. “The cool thing about ‘Tracks’ is from an outside perspective you wouldn’t… Read more »
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Nov. 26, 2020) Worcester County Public Schools will remain in distance learning until Jan. 4 as a result of the increasing covid-19 positivity rate in the county and state. Worcester County’s seven-day positivity rate was 5.26 percent as of Sunday, which is a decrease from 5.57 percent last Thursday. Meanwhile… Read more »
Berlin boards, commissions meetings postponed until they can resume virtually By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Nov. 26, 2020) Mayor Zackery Tyndall’s Civil Emergency Declaration will postpone the Berlin Planning Commission’s public hearing on the “resilence element” of the town’s comprehensive plan. The declaration, which went into effect on Monday, resulted in the closure of government… Read more »
Masks required at events, government offices closed By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer (Nov. 26, 2020) As covid-19 cases continue to rise in Worcester County, Berlin Mayor Zackery Tyndall last Wednesday issued a Civil Emergency Declaration requiring masks to be worn downtown during activities and closed all town government buildings to the public until further notice…. Read more »