Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 21, 2019) The Berlin Planning Commission easily approved a commercial annexation petition last Wednesday. Commission members voted 6-0 to endorse annexing roughly six acres known as Athena Plaza, on Route 818 across from Berlin Main Place. Peter Buas, an attorney with Williams, Moore, Shockley & Harrison, representing property owners Spiro… Read more »
Renovations said unlikely to disrupt club operations By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 21, 2019) Communication issues hampered the process early on, but Ocean Pines Board members on March 9 said they were confident beach club renovations are now moving forward. The directors voted 5-0 to award a $162,354.50 contract and a 5 percent contingency to… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 21, 2019) In an unexpected turn of events, Ted Moroney on Saturday announced his resignation from the Ocean Pines Board of Directors. Moroney was appointed to the board in September 2017 to replace Brett Hill after his resignation. He was then elected to a one-year term last August. He emailed… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 14, 2019) To make up for shortfalls in Berlin water and sewer funds, rate increases should target high volume users, according to a new study by Salisbury architectural firm Davis, Bowen and Friedel. In presenting the study to the Town Council Monday night, Rob Duma said the analysis took about… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 14, 2019) Ocean Pines’ new organizational structure already appears to be paying dividends, as directors across several departments are taking second looks at some of the projects and proposals started by now former General Manager John Bailey. For example, Bailey had budgeted $620,000 to replace drainage pipes on Cathell Road… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 14, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors on Saturday approved a design concept and location for a new craft building to be used by the Pine’eer Craft Club. Plans call for the new building to be north of the bathrooms across from the administration building and adjacent to the… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (March 14, 2019) The 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ocean City, which takes place this Saturday, is the second largest in Maryland and will feature over 120 units. The Delmarva Irish-American Club sponsors the event, which will start at noon. Parade participants will line up on 61st Street and… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 14, 2019) Berlin Mayor Gee Williams on Monday said rumors Town Administrator Laura Allen would receive a raise are untrue. Williams said the town was at the beginning of a lengthy budget process set to culminate in June. He said reports the “the town is about to run out of… Read more »
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (March 14, 2019) With the approval of the fiscal 2020 budget, Ocean Pines board members realigned employee health care packages, with employees set to pay 20 percent of costs and the association covering the remaining 80 percent. Previously, the association paid 100 percent of those costs. Association President Doug Parks said… Read more »
New critics of the Town of Berlin’s purchase of the former Tyson chicken processing plant in 2015 are mistaken, when they argue that passing on that purchase would have eliminated the current need for a tax increase and higher sewer and water rates. The property, which was bought for $2.5 million drawn, in part, from… Read more »