By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Day one of public hearings for Ocean Pines’ fiscal year 2020 budget was rocky for General Manager John Bailey, as he tangled with several association members over many of the details of his proposal. To start, Budget and Finance Committee Chairman John Viola, who ran the meeting, began… Read more »
News
Ocean Pines Board considers D&R overhaul
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Director Frank Daly on Saturday said it’s time to “crap or get off the pot” in terms of meaningful reforms to Ocean Pines’ declarations of restrictions, while others said that’s easier said than done. The declarations are the legal documents laying out a community’s rules. As they’re currently… Read more »
Train Shop closing end of an era
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Like the Berlin Shoe Box before it, the closing in March of Walt’s Train Shop and retirement of owner Walt Dennison will mark the end of an era – and an industry – in the Town of Berlin. The one-of-a-kind business has been an institution in the town… Read more »
Poli tackles wheelchair ramp and downtown shop windows
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) With only one item on the agenda last Wednesday, Historic District Commission Vice Chairman Robert Poli turned his attention to several items he said had been nagging him. Poli was filling in for Chairwoman Carol Rose, who could not attend the meeting. After the commission unanimously approved renovations… Read more »
Berlin Restaurant Week runs through Sunday
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2019) Fifteen local restaurants are taking part in the 2019 Berlin Restaurant Week, which began on Monday and will continue through Sunday. The event began in 2016 to encourage patrons to try new eateries and to dine during the offseason, as restaurants offer special menus and discounts in an… Read more »
Diller to OP GM: ‘we’re not your babysitters’
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 10, 2018) A 6-1 vote by the Ocean Pines Board on Saturday to rescind a directive came with several notes of caution and a fiery dig at General Manager John Bailey. A previous board, on Jan. 27 last year, approved a motion to “instruct the General Manager to issue an… Read more »
Berlin business vacancies likely to fill in by summer
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 3, 2019) A few business vacancies were in downtown Berlin last year, but Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said she expects those all to be filled by next summer. For starters, Wells said a new clothing store would likely move into the 11 South Main Street space vacated… Read more »
Community talks to be held on tax and fee increases
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 3, 2019) The next Town of Berlin budget will probably include property tax and utility fee increases, and public discussions related to how and to what levels that would occur could have implications on the next decade or more. Last month, representatives from Ocean City firm PKS & Company, in… Read more »
County approves next step for AGH outpatient building
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (Jan. 3, 2018) A request to reclassify the water and sewer systems of a proposed Atlantic General Hospital outpatient center for the Ocean Pines area was approved by the Worcester County Commissioners last month. The site is located at on Racetrack Road, just south of the southern gate to Ocean Pines,… Read more »
OPA Clubs committee adjusting to new role
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 3, 2019) For more than a year, Ocean Pines Clubs Committee members have debated what to do with comment cards submitted by customers at the yacht and beach clubs. With a professional management company now overseeing food and beverage operations, they’ve also wondered about their larger purpose. A year ago,… Read more »