Ocean Pines Police Department
Image courtesy Ocean Pines Police.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Nov. 2, 2023) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved an additional staff position for the police department, named new committee members, and reviewed capital expenses and revisions to resolutions  during its monthly meeting last Saturday.

The board approved the addition of a part-time position for the Ocean Pines Police Department. The position is currently not budgeted. The position would focus on evidence and criminal assistance and will be responsible for handling documenting and storing of department property and evidence, maintaining support for OPPD body camera program and data collection and analysis.

The civilian position will pay $27,000 for 24 hours a week.

“Many of these things are being handled now by members of the sworn staff. This will help free sworn staff to be on patrol,” said Chief Tim Robinson.

In other business, the board unanimously approved the appointments of Doug Parks as chair the Budget and Finance Advisory Committee, Tim Peck as the chair of the Environmental and Natural Assets Advisory Committee and Patsy Workman as a first-term member of the Racquet Sports Committee.

The board also approved capital projects, including $356,000 for Asphalt Maintenance LLC to perform road rehabilitation on 15 roads in Ocean Pines. Depending on weather, the work will be completed in the spring at the latest.

Capital expenses were approved for a John Deere spray rig, triplex mower and utility carts. This allows the association to order the vehicles, but they will not be delivered nor paid for until the next fiscal year.

Director Elaine Brady presented the first readings of two resolutions related to Architectural Review Committee guideline violations. She said the changes to Resolution CO-2 and M-01 are meant to streamline the process and conform to state law. The revisions state the responsibilities of homeowners, required board actions and duties of OPA operations, including required timelines for notifications, hearings and compliance.

“The association has made it crystal clear that they want this addressed so that we have clean lots and homes,” said Director Jeff Heavner.

General Manager John Viola said that he will be adding one position to the budget for next year for enforcement of the regulations.