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 digital messaging boards appear near completion with the county approval for zoning authorization to be discussed next month.

Communications Committee Chair Jenny Cropper Rines said the Worcester County Commissioners are reviewing a proposed zoning amendment during its meeting on Feb. 16.

“I will plan on going,” she said.

Initially discussed in the fall of 2019, the switch became more involved after the committee learned Worcester County zoning regulations would require a change in the zoning code specific to the Pines.

Last month, a contingent of committee members finalized the language of a code amendment with the Worcester County Planning Commission to permit digital signs in residential communities.

Board liaison Dr. Colette Horn joined Rines and committee member Cheryl Jacobs to shed light on the intent of the signage update during the Worcester Planning Commission meeting in December.

As currently proposed, the text amendment would permit the OPA to keep three of the existing marquees and install three electronic signs at prime spots in the community.

Horn said recent discussions with County Commissioner Chip Bertino indicate that number might be expanded.

“He actually said he would like to request 8-10 signs,” she said. “We were a little conservative in our ask.”

RESIDENTS ACADEMY

Work to develop an online “virtual resident’s academy” is also nearing completion.

Rines said Marketing Coordinator Julie Malinowski is fleshing out details to complete the new venture.

“I’m so pleased this is moving forward,” she said.

Malinowski said proposed chapter headings, which the committee formulated last January, were recently distributed to department heads for their comments.

Work on the academy was halted after coronavirus sidelined committee meetings last spring.

Plans are afoot to film related video content at the Ocean Pines Golf Clubhouse next week, Malinowski said.

“We will do a test run in the middle of next week,” she said. “We’re operating a little bit in the dark just because we haven’t done this before.”

Rines said the resident’s academy would incorporate a blend of video and written content.

“If you’ve got a combination … your likelihood of reaching people is better,” she said. “Thankfully it’s finally coming to fruition.”

MEMBER RECRUITMENT

Turning to new business, Rines asked committee members help find new candidates to join the advisory group.

Rines said with several members’ term limits nearly expired, there could be a challenge to maintain ranks.

OPA bylaws require a minimum of seven members on the Communications Committee.

Rines said her own term, which has previously been extended, is set to end this spring.

“I would like someone to step into the role of meeting planning and chairing it,” she said.

Although still interested in participating, Rines expressed a preference to change committee leadership.

“I would like a new person to handle new business,” she said.

Committee members agreed that the recruiting effort needs be included on the OPA website and next newsletter.

TOWN HALLS

Jacobs asked about the feasibility of holding a town hall in the immediate future.

“It’s a new year [and] the budget is coming up,” she said.

Noting the influx of new residents, Jacobs asked how other members felt about staging a virtual town hall meeting within the next few months.

Horn said previous town hall meetings have been tied to contentious issues.

“It probably should be a board discussion,” she said.

Horn proposed asking the board of directors if any particular points of interest exist.

“It’s really been driven by community interest,” she said.

Rines said the committee has previously proposed assisting in producing future town hall gatherings and remains prepared join any efforts if requested.

The next OPA Communications Committee virtual meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18 at 10 a.m.