Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Purnell Crossing and Austin Circle residents remained steadfast in their opposition to a nearby proposed development project. A group of homeowners from the two neighborhoods met with landowner and Berlin Town Council member Troy Purnell and Developer Justin White last Tuesday evening by the central mailbox on Sunlight… Read more »
Business owners, residents again storm Town Council meeting to voice opposition By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Despite strong opposition from residents, organizations and businesses, the Berlin mayor and Town Council presented a 20-cent increase in the property tax rate on the first reading of the enabling ordinance Monday night. Nearly every seat in… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Longtime Ocean Pines resident Colby Phillips, 44, has been a part of the community since 1994, worked for several years in several occupations in Worcester County and has now taken on the role of the Ocean Pines Association’s operations director. The position was created during the Saturday,… Read more »
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 25, 2019) Preparations for the Old Fashion Memorial Day Parade in Berlin are underway, but organizers are calling for additional participation ahead of the May event. DJ Lockwood, chairman of the Berlin Community Improvement Association, said organizers need help setting up, sees the need for more food and arts and… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors has released rough drawings of the proposed clubhouse to replace the existing building at Ocean Pines Golf Club. The building is designed to provide space for golf operations and community use. The 7,400-square-foot structure would be half the size of the original… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Ocean Pines will pay $461,247 a year for insurance policies and have higher coverage limits through its new insurance program from Deeley Insurance Group. The insurance company, which became the association’s broker on Feb. 14, has made several changes to the policies and limits. A presentation of… Read more »
Options range from painful to stretching out payments By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Budget discussions continued Monday evening as the Berlin mayor and council tackled the utility fund budget. Finance Director Natalie Saleh said the overall utility budget for fiscal year 2020 consists of $9.1 million, down $2 million, or 18 percent, from… Read more »
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) The electric department of Berlin kept busy early Monday morning after storms came through the area and knocked out power in several neighborhoods. Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence said about 600 customers were without power from 4:30-6:30 a.m. “That [storm] was nasty,” said Councilman Troy Purnell of the… Read more »
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Although Slobodan Trendic resigned from the Ocean Pines Board of Directors last week, he is not getting out of community politics. This week he said he wants to “make Ocean Pines great again” with a town hall meeting at the Ocean Pines Library on Monday. Elected in… Read more »
By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer (April 18, 2019) Reducing flooding is the point of the Graham Avenue Submerged Gravel Wetland Project, which town officials explained to residents at a meeting last Thursday at the Berlin Activities Depot. Presentations to the audience came from the Town of Berlin, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and E.A. Engineering, Science,… Read more »