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New bulkhead contractor to not use old staging ground

FILE PHOTO
Ocean Pines Directors in August tour the site of a bulkhead replacement with Facilities Manager Kevin Layfield.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Oct. 25, 2018) A new contract for Ocean Pines bulkhead replacement and repairs specifies “not using the Swim and Racquet Club as a staging area,” according to a motion unanimously approved by the association’s board of directors Saturday.

Based on the vote, McGinty Marine Construction of Bishopville was awarded a contract not to exceed $621,390, to be paid out of bulkhead reserves.

The directors received four bids and, according to the motion included in the meeting packet, the lowest bid based on not using the swim and racquet club showed a 32 percent increase over the current cost of bulkhead work. The lowest bid based on continuing to use the area was 11 percent higher.

The motion acknowledged that current contractor, Hi-Tide Marine Construction of Ocean City, is still finishing more than 900 linear feet of bulkhead work and that additional replacement or repairs would be bid this fiscal year, as permits allow.

“Multiple contractors will be needed to complete the aggressive goal of bringing the Bulkhead Replacement Plan back on schedule,” the motion said.

For years, residents have complained that using the swim and racquet club park area as a staging ground is both unsafe and an eyesore that could lower property values. Construction materials and equipment have been left unattended at the site for several months.

There was no discussion on the motion during the meeting, but Director Ted Moroney later added, “In my opinion, future contracts will not include [the swim and racquet club] as a staging area.”

Moroney also said he provided budget guidance to General Manager John Bailey asking to restore the park area.

Association President Doug Parks on Monday clarified the board is still exploring several options regarding staging areas for the current round of work.

“We’ve got a few more things to clarify before we make a recommended move,” he said. “But, if you noticed during the meeting, the motion that was presented and passed was not using the swim and racquet club as a staging area.

“Hopefully, the folks concerned understand that we listened, we heard what they had to say, and we certainly put that into consideration going forward,” Parks continued. “As far as the current [contract], more discussion is required and we’re still checking on a couple of things.”

As for the new contract, Parks said staging would be done entirely outside of Ocean Pines.