JANUARY 5, 2023
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Berlin council has long list of 2023 goals Maintaining service level still priority, but inflation poses major challenge
PHOTO COURTESY PAT BENNETT
HIGH, DRY AND COLD
Numerous photos have been taken of this solitary remnant of a tree in the bay off Assateague, but few have caught it so exposed, as it was during the cold snap of two weeks ago at the time of an exceptionally low tide.
Parks, Viola look ahead at ’23 New year will concentrate on infrastructure upgrades, maintenance and repairs By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Jan. 5, 2023) Infrastructure, amenities and staffing are big priorities for the board of directors and general manager of Ocean Pines for 2023. Infrastructure is a top priority: whether it be roads, drainage, or mailboxes. Currently, a number of roads are being repaved, although General Manager John Viola admits, “We have had challenges with weather and
the holidays, but if you were milled, your street will be taken care of soon. There are three roads we had planned to do repairs that will wait until the spring, when John Viola the asphalt companies start work again. We are in the middle of renovations for the administration building and work on the ceiling of the Yacht Club.” Boating is a big past-time in Ocean Pines and much is being done in preparation of the season. The replacement of bulkheads is ongoing. There are 90,000 linear feet
of bulkhead in Ocean Pines. The plan is to replace 2,300-3,000 feet each year. With bulkhead work only occurring during the off session, Viola assures boaters that this year’s work will be completed by Memorial Day. Viola said the association was able to keep the price for replacement the same as last year. The new bulkheads are expected to last 50 years. The marina will also get some updates, including new gas lines and docks. “The funding is there, the materials and the labor are not yet,” Viola said. All the materials should be delivered by February or March. The same company that is working on the bulkSee OPA Page 6
By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Jan. 5, 2023) As the calendar turns to 2023, so too does the Berlin Town Council turn its attention to goals for the new year. For the most part, the councilmembers kept to goals that were either underway or planned in 2022. A skate park, Flower Steve Green Street community center, redeveloping Heron Park and continued focus on mitigating redevelopment in and adjacent to Berlin all made the cut with multiple councilmembers. But the council also broached other topics. Councilmember Steve Green said in an email that his top goal is continSee IT’S Page 7
Chief on leave as probe begins into OP burglary (Jan. 5, 2023) Ocean Pines Police Chief Leo Ehrisman was placed on paid administrative leave Sunday as county law enforcement authorities and the state’s attorney’s office began an investigation of a possible burglary at a department storage shed on Dec. 17. A statement from the association issued Tuesday said OPA General Manager John Viola See CHIEF Page 6
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