JANUARY 16, 2025
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Town eases moratorium on site plans Hiring of planning director results in actions to return to normal approval process
PAMELA GREEN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
MONDAY MORNING Attention was captured around the region Monday morning as the sunrise brought with it a colorful start to the day. Pictured is a scene captured on West Street in Berlin by a group of early walkers.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2025) The Town of Berlin’s moratorium on final site plan approvals, rezonings and annexations will be lifted gradually as the town secures the services of a new planning director. On Monday, Jan. 13, the Berlin Town Council unanimously voted to allow final site plan reviews to proceed while contin- Ryan Hardesty uing the moratorium for 45 days for rezonings and annexations. The decision came at the same meeting the town announced it had hired Ryan Hardesty, a senior code enforcement officer with the City of Salisbury, as the new acting planning director. The position has been vacant since the April passing of planner See BERLIN Page 8
OP eyes one rate for racquet center sports Change in membership fee arrives ahead of schedule as operating costs increase By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 16, 2025) Despite earlier reports the Ocean Pines Association was a year or more away from a single racquet center sports membership option, the board of directors has agreed an updated pricing system should be implemented imme-
diately. The decision was made at the Wednesday, Jan. 9 annual budget review meeting. OPA Board President Stuart Lakernick said the racquet sports governing group “want(s) to do one membership for the racquet center for the family at $495 and individual at $295.” This upgraded pricing structure would replace the current individual membership choices with one racquet sports rate. Lakernick also added the board
wanted OPA General Manager John Viola to come up with an individual drop-in rate that would cover another $10,000 in revenue. Terry Underkoffler, the community’s director of racquet sports, recommended the single membership rate, saying the “bold change” would address increased operating costs. Labor costs have risen significantly with the rise in minimum wage, and the courts constantly need maintenance and repairs. Because the center is located in a
Kozma Jewelry & Coins Your Custom Design Jeweler Since 1978
We specialize in creating custom-designed jewelry that is as unique as you are. Create a custom piece, update your current jewelry, or simply explore our collection.
marshy area, Underkoffler said the cracks in the courts are a constant safety concern. “I brought out a very reputable playing surface company to do an estimate on the new cracks and the cracks that have come back on courts nine and 10, which are hard courts shared by tennis and pickleball, and the lower pickleball courts,” the racquet director said. “I didn't even take them to the platform. The repair costs for those See RACQUET Page 8
WE BUY Gold & Silver Coins Gold Jewelry • Silver Jewelry • Silverware D.A. KOZMA JEWELERS RT 50 & 611 in the FOOD LION SHOPPING CENTER WOC 410-213-7505 • DAKOZMAJEWELERS.COM