FEBRUARY 9, 2023
FREE
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Pines budget keeps lid on assessments Aided by ‘tailwinds,’ OPA proposal forecasts year with good final results By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Feb. 9, 2023) Ocean Pines residents had an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments during a Feb. 1 town hall meeting on the 2023 proposed budget. Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola outlined the “headwinds” and “tailwinds” that are affecting this year’s budget. “Headwinds and tailwinds affect everything we do,” said Viola. “We definitely have headwinds, no different than anyone else.” The headwinds he described included inflation, the increase in the minimum wage, market to market, labor pool, and an increase in insurance premiums. At the same time, however, Ocean Pines is being aided by tailwinds that include improved performances at all of the amenities and departments. Because of that, the proposed 2023 assessment for non-waterfront
SUBMITTED PHOTO/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
FARM PRODUCE
David Joseph Deacon of D.J. David & Company/Greengrocer displays produce during the Sunday morning Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market. See story on page 21.
AGH system lock continues By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Feb. 9, 2023) Most of Atlantic General Hospital’s computer network is still out of commission this week following a ransomware attack discovered Jan. 29. Toni Keiser, the hospital’s vice president of public relations, said in an email Tuesday afternoon that
hospital staff are working diligently to get the system back online, but that no further public updates were available regarding the exact cause, or when the system may be fully restored “Please know that we will make every effort to continue to communicate with our partners regarding See HOSPITAL Page 3
lots is $892, and $1,507 for waterfront lots, $4 less than last year. Viola also expects more than $1 million in surplus for the year. That’s significant considering that in 2020, Ocean Pines was carrying a deficit. “We paid off the deficit we inherited,” said Viola. “Now we have an unprecedented surplus.”
“We paid off the deficit we inherited. Now we have an unprecedented surplus.” Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola Viola reminded board members and residents that the 2022 fiscal year is not yet closed out. Viola said, “This money is not realized for six to seven months after the 2023 budget is set.” That surplus should be left touched until after the fiscal audit, he advised. See VIOLA’S Page 4
HDC: unauthorized work at bar must be removed Commission gives Tiki Tim’s owner 10 days to comply By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Feb. 9, 2023) The Berlin Historic District Commission left nothing unsaid on Feb. 1 when its members informed a representative for a local property owner of how it felt about unauthorized changes made in the last year to one of the town’s most recognizable buildings.
Property owner Bryan Brushmiller now has 10 days to remove changes and 60 days to submit a new plan for Tiki Tim’s, the bar behind The Globe on Broad Street. No plan will be submitted until fencing that was approved years ago is installed along the property. Non-compliance could result in $400 daily fines for every offending day. Mark Burrier of Burley Oak Brewing Company, which Brushmiller See UNAUTHORIZED Page 5
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