MARCH 21, 2024
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Proposed Microtel protested Planning commission asks developer to come back with something better
BETHANY HOOPER/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Conor Pellinger waves to fellow students and teachers as he arrives at school with a police escort in honor of his 11th birthday.
Police give boy real joy ride 11-year-old gets big gift from his law enforcement friends: escort to school (March 22, 2024) Local law enforcement came out in droves last week to celebrate a Berlin Intermediate School student with special needs. Last Friday, members of the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD), joined by other local law enforcement agencies, gathered at Berlin Intermediate School to celebrate Conor Pellinger’s 11th birthday.
The fifth-grade student – the twin brother of Will, also a student at BIS — is one of OCPD’s biggest fans and won the silver award at the Worcester County Public Schools Media Expo event last month for his picture of the police department’s mounted unit during the Oceans Calling Festival. “There were a lot of huge smiles and cheering going on this morning,” said Ashley Miller, deputy communications manager for OCPD. “It was the best way to start the morning and celebrate our dear friend Conor.”
The OCPD was joined by members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Berlin Police Department, Fruitland Police Department and the Maryland Natural Resources Police. Pellinger, who has Down’s syndrome, along with his twin brother Will, arrived at school Friday morning with a full police escort and was greeted by students, teachers and local law enforcement officials lining the front of the building. He also got a chance to meet the OCPD’s mounted unit.
By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor (March 21, 2024) While residents objected to the location of a proposed hotel, planning officials told the developers it needs architectural improvements if it is going to be built in Berlin. Developers approached the Berlin Planning Commission last week with plans for a four- ‘This doesn’t suit our story, 78-unit Microtel on Route 113 identity, it near Franklin Av- doesn’t come enue. Several citiclose.’ zens, most who Ron Cascio, said they lived near Planning the proposed location, said they did- Commission n’t want to see a hotel so close to a daycare and a school in an already busy area. Commission members were quick to express their concerns regarding the appearance of the hotel. “This doesn’t suit our identity, it doesn’t come close,” commission member Ron Cascio said. “It’s got to reflect the ambiance of the town.” Heather Morrison of Fisher Architecture presented the commission with plans for the proposed Microtel, which is being considered for a fiveacre site near the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Route 113, near the former South Moon Under property. She said the property was zoned for commercial use and the proposed hotel met the town’s 45-foot height limit. Matt Stoehr, chair of the commisSee NEIGHBORS Page 6
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