APRIL 25, 2024
FREE
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Board spikes racquet sports committee Group’s false mold report, members activist approach leaves directors unhappy By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 25, 2024) The Ocean Pines’ Racquet Sports Advisory Committee is no more, following its dissolution by Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors on Saturday. The board’s 6-1 vote to abolish the committee ended months of conflict
with the group over membership options and an apparently false report of the presence of mold in the racquet center building. The committee has been mired in disputes with the OPA board going back to Feb. 29 when the board held a special meeting to discuss a racquet membership fee change. Per the approved budget, residents could only purchase a combination of tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball. The negative response to that approach led to an agreement to
maintain the three-sport choice and reinstate single-sport options. At a March 23 board meeting, however, committee member Suzanne Russell told association officials that the racquet center building contained mold. She used these allegations to urge the association to build a new facility instead of attempting to remedy the mold situation in the existing structure. OPA closed the racquet center the following day to investigate the assertions but found no mold. Board Pres-
ident Rick Farr said the association spent $10,000 on labor, materials, supplies, and services for the analysis. Supporters of the committee argued against dissolving the volunteer body, contending that allowing it to continue was the right thing to do for the community. “I am concerned about the board’s alignment with the strategic plan,” former Strategic Planning Advisory Committee Chair Bernie McGorry See RACQUET Page 4
Council votes to maintain tax rate as is Additional savings found, longevity bonuses OK’d
STEVE GREEN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
COMMUNITY PIG ROAST The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum hosted a pig roast with free live music and games last Saturday. The event, a fundraiser for the museum, was sponsored by the Burley Building Company, which cooked the pig, and featured brews by the Berlin Beer Co. Pictured is a crowd scene as well as live entertainment by Funk Shue.
GOLD RECORD HIGH!
IS AT AN ALL TIME
By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor (April 25, 2024) Berlin’s elected officials voted unanimously this week to adopt the current tax rate for the coming year. The Berlin Town Council on Monday approved a tax rate for the coming year of $0.8275 per $100 of assessed land value, the same as it is now. The tax rate was increased last year from $.815 to the current level. Unexpected healthcare and other insurance savings and budget adjustments made in recent weeks addressed the initially projected shortfall for fiscal year 2025. “Thank you for not raising taxes,” resident Mary Hedlesky said. While no citizens weighed in on the proposed tax rate during Monday’s public hearing, Mayor Zack Tyndall and council members had a lengthy discussion on the proposed budget before making the tax rate official. “I think it’s important to have that conversation together before we act See COUNCIL Page 4
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