APRIL 17, 2025
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Berlin closes deal on eyesore parcel with sale to Gillis Council votes to authorize sale of chicken plant land for major redevelopment By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 17, 2025) Local developers officially purchased a portion of the property at Berlin’s Heron Park, home to a former chicken processing building, following a 3-1 council vote this week. At a regularly scheduled Berlin Town Council meeting on Monday, April 14, the town’s governing group authorized the contract for the sale of parcel 57, consisting of approximately 9.35 acres of land area, for $1,200,000 to developers Palmer and Sandy Gillis of Coastal Ventures Properties.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSE KLUMP MEMORIAL FUND
RIVER OF KINDNESS Featuring more than 1,000 hand painted rocks by students from local schools, the new Community River of Kindness is now open in Berlin at Stephen Decatur Park. The Stephen Decatur Middle School’s Kiwanis Builders Club helped build the path sponsored by the Town of Berlin and the Humphreys Foundation and spearheaded by the Jesse Klump Memorial Fund.
Former GM Brett Hill guilty of not paying payroll taxes By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (April 17, 2025) Former Ocean Pines director and interim general manager Brett Hill was found guilty this week of failing to collect and pay employment taxes. On Monday, a federal jury convicted Hill, of Parkton and Berlin, on
16 counts of failing to collect and pay payroll taxes as chief executive officer of two telecommunications companies. The ruling comes nearly three years after the former association employee was indicted on federal charges. See JURY Page 7
The buyers agreed to a deposit of $100,000, with $50,000 to be held as post-closing security to ensure the buyers’ development of the property. Per the agreement, the purchase price includes the allocation of 15 sewer Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) to the property. Gillis also committed to constructing at least one office or retail building on parcel 57 within 24 months of closing as part of the redevelopment plans. The developers are responsible for the re-engineering costs associated with the space. The agreement restricts potential uses of the property. Under the contract, parcel 57’s development prohibits pawn shops, gun shops, tanning salons, massage parlors, adult video and bookshops, adult enSee GILLISES Page 6
OPA seeks support for water fee fight Officials call on residents to email commissioners, ask for equitable treatment By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 17, 2025) The Ocean Pines Association continues to seek support from community members in its fight against a proposed county wastewater/water budget presented last month. In an attempt to dissuade the Worcester County Commissioners from adopting a budget that would
require ratepayers in the Ocean Pines water/wastewater service area to incur additional, “unfair” costs, the Ocean Pines Board of Directors has asked residents to do their part by voicing concerns with the potential spending plan. A press release issued by OPA this week asks Ocean Pines citizens to get involved by emailing commissioners@co.worcester.md.us to ask the commissioners to maintain equitable practices, attend a town hall to be hosted by commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting on WednesSee OPA Page 3
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