0RWKHUşV 'D\ Yåà āĪ @ ā ĕĔ
F¤// ¤s ¹S~s İŪƐ İĽƐƘƤ Ǻǹǹ ŝŪŝƘ ƤŪ đĽşĘȶ
~¡/sSsG ¹ Ǻǻ s~~s
¹ ¹N/ Þ N¹ gÀ
DŽDŽDŽȹÞîĊĸƤ ŔƬĉ~ĊĘîş¡ĽşĘƘȹĊŪŝ
APRIL 30, 2026
¤/¬/¤× ¹S~s¬ ¤/ ~qq/s'/' ǽǺǹȹǿǽǺȹȀǾǹǺ
¬¡/ S g q/sÀ
ʔ ŔĽŝĽƤĘđ ƐĘıȹ ŝĘşƬ îǃîĽŔ
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
PHOTO COURTESY OF WORCESTER COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL AT OCEAN PINES
REFRESH BEFORE HOLIDAY Contractors have been busy overhauling the hardscaping at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines. The site work is pictured and will include new plantings as well as the new Space Force surface.
finds OP sewer bills will be reduced Berlin $389K it can County reserve fund gives officials flexibility, as other operating costs increase
By Brian Shane Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) Ocean Pines sewer customers will see one part of their quarterly bill cut in half, as Worcester County moves to pay down some long-term debt. The county plans to reduce the sewer district’s debt service fee from $36 to $18 per quarter, a change that would affect roughly 10,000 users in Ocean Pines. Officials say the savings are the result of a growing reserve fund, built
up over the past few years through a combination of debt payoff and higher investment returns. By using that money to retire older obligations early, the county can reduce the amount it needs to collect from ratepayers. “The reality is that we’re faced with higher costs from a regulatory standpoint, inspection standpoint, chemicals, maintenance,” said Commissioner Chip Bertino (District 5, Ocean Pines). “So, it’s nice to get a win for the ratepayers on this one.” For commercial businesses in Ocean Pines with more than one EDU, they will also see a savings of $18 per EDU, Bertino added. The county realized about
$972,000 in savings and interest after retiring a 2019 bond, according to an April 15 internal memo. At the same time, the county benefited from rising interest rates through the Maryland Local Government Investment Pool, where it holds public funds. Account returns there climbed from 1.5% in 2022 to 3.7%, generating an additional $784,000 in interest income. The combined surplus totals about $1.76 million. The county will use $1.46 million of that to pay off two remaining bonds from 2014 and 2015. “We’re trying to find ways of lowering the bill,” said County AdminisSee OCEAN Page 8
WE BUY GOLD & SILVER Kozma Jewelry & Coins
cut in budget By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (April 30, 2026) The Berlin Town Council proposed cutting approximately $389,000 from its proposed budget for next year to help cure a revenue shortfall of roughly $400,000 against expenses and to avoid a tax increase. At Monday night’s meeting of the Berlin mayor and council, the group reviewed the proposed operating budget, considering items that could See TOWN Page 3
We Pay the Highest Prices for 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