MAY 1, 2025
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
ACE withdraws as candidate for election job Says requirements shifted in request for proposals
TARA FISCHER/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Worcester County Commissioner Jim Bunting, with Commissioner Chip Bertino, explains to the audience at the Ocean Pines Library last Wednesday why he opposes a county plan to raise water and sewer rates in all districts to cover losses in experienced in just some of them.
Utility rate plan opposed in OP Commissioners Bunting, Bertino explain opposition to across-the-board hike By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 1, 2025) Opposing a proposed sewer and water fund budget that would increase quarterly utility rates remains the priority of Ocean Pines and its Worcester County representatives, who held a public meeting last Wednesday that included the threat of legal action. Convening in the Ocean Pines Library at the invitation of Worcester
County Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting, who represent Ocean Pines, residents were given the opportunity to express their concerns and ask questions about the budget proposed in March. The Ocean Pines service area includes Ocean Pines, Pennington Commons, Bay Point Plantation, Pines Plaza, Turville Creek Area, Ocean Downs, and Crabs to Go. Water and sewer are planned for St. Martins and Dolly Circle, yet neither has been constructed. If passed, the spending plan would raise water and wastewater rates by an estimated $32 a quarter across all
11 county utility districts to alleviate a $2.1 million deficit in fiscal year 2026. Opponents argue the proposal unfairly targets service areas, like Ocean Pines, that had only a minor impact on the accumulated debt. Each district’s budget is contained in a separate accounting entity known as an “enterprise fund.” According to Bertino, Ocean Pines’ fund shows a loss of $116,699, which should result in fee increases of only $1 to $3 rather than the intended $32. By contrast, the shortfall in the Riddle Farm’s sewer and water enterprise fund is a little over $1 million. See BERTINO Page 8
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (May 1, 2025) The election vendor for the 2025 Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors election has yet to be named, after a motion to authorize contract negotiations with ACE Printing and Mailing of Berlin failed to carry. ACE formally withdrew from consideration following the discussions at ‘Because on our the OPA Board committee there of Directors was strong meeting on Satsupport for ACE, urday, April 26. At the meet- and I was on the ing, John opposite side of Latham, board the discussion, I secretary and lireached out to aison to the elections committee, [the ACE made a motion president] to ask to select ACE a few questions.’ Printing and Mailing as the Steve Ransdell company to conduct this summer’s election to choose the homeowner association’s governing body. The motion failed to carry in a 3-3 vote. Directors Latham, Elaine Brady, and Steve Jacobs voted for it, while Rick Farr, Stuart Lakernick, and Jeff Heavner opposed. Director Monica Rakowski abstained. Prior to the vote, a lengthy discussion among members focused on ACE’s ability to conduct the election efficiently and the election committee’s lack of follow-up questions asked of the potential vendor. Elections Committee Chair Steve Ransdell said the group was split on whether to recommend ACE or MK Election Services, which handled the task last year. According to Ransdell, See ACE Page 3
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