AUGUST 20, 2026
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
SUBMITTED PHOTO/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
CHECKING IN U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) visited Berlin last week, where he presented the town with a $1.4 million check towards a community center. See page 4 for full story.
Heavner steps into lead role on OPA board
Two senior employees leaving Town of Berlin Town admin. retiring in Oct., HR director leaving in Nov. to create void in Town Hall By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 20, 2026) Two high-ranking Town of Berlin employees have resigned, with long-time town employee and current Town Administrator Mary Bohlen being one of them.
Also announcing her departure earlier this month is the town’s human resources director, Kelsey Jensen. Both will step down from their posts this fall. Bohlen, who is retiring, confirmed in an email to the Bayside Gazette Monday that Oct. 9 will be her last day. Bohlen is a Salisbury resident who began working for the town at 25 years old in 1991. Her first job was in Town Hall’s front office, where she
Mary Bohlen
Kelsey Jensen
answered phones and rang up utility customers. Her roles within the municipality have included grants administrator, special projects administrator, deputy town administrator, and, See BOHLEN Page 7
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 20, 2026) Jeff Heavner will take over as president of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors as the group’s former leader, John Latham, steps into the secretary role. Following this month’s OPA board election, the seven-person board held a special meeting last Tuesday to decide which members would preside See HEAVNER Page 6
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