NOVEMBER 6, 2025
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
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OPA clears confusion over ARC’s role, county Now it’s first stop when planning to undertake property modifications
STEWART DOBSON/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
SHUCKERS Oyster shuckers keep up with demand for the raw seasides during the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce’s Seafood Festival in downtown Snow Hill on Sunday. More than a dozen venues dotted the closed-off streets, allowing the sold-out crowd to work its way from crab biscuits to bay scallops to single-fried oysters, fried fish and soft crab sliders.
No advance seating allowed Berlin says seat placement for parades needs to wait until town closes streets By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Nov. 6, 2025) Berlin parade spectators will have to wait until two hours before an event begins to se-
cure their spots with chairs and blankets, the town announced last week. The policy will be strictly enforced by Berlin staff to ensure safety and accessibility don’t falter, even on the days of the town’s more lively celebrations. Each year, residents and visitors flock to the downtown for events such as the Bathtub Races and the Christ-
mas Parade, and many of these individuals bring beach or lawn chairs to secure their spots along the sidewalks. Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said that for the more popular festivals, like the annual Christmas Parade, it’s not unusual to see dozens of blankets See SIDEWALKS Page 4
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Nov. 6, 2025) The order in which Ocean Pines homeowners obtain permits for building changes has been modified, a decision that officials say will prevent confusion and expensive construction errors for community members. At a special board meeting on Oct. 29, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to change the process for residents to obtain approval for home modifications, such as adding fencing or a new shed. Under the new policy, homeowners must now procure authorization from Ocean Pines before applying for Worcester County’s official permission. Previously, property owners typically sought county permits first and then went to Ocean Pines for consent — a sequence that the board said often led to problems, due to the county and OPA’s differing setback and design regulations. Residents must still secure written approval from any secondary homeowners association within OPA, if applicable, before applying for Ocean Pines or county permits. The modification was proposed by the OPA’s Architectural Review See ARC Page 8
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