JANUARY 18, 2024
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Berlin residents offer input on town’s future Parking availability remains major concern shared by many at planning meeting By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Jan. 18, 2024) Berlin residents had the opportunity to offer observations and ask questions at a strategic planning meeting hosted by the Salisbury University Business Economic and Community Outreach Network last Wednesday at the Berlin Library. With the Town Council present, residents hit on subjects such as their discontentment with parking, electric bills, stormwater drainage, and the lack of child-focused summer and afterschool activities. “The parking needs improvement,” said Jim Meckley, who moved to the area eight years ago. “I don’t like to point to just the merchants, but if I walk out there right now, I can count about five or six people who are parked at the same place they’ve been for the last 20 years, and it’s blocked right in front of their store. I think
that’s a problem.” Resident Gus Glikas added that some streets are too narrow to support parking on both sides and cited Walnut Hill as an example. He maintained that fire and rescue vehicles have difficulty accessing the road. Berlin officials held a closed meeting on Jan. 8 to address the parking situation and are considering buying property for that purpose. Even though the details of such an acquisition are confidential for now, residents have expressed their approval. “I think it’s a great solution, I think it’s a no-brainer,” business owner Emily Vocke told WBOC. “I don’t see how we can grow or even maintain the way we are now.” The possibility of paid parking also came up in during the session, with the audience expressing its approval, even though implementing metered parking is only a suggestion at this point. Free lots would still be available near Stephen Decatur Park. As for the cost of the town’s electric service, Cam Bunting of Bunting See STORMWATER Page 3
Noncontroversial OP budget works way through process Board wary of increasing slip fees up to 15 percent in draft document proposal
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
SEASONAL VISITOR A crafty resident created a miniature snow man on top of the mailboxes on Sundial Circle to greet people as they picked up their mail on Monday.
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Jan. 18, 2024) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors met last Thursday to review the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 24-25, and it continues to appear that most Ocean Pines residents will see another decrease in their lot assessments this year. The board heard from General Manager John Viola and his financial
team as well as directors of the various departments during discussions of various price increases, capital expenses and priorities. In the proposed budget, marina boat slip fees would increase 15 percent, but Directors Jeff Heavener and John Learner both agreed that would be too steep. Another way to increase revenue might be to add boat slips, Director Steve Jacobs suggested. During the public comment period, resident Don Walski suggested that dockmaster Ron Fisher look at See DRAFT Page 4