Mixed reviews recieved for county landings

By Remy Andersen Staff Writer

(Aug. 18, 2023) In an attempt to strike a balance between recreational boaters and commercial operators and their use of county boat ramps, the Worcester County Commissioners agreed Tuesday that the facilities can be shared, with commercial users limited to two parking spaces.

The decision, which amended the county code governing boat landing access, is something of a victory for commercial operators, who would have been granted one parking space in the regulations put before the commissioners.

The 4-2 decision, with Commissioner Eric Fiori abstaining and Com- missioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting opposed, mirrors an option presented to the commissioners on Aug. 1 by Ocean City attorney Mark Cropper.

Cropper, who represents Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing in a dispute with some South Point residents over whether his client should be able to use the ramp there, advised the commissioners at that time the best resolution of the argument would be to open ramp access to everyone, while allowing commercial users two parking spaces.

Otherwise, Cropper argued, prohibiting his client’s access would mean that all commercial use of every

CUSTOM HOME ON CUL-DE-SAC WITH CURB APPEAL county-owned ramp would have to be banned as well.

Although it went unmentioned Tuesday and at previous hearings on the debate, a letter to the commissioners in 2008 from the Department of Natural Resources and contained in their meeting packet made clear that they did not have the authority to close their state-funded facilities to commercial use.

The letter from Robert P. Gaudette, then the DNR’s director of boating services, reminded the commissioners that the county’s ramps were funded with state Waterway Improvement money.

“Since both commercial boats and recreational boats contribute to the

Waterway Improvement Fund, the commercial watermen cannot be denied access to use these facilities,” he wrote.

He added that the county needed to make launching facilities to everyone “to insure eligibility for future Waterway Improvement Fund Grants.”

The one caveat that remains in play, however, is that commercial operators cannot interfere with ramp access by recreational boaters.

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic pointed out that having two spots for commercial users would allow them to use the spaces however they need, but that there are “always going to be issues with the boat ramp.”

Worcester County Commissioner Briefs

By Remy Andersen Staff Writer

(Aug. 18, 2023) The Worcester County Commissioners discussed the following in their meeting on Tuesday:

Slurry Seal Application

The commissioners unanimously agreed to allow the Department of Public Works to piggyback on Howard County’s contract with Slurry Pavers for the application of a slurry seal on county roads. The price for this application is $3.08 per square yard.

county to take advantage of Howard County’s increased buying power and allow work to start in the fall. Funding amounting to $1 million for the purchase of the slurry seal was approved in the current FY24 operating budget.

Dewatering equipment &

library, post office, fire dept. police dept., restaurants, grocery options! JUST 8.9 miles to the beach! Better act FAST! This one won't last!

Co-listed wth Mia McCarthy, KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY of DELMARVA

Howard County awarded Slurry Pavers the bid on these services for a one-year term with five one-year renewal options. The total estimated contract over the six years is $34 million. The existing contact will allow the

The commissioners contracted with Davis, Bowen and Friedel to handle the Ocean Pines biosolids dewatering equipment and building design. Five proposals were received and were opened on July 19. A three-member evaluation team decided that Davis, Bowen, and Friedel represented the best value to Worcester County.

The total contract award amount is $426,942.96. The project will involve

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Camps successful in learning

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ABBOTT PLACE OCEAN PINES • $439,900

4 BR 3 BA cottage style house nicely renovated in 2016. Roof, windows, flooring, kitchen, heat pump, baths, appliances, exterior Siding, decks & screen porch. Great room with vaulted ceilings, wood tongue & groove ceiling & brick fireplace. Kitchen has SS appliances, pantry & bar area for casual dining. Previous sellers stated 2017 as the year for the addition of garage & primary BR suite above. Added primary BR has barn door, walk-in closet, luxury vinyl plank flooring & En-suite full bath. Home sits on a large corner lot .26 acres & lots of space to enjoy the outdoors – front porch or rear screened in porch!

Coastal Hwy S-101, Ocean City Office: 410.524.6400 a controlled environment, we aim to ignite their passion for public service and instill essential leadership skills. This camp plays a crucial role in capturing the minds of our youth and showcasing the rewarding nature of serving the community.”

The Ocean City Fire Department has hosted nearly 140 kids in summer camp programs this year. The success of the senior fire camp would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors, including the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, The Alaska Stand, Polock Johnny’s, Fisher’s Popcorn, and Uniform’s Unlimited.

For more information about the senior fire camp and other community programs, visit camps.oceancitymd.gov.

Quick Paint On Boardwalk

Worcester County Commissioner Briefs

design, bidding, and construction phase services in the Ocean Pines wastewater service area.

Beach engineering

The commissioners awarded J. Stacy Hart & Associates Inc. the Public Landing beach engineering services contract. Four proposals for the contract were opened on July 11, with J. Stacy Hart & Associates winning the $18,000 job.

Fitness room free

The commissioners agreed to make the fitness room at the Recreation Center to free to all retirees of Worcester County government, the board of education and public school bus contractors.

The commissioners made the fitness room free for all active county employees in 2015, and voted to include active board of education in

2018. The current annual membership for the fitness center is $85.

Financial service modules

The commissioners unanimously approved the purchase and addition of two additional modules to the administration’s current financial software. The first module will be for requisitions and will allow departments to request purchase orders.

The second module will be used in reports on employee benefits. The purchase price is $63,370, with an additional annual charge of $8,563.