NOVEMBER 2, 2023
FREE
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
OP hears wind info from rep US Wind manager outlines what turbines will, won’t do
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
TRICK-OR-TREAT
Washington Street homes in Berlin were decorated to the nines for Halloween Tuesday. Pictured, costume clad residents greet trick-or-treaters, who braved cold weather to parade the streets in search of candy. While the crowds were lighter than usual, the sugar induced excitement was obvious.
Finances still ahead of budget Amenities, efficiencies add to Ocean Pines Association bottom line once again By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Nov. 2, 2023) “We have a good story here and I want to continue it,” General Manager John Viola said of association finances at the October Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting on Saturday. For September, the association’s finances were favorable by $44,000, with revenues up $32,000 and ex-
penses coming in at $12,000 under budget. Year-to-date numbers also look good, with net revenue coming in at $575,000 over budget and expenses totaling $92,000 under budget. That puts the association in the black at $483,000. The big revenue gains for the amenities were golf at $96,000 and the beach club at $61,000 above budget. The marina and the yacht club were down $48,000 and $7,000 respectively. “The marina and yacht club unfavorability numbers are all weather-
driven. The marina had over 90 small craft advisories,” Viola said, adding that both the marina and yacht club did well even with heavy rains coming in regularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Viola said the association’s total reserve balance as of Sept. 30 was $9.1 million, including $6.2 million for general replacement, $1.3 million in bulkheads, $1.1 million in roads, $400,000 in drainage and $100,000 in new capital. “These are big spends, but the money is there,” Viola said. See POSITIVE Page 3
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Nov. 2, 2023) The wind energy discussion continues in the coastal area, giving residents the opportunity to learn about the plans and impacts and weigh in on the projects with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) during the comment period, which closes on Nov. 20. Ocean Pines residents had the opportunity to hear from a representative of US Wind, Dave Wilson, who is the Maryland development manager and was formerly the executive director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. He also chairs the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership. Wilson made a presentation to the Ocean Pines Board of Directors meeting on Saturday. Public meetings have been held in Ocean City and in Fenwick Island, following US Wind’s release of a draft environmental impact report. Wilson covered the benefits of wind energy as a power source and generator of jobs and provided assurances that the development and presence of turbines will not negatively affect wildlife. See US Page 6
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