Yacht Club marina adds new electric pedestals

Verizon confirms OPA cell service needs an upgrade, Viola reports

By ROTA L. KNOTT

Contributing Writer

The new gas dock at the Yacht Club marina is now open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The project was completed on time prior to Memorial Day and all five gas pumps are in operation, General Manager John Viola said during the June 17 Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting.

Viola said all pumps and gas lines are in compliance with the new Maryland code related to fuel and comply with new electrical codes.

New pedestals have been added to each boat slip on the new dock in compliance with the new electrical codes as well. Installation was done following standards of the American Boat and Yacht Council and the International Brotherhood of Elec- trical Workers/National Electrical Contractors Association.

Overall, aluminum docks are said to be safe as they are “bonded,” which is the same as being “grounded,” he said. If lightning strikes, the charge will go to a grounding rod rather than any person or equipment, including the gas lines.

“You get a product that will last way longer and is more efficient than the wooden docks,” Viola said. State of Maryland officials were onsite since the beginning of the project, working with installers and guiding OPA through the process. The state has certified the entire gas system, including plumbing and electrical, and the contractor also did an inspection. Other safety measures include new piping that meets new federal safety standards. The wiring is also explosive proof, so if there were leaks or fumes from gas pumps, they would not ignite.

Viola said many marinas have aluminum docks because they require less maintenance, have a long life, and are cooler to the touch and more environmentally friendly. No paint or other chemicals go into the bay while power washing.

A new line of merchandise has been added to the marina include fishing gear, bait, snacks, soda, ice cream, shirts, and hats, Viola said, inviting boaters to check out the inventory.

Cellular service

Following a challenge by former OPA director Tom Janasek during the Public Comments section of a Board meeting earlier this year, the OPA renewed its discussions with Verizon about enhancing cellular connectivity in the community.

“We have reached out to Verizon. They’ve confirmed there is an issue with poor reception,” Viola said, adding Verizon blames the problem on trees and branches. Viola said he believes it is more likely growth in population, particularly during the summer.

He said the OPA should start getting regular updates from Verizon on their efforts to improve cell service in the community.

An Ocean Pines workgroup will continue to work with Verizon.

“They do have upgrades planned [and] they believe that will help,” Viola said. “Hopefully, I will have some good information over the next couple of months.”

Maintenance projects

Viola said the OPA has outsourced many maintenance projects because it simply doesn’t have the staff necessary to handle them all. Among the work being outsourced to private contractors is painting. The restrooms and the Golf Clubhouse as well as the bar and restrooms at the Yacht Club have been painted.

At Bridgewater Park the playground equipment have been upgraded with the addition of a baby swing and keeping regular swings for children. A the Manklin Meadows playground, the entrance has been upgraded to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabil-

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Boat ramp fees

From Page 22 boat is registered in Delaware. The Town of Snow Hill doesn’t charge a fee for use of the boat ramp but will charge a parking fee if parked overnight.

Viola said plans for the new south fire station are proceeding and will likely be presented to the Board in August. He said the work group is continuing to pursue grants to help cover the cost of the project.

Similarly, he said staff is working with the Racquet Sports Advisory Committee to determine what is needed and viable for a racquet sports building. That may be a renovation or new building, and options include a one- or two-story building.

The OPA is also considering building a pavilion for Veteran’s Memorial Park on the Sports Core and is proceeding with a golf course irrigation project that the Board conceptually approved earlier this year.

Maintenance

From Page 24 ities Act to shorten the distance to the opening of the playground. Crews are performing trails maintenance with areas being cleared, trees trimmed, and trails mulched. Signs for the parks were ordered in May and will be installed upon arrival, Viola said.

The new trim for the North Gate Bridge has finally arrived and will be installed by crews. Other North Gate projects include installation of two fountains. The OPA is waiting on parts for the old North Gate foundation on the south side of the bridge before installing it for the season. A new fountain is being ordered and will be installed on the north side of the bridge.

Capital projects

Viola supplied an overview of capital projects in consideration for the next fiscal-year budget. He said those include playground upgrades at Bainbridge Park, a toll area for the boat launches, a new irrigation system at the Golf Club, a new Racquet Center building, a pavilion at the Veterans Memorial, and a new Southside fire station.

Viola said each project would be reviewed by the Budget and Finance Committee, and each would be vetted through benchmarks.

Specifically on Bainbridge Park,