05.30.19 Bayside Gazette
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MAY 30, 2019 BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES FREE Search for GM won’t include outside firm Directors find cost to be prohibitively expensive By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 30, 2019) Exorbitant costs and the unwillingness of some companies to take on certain jobs has led the Ocean Pines Board of Directors to drop the idea of contracting with an outside management company. The board last Thursday announced that it will pursue filling the vacancy for the community’s general manager po- sition, after a bid review showed few vi- able proposals for existed for an outsourced solution. A recommendation to the board to RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE retain an in-house general manager was MEMORIAL DAY PARADE made by interim General Manager Members of L.A. Heat of Berlin dance down Flower Street Monday morning during Berlin’s Old Fashion Memorial Day Parade. John Viola and a work group that re- viewed the proposals. Forty-nine firms were asked to sub- mit proposals for the outsourcing of op- erations and management services for Water, sewer rates rise as promised Ocean Pines and only five companies responded to the request, Viola said. By Rachel Ravina 2,999 gallons will be charged $61.16 “use less water.” Viola said that prohibitive costs and Staff Writer per month, those using 3,000 to 4,999 “It was our effort of increasing con- the failure of the bids to meet the re- (May 30, 2019) Municipal water gallons will be charged $66.26 per servation among users,” said Robert quirements of the request for proposals and sewer rates, which have been a month, and those using 5,000 to Duma, of Davis, Bowen and Friedel (RFP) drove the recommendation. major factor in Berlin government’s 6,999 gallons will be charged $73.06 Inc. the town’s consulting firm. Larry Perrone, who served on the budget discussions this winter and per month, according to the resolu- During the public hearing portion work group, agreed with Viola. spring, were increased Tuesday night tion. of the meeting, Berlin resident Jason “As chairman of the Budget and Fi- by a unanimous Town Council vote Any customers using more than Walter appeared to take issue with nance Committee, my perspective is As of July 1, the water utility’s rate 7,000 gallons per month will be that, and asked officials how to ramp that the cost of outsourcing far exceeds will go up 5 percent, and the sewer charged $8.50 per thousand gallons. up conservation efforts. having an in-house GM,” he said. “It utility’s rate will rise by 25 percent for The policy also stated water and “What do you expect? Not [to] flush was way too expensive.” the fiscal year 2020 budget. sewer rates “for metered customers the toilet?” Walter said. The five companies that responded For water rates, customers inside being served outside of the town limits Another audience member asked to the request submitted bids 136-436 the town limits using less than 2,999 the rates in the above paragraph[s] how these rate increases would affect percent higher than the cost of the cur- gallons per month will be charged will be doubled.” the general fund. rent total compensation package for the $16.37, those using 3,000 to 4,999 Town Administrator Laura Allen “It is basically [like] repaying a Ocean Pines general manager position. gallons per month will be charged said the town’s water and sewer rates loan, if you think of it,” Finance Direc- Most also included substantial addi- $17.67 and those using 5,000 to 6,999 hadn’t been adjusted since 2010. tor Natalie Saleh said. tional fees lists that would drive up gallons per month will be charged She listed several staff recommen- Troy Purnell asked Saleh to clarify those percentages even more. $19.64, according to the council reso- dations regarding the restructured if “this is going to make us break The work group considered other lution. fees including a $58.50 temporary even?” conditions of the proposals, which Any customers using more than shut-off fee, a $58.50 turn-on fee and Saleh said she “project[s] the sewer would have increased costs signifi- 7,000 gallons per month will be a change in the resolution to require fund to be breakeven,” barring no cantly. There were also other conditions charged $4.45 per thousand gallons, people to notify the town 24 hours be- emergency situations. that took two groups immediately out and that’s effective July 1. fore filling a swimming pool. Purnell moved to approve Resolu- of consideration. For sewer rates, metered customers Allen also said she’d hope con- tion 2019-04, and it was unanimously “They wanted to use their own soft- inside the town limits using less than sumers would adapt to these rates and approved. See FIVE Page 4 1/2 PRICED Happy Hour FRIDAY & SATURDAY BURGERS Deliliciouious Coastal $ 95 EVERY MONDAY Everyday ffrom 4-7pm 18 Scallops w/Bacon american CCuisinine $1695 ALL DAY opEn Daily 11am BBQ Ribs Taylorsneighborhoodrestaurant.com 410-208-4260 Page 2 Bayside Gazette May 30, 2019 Kotwica wants board to have transparency By Morgan Pilz erties in Ocean Pines, broadest aspects that most people speak have been here for 25-30 years may look Staff Writer which makes him as a of,” Kotwica said. “You can’t drive down at this community differently than the (May 30, 2019) Shawn Kotwica, 38, member of the commu- a certain streets or ditches aren’t cleaned future of this community, which is the says he wants to join the Ocean Pines nity association, he is out … I understand everybody’s busy, but newer generations that are moving into Board of Directors in order to bring qualified to seek office the public works department is quite busy here currently.” more transparency and help oversee the on the association trying to keep up with things in general. Looking at some of the projects the important projects taking place in the board. “But if there was a structured plan on current board has undertaken, like the community. Shawn Kotwica “It seems that the how to go from section to section through- police and administration building ex- Originally from Pennsylvania, general public is un- out, I think that we could have a schedule pansion or the new clubhouse, he be- Kotwica studied criminology at the Uni- aware of a lot that’s going on within the where people can see when they’re going lieves these expenses are necessary to versity of Pennsylvania. He first visited Pines,” Kotwica said. “Then when it does to be taken care of,” he continued. move forward as a community. Ocean Pines during his college years and come up, it is not clarified that things are Being one of the youngest candidates “You hit some road bumps, you’d get then worked in the restaurant industry going on. It’s partly because some of the to run, Kotwica believes he can bring a over that and you move forward and for 13 years. He decided to go into real people just don’t show up for some of the different perspective to the board. progress. You don’t want to be stagnant estate four years ago and currently works meetings, but those who are unaware “I see there are a lot of first-time and never changing,” Kotwica said. “We for Coldwell Banker. end up having the loudest voices.” homebuyers here that are in my age have all the amenities; we need to try to Although Kotwica has lived in Ocean Other issues he wants to tackle are group that feel different about the com- get the infrastructure back to where it Pines, he is not a current resident and in- storm drainage in the community and munity than some of the people that needs to be to be very appealing and stead lives in Oyster Harbor in West infrastructure. have been here for 30, 40 even 50 years doing things such as repairing the beach Ocean City. But because he owns prop- “The drainage issue is one of the now,” Kotwica said. “Those people who See AMENITIES Page 3 Turner runs to bring accountability to board By Morgan Pilz Prince George’s decades, including three years as fire thousand dollars on remodeling the Staff Writer County, moved to chief, has worked in construction for 35 building,” he continued. “They took all (May 30, 2019) Having received Ocean Pines as a years and currently runs Turner Electri- the siding off and put vinyl siding on it, more than 700 votes during the last teenager in 1978. He cal & Construction. put a new roof on and all this other fancy Ocean Pines Association Board of Di- believes it’s a beautiful His decision to run again is rooted in stuff. The building still leaks. So now rectors election last year, resident Greg community that has a newspaper article he read last year. their answer was, instead of making the Turner, 60, believes people agree with some issues he wants “It started last year and the big thing, contractor fix his problem, is to tear the his message that the board needs more Greg Turner to help fix. as I was reading the paper, I saw [the building down and rebuild the building.” accountability. Turner served with board] was missing $1 million,” Turner Turner said if he was elected, he Turner, who grew up in Greenbelt in the Ocean Pines Fire Department for two said. “It just seemed to be no big thing would try to avoid spending money if it … they just misplaced $1 million, and isn’t necessary.