Ocean pines progress april 2015

April - Early May 2015

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Vol. 11, No. 1

www.issuu.com/oceanpinesprogress OPA hires SU to help develop comp plan The Ocean Pines Association will undertake a community-wide comprehensive planning effort and has retained BEACON, the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University, to strategically assist the capital improvement planning process.

The Board of Directors during its March 28 regular meeting agreed to contract with BEACON to design a series of planning analysis models and accompanying decision support tools to assist the OPA in exploring the benefits, consequences and fiscal outcomes variety of community planning scenarios. ~ Page 6

THE OCEAN PINES JOURNAL OF NEWS & COMMENTARY COVER STORY

Ocean Pines business owner shoots down gun store ‘rumors’

Directors take issue with golf projections A one-liner about the status of outside play at the Ocean Pines Association’s golf course in General Manager Bob Thompson’s monthly written report sparked a litany of comments from members of the Board of Directors about just where he gets his information and how much of it he should be sharing with them.

“With the recent changes in golf, we should anticipate a decline in rounds and outside bookings for the spring season with anticipated recovery once the new management company is in place, Thompson said in his report. ~ Page 5

Board sets deadline for splash pad fix When the Board of Directors approved the Ocean Pines Association budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 in a special meeting in early March, it appears that at least some of the directors were unaware that they had just voted for a budget that projects a $62,132 surplus at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.

Is that kind of surplus even conceivable given the fact that the new amenity may be on a path to lose $200,000 in the fiscal year that ends April 30? Probably not, and OPA President Dave Stevens says the GM will be held account~ Page 21 able.

Moonshell Drive resident withdraws application for a home occupation variance and special exception that would have permitted gun storage in an Ocean Pines residential neighborhood.

By TOM STAUSS Publisher pparently you can’t believe everything you read on the Internet. Imagine that.

Postings on a local Internet forum site in early April initially created the impression that an Ocean Pines homeowner living on Moonshell Drive in Ocean Pines was planning to open up a retail gun store at his Ocean Pines residence.

According to a posting by an oceanpinesforum.com member, who cited a letter to Moonshell Drive residents from the county planning and zoning staff, all that was preventing Ocean Pines resident Jim Kosienski from operating a gun store from his Moonshell Drive home was a county-issued home occupation variance and special exception.

Kosienski had a public hearing scheduled before the county Board of Zoning Appeals Board on April 9 in which his application for a home occupation variance and special exception would have been considered.

But after much sound and fury, the controversy fizzled just before this edition of the Progress went to press.

The day before the scheduled hearing, Kosienski notified the county that he was withdrawing his application.

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Opponents of the proposed gun business had inundated county phone lines in protest, but that apparently had nothing to do with the eleventh hour withdrawal. Kosienski told the Progress that shortly before t h e

scheduled hearing, the owner of a home outside of Ocean Pines unexpectedly accepted a purchase offer that Kosienski had made weeks before.

“It was an answer to our prayers,” he said. Had the offer not been made, Kosienski said he had fully intended to press forward in his effort to obtain a home occupation variance and exception for his Moonshell business. Now the intent is to file a new or amended application for his new home.

“Not to have done it that way would have been a waste of everybody’s time and discourtesy to members of the appeals board,” he said. “This way I will

only have one hearing, not two” once he gets around to filing new paperwork.

Before word of the withdrawal leaked out of Snow Hill, the April 9 hearing was shaping up as a potential donnybrook.

Tom Terry, a former OPA president who still serves as a director, had announced his intention to attend the hearing to protest.

The current OPA President, Dave Stevens, told the Progress in a telephone interview that he wished Terry wouldn’t exercise his free speech rights in this instance, because it would be interpreted as opposition from the board of directors.

The board took no official position on the matter, but the OPA’s Architectural Review Committee had previously approved a home occupation variance for Kosienski’s To Page 14

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Water, wastewater rates proposed for $20 increase in Ocean Pines

The proposed base rate increase is from $133 to $138 and would be reflected beginning with the fall 2015 billing.

There is no proposed increase in equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) charges, currently set at $54 per quarter.

The Ocean Pines Water and Wastewater advisory board recently endorsed the proposed increase as suggested by the Worcester County Public Works staff and reviewed by the advisory committee in recent months. Commercial rates will also increase at a pace proportional to the rate increase affecting homeowners in Ocean Pines.

A public hearing on the proposed service area budget will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at the commissioners’ meeting room in Snow Hill.

The service area budgets are normally routinely approved by the commis-

sioners as submitted by staff, with only minor tweaks, if that.

The proposed OPSA budget calls for $6,167,000 in revenue in the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

That compares to the $6,186,000 budget this year.

Deputy Public Works Director John Ross, in a telephone interview with the Progress, attributed the slight increase in user fees to a modest operating deficit this year.

“We don’t want to get behind to where we have to increase the rates 15 percent in one year,” he said.

Stevens: no movement in Sandpiper discussions

By now, this should surprise no one: The Ocean Pines Association and Sandpiper Energy are no closer to an agreement on a new natural gas franchise agreement for Ocean Pines than they were a few months ago.

OPA President Dave Stevens told the Progress in early April that there has been contact between the parties and he

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4 Ocean Pines PROGRESS April - Early May 2015 Another Search Committee OCEAN PINES BRIEFS From Page 3 had no idea when there might be some progress to report.

In the meantime, he said the OPA is continuing its steady progress in converting its facilities from Sandpiper’s pipeline-delivered propane to less expense propane delivered by Sharp Energy, which has been installing underground tanks to serve OPA facilities.

Early indications are that conversion to underground storage tanks is yielding benefits.

The Sports Core swimming pool beat its utility budget by $2000 in February.

The OPA has been trying to find a solution to space issues at the Yacht Club that have prevented the installation of underground storage tanks at that amenity.

info meeting scheduled

Ocean Pines Association’s 2015 Search Committee will host another information meeting on Wednesday, April 29, scheduled for 7-9 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Community Center. The meeting will be open to Association Members and anyone interested in a position on the Board is encouraged to attend.

The purpose will be to outline the function of the Search Committee, describe the qualifications of the candidates they search for, outline the responsibilities of OPA Board members, and receive input from attendees about finding interested candidates.

The Committee’s function is to ensure that at least four candidates file to run for the Board of Directors in the next election to fill two vacancies created by

OCEAN PINES the announced retirements of Directors Marty Clarke and Sharyn O’Hare, who have served the last three years.

Candidates must be the owner of record of property in Ocean Pines as of January 1st of this year, eligible to vote as of May 15th and have completed and submitted an application to the Search Committee or Administration Office no later than 5 p.m. on May 10.

Golf management pact still in negotiations

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OPA President Dave Stevens says not to worry, he is confident that a new golf course management contract with Landscapes Unlimited will be signed in time for the company to take over management of the golf course on May 1 from Billy Casper Golf.

In an April 7 telephone interview,

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Stevens said there still are a couple of issues to be resolved between the parties.

Regional vice-president Mark Mattingly is handling the contract details for LU, Stevens said, while the OPA’s contract team consists of Stevens and directors Jack Collins and Tom Terry.

Open swim May 2 at Sports Core pool

Ocean Pines Aquatics will host an open house at the Sports Core Pool on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Guests will have free use of the pool, located at 11143 Cathell Road in Ocean Pines, during the open house. Food will be available for purchase, and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department’s fire house moon bounce will also be on site.

In addition to showcasing aquatics programs in Ocean Pines, the open house will recognize National Water Safety Month. Information about those programs and staying safe in the water will be shared.

Ocean Pines will be offering a variety of swim programs this summer, including indoor and outdoor swim lessons for all ages, aquatics fitness classes, summer camps and family swim events.

It will once again take part in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson on June 18 and hold an Anna & Elsa Tea Party and Swim, featuring the popular “Frozen” characters, on July 11.

Memorial foundation to celebrate anniversary

The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special cocktail party on Saturday, May 23, 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. under the big tent on the grounds of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines.

The catered event will feature heavy appetizers, beverages and a cash bar.

Live entertainment will be provided by Frank Nanna and the WWIIunes with a special appearance by featured artist Todd Crosby.

Reservations can be by contacting Barbara Robert at 410-208-3249 or Mary Adair at 410-208-0376. The cost is $25 per person. Checks payable to “WCVMF” should be sent to Barbara Robert, 1301 McHenry Court, Ocean Pines, MD 21811. Proceeds from the event will be used for the WCVMF’s educational program for all fifth graders in Worcester County. Sponsorships and memberships are also available.

The Memorial honors men and women who have served in all branches of our military as well as the dead and wounded, the missing and Gold-Star Mothers.

Sharyn O’Hare, Event Co-Chair, said the veterans memorial “is a very special place, a place of tears, a place of peace, a place of unity, and place of pride for our community.”

The annual Memorial Day Celebration, will be held on Monday, May 25, at 11 a.m. It’s a free event open to the public.

OCEAN PINES

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Directors take issue with GM’s golf course booking projections Thompson anticipates downturn in outside play in early spring months, with a recovery to follow when new management is in place Clarke wanted to know “based on what?”

But the general manager said he would not debate his report.

“My report’s based on the fact that there’s some uncertainty in the golf world,” he added.

“I’m sorry to be questioning you,” Clarke quipped, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Do we have a contract right now Mr. Clarke?” Thompson shot back. “I can’t debate with you on things that we see very differently. I don’t even want to debate.”

Clarke said Thompson had asserted bookings will be off and repeated that he simply wanted to know the basis for that projection. “It’s a simple question,” Clarke added.

“And I’ve answered,” Thompson said.

Director Bill Cordwell jumped into the fray saying that he too has information indicating that outside bookings are down. He said based on data that he pulled from the golf management system at the pro shop, as of the second week in February, April’s bookings are down 400 rounds as compared to 2014 and May’s bookings are 200 rounds down over last year. He said for that period last year Pam’s Golf had booked 342 rounds at the OPA golf course but this year it is just 142 rounds.

“So between April and May we were over 600 rounds down from last year,” Cordwell said. He added that he had expected rounds to be up by 20 percent but

that is not the case.

Clarke said two months ago the general manager told the board that outside play bookings for April were “off the Richter scale” but now that has suddenly changed.

OPA President Dave Stevens said he wanted to know with whom Thompson has been talking.

“If you’ve talked to somebody specifically share it with us. We’d like to know.

We’d like to know exactly what’s being said,” Stevens said, adding that “board members have the right to know specifically the source of the general manager’s information.”

He said that if Cordwell could show him how he retrieved his data, Thompson should be able to tell the board

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where his comes from.

“You make these comments. It’s the way you feel about it. And it has no relevance to the board,” Stevens told Thompson.

Director Tom Terry said the debate about whether or not the outside play bookings will drop as a result of uncertainty following a change management is really just a “going back and forth of the board, some of which voted one way and some of which voted the other way” on the golf contract with Landscapes Unlimited.

“It’s utterly absurd what’s going on here,” he opined. Terry accused his fellow directors of “trying to catch our general manager in the middle of a 4-3 vote of the board.”

Terry said it is just common sense that any change in golf course management could result in a fluctuation in the marketability of rounds at the OPA’s golf course. “The reality is that is happening at this point,” he said.

The only way to remedy that situation is to get the contract with Landscapes Unlimited finished and get them in place as the course managers, Terry said, adding that the OPA has already been in contact with representatives from LU and Billy Casper Golf about marketing outside bookings during the transition period.

Landscapes Unlimited is expected to

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By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer one-liner about the status of outside play at the Ocean Pines Association’s golf course in General Manager Bob Thompson’s monthly written report sparked a litany of comments from members of the Board of Directors about just where he gets his information and how much of it he should be sharing with them.

“With the recent changes in golf, we should anticipate a decline in rounds and outside bookings for the spring season with anticipated recovery once the new management company is in place, Thompson said in his report, which was reviewed by the board during its March 28 regular monthly meeting. He also said that golf finished the month of February $5,382 better than budgeted and year-to-date, the OPA has realized a $138,579 improvement in golf over the same timeframe from the previous year.

But it was the comment about a potential slip in outside golf that irritated certain directors. Thompson supporters on the board jumped to his defense.

Director Marty Clarke demanded to know on what information Thompson was basing his projected downturn in bookings.

Thompson responded that it was based on the fact that there is no “clarity” regarding who will be managing the golf course this coming year and status of the bookings. “We don’t have anyone actively out there engaged until we have the new purveyors in. So I would say it is impacted,” he said.

Clarke said the booking agents to whom he has spoken have been very positive about outside play at the OPA’s golf course.

“Contrary to what you’ve heard, the booking agents I’ve spoken to have said the other side,” Thompson replied.

Thompson asked Clarke if he believes the statement in his report regarding the downturn in outside play bookings is unreasonable.

“Yeah, I do,” Clarke said.

“I completely stand by it,” Thompson responded, adding that he believes it is accurate information.

5

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

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6 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

OCEAN PINES

April - Early May 2015

OPA hires SU to develop models as part of comp plan process

T

Board finally pulls the trigger on BEACON in 5 to 1 vote the process his agency will use to assist the OPA in its comprehensive planning efforts, saying a major component of its services is tool called scenario analysis.

“The most difficult thing when you’re doing long term planning is consequences of decisions you make,” he said. The scenario analysis tool will help the OPA to understand its long-term planning vision; decide on certain future scenarios, and determine how each of those scenarios in future would yield results.

“When you look into the future, you look at what potential changes are going to happen,” he said. As examples of potential changes that could have an impact on the OPA’s planning he cited fluctuations in interest rates or weather patterns. “Those kinds of complex futures can only be analyzed using scenario models.”

Diriker stressed that the scenario modeling will not give the OPA recommendations but will only aid in its decision-making process. “It does not tell you this is what you should do. It only answers a series of questions every time you ask ‘what if?’” he said. “It’s a tool for you to support your decisions, to ask

your questions.”

Diriker said the predictive accuracy of these tools 87 to 92 percent. “It’s a tool to reduce uncertainty. It’s a tool to reduce risk. Most importantly, it’s a tool to understand consequences of particular decisions.”

Director Sharyn O’Hare asked how BEACON will gather input from stake-

Golf bookings From Page 5 be assuming day-to-day management of the golf course on May 1. Until then, BCG is supposed to be in charge.

“A general comment of an anticipated decline is perfectly reasonable. It is not blaming anybody. It’s simply a statement or a projection that makes sense,” Terry said in defense of Thompson’s report. “To stick our general manager in the middle of a 4-3 vote is, I think, totally inappropriate, and I think as far as I’m concerned we need to move on and get the contract done with the new guys. “ Finally, Terry wrapped up by saying,

holders.

Diriker said Phase one of BEACON’s process involves information gathering through focus groups and interviews, both in person and telephone. Then a survey will be sent to all property owners. That information gathering will be the basis for comprehensive planning models on which BEACON can then build the different scenarios.

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By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer he Ocean Pines Association will undertake a community-wide comprehensive planning effort and has retained BEACON, the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University, to strategically assist the capital improvement planning process. The Board of Directors during its March 28 regular meeting agreed to contract with BEACON to design a series of planning analysis models and accompanying decision support tools to assist the OPA in exploring the benefits, consequences and fiscal outcomes variety of community planning scenarios.

Director Pat Renaurd proposed it but Director Tom Terry read into the record the motion to move forward with the effort, which was endorsed by the OPA’s Comprehensive Plan Committee and supported in a 5-1 vote of the board. Only Director Bill Cordwell was opposed and Director Jack Collins was absent from the meeting. The board approved signing a $16,500 contract with BEACON. BEACON Director Memo Diriker provided the board with an overview of

“I think we’re wasting time here. That’s my personal opinion.”

“I agree,” Director Sharyn O’Hare chimed in.

Stevens responded by saying that he does not object to Thompson’s statement in his written general manager’s report but simply wants to know the basis for his suppositions that the number of outside bookings will decline.

“Any specific information that you have regarding that you should pass to the board,” he told Thompson. “We should know what you know.”

Stevens said it doesn’t even have to be during a board meeting, with email as a possible mode of delivery.

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whether it’s useful, whether it does us any good. So the biggest concern I From Page 6 Phase two of the process involves de- have is your process to help us come up veloping a series of questions that the with the best questions so the output is OPA then inputs into the scenario mod- something that’s actually useful for us,” Thompson told Diriker. els developed by BEACON. 8/08/14 Exp Diriker said that’s why it’s a two“After stage one we come up with potential scenarios based on what stage phase effort. During the information one told us,” Diriker said. “You have to collection process in phase one, he said BEACON will use its knowledge of best pick models for us to build scenarios.”

Director Marty Clarke asked about practices to guide the OPA in the process the use of the term “stakeholders” in formulating questions. For example, he the process. He wanted to ensure that said “We know that certain questions non-resident property owners will be are too broad. Or other questions are Sushi Roll planning 2 for $950actually (lunch)two different questions that engaged in the comprehensive Any kind 50 clumped together and the machine are process. (lunch) 3 for $12 of roll or like.” hand rollthere is a dif50 Diriker responded that (dinner) 3 for $14doesn’t The tool itself is “almost infinitely ferentiation between members who live Choose Any 2 for $2295 (anytime) in Ocean Pines and non-resident mem- adaptable,” he said, adding that it can Rollprocess. be very easily tweaked to address other bers for some of theSpecial planning The term “stakeholders” captures that questions as they arise for the OPA in the future. larger group that includes all interested OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • Dine In or Carry-Out Steve Cohen, Comprehensive Plan parties, he said Mon-Thurs & Sun 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

OPA General Manager Bob Thomp- Committee chairman, supporting retaining11 BEACON. said the commitFriday the & Saturday, a.m. - 11He p.m. son was concerned about ensuring quality of the final product. “The output tee doesn’t have the expertise necessary we get is only as good as the questions to gather all of the required information.

He said BEACON has access to the data we ask. Correct?” he asked. that the committee needs and “we can’t “Correct,” Diriker responded.

Thompson asked how BEACON will go any further without this informahelp the OPA make sure that it ulti- tion.”

Cohen said the expenditure for this mately gets a good planning tool.

“So the quality of the questions re- type of work should be considered an ally determines what the end result, investment in the future. “It gives us di-

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April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS 7 rection. Where we want to go… what we said the OPA has budgeted for a reserve want to do.” study, which will complement the comAlways checking to make sure fund- prehensive planning effort, but not for ing is available to cover expenditures, the contract with BEACON. He wanted Director Marty Clarke asked “Is it in a to do the reserve study first and then budget? Where?” move into the comprehensive planning Pennington Commons • Ocean Pines, MD Clarke said he believes the project effort. is an important on for the community Director Tom Terry suggested usbut couldn’t support it without knowing ing some of the $50,000 designated for 410.726.3721 that funding was available Cell: in the budget the reserve study to cover the $16,500 for the effort. cost of working with BEACON. “It’s like Director Bill Cordwell agreed and

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OCEAN PINES

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Capital improvement plan process inches ahead Next step will be to meet with chairs of OPA advisory committees

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By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer he Ocean Pines Association is preparing to engage property owners in the development of a requirements-based capital improvement plan by meeting with the chairmen of all advisory committees later this month in an effort to kick start working groups that will move the project forward.

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Moroney said each of the proposed working groups will focus on a different facility and will be looking at specific documentation about them. He said they will help determine “what are we going to do with what we have?”

Director Marty Clarke said one of the problems with such working groups is that members each have their own agenda or priorities. He wanted to know how that issue will be addressed and how non-resident property owners can be involved in the effort.

Moroney said the next step is to meet with the chairman of the advisory committees. “Our thought was reach out to advisory committee chairs and talk about how they can get involved,” he said. Those folks are clearly already interested in being involved in the community, he said. After that the intent is to solicit working committee members via the OPA website, newsletter, cable television channel and other resources.

Aveda said the initial phase of their work was simply data collection, including reviewing and assimilating information form past engineering studies, tenyear plans and reports, and more recent work orders for projects that have been completed throughout the community.

The data will be used to help assess the condition of the OPA’s facilities and to drive the requirements based plan. The first task was to find out what informaTo Page 11

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OPA President Dave Stevens said “given that all of these things interrelate” he did not object to using some of the funds budgeted for the reserve study for the BEACON project.

Clarke ultimately voted to support the motion to approve the contract with BEACON because it will be paid for using some of the funding designated for the reserve study. Cordwell maintained his opposition to the contract for the same reason.

Diriker said BEACON is providing a 50 percent discount to the OPA using internal resources because the project will be a learning tool for SU graduate students. Phase one of the project will take 10 to 12 weeks and then the board will be asked to make decisions about different models and scenarios. Phase two will take another 10 to 12 weeks.

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April - Early May 2015

OCEAN PINES Yacht Club From Page 8 tion was out there with regard to the OPA facilities, he said.

“Much of the data available is anecdotal and does not describe requirements in a measurable form,” Aveda said. He said in many cases there are pictures, briefing charts and descriptive reports of inspections but not engineering reports. “Data to form project documentation is limited.”

Moroney said the point of having a CIP is to ensure that the OPA never gets to the point again where it is surprised by the need to replace or fix something and to provide a basis for staring to maintain existing facilities and those it may build in the future.

The duo presented the board with a three-pronged approach to planning for improvements in Ocean Pines that includes developing the CIP, a reserve study and a comprehensive plan. The reserve study, essentially a snapshot of facility conditions, will give the CIP critical information while the comprehensive plan will direct the CIP in the long term. The CIP itself is more of an operational document that will be used dayto-day to make facility improvements.

As part of that review, he said they determined that the OPA needs a new reserve study also because an existing study, conducted in 2008, does not include all facility components of each particular OPA campus. “It’s good but it doesn’t give us data in a measurable form and that’s the basis of a requirement. We’re striving for a requirements-based CIP. A requirement has to be measured. It cannot be anecdotal.

That’s the whole genesis of this whole thing,” he said.

Moroney emphasized the need to move forward with a request for proposals for the reserve study, which will detail how long the components of various facilities will last, where in that life cycle they are and the cost to replace them.

“That’s the critical thing because we really need to get that snapshot done,” he said.

Director Bill Cordwell asked if Moroney and Aveda are coordinating their efforts with those of General Manager Bob Thompson, who last year prepared a capital improvement plan for the next ten years.

Moroney said that document will be important to incorporate once the reserve study is finished. He said the reserve study will actually validate the proposed actions that are included in the general manager’s plan.

“That’s been y concern all along with the reserve study. Because reserve studies that we’ve done in the past have just been strictly on present buildings, they haven’t to my knowledge studied what we need in the future or where we have to go in the future,” Cordwell said.

Moroney said part of the reserve study is to determine what facilities need complete replacement. Then it will be part of the comprehensive planning effort to determine what should be constructed in its place.

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

11

Dog team returns

The Kiwanis Dog Team, chaired by Tom Southwell, returned to action for the 2015 year at the Ocean Pines Easter Celebration on Saturday April 4th where they served up hot dogs and other refreshments.

A large crowd of children and parents turned out for the event in Whitehorse Park despite high winds.

Pictured are Kiwanians cooking the fare and serving it to hungry egg hunters. Funds raised support the youth of the community.

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Board kills assessment abatement for qualified low income homeowners

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer ecause it conflicted with language in the Ocean Pines Association’s governing documents, a resolution that provided property owners with the opportunity to request an abatement of increases in the annual property assessment has been eliminated.

The board of directors during a March 28 meeting approved on second reading a motion to rescind board resolution F-05, which provided for a certain amount of assessment increases to be abated for qualified homeowners.

OPA President Dave Stevens offered the motion to rescind the resolution, with Director Tom Terry giving a second and the board unanimously approving the change.

Stevens said the resolution was original created in 2006 and then reformatted in 2009. The resolution allowed for the low income qualified homeowners to ask for an abatement of the assessment increase levied in any one year. It was intended to correspond to the Maryland Homeowners Tax Credit Program which

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Under the resolution the OPA was able to grant a one- year abatement of the increase, if any, in the association annual charge to any homeowner presenting a copy of the property tax bill reflecting the HTC or a copy of the HTC certificate for that year to the Association Finance Department. The homeowner had to apply for an abatement of the annual charge increase on an annual basis.

The OPA’s governing documents, including the declaration of restrictions, charter and bylaws, give the board had the authority to pass that original resolution. Those documents require the board to set and levy an annual charge against each association member.

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OCEAN PINES

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

13

Directors debate continued losses at Yacht Club

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer ith the new Yacht Club in operation for less than a year, at least one member of the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors, Marty Clarke, favors closing it during the off-season. Clarke hasn’t been able to persuade his colleagues on the wis-

W

Abatement From Page 12 nual charge against each member in an amount to be determined by the board for current maintenance needs, future needs, and purposes of the Association as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. Similarly, the charter gives the OPA power to levy an annual charge upon each member to support the purposes of the association and the by-laws makes it a duty of the board to determine the amount of the annual charge to be levied against each member.

Stevens said what the resolution F-05 does not address is the require-

dom of that move, but some directors are wondering just how effective management has been in controlling expenses at the amenity.

General Manager Bob Thompson simply said in his March 26 written report to the board that while revenue exceeded budget for the month, “wages, supplies and utility costs exceeded budget. Installation of propane tanks will help with utility expenses. Staffing costs still remain an issue as the budget was built based on old building staffing.”

In short, even Thompson acknowledges a problem that he as yet has been ment that the annual charge be uniform for all owners of the same specified class of property, such as waterfront properties or back lots. There is no provision in the OPA governing documents to lower the rates for an individual homeowner for any other purpose. Therefore resolution F-05 was on direct violation of the OPA’s governing documents.

According to OPA Controller Art Carmine, the number of people taking advantage of this opportunity for an assessment abatement in any given year may be as many as seven or eight. However, that is only when the increase in the annual property assessment is significant.

unable to solve.

Clarke opened discussion by asking if any consideration is being given to closing it during the winter. Clarke said the Yacht Club has lost $188,000 in the five off-season months through February.

“Now that we’ve had a winter under our belt, as the manager have you given any consideration at all” to turning the key and locking the door on the amenity come September or October, he asked.

“Have you given any consideration to coming to the board and saying this isn’t working?”

Thompson said staff is always considering different options for improving the efficiency of operations and reducing costs. He said the facility is operating under a budget this fiscal year that was approved for the old Yacht Club. As a result some costs, like utilities and personnel, are higher than budgeted, he said.

Of closing down in the off season, he said “To close in September I think we’re a little getting ahead of ourselves.”

The general manager said he is not ready to make that recommendation. In fact, he said staff has implemented some new programs since the start of the year that have had a lot of positive impact.

For example, on Sunday nights, which were the slowest of the week, a new trivia night event has given business a

significant boost. It also was an astute move politically, as some of the directors are regulars at these events.

“We’ve had record numbers every week and people are buying food and beverage when they’re there,” Thompson said. “We’re always trying to tweak and come up with new things.”

He said the OPA just needs to continue to become more effective at managing the new Yacht Club.

OPA President Dave Stevens asked if staff has determined the profit ratio on those trivia nights. “I would be curious to see what goes on,” he said, indicating that even though the restaurant may be busy that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s making a lot of money on those special activity nights.

Thompson said that has not been done but, while somewhat challenging, it could be determined. However, he said the profit margin will fluctuate based on items such as the cost of food, which has to be ordered a week or more ahead of time.

“There’s a number of factors that go into it that may change the cost from week to week,” he said.

According to the general manager, the more important indicator is that residents are using the Yacht Club on a

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OCEAN PINES

April - Early May 2015 before posting things that are not true.”

Jim Kosienski later weighed in as well, saying he had spent the better part of a day “wondering why everyone was under the impression that I [am] wanting to run a retail business from my home.”

He subsequently had an epiphany on how that impression was created, citing the very first post on the matter that appeared on oceanpinesforum.com.

According to Kosienski, this initial forum posting said that the variance “I requested from Worcester County was to stock and store guns for distribution purposes” in Ocean Pines.

Letters from the county received by neighbors of the Kosienkis disclosing the pending variance and special exception request stated that the purpose of the request was “to allow the stock and storage of guns associated with a home occupation.”

According to Kosienski, that’s a critical distinction.

He said he could understand why some people might believe he wants to run a retail business out of his home, but that simply is not his intent.

“You have been misled,” he said of his critics.

To Page 16

this is the worst February in the history of the Yacht Club. “I’m sorry, it’s a fact.”

From Page 13 Clearly unhappy with Clarke’s declanight that they were not previously do- ration, Thompson muttered that “coming so. “You have an effective event on a ments like that I’ve got tell you are …” night that was virtually empty and now but Clarke cut him off. we’re putting 125 to 150 people in the “Factual. That’s what they are. Factufacility. We have costs that are going to al,” he said. be associated with the facility whether Not all directors are all that conwe’re closed or open,” he said. “In gener- cerned about losses at the Yacht Club, al that night’s working.” which stood at $117,456 in red ink Stevens said he understands that through the end of February. The amenthere may be variations in cost versus ity lost $46,692 in February. March and expense but he thinks it would be in- April are probably not going to be profteresting to know how much of an im- itable. If losses in the final two months pact those special activities are having of the fiscal year are close to the losses on revenue at the Yacht Club. He also in January and February, the Yacht Club pointed out that, while the general man- could easily lose $200,000 for the year. ager’s report said that revenue is up at Director Tom Terry said the board the Yacht Club, the net profit is actually has the same discussion when it comes down compared to budget. to the profitability of the association’s “Forget budget,” Clarke said, adding amenities, including the Yacht Club, as if that is the only measurement for whether or not they are is successful. He said past boards decided that “these were Mention this ad amenities” and therefore there may be for 15% off your subsidies required to keep them open. pets 1st grooming* Let Jackie our “But folks if you walk into the Yacht Club on a Sunday night you can’t find professional a chair. That’s our members using that Mention groomer pamper amenity. Ok. That’s where we are,” Terry This Ad said.dog or cat to for 15% OFF your End of the year funding projections Your Pet’s a day atYacht theClub spa! for the amenity indicate that First Grooming the cost to each individual association 4/30/15 Exp. member for its operation will be less than $2 per month, he said.

“There are different measurements Call to schedule an appointment 10311 Old Ocean City Blvd., of success on something and it isn’t only Berlin MD 21811 (down the

just bottom line,” Terry said. “We are a nonprofit association.”

He said the constant mantra by some directors and residents “of close it, close it, close it” is something that is not appropriate. If the board were to only use dollars as the basis for its decision making then there would be a lot of decisions be made that negatively affect this community and its amenities, he said.

In fact, only Clarke among the seven directors has advocated closing it during the off-season.

Clarke said there is another measure of success for the OPA’s amenities, and that is membership. He said only a fraction of OPA property owners are members in the various amenities.

Terry argued that even membership is not a valid measure of success because, again, the amenities bring value to the community and property owners even if they choose not to partake in them.

“Why don’t we just close all the amenities now” because of losses,” he said.

He called that alternative “nonsensical.”

Stevens said the decision about when to open or close the Yacht Club or other amenities is up to the board of directors.

He said the board spent a significant amount of time crafting a resolution that provides direction to the general manager and staff regarding operation of the amenities.

As a director, Stevens said “I care about whether or not we’re managing our amenities as efficiently as possible.”

On that point, Terry seemed to agree.

From Page 1 business, which he emphazied will not be a retail business or store as that term is commonly understood.

A posting on the oceanpinesforum. com in early April by Kosienski’s wife Katie attempted to set the record straight. It only partially succeeded, and Jim Kosienski’s issued a subsequent posting to clarify the matter further.

“My husband Jim is the Federal Firearms Dealer in question,” she wrote. He has gone through “all necessary channels with both the US. Dept. of Justice, FBI, MSP (Maryland State Police), OP (Ocean Pines Association) and Worcester County to be licensed and to have all necessary permits for this business. He is not a nut case wanting to give away firearms to individuals.”

She said a federal firearms dealer like her husband has to insure “that a purchaser of a firearm has the proper training, license and has passed the background check through the Maryland State Police or FBI, before they are allowed to receive the firearm.”

She said she and her business would not be “operating a retail business out of our home here in the Pines. Let me repeat... We are not operating a retail business out of our home. This permit is only to store firearms for resale purposes.”

She said the guns stored on the premises would be taken to gun shows throughout Maryland, with some sales on

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“We know of collectors of firearms that live in OP that have more firearms than we will have for resale purposes, but no permit is needed for a private collection,” she wrote, adding that their home has security cameras in the front, back and on the sides of the home “filming 24 hours a day.” She said the Ocean Pines Police Department has access to the home 24 hours a day.

“These firearms will be safely kept in a secure place,” she said, without elaboration.

She called for a stop to “rumors” on the site and asked that those who post should “have the correction information

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From Page 14 “I have done everything aboveboard on his issue,” he continued, citing a sign in his front yard describing his intentions and that legal notice of the April 8 hearing had been published in local weeklies for a few weeks.

“This has not been fair to me,” he said.

“I have only followed each and every instruction to the letter from every agency involved in this venture. I have a FFL. I am a dealer. I can sell a firearm. I do not intend to have a retail business from my home. The only thing I have asked for is for firearm storage. To intentionally make it sound like I want to distribute guns in this neighborhood is wrong.”

The controversy has created a modest fissure on the OPA’s Board of Directors, with current director and former OPA President Tom Terry expressing opposition to a county home occupation and special exception that would allow Kosienski to operate his home-based business out of his Moonshell Drive home.

OPA President Dave Stevens has come to Kosienski’s defense although he said neither the board nor OPA General Manager Bob Thompson would weigh in on the matter at the April 8 hearing.

“The only official act of the OPA on this matter was the ARC decision (approving a home occupation variance), Stevens said. “That’s all that’s needed.

And I believe it was the correct decision.”

He said he would not question or second guess the decision of the ARC approving the home occupation variance.

He said he had a warm and friendly discussion with Thompson on the issue, something that happens rarely between the two.

“He agrees with me,” Stevens said of Thompson.

Stevens said he believes that Ocean Pines, with its large number of Republicans and other 2nd Amendment supporters, has lots of gun owners and collectors who buy and sell firearms, many who, unlike Kosienski, haven’t bothered to obtain either an Ocean Pines or county permit.

Terry appeared to agree with Stevens on the way the matter was handled by the ARC and its support staff in the OPA Department of Compliance, Permits and Inspections “As you know the ARC is a free standing committee from the Board,” Terry wrote in an email to oceanpinesforum. com’s Joe Reynolds. “The ARC has already ruled on this application. Based on the OPA rules there was no means for the ARC to reject the proposal. Based on the rules the ARC made the only decision they could make.”

Terry said Kosienski is “not setting up a store front with multiple customers coming to his home. He now has taken the next step to submit the proposal to the County. I have double checked and the ARC process was staffed and administered correctly at every step. The gen-

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Keener told Reynolds that county approval to store and stock guns in a private residence is needed only because, as far as the county is concerned, “the purpose of the applicants request is for permission to sell those guns, and as far as the county is concerned, those gun sales could take place right out of the home if the exception is approved. There is no county limit on the number of weapons that could be stored for eventual sale.”

Reynolds said that ARC guidelines with respect to home occupations “get interesting” when compared to county’s rules.

Citing Keener as his source, Reynolds said Kosienski needs a special exception from the county because the items he intends to sell – guns – are not produced on his property. If they had been, he would not need a special exception, while he would need a home occupation variance.

According to Reynolds, there is a similar language in Section 700.2 of the ARC guidelines with respect to home occupation variances.

“Nothing, other than parts or supplies used in the occupation shall be stocked on the premises, and nothing sold except what is produced on the premises or as permitted by special exception by the Committee,” the guidelines read.

With Kosienski moving out of Ocean Pines and setting up his business in his new home, it is not clear whether the issue will be pursued further.

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tleman has followed all the right steps with the ARC and has filed for all the licenses required. He clearly is trying to meet the regulatory rules.”

But Terry said, speaking for himself and not the OPA board, that he would be testifying against the proposed homebased gun-selling business.

“Gun sales or exchanges as a business in a residential area should not be allowed via the zoning rules (or the sate/ federal laws),” he said. “Perhaps the State needs to change the laws to cover where these kind of licenses are approved for business activity.”

Stevens said he was disappointed in Terry’s decision to intervene in the permit application pending before the appeals board.

“He will issue a disclaimer, but still, because he’s a board member, some people will get the idea that he represents the board and the OPA,” Stevens said.

“This is one of those occasions where giving up your freedom of speech would have been a good idea.”

To complicate matters further, Reynolds of oceanpinesforum.com said recently that in his view the ARC did not properly decide the issue of a home occupation variance in the case of Kosienski.

By way of background, he said that county zoning administrator Jennifer Keener told him that the county had approved about five of these federal firearm licensed-related exceptions in the last ten years, though none in a dense subdivision such as Ocean Pines.

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By TOM STAUSS Publisher hen the Board of Directors approved the Ocean Pines Association budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 in a special meeting in early March, it appears that at least some of the directors were unaware that they had just voted for a budget that projects a $62,132 surplus at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club.

Is that kind of surplus even conceivable given the fact that the new amenity could be on a path to lose $200,000 in the fiscal year that ends April 30?

Probably not, but OPA President Dave Stevens doesn’t seem particularly

W

upset that the projected Yacht Club surplus was slipped into the budget by OPA General Manager Bob Thompson in the eleventh hour just prior to its adoption.

“But we’re going to hold him to it,” Stevens told the Progress.

During most of the budget review process, a deficit in Yacht Club operations in the new fiscal year was assumed.

The original draft proposed by Thompson forecast revenues of $1,397,177 against $1,485,045 in projected expenses.

Had these projections remained as originally proposed, the budget would have anticipated an $87,868 Yacht Club

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During the protracted budget review process in January and February, several directors questioned projected payroll increases at the Yacht Club next year and the proposed increase in staffing of about 16 full-time equivalent positions.

In final directions to management prior to the special meeting in March when the budget was approved, the directors had instructed Thompson and Controller Art Carmine to find $150,000 in payroll cost savings in the budget, without specifying where the savings would come from.

Stevens said he and his colleagues expected that Thompson and Carmine would spread the pain across most if not all the departments in the OPA. They had other ideas.

Instead, Thompson was perhaps inspired by directors who questioned whether the Yacht Club really needed to hire the equivalent of 16 full-time employees in the new fiscal year. The proposed hiring increase was not popular with some directors during the budget review process.

Thompson directed Carmine to subtract the entire $150,000 in payroll expense from what initially been proposed in the Yacht Club budget.

That turned what had been an $87,868 projected loss in the Yacht Club into a $62,132 surplus.

In another budget issue that had raised Clarke’s hackles during board deliberations, the final approved capital budget for next year includes $500,000 for a new police headquarters or addition.

At the conclusion of the early march special meeting in which the budget was approved, Stevens told the Progress that he might propose subsequent action to delete the item from the approved capital budget.

He later said he had decided not to, “There’s no way that money is going to be spent in 2015-16,” he said, in effect conceding what anyone who understands the OPA budget process already knows: An item’s inclusion in the approved capital budget does not mean a project will be undertaken in that fiscal year.

There is just as much chance a particular line item will be carried over into the following year.

In addition, boards of directors over the years have not been averse to approving spending items that have not been included in that fiscal year’s approved budget.

Stevens said the proposed new police headquarters or addition may be included in a draft capital improvement plan that is in an early drafting phase.

“It will be in there somewhere, probably not a top priority,” Stevens said.

The FY 2015-2016 budget reflects total revenues of $10,989,329 and operating expenses and transfers of the same amount, a base annual assessment of $921, a $12 increase, and capital expenditures of $2,111,436.

Most of the amenity fees are unchanged from those in place in the current fiscal year.

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

The final approved OPA budget for 2015-16 adoped by the Board of Directors in March.

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April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer eneral Manager Bob Thompson’s “low key” attempt to resolve problems with the splash pad at the Ocean Pines Association’s Swim and Racquet Club pool by negotiating with the contractor that built the faulty amenity last year hit a sour note with the Board of Directors during its March 28 regular meeting.

Some directors are worried about the OPA continuing to work with a contractor that did not perform as expected and are concerned that seeming delays in contracting for repairs may mean the splash pad will not be ready for use by Memorial Day weekend, the traditional launch of the summer season when outdoor pools in Ocean Pines reopen.

They gave Thompson 14 days from that meeting to provide them with additional information on the situation, including any input he can garner from other contractors that may be able to repair or replace the splash pad.

OPA Facilities Manager Jerry Aveta told members of the Aquatics Advisory Committee in a March 31 meeting that Thompson had directed him to draft a request for proposals (RFP) for splash pad repairs. Among the identified issues are tiles that are peeling and concrete decking with a grade that does not allow water to drain properly.

“We had some challenges with the

G

Board gives GM deadline for submission of info on splash pad fix Directors worry Swim and Racquet Club amenity won’t be repaired in time for season splash pad last season,” Thompson said, citing the loose tiles. He said that staff has spoken to the contractor that originally did the work last year to determine if any modifications can be made to the amenity to correct the problems, including regluing and replacing tiles.

Instead of redesigning the todlers pool at the Swim and Racquet Club to make it handicap accessible, the OPA last year opted to replace it with a new splash pad. The American Disabilities Act required the baby pool to have a zero entry access. Instead of making changes necessary to create the zero entry access, the OPA decided to replace the pool with a splash pad, otherwise known as a spray park, that would satisfy the ADA requirement and eliminate the need for a lifeguard at the site.

In his written general manager’s report, Thompson said the OPA is now

exploring other options for repairing or replacing the splash pad.

Director Tom Terry asked what other options are being considered. “What might they be? Short of having them reglue everything back down.”

Thompson responded that those “other options” include soliciting other companies to repair the faulty splash pad or just completely rebuilding it. He said staff is trying to determine what will be the best option, including possibly having the original contractor fix the problems.

“We still owe them money,” Thompson said of the contractor, adding that “It’s keeping the dialog open to see if there are any other modifications or changes we can potentially make” to rectify the problems with the splash pad without bringing in another company to do the work.

Some directors weren’t happy that Thompson was continuing to negotiate with the original contractor.

Director Marty Clarke said the OPA should bring in experts on splash pads for their opinion, get them to say the facility at the Swim and Racquet Club is defective and file suit against the contractor that installed it.

“That’s not going to be open this summer if we don’t do something real fast. Am I right? Are we going to open it like it is, knowing the defects that are there?” Clarke asked.

Thompson responded that staff has concerns about the splash pad but said “I haven’t called anything a defect.” He said from the time it opened there were concerns about the workmanship, very slippery tiles, hard edges on some of the equipment and uneven surfaces. If the board wishes, he said he would be happy to have other experts look at the splash pad and make recommendations for improvements.

Clarke responded “I consider tiles peeling up, kids tripping over them and hitting their heads on the items that are installed there defects.” He said in the fall the board toured the amenities with Thompson and the general manager pointed out the problems with the splash pad at that time and yet to date the problem areas remain unfixed.

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Splash pad From Page 21 to know what contractors Thompson has been in contact with already and asked if he has a request for proposals ready to solicit companies to fix the splash pad.

“We don’t have an RFP because we’re working with our current contractor to try to work through the process,” Thompson said. “We’re trying to get it worked out as low key as possible.”

He said staff is trying to follow what they believe are the appropriate steps at this point but added that the OPA can file a lawsuit against the contractor if the board wants to take such action.

“Whatever you want to do, we’re happy to do it,” he said.

Thompson acknowledged that the splash pad is a safety concern because children can slip on it. The original contractor re-glued the tiles and staff met with them to discuss other potential solutions.

“And that’s where we are,” Thompson said.

Not good enough, according to Clarke and Stevens.

Stevens said he was of the understanding that the OPA had ceased working with the original contractor and was searching for someone else to fix the splash pad. “I have to admit, I’m surprised by this,” he said, adding that the company’s performance under the contract was so bad that he is amazed that staff would go back to them for a solution. “It was a strong understanding.”

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He said there has been no discussion of suing the contractor, only that the OPA had not – and would not unless it was sued — pay the company the full amount under the contract.

“So now we’re in a place where we don’t have an alternative and we have gone back to them,” Stevens said. “I’m totally taken aback by this. I was surprised to read this and find their name in here.”

Stevens queried Thompson about a “Plan B,” asking if the situation is one of working with the original contractor or not having a splash pad available for use this summer.

Thompson’s response was “I’m listening to you. I gave you the options.” He said the OPA could also decline to pay the original contractor and hire another company to build a splash pad.

“There are a number of options we’re looking at right now,” he said, adding that the mention in his general manager’s report was simply to give the board a “heads up. I didn’t realize it was going to be so intense with it.”

Director Sharyn O’Hare said time is of the essence if the splash pad is going to be ready for use this summer.

“We are working on it. We are certainly aware of the timing of it,” Thompson responded.

Director Marty Clarke said the OPA is already out of time. He said the decision was made months ago to fix the splash pad, yet nothing has been done.

Stevens said that was his recollec-

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24 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

1508 Complete Home Improvement Handout NEW with our type_Layout 1 2/3/15 1:22 PM Page 1

OCEAN PINES

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

Board approves liner fix to Mumford’s swimming pool

I

surface membrane generally does not allow dirt to penetrate the surface of the membrane and is formulated with anti-microbial agents designed to inhibit the growth of bacteria and algae. Additionally, Natare warrants its system for a period of 10 years against peel, flake, crack, tear, delaminate and that it will retain its integrity as a watertight membrane.

Therefore, Thompson said the Natare system offers the most cost effective, long-term solution for the pool repair.

He said staff considered both repairing and replacing the existing Mumford’s Landing pool. They also reviewed two types of pool replacements, one that was a conventional plaster pool and the

Splash pad

in open session “when we’re under a contract with someone and there’s money back and forth.” But he said within 14 days he could provide more information to the board about options for working with a different contractor.

The board agreed and asked for a written synopsis of discussions with other contractors by the end of that 14-day period.

Aveta’s brief remarks at the aquatics committee meeting suggests an RFP is in the works.

From Page 24 tion, too, that staff was to find a contractor to replace the splash pad. Now, it looks like that won’t happen in time for the summer pool opening, he said.

Only after being pushed by directors to provide more information on the “other options” being explored did Thompson acknowledge that he has been in contact with other splash pad contractors. He said he wasn’t prepared to talk about it

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n lieu of simply resurfacing and retiling the Mumford’s Landing swimming pool once structural issues are repaired, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved installing a pool liner at the amenity.

On March 28 the board unanimously voted to award a contract to Pools & Spas Unlimited of Milford, Del. at a cost of $117,928 to repair cracks in the amenity and settling of one corner of the pool, and install a Natare liner.

OPA General Manager Bob Thompson in a report to the board said the liner technology offers several advantages as compared to traditional pool surfaces. The Natare system provides for a pool surface that is easily cleaned and maintained, he said. The Natare smooth

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March - Early April 2015

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Board mandates oversight on Mumford’s pool repairs

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Contract includes filling air pockets under structure and installing a pool liner Hynes report, which included hiring the engineering firm to oversee the work and having a geotechnical engineer on site when the fill materials is poured.

Some directors said they were unclear about OPA General Manager Bob Thompson’s report and recommendations for the pool project.

“It’s a confusing package to me,” Director Marty Clarke said, asking whether Thompson’s recommended solution will “correct the underlying problem of washed out foundation?”

Thompson responded that it does correct that issue. He said the contractor plans to use a gravity fill method instead of pressure to force the concrete grout material into the voids under the pool. He said Pools & Spas was the only contractor to propose using gravity fill, which involves digging a trench five feet deep and three feet wide around the perimeter of the pool, pouring the fill material into the trench and allowing gravity to work it into the voids.

“Pools & Spas is going to take a three foot section all the way down the sides of the pool and bring it in from the sides,” he said. “It’s going to find its way in

without pressurizing it.”

In contrast, pressured fill material has the potential to expand when it hardens and could crack the pool even more, Thompson said. “It could do some additional damage and no one will give warranty for that type of work,” he said.

Clarke then asked about the budget for the work with a total cost of the package at $130,000. “Is that in the budget?”

Thompson said “Yes sir. It’s the budget we’re working with.” He said the cost of the more extensive repairs to Mumford’s Landing pool will be paid for using funds that were originally budgeted for pool work at the Sports Core in the fiscal year 2015-16 budget.

He said the board originally approved and budgeted for repairs to the Mumford’s Landing pool in the current fiscal year. However, the contractor hired to perform that work, also Pools & Spas Unlimited at a cost of $76,150, determined that more extensive evaluation was necessary on the OPA’s part.

“We were going to fix that pool

and found the problems under the pool,” Thompson said. “When we found that there were gaps under the underlayment of the pool, we stopped the project, went back and dug a little deeper…”

The board had already awarded a contract for the pool repairs and the project had effectively started when the OPA pulled the plug on it and hired the engineers to study the problems and perform soil borings to help determine why the bayside corner of the pool was sinking.

OPA President Dave Stevens was concerned about awarding a contract for the pool repairs without having anyone on site to oversee the work. He pointed out that was a recommendation from Hynes, which had concerns about the type of fill q

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer oncerned that the work may not be up to snuff if only staff is monitoring the project, the Board of Directors during its March 28 monthly meeting opted to hire an engineering firm to oversee repairs to the Ocean Pines Association’s Mumford’s Landing swimming pool.

The board unanimously awarded a contract to Pools & Spas Unlimited of Milford, Del., at a cost of $117,928 to repairs cracks in the pool decking and pool and the settling of one corner of the pool. The board also designated a project contingency of $11,370. The project will involve inserting fill under the sunken corner of the pool to elevate and stabilize it and resurfacing the pool with a new vinyl liner.

To make sure that work is done in conformance with the recommendations of John D. Hynes & Associates, the Salisbury-based engineering firm that performed soil borings around and under the pool and made recommendations for repairs to the facility, the board also agreed to retain that firm to oversee the project, at a cost yet to be determined.

Director Sharyn O’Hare made a motion to proceed with the project subject to the recommendations included in the

Pool liner From Page 25 alternative of using the pool liner technology. Pool liners were evaluated as proposed by two different installing contractors, both of whom would have purchased the materials from the same company.

The contract awarded to Pools & Spas includes pouring concrete in areas under the pool floor allowing gravity to fill voids in the soil as required, pool deck repair and installing the pool liner.

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OCEAN PINES Mumford’s Pool From Page 26 and grout used to seal the air pockets under the pool structure and suggested the engineers be contracted with to review the mixture before it is poured.

Stevens asked Thompson why he did not suggest retaining Hynes to perform that oversight. “Are you saying you do not feel the need to follow that recommendation?”

Thompson said the OPA hired Hynes to complete the soil borings and provided the resulting information to the pool contractors for incorporation into their proposals.

“Their recommendations are based on these reports,” he said, indicating that it is unnecessary to hire Hynes but stopping short of actually saying so.

“So we’re ignoring this. That’s what you’re saying,” Stevens responded.

Verbally sparring with Stevens yet again, Thompson retorted, “We’re not ignoring it. We used this to find the additional damage under the pool. So we’re not ignoring it. To use that is just an invalid term.”

Director Tom Terry said it should be no surprise that an engineering firm would suggest that it be hired to oversee a project. He asked if any of the contractors submitting bids for the Mumford’s Landing pool project included hiring Hynes to serve as a project manager in their bids

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS for the work. He also wanted to know what it would cost to retain the firm.

“No sir,” Thompson said.

Stevens was concerned about ensuring that the contractor hired to do the work used the proper concrete grout mixture as recommended in the Hynes engineering report. He wanted to know if the contractor will use that grout mixture or determine on its own what grout mixture to use.

“The contractor felt based on this report they knew what mixture to use,” Thompson said, adding. “If the board wants me to contract with Hynes to oversee the project we can certainly add the cost in here to do so.”

Stevens reiterated his concern and said the board was about to sign a contract without knowing whether or not Hynes’ recommendations are being followed by the contractor. He said he feels the OPA should retain the engineer and follow its recommendations for remedying the pool problems.

“I don’t think it should cost that much to watch concrete be poured and determine it’s the right mixture,” he said of hiring the engineering firm to oversee the fill work.

O’Hare ultimately made a motion to award the contract with Pools & Spas subject to the recommendations of the Hynes report, including the suggested fill material and having the engineer under contract as well.

“Let’s get started on this project. We are almost in April,” she said.

In response to a question from Clarke, Thompson said the project would be completed in time for the summer swimming season.

After the vote on the contract, Terry commended staff for “not rushing into a quick fix on this pool which some people may have wanted us to do.” He said staff took their time and “did it correctly.”

27

He added, however, that the addition of Hynes engineers on site “is probably a good idea.”

Stevens concurred and said, “We could have rushed ahead.” But, he added, that is all the more reason to be cautious as the work is completed.

There was little or no board discussion of another component of the project – opting for a vinyl pool liner instead of a more traditional resurfacing.

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OCEAN PINES

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OPA FINANCES

OPA’s misses budget by $59,000 in February Yacht Club staffing costs push year-to-date variance sharply higher

By TOM STAUSS Publisher he Ocean Pines Association in February recorded a negative operating variance to budget of $58,869, a slight uptick in red ink from January’s $46,147 and December’s $38,979 negative variances.

For the fiscal year through ten months, the OPA has dug itself into a negative variance to budget of $62,847, building on January’s cumulative negative variance of $3,722. For most of the earlier months, the OPA had recorded positive variances.

The OPA remains in the black cumulatively for the fiscal year, however, in the amount of $1,197,759. For February, the actual loss was $544,917, not all that much different from the $569,491 loss in January.

In the most recent year-end forecast, OPA General Manager Bob Thompson predicted a modest actual deficit for the year of $24,492, compared to the budget-

T

OPA net operating results for February by department

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OCEAN PINES OPA finances From Page 28

ed surplus of $198,301.

To meet that forecast, losses in March and April would have to approximate the losses in January and February, which on the surface would not appear to be unrealistic.

According to Controller Art Carmine’s February financial report, the $58,869 negative operating fund variance was produced by revenues under budget by $2,837 and expenses that were over budget by $65.591.

For the year so far, revenues have exceeded budget by $166,528, more than offset by expenses over budget by $229,118. New expenditures, those funded from the annual assessment rather than reserve funds, are over budget by a scant $257.

All major amenity departments lost money in February, but those losses were expected and generally budgeted for. As it did in January, the Yacht Club stood out as the one major amenity that fell short of budget by a large margin, missing its target by $31,007.

The Yacht Club’s actual loss for the month was $46,692. Year-to-date through Feb. 28, the Yacht Club is $117,456 in the red with an $112,236 negative variance to budget.

Gross revenues of $42,461 in February were ahead of budget by $3,521,

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS but net revenues missed their budgeted targeted by $1,515 for the month. The $46,692 actual loss for the month was driven by continued overspending in wages and benefits relative to budget, along with service/supplies and utility costs that significantly exceeded budget.

In remarks to the Board of Directors in March, OPA General Manager Bob Thompson said he was not ready to make any recommendations on how to reverse losses at the Yacht Club. His written report to the board cited continued issues with staffing but blamed it on the budget that he said “was built based on old building staffing.”

The Yacht Club is budgeted to break even this year, a goal that would appear to be unachievable with only March and April remaining to affect year-end results. In a recent year-end forecast, Thompson predicted a $76,513 loss for the year.

If March and April losses mirror those in February, then the actual loss will be in the neighborhood of $200,000.

Golf operations in February lost $53,389, a not unexpected result that improved upon January’s $70,596 loss.

The results continued a pattern of most of the year in which this amenity beat its budget for the month. The $5,382 positive variance for the month is not matched by year-to-date numbers, however.

Because of the two consecutive

months of substantial losses, golf operations have slipped deep into deficit territory for the year. The cumulative loss for the year is $96,702, and the negative variance to budget for the year is $25,130.

If March’s deficit is in the neighborhood of $50,000 or more, golf operations will be around $150,000 in the red entering the final month of the fiscal year (April).

Last April, golf operations lost about

$15,000. A reasonable forecast for the year would have golf losing about $165,000. But that presupposes a good April for bookings and cooperative weather.

Thompson said that the recent management change at the golf course should result in “a decline in rounds and outside bookings for the spring season, with anticipated recovery once the new management company is in place.”

To Page 31

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OCEAN PINES From Page 29 Issued prior to the decision to replace Billy Casper Golf with Landscapes Unlimited, Thompson’s recent end-ofyear forecast had golfing losing roughly $90,000 for the year, which would have required an April yielding a $60,000 surplus or more.

His written remarks in his March report suggests he no longer has confidence in that projection.

As he does consistently, Thompson touted the year-over-year improvement in golf, writing that as of February, there has been a $138,579 turn-around in the bottom line.

In other budget results for February, aquatics lost $30,145 for the month against a budgeted loss of $24,256, for a relatively modest $5,890 negative variance to budget. Year to date, aquatics has lost $112,464, with a $62,523 negative variance to budget.

However, aquatics is roughly $35,000 ahead of where it was at the same time last year.

That prompted Thompson to write that aquatics is continuing to show improvement.

“For the month, revenues were in alignment with budget and expenses were slightly higher primarily related to employee benefits,” he said. “Utility costs showed improvement as the installation of propane tanks (at the Sports Core pool) has the desired impact. These trends should continue for the remainder of this year.”

Indeed, utilities cost $14,320 at the Sports Core pool in February, beating budget by roughly $2,000.

Thompson is projecting a $173,783 loss in aquatics for the year, according to the year-end forecast he made public in late February.

If March and April losses can be kept to $30,000 or so, that projection would appear to be realistic.

Status of reserves – The reserve summary released as part of the February financial report shows that the OPA’s allocated reserve balance dropped during the month to $4,306,867, compared to $4,398,600 in January, $4,483,293 in December, $4,699,394 in November, 4,871,868 in October, $5,128,136 in September, $5,178,302 in August, $5,519,149 in July, $5,786,683 in June and $6,003,165 in May. [See separate story for details] Status of the balance sheet – According to the Feb. 28 balance sheet, the OPA has assets valued at $28.7 million, against liabilities of $1.5 million and owner equity of $27.2 million.

The balance sheet indicates a decline in operating cash to $1,025,804. Cash on hand was $1.74 million in January, and $1,384,425 on hand at the end of December.

This compares to operating cash of $2,133,033 at the end of November, $1,402,913 in October, $1,719,990 in September and August’s $2,281,360.

These kinds of fluctuations are considered normal.

31

OPA reserves decline to $4.3 million in Feb.

By TOM STAUSS Publisher he reserve summary released as part of the February financial report shows that the Ocean Pines Association’s allocated reserve balance dropped to $4,306,867 as of Feb. 28, a decline from the previous month’s $4,398,600 balance.

The balance stood at $4,483,293 in December, $4,699,394 in November, $4,871,868 in October, $5,128,136 in September, $5,178,302 in August, $5,519,149 in July, $5,786,683 in June, and $6,003,165 in May of last year.

The erosion is typical as the OPA makes expenditures from the reserves through the year. The May reserve summary reflects the annual contribution from assessments that traditionally is recorded in the first month of the fiscal year.

T

Usually, most of the month-to-month reduction in the overall reserve balance is attributable to activity in the Major Maintenance and Replacement Reserve, which as of May 31 last year had a balance of $4,754,531, reflecting the full annual transfer from lot assessments into this fund.

This reserve was virtually unchanged from the Jan. 31 balance.

As of Feb. 28, the balance was $3,853,356, compared to January’s $3,865,232.

For the year through Feb. 28, total capital spending from this reserve fund was $1,223,738, comprised of $1,003,005 in funding from the funded depreciation component of this reserve (labeled historical in the reserve summary) and $230,733 from the five-year capital plan funding stream, q

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The bulkhead/waterways reserve had a balance of $937,323, a decline from January’s $1,016,914 balance.

From Page 31 most of which would be related to the The future projects reserve had a Yacht Club construction costs. deficit of $60,399, the golf drainage reThe other OPA reserve funds – bulk- serve had a deficit of $642,932 and the heads, future projects, golf drainage, and operating recovery reserve had a surDentist operating recovery -- were unchanged or plus of $135,791. only insignificantly changed from earliThe operating recovery reserve fund er months. had been zeroed out last year, on the The roads reserve had a balance of theory that previous year deficits had $83,728, a slight increase over Decem- been sufficiently offset by subsequent ber. surpluses, but the OPA Board of Direc-

Reserve summary

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33

Directors may axe paper proxies at annual meeting

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer ith the 2015 Ocean Pines Association election cycle approaching, the Elections Committee wants to know the status of recommendations that it made to the Board of Directors nearly seven months ago. Of particular concern is a suggestion that the OPA do away with mailing paper proxy forms, which are only valid for establishing a quorum at the annual meeting, to property owners.

“The proxy system is broken,” Committee Chairman Bill Wentworth said during the March 28 board meeting.

He reminded the board that the Elections Committee recommended that the OPA replace its paper proxy ballot with an electronic proxy unless otherwise requested by the property owner. He said the committee is wondering about the status of the recommendation because it has not received any feedback from the board.

Wentworth said the committee wants to eliminate the paper proxy forms, along with a proxy envelope, that are currently mailed out to all property owners as part of the annual election ballot package. He said property owners sometimes confuse the proxy forms and envelopes with the election ballot

Elections committee asks for action to save money and eliminate the possibility of some property owners using incorrect envelopes when returning board election ballots

W

materials, putting the proxy form in the ballot envelop. That invalidates their election ballot.

He said the 2014 election had 46 ballots that could not be counted because they were inadvertently placed in a proxy envelope.

“There have been several elections over years that were decided by fewer than 46 votes,” Wentworth said. “That’s really the (main) issue.”

The proxy forms are provided for members who cannot physically attend the annual association meeting in August. That helps to ensure a quorum of 100 members is present at the meeting and to validate the annual board of directors election results. If there is a lack of a quorum, the election results cannot be officially certified at that meeting.

Switching to an electronic proxy form will ensure that the both the proxies and the election ballots remain valid, Wentworth said.

Having electronic proxies will still

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not guarantee the presence of a quorum at the annual meeting though. “Our bylaws provide us with the opportunity to deal with this problem,” Wentworth said.

He said the bylaws set an alternate method of certifying election results at a follow-up board of directors meeting. He said the annual meeting can be scheduled as required and the required reports from the general manager, auditor and legal counsel can be presented along with the elections committee’s report. However if there is no quorum, then the board simply has to call a special session and certify the election results at that meeting.

As long as both meetings are properly advertised they could be held back to back, he said.

“It’s very difficult to get people there in person,” Wentworth said. “If we follow the bylaws here we can avert that situation.” With the technology that is now available, he said many people are watching the meetings online or on

television instead of attending them in person.

Director Tom Terry said a similar situation arose at the annual meeting a few years ago when a quorum was not present. The board met the next day to certify the election results. “So what you’re speaking to has happened,” he said.

Additionally, Wentworth said that eliminating the paper proxies will reduce the OPA’s election mailing costs by about $2,000 and would reduce the amount of work for the committee, which has to open, validate and count each of the 400 to 500 proxies received.

“I can’t agree with you more. I think it’s a waste of money,” OPA President Dave Stevens said. Still, he said ensuring that all election votes are counted is more important than saving money and he acknowledged that it’s unfortunate that property owners do not want to attend their own annual meeting.

Director Sharyn O’Hare said it is important to have all election ballots counted as valid. “Some of these votes can make a difference” in election results, she said.

Stevens suggested the board take the issue “offline” and determine the best way to implement the Elections Committee’s recommendations.

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OCEAN PINES

April - Early May 2015

Board reappoints auditing firm, attorney for another year

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer fter months of debating whether or not to solicit requests for proposals, the Board of Directors has instructed staff to develop contracts for both auditing and attorney’s services for the Ocean Pines Association.

Last year, in the organizational meeting following the annual board election, the directors declined to appoint either an auditor or attorney.

Instead, they instructed General Manager Bob Thompson to draft pro-

A

Delay in approving request for proposals leaves little choice but to extend existing relationships posed requests for proposals (RFP) for those services for consideration by the board.

Thompson did so, but the board has never taken any action to move forward on them.

Director Tom Terry during a March 28 meeting offered a motion to direct the general manager to develop a proposed contract for services with TGM Group,

the current auditing firm, for the next 12 months and present such contract to the board for approval by April 15.

Terry said the timeframe to complete the OPA’s annual audit is nearing and the association needs to have a company under contract to do that work. He added that there is not enough time for the OPA to perform a sufficient RFP process in order to get this work done.

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Director Marty Clarke gave a second to the motion, saying the RFP request has been in progress for seven months and it is time to move forward with it.

He said the association still needs to take action soon to solicit the proposals for next year’s audit.

OPA President Dave Stevens proposed an amendment to Terry’s motion to also direct the general manger to prepare for release a request for information to local area audit firms within the next month, and to submit to the board for approval a copy of the request along with a list of intended recipients.

“Let’s kick this a little bit further down the road,” he said.

Stevens said the OPA would be simply seeking information, not a request for proposals. “We’ll be getting input to see what’s out there and to see who’s interested,” he said.

Terry accepted the amendment to his motion offered by Stevens and said he doesn’t have a problem with seeking information from auditing firms as long OPA gets a company under contract for the coming year.

Clarke asked why the OPA would enter into a 12-month contract with the auditors. He said that “just gives the board a chance to whistle past the graveyard again.”

He lobbied for a shorter term contract but other directors said a year just makes more sense.

Clarke said the auditors’ job is finished by September when they provide the audit results to the membership.

Director Bill Cordwell said that’s not true – that the OPA comptroller interacts with the auditors on a regular basis.

Terry said he didn’t care if the contract was for nine months or a year but that the OPA needs to get someone under contract.

Cordwell asked what problems the OPA may have had with the current auditors, TGM Group. “Can anybody tell me a problem we’ve had with TGM?” Stevens said it is not an issue of having problems with the firm, but rather one of introspection on the OPA’s part.

He said it is an opportunity to “look at our practices and look at whether or not they could change for the better.”

Clarke has long advocated for soliciting an RFP but said he has never actually said the OPA should change auditors.

He said it behooves the board to at least gather information on its options for retaining an auditing firm and then make an educated decision.

Similarly the board approved a motion to retain the firm of Williams, Moore Shockley and Harrison, LLP for the next 12 months for legal services. That is the law firm of current OPA Attorney Joseph Moore.

Stevens again offered an amendment to the motion to direct the general manager to prepare a request for information for legal firms and submit it to board at next meeting along with a list of intended recipients.

April - Early May 2015 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

Serious crime down in Ocean Pines; police service calls hit all-time high Chief Massey calls Ocean Pines one of the safest communities in state

By ROTA L. KNOTT and arresting criminals puts them out Contributing Writer of service, if only temporarily,” he said in erious crime was down significant- his crime bulletin. “Increases in arrests ly in Ocean Pines last year. The and traffic enforcement tend to reduce Ocean Pines Police Department’s some serious crime.” end-of-year crime report for 2014 shows Massey said Ocean Pines is a very that serious crimes declined by nearly mobile community, with nearly 70 miles 40 percent when compared to 2013. of roads and a heavily traveled main Police Chief David Massey said this road, Ocean Parkway. is the largest crime decrease in his tenThe OPPD receives numerous comure as the community’s top cop, which plaints of speeding and reckless driving began in 2003. that it handles.

He said there are a number of factors “It is important to examine our trafthat have contributed to this decrease, fic statistics to see that there are a very and he said that caution should be used healthy number of warnings issued, when reviewing the statistics because rather than citations. This emphasizes “some factors we control, other factors the need to educate as well as enforce,” are out of our control.” he said.

He also said that in his experience Ocean Pines continues to be one of whenever there is a low number one the safest communities, per capita, in year, the following year tends to show the State of Maryland, Massey said. increases.

“Of course, if you are the victim of a “I do believe that our increased en- crime in Ocean Pines, these statistics forcement efforts have shown some pos- may not have 10:34:41 the degree of significance YDI 150403 - Progress Paper 4_975w x 5.67h.pdf 4/9/15 AM itive effort at crime control. Identifying as it does on other residents. We are not

S

immune from crime or crime patterns,” he said.

However, Massey said the OPPD’s proactive enforcement is an effort to keep Ocean Pines safe.

Towards that end, he asked residents to report suspicious activity, and be vigilant.

Basic crime prevention efforts, such as locking vehicles and securing homes when absent, make a huge difference in preventing crime opportunities, he said.

In the area of serious crime in 2014, the OPPD handled 106 cases, down from 178 in 2013.

Serious crime numbers are considered as the most relevant for determining a community’s crime rate by the FBI. The preliminary data indicates a nearly 40 percent crime decrease from 2013 to 2014.

Police handled one forcible rape case in 2014, up from 0 in 2013; eight aggravated assaults, down from 30 cases the previous year; and 25 breaking and en-

35

terings or burglaries, a decline from 35 in 2013. Police responded to 72 larceny or theft cases last year, a decline from 112 in 2013; and had no motor vehicle thefts as compared to 1 the previous year.

The decrease in serious crime in 2014, compared to 2013 figures, is largely attributed to a decrease in thefts, assault and burglaries. In many cases, arrests were made.

A statistical analysis reveals that the OPPD responded to more calls for service in 2014 than in the previous year, the largest number of calls for service workload on record.

Preliminary data reveals that the OPPD processed 12,402 calls for service in 2014 as compared to 11,158 in 2013.

Calls for service are generated by citizens and police personnel in the field.

It includes both criminal and non-criminal incidents documented by the department.

There was a 39 percent increase in arrests this past year, with 193 in 2014 versus 139 in 2013.

Massey attributed the spike to more criminal investigations, as well as having a full staff on the road for most of the year.

The arrests category refers to all arrests made by the department, regardq

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36 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

OCEAN PINES

April - Early May 2015

Memorial Foundation extends ceremony invitation to women military veterans The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation is extending an invitation to Women Military Veterans who would like to participate in the 10th Anniversary Memorial Day ceremony.

The ceremony will take place at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines, located on Route 589 between Cathell and Manklin Creek Roads.

Interested women veterans should contact Linda Shanahan at 410-2000994 for details.

Police report From Page 35 less of the offense. It reflects full-custody arrests, and criminal citations issued in lieu of physical arrest, which require a court appearance.

It does not include arrests made through joint investigations with the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation on cases developed inside Ocean Pines, which usually produce another ten or so arrests per year.

The total number of traffic accidents, both property damage and personal injury, that occurred in Ocean Pines in 2014 was 84, down by 23 percent from the 2013 figure of 109 total traffic accidents.

Massey said the data refer only to accidents handled by OPPD police personnel.

There were additional traffic accidents outside of the Ocean Pines Association’s property lines, such as on Route 589, where OPPD personnel assisted the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department.

Massey said the OPPD has seen a gradual rise in mutual aid assistance provided to or by other law enforcement agencies over the years.

Mutual aid assistance is provided to allied police agencies in the areas bordering Ocean Pines, as well as assistance rendered within Ocean Pines by allied police such as the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sher-

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A third method of assistance would be rendered to municipal and federal police agencies which have suspects identified in their crimes, which are later found to reside in Ocean Pines.

The mutual aid number for 2014, at 401 calls, is down slightly from the 2013 figure of 445.

In general Massey said the calls for mutual aid have increased over the years because of increased development along the Route 589 corridor and manpower reductions of lack of growth in assisting police agencies.

The Maryland State Police had an authorized strength of 1,700 sworn in the 1990s, yet today has strength of less than 1,500.

“It is important to remember that mutual aid means we get help when we need from surrounding police agencies, such as a narcotics task force and county-wide criminal investigation.

In recent years, our criminal investigators coordinate very closely to monitor suspects and crimes related to conduct in Ocean Pines,” Massey said in his report.

In the area of traffic control, Massey said officers are charged with regulating speeds along the nearly 80 miles of roadways within Ocean Pines.

The OPPD makes extensive use of radar to slow drivers down on Ocean Park-

way as well as on neighborhood streets.

There was a 36 percent increase in traffic enforcement in Ocean Pines. The results of this increased enforcement are evident in the increase in total arrests as well as a significant reduction in traffic accidents.

In 2014 police issued 2,154 written traffic warnings, more than twice the about issued in 2013 at 1,040.

Officers also wrote 460 traffic citations as compared to just 263 in 2013.

“With over 2,000 children living within Ocean Pines, there is extensive concern that excessive speed in our neighborhoods could lead to serious injuries to our children,” he said, adding that the nature of injuries in an accident is directly related to speed.

The department makes extensive use of its radar display board to slow traffic down along Ocean Parkway, and in selected neighborhoods.

A marked increase in traffic enforcement can be attributed to the fact that for much of 2014, the department was fully staffed.

In 2013, there were periods when the OPPD was three officers short, due to vacancies.

Massey added that one national study estimated that one in every ten traffic stops results in the detection of criminal activity.

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LIFESTYLES Saturday, April 11 Ocean Pines Anglers Club, monthly meeting, 9:30 a.m., Ocean Pines Library, featuring Stacy Weisner, new executive director of the Pocomoke Discovery Museum; DNR representative and fisheries biologist Erik Zlokovitz, on the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative and how local anglers can help with data collection; and club member Tom Nelson, on catching black drum in the surf. Public welcome.

Ocean Pines’ annual indoor/ outdoor flea market, 8 a.m. to noon, Ocean Pines Community Center.

Gently used clothing, children’s items, household items, collectibles and more for sale. Admission free, open to the public. Free parking. 410-641-7052.

Sunday, April 12 Church dinner catered by Carrabba’s, Church of the Holy Spirit, 100th Street and Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 4 to 7 p.m. Chicken Marsala, penne pomodoro, Caesar salad, focaccia breadsticks, iced tea, lemonade and coffee. Desserts available for purchase.

Tickets $12 at the door. 410-723-1973.

Wednesday, April 15 The Retired Nurses of Ocean Pines, monthly meeting, 3 p.m., Ocean Pines Library. Guest speaker will be Darlene Jameson, diabetic education program coordinator at Atlantic General Hospital. Guests welcome. 410-2081590.

Thursday, April 16 Pine’eer Craft Club monthly meeting, Ocean Pines Community Center, 9:45 a.m. refreshments, 10 a.m. meeting, covered hanger craft $3. 410430-0284.

Monthly meeting, Worcester County Tea Party, Ocean Pines Library, 7 p.m. Worcester County Commissioners Jim Bunting and Chip Bertino, speaking on Worcester County’s Fiscal Health for Budget Year 2015-16.

Free and Open to the Public.

Saturday, April 18 Spring dinner meeting, Worcester County Historical Society, Pocomoke Community Center, Pocomoke, 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker guest speaker, Joseph Moore, wellknown local attorney and author, on life on the Eastern shore during the Civil War. Chicken ‘n dumplings. Local authors Gordon Katz and Mindie Burgoyne to sign copies of their books.

Tickets $22. Checks should be mailed to Robert Fisher, WCHS, treasurer, 230 South Washington Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. 410-632-1265.

Wednesday, April 22 Bus trip to Harrington Casino, sponsored by the Ocean Pines Boat Club. $15 per person includes transportation, driver gratuity, buffet lunch, $10 credit towards playing. Sign-up deadline April 20. Gerry Clarke, 410-208-9401.

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

HAPPENINGS Thursday, April 23 Meeting of the Ocean Pines Associsation’s executive council, made up of advisory committee chairs, Ocean Pines Community Center, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29 OPA Search Committee, public information meeting, Ocean Pines Community Center, 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, April 30 Regular monthly meeting, Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors, 3 p.m., Ocean Pines Community Center.

Saturday, May 2 Worcester County Garden Club plant auction and sale, 10 a.m., Calvin B. Taylor Museum, 208 N. Main St., Berlin. Annuals, perennials, shrubs, herbs, and other garden related items.

Rain date, May 3, 1 p.m. Glenda Clarke, 410-632-2504.

Sunday, May 3 Annual Kiwanis Italian Dinner fundraiser, DeNovo’s Trattoria, Manklin Creek Road (near the Ocean Pines South Gate). Two seatings, 5 and 6 p.m. Tickets first-come, first-served basis. Carry-outs. Walk-ins only if no sell-out. Tickets $10 adults, $5 children under 12. Four per table. Full service cash bar. Tickets, Ralph Chinn, 410-2086719.

Ongoing Free platform tennis clinics, Saturdays at noon, Manklin Meadows tennis complex. Bring sneakers, the rest is provided. Annual memberships start

at $150 .

Pine Tappers free adult tap dance classes, Tuesdays, 2-3:30 p.m., Ocean Pines Community Center. Exercise and have fun with choreographed tap dancing routines. From 2-2:30 p.m., brush up on basic techniques and a review of the routines, then join the regular class from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Every week or drop-in as convenient. Lori at 410-251-2162 or tntandcompany@gmail. com.

Ocean Pines Ping Pong Club, Ocean Pines Community Center, Monday noon to 2 p.m, Wednesday and Friday noon to 3 p.m. All levels of players welcome. Neil Gottesman, 732773-1516.

Suicide Grievers Support Group, 3rd Wednesday every month, 6 p.m., Worcester County Health Department, Healthway Drive, Berlin, adjacent to Atlantic General Hospital. Open to anyone who has lost a friend or loved one to suicide. Free of charge. Quiet listening, caring people, no judgment.

410-629-0164.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines – Ocean City every Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Community Center.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 12-05, meets the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the U.S.C.G. Station, Ocean City. Visitors and new members are welcome. Dennis Kalinowski, 410-208-4147. Web site http://a0541205.uscgaux.info.

Kabbalah class with Saturday services, coffee, juice and bagels, 9:30 a.m., Saturdays, Temple Bat Yam, 410641-4311.

Life after loss support group, second and fourth Tuesday of each

37

month at the Community Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 Race Track Road, Berlin, 11 a.m. Help in coping with any type of loss. 410-641-5433.

Worcester County Democratic Club meeting, fourth Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., Marlin Room of Ocean Pines Community Center. No December meeting. Club membership is not required. All those interested in Democratic platforms and agendas are welcome.

Beach Singles, every Thursday, 4-6 p.m., Castaways, Coastal Hwy. at 64th Street, Ocean City, 45+ singles for socializing and monthly activities, 302436-9577.

Republican Women of Worcester County, fourth Thursday of each month, 11 a.m. meeting (doors open at 10:30), lunch at noon, local restaurants.

For information, call membership chair Barbara Loffler at 410-208-0890.

January through June, and again September and October. Dinner meeting in November. No meetings July, August and December.

YOGA, James G. Barrett Medical Office Building, Berlin, rotunda, Tuesdays 5:30-6 p.m. All levels welcome.

Contact Georgette Rhoads at 410641-9734 or grhoads@atlanticgeneral. org with any questions. Cost: $72 for 8 sessions, or $10 drop-in fee for first time.

T.O.P.S. of Berlin, Group 169, Atlantic General Hospital, Conference Room 1. Mondays 5-6:30 p.m. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a support and educational group promoting weight loss and healthy life style, meeting weekly. For more information contact Edna Berkey, 410-629-1006.

American Legion Post 166 Auxiliary monthly general meeting, Ocean City, third Tuesday of the month at the post, 11:30 a.m.

38 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

April - Early May 2015

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April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

Utility company, Aqua file petition for transfer of Cove system assets

By TOM STAUSS Publisher s long anticipated, the Captain’s Cove Utility Co. and Aqua Utilities Captain’s Cove, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aqua Virginia, have filed a joint petition with the State Corporation Commission seeking approval of the sale of CCUC water and sewer assets to Aqua. The joint petition was filed on Jan. 28 and covers assets used to provide water and sewer service to customers of Captain’s Cove.

If approved, the asset sale will lead to a major upgrade of water and wastewater treatment facilities in Captain’s Cove. Since first announced last year, the pending sale has put a hold a temporary hold on rate increases that CCUC had planned across the board.

Affected Cove residents have until May 12 to file comments on the proposed asset sale or to seek a formal hearing.

The petitioners are requesting approval of the acquisition and disposition of the utility assets under the Utility Transfers Act of the Code of Virginia.

In addition, the petitioners are seeking approval to transfer Captain’s Cove’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to furnish public utility service for the Captain’s Cove community.

Aqua is seeking to acquire the Captain’s Cove Water System, currently used to serve 957 active connections and 2,513 availability lots, as well as the Captain’s Cove Sewer System, which currently provides wastewater service to 272 active connections, with the capability to serve 398 additional lots.

According to the joint petition, Aqua will acquire the Captain’s Cove Water System assets for a base purchase price of $2,292,310, and the Captain’s Cove Sewer System assets for a base purchase price of $140,425, plus $30,000 per year for ten years, as compensation for real estate and other related costs.

Aqua and Captain’s Cove Group Note, LLC, the primary Cove developer, have also entered into a separate Sewer System Construction Agreement, contingent upon closing the proposed asset sale, under which the developer will install new sewer collection force mains in Section 1, to serve 390 lots that are already served by water, and where these force mains are needed due to the difficulty or inability to install septic systems on these lots.

The water system is currently under a consent order issued by the Virginia Department of Health on June 28, 2011, for, among other things, exceeding the maximum contaminant level of arsenic, in addition to other miscellaneous water quality issues. Cove residents generally feel safe in using Cove water for routine uses other than drinking, but odor and discoloration remain a problem.

Aqua anticipates water System capital spending in the first five years to be

A

$1.2 million with $1.1 million spent in the first two years to add three wells to the system along with treatment and discharge appurtenances to improve water quality and satisfy the consent order, the balance of funds being estimated working capital.

The petitioners have told the SSC that the existing Captain’s Cove vacuum sewer collection system is failing.

Aqua proposes to convert the existing sewer collection system from vacuum to force mains.

As part of the conversion, existing customers will be required to install

new grinder pumps at customer expense.

Captain’s Cove Utility Co. has said it will provide access to financing upon commercially reasonable terms to those existing customers that request financial assistance for the installation of grinder pumps.

Aqua anticipates wastewater system capital spending in the first five years to be approximately $2.6 million.

Aqua estimates first year capital cost for sewer is $1.4 million, which includes $300,000 of interim upgrades to the wastewater plant, $1 million in force mains, and other working capital.

39

Currently, Captain’s Cove’s residential water and sewer connection fees are $500 and $3,000, respectively. Aqua proposes to change the residential water connection fee from $500 to actual cost and to leave the sewer fee unchanged. Aqua will continue to charge the existing water and sewer availability fees of $6.21 and $18.65 per month, respectively. Lots with no water and sewer infrastructure available for connection are exempt from these charges.

Aqua proposes to continue charging customers the existing non-metered rates for water and sewer service.

The SCC has entered an Order for Notice and Comment that, among other things, ordered the petitioners to provide notice of their joint petition and provided interested persons an opportunity to comment or request a hearing on it.

q

CAPTAIN’S COVE

40 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

BUSINESS

April - Early May 2015

Captain’s Cove

BUSINESS BRIEFS New owners for Mama Dellas

The Mama Dellas pizza and sub shop located at 11073 Cathell Road in Ocean Pines has changed hands.

Brian Kight, who owned and operated the shop for six years, recently sold it to John Rogers and partner Mike White. Rogers has been employed at the shop for the past two years. Kight has left the area to manage a golf course food and beverage operation out west.

Rogers, employed by Crabs to Go on Route 50 for 15 years before joining Mama Dellas, has been an Ocean Pines resident since 1986. He is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin.

“We’re very pleased to be taking over a thriving business with many loyal customers,” Rogers said. “We’re looking forward to serving Ocean Pines and the surrounding area in the months and years to come.”

Rogers said the new management is keeping the same menu but has changed and added to some of the specials that are offered daily.

Mama Della’s Web site is www.mamadella.com. The phone number for carry-out orders is 410-208-6700.

Deer Run golf course’s grand reopening Deer Run golf course, located about ten minutes from Ocean Pines near the intersection of Routes 50 and 90 (8804 Logtown Road), has scheduled a grand reopening event on Thursday, April 16, beginning at 10 a.m. with free golf for all comers. A shotgun start is planned.

Local Chambers of Commerce will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m., followed by a press conference hosted by course owner Ed Colbert at 3:15 p.m. Food and beverages will be available at 4 p.m., and Colbert plans closing remarks at 5 p.m.

New automotive dealership opens in Berlin

Berlin Automotive, a new car and truck dealdership in Berlin, has opened on the former site of Barrett’s in Berlin., 10419 Old Ocean City Blvd.

The new business is owned by Jim Ehrler, who also owns and operates the Holly Kia dealership in Selbyville along with other dealerships in the region. A grand opening will be announced soon.

From Page 39 Copies of the documents are also available for interested persons to review in the Commission’s Document Control Center, located on the First Floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Interested persons also may download unofficial copies from the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

On or before May 12, any interested person may file with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2ll8, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118, written comments on the petition. On or before May 12, any interested person desiring to submit comments electronically may do so by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website at www.scc.virginia.gov/case. All correspondence should refer to Case No. PUE-2015-00014.

Any person may request a hearing on the joint petition by filing such request for hearing on or before May 12. If not filed electronically, an original and 15 copies of the request for hearing must be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth above. Requests for hearing should refer to the case number and should include a precise statement why a hearing should be conducted in this matter and why such issues cannot be addressed adequately in written comments.

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at the Marina Club, the indoor pool has finally reopened, to the delight of many frequent users who have had to travel to the YMCA in Pocomoke to continue their swimming activities for most of the winter.

The press release announcing the reopened of the indoor pool in late March held one piece of unpleasant news, at least for some: Aquatics classes will carry a modest fee for participants, causing a mini-furor on the Cove association’s message board by one disgruntled Cove residents.

David Kieffer, Cove association vice-president who is subbing as unofficial Cove spokesman for Cove president Tim Hearn, defended the fee in a recent post. Hearn is recuperating from recent major surgery.

“The CCGYC Board enacted a fee for aquatics classes in its 2015 budget,” Kieffer wrote in his post. “The fee is used to pay the salary for the course instructor.”

Kieffer wrote that, contrary to what had been alleged, “it is not true that none of the other classes are charged a fee. In fact all classes who have paid instructors such as golf lessons, swim classes, and aquatics classes have fees.

The only activities that do not have fees are those … run by volunteers in our community. Examples are arts and crafts, land aerobics, CERT training, and weight reduction.”

He said the annual lot assessment gives Cove property owners an opportunity to use Cove amenities such as the pools and golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, for no additional charge.

“If we reduced … dues … because the pool was closed this winter for pumphouse replacement (which cost dues payers $125,000), we would not have enough money to fix the pump-house.

Then the pools would be closed permanently,” Kieffer said.

He went on to say that opponents of the aquatics fee seem to think aquatics classes should not have a fee and that the instructor’s salary should be paid for out of the Cove operating budget.

He suggested that such financing would not be fair to dues-paying POA members who do not use the pool or cannot use any Cove amenities for much of the year because they do not have a home in the Cove.

“The majority of our 2250 dues payers do not have a home and do not live here,” he said. “Many cannot build because they do not have a road in front of their lot. Be thankful that you and the other 950 full-time and part time residents are able to participate in the variety of Cove activities and amenities.

The part-time residents can only participate some of the time - when they are here.”

Kieffer, himself a part-time resident, suggested that the $60 annual class fee is bargain even for those who only attend about half of the aquatics classes that are offered.

The fee then amounts to less than a dollar per class, he said.

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

41

COMMENTARY

Abolish the OPA Search Committee

I

f ever there was an advisory committee whose very existence could be ended without adversely affecting the good health and functioning of the Ocean Pines Association, it probably would be the Search Committee, which busies itself this time of year scouring the community for candidates to run for the OPA’s Board of Directors. Never mind that a community the size of Ocean Pines, with 12,000 or so year-round residents and 8000 or so housing units, has seldom if ever had any difficulty generating candidates to run for the board.

The committee is a throwback to the earliest years of Ocean Pines, when a sparse population and ownership base spread all over the Mid-Atlantic states (and beyond) mandated a proactive approach to finding a sufficient number of board candidates willing to serve.

These conditions no longer exist. They haven’t, literally for decades. Advisory committee clutter could be usefully reduced by simply abolishing the Search Committee once and for all. Hardly anyone would notice or care. Search Committee members: Don’t take this personally. You’ve been cast in a time-wasting exercise for which there is minimal or non-existent return.

A few years back, the function of this committee was curbed, eliminating the “vetting” process under which the committee determined the eligibility of candidates. This process involved researching whether a candidate was up-to-date paying annual lot assessments or had any unresolved compliance issues. This is a task easily accomplished by the OPA’s executive secretary in contact with the membership office and the Department of Compliance, Permits and Inspections.

The old committee never was supposed to determine whether a candidate was “suitable” or otherwise qualified politically or credentialed to serve on

the board. In its latest incarnation, the Search Committee still has no license to search out suitable candidates, and that’s how it should be. Its purpose seems to be little more than to ensure that the number of candidates exceed by two the number of vacancies on the board to be filled in that summer’s election. Quantity, not quality, is its explicit mission.

In a community as vibrant and mature as Ocean Pines, candidates should not need to be prodded to run for the board. It’s a volunteer position, largely thankless, and people self-motivated enough to bestir themselves to file are the ones best suited to run for the board and serve if elected. Those needing a remedial course on Ocean Pines governance, or hand-holding through the rigors of running for the board, are probably the candidates who would face the steepest learning curve if elected. Plenty of successful board candidates over the years have spent their first years of service just getting to know the players and becoming acquainted with OPA’s byzantine budget process.

Their ignorance often is a cross between embarrassing and appalling. So they’re more easily led by directors with more experience. Or worse, they’re more easily “guided” by OPA management with its policy agendas.

There is modest danger that some committee members will seek out candidates whose viewpoints, to the extent they’re known, are consistent with the committee members’ own political agendas. In the current committee line-up, it’s not too difficult to discern members who have been cheerleaders for the current general manager, Bob Thompson, and who don’t much care for the political positions of certain current board members, with whom Thompson is

feuding much of the time. Perhaps the committee is balanced by others more enamored with the likes of Marty Clarke or Dave Stevens. Perhaps not. Absent a comprehensive vetting of committee members – and that would be an exercise not worth the time and energy – OPA members really don’t know the political leanings of those who serve on the Search Committee. Can members park their politics at the door when searching out candidates? Maybe, maybe not.

The point here is that the Search Committee is an official committee of the Ocean Pines Association, and that means, to some extent, the OPA is officially engaged in the election process beyond that which is strictly necessary. When it comes to finding board candidates, the OPA should be hands-off, transparent, objective and uninvolved. This can’t be achieved with even the limited role of the committee as it stands today.

To be sure, the committee has found another purpose for itself by holding town meetings designed to educate prospective candidates on what they’re facing should they be fortunate enough – or cursed, as the case may be – to win a seat on the board.

This, too, is really not necessary. A document post on the OPA Web site should suffice to tell candidates all there is to know about running and serving on the board, including the likely time commitment the volunteer position will require.

If live tutorials are still in vogue, then they could be hosted by the Elections Committee, whose members are well versed in the minutia of all-things electoral. – Tom Stauss

Leasing out the Yacht Club - a hybrid approach

S

ince it appears that a majority of the Board of Directors is incapable of a decision to lease out the Ocean Pines Yacht Club – despite overwhelming evidence that the OPA can’t manage it itself – then perhaps a compromise is in order. A hybrid approach – keeping in-house those parts of the operation that seem to be more successful while leasing out the rest – may be the best way to turn this losing amenity into a break-even operation, or better.

The opening of a new facility to replace the old has not reversed the financial fortunes of the Yacht Club and, truth be told, the new building is no more a meeting place for most Ocean Pines residents than was the old building. If anything, the much larger building is more costly to operate, despite all those rosy predictions about savings in utility costs made in the run-up to the 2012 referendum. Some will say that the new facility needs more time to settle into a routine before a judgment is made on whether the new building is a success. Not so. The Yacht Club food and beverage operation is an old business in a new building, and the jury is already in. Ten months into the current fiscal year, the Yacht Club is $117,456 in the red, with a $46,692 loss in February alone. March and April, the final two months of the fiscalyear, won’t be much better, if past performance means anything at all. A realistic deficit for the year is somewhere close to $200,000.

With no permanent manager currently in place to run the Yacht Club this summer, this is a good time to

try something different.

While leasing out both the first floor dining and bar area and the second floor banquet hall makes sense, it may be the path of least resistance to instead try a hybrid approach. On the revenue side, year-todate, food banquet business is $40,714 ahead of budget, and beverage banquet business is $48,837 ahead of budget, and it’s not delusion or spin, the verbal currency of OPA management, to say that these are very positive results. Unfortunately, the OPA’s 20th century accounting systems don’t allow for a detailed breakdown of the banquet business, showing both revenues and associated costs, but presumably the bottom line would show a robust surplus if somehow, somewhere, sometime, the revenues and associated costs could be aggregated.

That said, a compromise approach would be for the OPA to keep control over the banquet business and the kitchen on the second floor of the Yacht Club, at the same that the first floor operation is leased out to a competent entrepreneur. While a tenant could be encouraged to keep the downstairs open year-round, in the end a tenant must have the ability to set hours and days of operation.

Even the OPA managed to produce a surplus at the Yacht Club this past summer; there’s every reason to suppose that a competent operator would be able to do even better. That might make it possible for the tenant to keep the facility open on a limited basis after Labor Day, if nothing else to keep trained

staff around during the winter. No lease should be written to force a tenant to stay open in the winter, however, if the business does not justify it. And who decides? The tenant must be free to run his business without interference from the landlord.

If a downstairs tenant decides not stay open in January and February, then this hybrid approach could allow a banquet manager to plan special events – Trivia night anyone? Cheap burger night?

– as a service to loyal year-round customers. Presumably some of the tenant’s employees might be available to work on relatively short notice.

Surpluses from banquets might be sufficient to subsidize losses in the winter months.

The key element of this hybrid approach is that it would allow the OPA to reduce considerably its bloated Yacht Club wage and benefit expenses, something that OPA General Manager Bob Thompson keeps promising to do but simply can’t deliver.

These promises and expressions of good intentions are tiresome, redundant and delusional.

Under the existing management structure, including a four-day operation during the winter, it’s possible that no general manager could make it work.

An oft-quoted definition of insanity is continuing to do the same old thing while expecting a different result. That’s what Ocean Pines has been doing at its Yacht Club for 40-plus years, with a few exceptions.

– Tom Stauss

42 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

OPINION

April - Early May 2015

More bad blood between Thompson and certain directors

The Ocean Pines Progress, a journal of news and commentary, is published monthly throughout the year.

It is circulated in Ocean Pines, Berlin, Ocean City, and Captain’s Cove, Va. Letters and other editorial submissions: Please submit via email only.

Letters should be original and exclusive to the Progress. Include phone number for verification.

127 Nottingham Lane Ocean Pines, MD 21811

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Tom Stauss tstauss1@mchsi.com 410-641-6029

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front and center as an election issue this summer.

There’s really not much else on the An excursion through the curious cul-de-sacs An excursion through theby-ways curious and by-ways and cul-de-sacs horizon to fight about. of Worcester County’s County’s most densely community. of Worcester mostpopulated densely populated community.

If Clarke in particular can be persuaded to seek reelection, and wins, and

By TOM STAUSS/

By TOM Publisher STAUSS/Publisher brings in one more like-minded director It was no surprise, then, that Thomp- verse somewhere it would be, but in this to the table, who also wins, then that son’s performance of his duties came un- universe a board majority concluded would produce a board even less ender fire again at the March 28 meeting. that doing a CIP was too much to ask amored of Thompson than the present Since the arrival of new directors late a GM to deliver in light of his time-con- board is. If that’s even possible.

At the March 28 meeting, Clarke relast summer, Thompson no longer de- suming day-to-day responsibilities.

He has his defenders on the board, of sumed his customary mantra maligning livers his monthly state-of Ocean Pines report orally or with the aid of a Power- course, namely Tom Terry, Bill Cordwell the Yacht Club’s financial performance, and Sharyn O’Hare. calling February’s results the worst on Point presentation.

With Pat Renaud more friendly to record.

Instead, it shows up in written form, At almost $47,000 in red ink for the posted on the OPA Web site a day or two Thompson than hostile, the general or three before the meeting. That allows manager must know that the votes ar- month, it’s hard to imagine that Trivia en’t there currently to remove him.

Nights have been able to turn the finandirectors time to peruse it.

Hence his increasing unwillingness cial tide at this community gathering They are then better able to pick it apart or at least ask questions about it to show deference to his detractors on place. the board and a willingness to take Clarke’s persistent criticism is in during the meeting. them on with just a hint of disrespect – support of a long-standing policy agenA fun time is had by all. da item, closing the Yacht Club as soon During what amounts to an interro- all plausibly deniable of course.

It’s as if he believes his current state as possible right after Labor Day. That’s gation of the general manager, Thompson is on the hot seat, offering up snarky of misery will soon pass, perhaps with an objective that other directors don’t commentary on occasion in defense of the election of more compliant and share, some more adamant in their rehimself, body language that can be read agreeable directors in the election this sistance to change than others.

Clarke would settle for a decision by by the assembled OPA membership, and, summer.

With Clarke and O’Hare both declar- the board to lease out the Yacht Club, most entertainingly, stone cold passivity when somebody else gives a presenta- ing their intentions not to run for reelec- and that, too, is an idea whose time has tion on a subject – capital improvement tion – count on their friends to attempt not yet come.

More’s the pity. Be that as it may, plan anyone? – that he believes really to persuade them to change their minds – Thompson’s relations with the board Clarke resists any effort by Thompson should be his to give.

Well, perhaps in an alternative uni- and employment status probably will be

LIFE IN THE LIFE INPINES THE PINES

q

T

he March 28 meeting of the Board of Directors might well have been a low point in relations between certain members of the board and General Manager Bob Thompson. Not that there have been very many high points of late to compare and contrast.

OPA President Dave Stevens and OPA Vice-President Marty Clarke, never shy in letting Thompson know when he’s failed to live up to their expectations, did so again when commenting on February numbers for the Yacht Club and Thompson’s seemingly deliberate, if not slothful, approach to fixing problems at some of Ocean Pines aquatics amenities.

Things got a bit ugly earlier in the year when Thompson, stung by the board’s decision not to bring Billy Casper Golf back to manage the Ocean Pines golf course, seemed to accuse the board majority of failing to do “due diligence” when vetting BCG’s replacement, Landscape’s Unlimited.

That had several directors livid with indignation, chief among them OPA Treasurer and Director Jack Collins.

The end result of that kerfuffle has been kept closely under wraps – Thompson wasn’t fired for that particular lapse of judgment (taking on a board majority in a public form) – but it’s conceivable something less than complimentary has been placed in the GM’s employment file.

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OPINION Yacht Club leasing

A recent Progress commentary endorsed the idea of leasing out the Yacht Club operation in order for the association to curtail the losses that we are incurring in spite of the $5.5 million investment and upgrade to the facility.

But as troubling as said losses are, the fact that the best idea that the some on the board can come up with is to slam the doors shut in the faces of the year round population is just as troubling.

The new building is an investment made by all property owners, yet we have some board members suggesting that the community’s multi-million dollar investment should sit shuttered, awaiting the arrival of tourists, wedding parties, weekenders, and other outsiders.

The undeniable reality of the situation is that the Yacht Club facility has been administered to the financial detriment of the property owners for 40plus years. And to now suggest that the year round population be penalized as a result of a history of ineptitude when it comes to administering our amenities only adds insult to financial injury.

So I ask the ‘close it down’ board members, why haven’t we been able to at least break even when we have less expenses than our competition (who are open year round, seven days a week) have? Why do we continue to operate the business on a ‘trial and error’ basis, excusing the losses by saying, “it’s

Life in the Pines From Page 41 to emphasize the positive when it comes to Yacht Club financial performance.

Also at the March 28 meeting, both Stevens and Clarke were literally taken back – appalled is more like it – by Thompson’s written remarks about fixing the Swim and Racquet Club splash pad. It seemed as if the general manager was entertaining the possibility of retaining the original contractors to fix elevation and grading issues at the splash pad. That was a retreat from his remarks last year in which he told the directors he would be issuing a request for proposals from other contractors to redo the amenity.

Payment for most of the work has been withheld from the original contractor, who has informed Thompson that it believes the work – all with the exception of some peeling tiles – was done in accord with specs.

Last year, the directors were informed that the work was not done according to specs.

Both Stevens and Clarke expressed concern over the apparent change in strategy so close to opening of the pools Memorial Day weekend. They seemed to be expecting a report from Thompson detailing how much progress had already been made on the repairs to date.

Thompson recoiled by the not-soveiled criticism of his efforts, but he subsequently decided to begin work on soliciting an RFP. It appears he took the hint.

April - Early May 2015Ocean Pines PROGRESS

LETTERS new, give it a chance.” Newsflash, it’s not new. We’ve been doing catering and bar/ restaurant for forty plus years. And we still can’t get it right.

The past and present board members who administer the facility and determine finances and policy are well intentioned volunteers who have limited time and limited expertise necessary to facilitate the success of our investment. The common denominator for 40-plus years of financial failure is boards of directors and general managers that simply do not have the business background and/ or the time to make the place simply break even.

In reality, the only thing that can rescue this community from the perpetual

losses is to lease the property out to a local businessman, someone well known and respected, someone with name recognition. The lease will stipulate hours of operation (including limited winter hours), and then the board and GM will get out of the way and let private enterprise do its thing.

And yes, we did try leasing it before, a long time ago, but both times the board’s and GM meddled in the business, making the success of the lessee impossible.

There is absolutely no logical reason to continue on this course. The OPA boards and GM’s have been unable to correct the problem for the last 40 years, and currently - - instead of competently administering our amenities - - some

43

have resorted to “don’t blame me, it’s the winters fault.”

Steve Lind Ocean Pines

Star Charities

An Ocean Pines Progress commentary [March-Early April, 2015] did a super, super job telling our true story, lifting our spirits, giving us hope that there are some good, kind people like you, Marty Clarke, Jack Collins and Dave Stevens, who understand what Star Charities is all about, helping people and veterans.

How can we ever thank you? I will always appreciate and keep the article in our records.

Anna Foultz Ocean Pines

44 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 32 Ocean Pines PROGRESS

April - Early May 2015

December 2012

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