SALISBURY — A new James M. Bennett Middle School in Salisbury remains on Wicomico’s capital improvement wish list, but county officials warned it doesn’t appear funding will be available for the project any time soon.The Wicomico County Council on Monday reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2012 capital improvement plan, which includes, among numerous other projects,… Read more »

BERLIN — Local legislators and elected officials all over the Eastern Shore this week came out in strong opposition to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s call for a ban on septic systems in new development, citing the potential loss of local control on planning and growth issues and, perhaps more importantly, a serious decline in property values… Read more »

SALISBURY – A request made by a local brewery stimulated the Mayor and City Council to approve a resolution on a Water and Sewer Capacity Fee Payment Plan.During Monday night’s City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve a policy proposed by Mayor James Ireton to allow for the payment of water and sewer… Read more »

BERLIN — Changes to state law will be required for Berlin to gain its first microbrewery, and the Mayor and Council threw their support behind the efforts on Monday.Bryan Brushmiller, owner of Burley Oak Brewing Company on Old Ocean City Blvd., appeared before the council to ask for its endorsement of a proposal to adjust… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – The tables turned this week as the Mayor and City Council came to a complete agreement on an ordinance to change the pay scale for newly hired town employees.One of the ordinances proposed last year by the council in an attempt to lower costs for the town was to change newly hired… Read more »

SNOW HILL — This week’s Worcester County Commissioners meeting included the awarding of a contract for “Play It Safe” booklet production, the next step being taken in the county’s solar energy evolution, and a request for an increase to the minimum age for pumpers by the Chartered Volunteer Fire Companies in Worcester County.Fire Marshal Jeff… Read more »

BERLIN — The Lower Shore’s delegation in Annapolis had a candid sit-down with Gov. Martin O’Malley last week to discuss a wide variety of issues germane to the region, including the eventual completion of Route 113 and the possibility of adding a toll at the Maryland line to help pay for the improvements.Lawmakers from across… Read more »

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) officials presented the Mayor and City Council this week with end-of-the-year updates on the department and the water rescue dive team.“We are very fortunate enough to look back and say we had a very busy and safe 2010,” Fire Chief Chris Larmore said.During the summer of 2010,… Read more »