Chris Shearer
Contributing Writer
OCEAN PINES — Ocean Pines Association General Manager Bob Thompson outlined plans for everything from food trucks to capital improvements earlier this week to a crowded room of citizens at the Town Hall meeting.
Thompson explained the ins and outs of the new budget projects and fielded questions from concerned residents.
Much of the conversation was about the 2016-2017 Ocean Pines Budget, which requires no increase in the $921 base assessment and no increases made on the amenities fees for the year.
Thompson spoke about the wide range of projects that this year’s budget will fund including renovations at the Sports Core Pool and the repairs needed on the two of the four bridges in Ocean Pines.
Thompson assured residents that even though the pool project will begin in July and last throughout the summer until September, the timing ensures that residents will have access to at least one of the community’s pools.
“The bridge repair project has gone out to bid, as the project may cost more than projected and is slated to be completed in the summer,” said Thompson. “The repairs are not expected to affect residents who use those bridges. Additionally, the approved budget funds Ocean Pines infrastructure and amenities work. It continues the road repaving efforts, as well as provides for upgrades to the yacht club and country club.”
Crime was also a topic of interest as there has been a recent spike in the number of break-ins in houses and cars that have been left unlocked.
Thompson linked the spike in crime to an uptick in drug use.
“I know we’re an extremely safe community but drug use is up, not just here but nationwide”, he said. “Be aware of it, and just lock your doors. It’s going to make a huge difference”.
To combat the drug spike, Thompson says a full-time county drug interdiction officer has been added to the task force.
Thompson also spent time on the details of the comprehensive plan, which includes new sports courts and a community garden area.
“The Manklin Meadows Project went out to bid, but came in much higher than estimated,” said Thompson. “The project is being reworked in the coming weeks to see if the costs can be lowered.”
Looking to the future, Thompson discussed a Capital Improvement Planning tool, an asset reserve study and a BEACON study, which is a partnership with Salisbury University’s Business Economic And Community Outreach Network.
Thompson said all three are seeking to help the community envision itself a decade down the road.
“We really need to start thinking more strategically and not immediate need,” he said.
The reserve study will provide information on the state of all of buildings and other assets owned by the community, estimating the lifespan of the assets.
The BEACON study consists of community outreach and surveying that will identify the potential needs of Ocean Pines moving forward. “We’re hitting this from a number of different levels,” Thompson said, “We’re putting in the foundational blocks in so to make those future decisions you have a reasonable understanding of why you made those decisions.”
Thompson said the Ocean Pines Police Station, which has been in need of refitting and remodeling, will also be addressed.
Smaller ticket items include an overhaul of the Community Center’s wireless network and upgrades to computer hardware and software systems.