'Taking a different approach' - A message from the Association President

As 2020 comes to a close, there is an overwhelming tendency to cheer the end of a year that created so many problems for the country, as well as Ocean Pines. I prefer to take a different approach. When we look at the impact COVID-19 had on cities and states, it is clear to me that Worcester County and Ocean Pines fared much better than most.

Yes, we did have some Ocean Pines employees and residents impacted by COVID-19 but, overall, our community banded together to help stop the spread and help each other. I am aware of many situations where our residents stepped up to contribute to the medical community as well as to each other. Individuals as well as several groups made and donated masks, shopped for our most vulnerable residents, and checked to make sure others were dealing with the various lockdowns during the year. Now that the vaccines are starting to be administered, hopefully this pandemic is on its last legs.

Ocean Pines is in the beginning phase of our budget process for fiscal year 2021/2022. Ocean Pines was fortunate to get a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan of $1.143 million, along with a CARES Act grant of $125,000. Our Food and Beverage managers also received about $275,000 in a PPP grant. All of these funds allowed Ocean Pines and Matt Ortt Companies to keep our employees on the payrolls. The real effect is a projected budget surplus of about $650,000, instead of a budget loss of $900,000.

As we plan for 2021/2022, there are many unanswered questions. Will the summer crowds return this year? Will there be another PPP opportunity for Ocean Pines? Will our amenities generate more income versus last year? The reality is, we don’t know.

We do know that in 2020 Ocean Pines made significant improvements to our infrastructure. We built a new craft building, a new country club and cart barn, invested in drainage at the golf course and several locations in the community, and we built a modern building for our Police Department. With our major infrastructure issues addressed, we are turning our focus on the Racquet Sports center and more drainage projects.

Ocean Pines was awarded $549,000 in a grant by DNR, and we are awaiting the money to be received by the county so we can move forward with the Bain- bridge Pond drainage project. In addition to the money from the state, Ocean Pines has committed $300,000 to the project. We are planning on budgeting another $300,000 for drainage improvements throughout the community.

The Ocean Pines drainage system relies on water flowing from one property to the next property. It is critical that homeowners do not blow their leaves or debris into the drainage ditches. If one ditch gets clogged, it creates a backup that affects your neighbors. Ocean Pines does not have the manpower or financial resources to clean every ditch clogged by homeowners blowing leaves and debris into the ditches. I ask that you please consider this when cleaning up your properties after storms or the fall leaf drop.

Managing the Association through this pandemic is a first-time experience for all of us. We are fortunate that we have a dedicated staff doing the best they can under tremendous pressure. I can assure you the Board of Directors appreciates everything our staff and homeowners are doing to get through the pandemic. Hopefully, the vaccines will end the pandemic and we can get back to some normalcy. Please stay safe. I believe we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.