Marine Activities Committee asks administration to update Ocean Pines boat‑ramp language on website; motion approved

The Marine Activities Committee voted to ask the Ocean Pines administration to update website language about boat ramps to match current policy.

John Latham, the committee’s liaison and parliamentarian, summarized a recent administrative reply and said the policy itself will not change but that the website wording is misleading. “My suggestion is … that the administration … update the website to reflect the current policy,” Latham said, urging the liaison to submit a written request. Committee members agreed the public site currently implies unrestricted public access even though the standing policy differs.

The motion — that the committee contact the administration via its liaison to request website wording be updated to reflect current practice (or be removed) — was moved by John Latham and seconded by Chair Donna McElroy. After discussion about whether posting the policy attracts unwanted attention, the committee called the vote; seven members voted in favor, one member was absent, and the motion passed.

Members pointed to two specific discrepancies between the website and practice: website text that references use “only of Ocean Pines property owners, residents, and their guests,” which committee members said does not match observed use, and a trailer‑parking rule on the site that appears inconsistent with enforcement practice. Latham said the website should be “tweaked” so public information aligns with actual policy and does not confuse residents.

The committee asked that a formal charging document be drafted so the liaison can present the request to the administration. Sue (committee member) was asked to prepare the draft language for John to forward.

Next steps: the committee will submit the written request through the liaison and revisit the matter if the administration does not respond.