Ocean Pines board approves equipment purchases, bulkhead repairs and Beach Club rezoning

The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved multiple capital purchases and infrastructure projects at its February meeting, including equipment for the golf course and two bulkhead replacements, and authorized cooperation on a Beach Club rezoning to support Touch of Italys expansion.

The board approved a staff-recommended utility tractor from Burke Equipment for $26,477, a budgeted New Holland loader for $80,828, and a range picker for $24,343. The board also authorized two bulkhead contracts: $141,375 for replacement work at Irrigation Pond No. 18 (Fisher Marine Construction) and $75,000 for a bulkhead at Pond 16. Taken together, those five capital actions sum to about $348,023. Each item was presented as previously discussed in the budget and passed on voice vote.

John Viola, the association general manager, said crews and outside contractors were brought in immediately after the recent blizzard to assist Public Works and that the association reallocated funds and waived short-term permits to help residents with tree- and storm-related cleanup. "Ocean Pines has something special here," Viola said, praising staff and volunteers for the storm response.

President (board) also highlighted the role of partner vendors. On the Touch of Italy partnership, the president said the contract structure leaves the bar as association-owned while allowing the vendor to invest in and operate food-and-beverage improvements. The board then voted unanimously to "consent to and accommodate" expanded commercial restaurant use at the Beach Club and to authorize signing a rezoning application and associated documents to the Town of Ocean City as needed to support Touch of Italy's plans.

Board members asked routine questions about disposal of old equipment (auction, trade-in, or scrap) and scheduling of vendor work. The board recorded the vote for the Beach Club rezoning as unanimous. For the capital purchases and bulkhead contracts, approvals were made by voice vote as the items were in the adopted budget.

Next steps: staff will move forward with vendor contracts and scheduling; the association will present its annual grant request to the Worcester County Commissioners on March 3, and the board will monitor construction timelines and permit progress.