The public hearing will be held on June 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the South Fire Station, 911 Ocean Parkway (and consistent with the OPA Bylaws, this Notice is being provided at least fifteen days in advance of the hearing). 

The following is the referendum question to be presented to the members and voted upon in connection with and as part of the ballot for the 2025 Board election:

Do you authorize the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors and Administration to proceed with the construction of a new South Fire Station at a target cost to OPA, Inc. of up to $3.4 million dollars, with a possible cost variance of up to ten percent (10%)? Attached to and incorporated herein is a document providing additional information pertaining to the proposal to be voted upon via referendum (and to be discussed at the public hearing noticed herein). 

John Latham, Secretary

Ocean Pines Association, Inc. 

Dear Ocean Pines Community,

We want to bring your attention to a crucial matter concerning the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) and the safety of our community.

Under the Declaration of Restrictions (DR’s) for all sections of Ocean Pines, the Ocean Pines Association, Inc. is responsible for providing fire protection for the residents of OPA.

OPVFD plays a vital role in providing fire, rescue, and medical services to the Ocean Pines community. The department also has mutual aid agreements in place to assist neighboring areas, including Ocean City, Berlin, Bishopville and Showell, as well as the rest of Worcester and Wicomico Counties. This dedicated team of volunteers and career firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians ensures our safety, day in and day out.

Our Current Situation: The existing Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department South Station, constructed in 1981, has served us well for over 40 years. However, it no longer meets necessary safety standards, is outdated, and is in a state of disrepair.

The station's current condition presents several issues:

• Size and Capacity: The station was built for a different time and does not adequately accommodate the department's growth. The gross square footage falls well short of our operational needs. The bunkroom, originally built for one staffer, currently houses four men and women in a single room.

 • Safety Concerns: The building's layout and accessibility do not meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, potentially jeopardizing the safety of our first responders and community members.

 • Outdated Infrastructure: The building's energy performance is outdated, and it lacks compliance with modern building codes.

 • Crumbling conditions: The building's failing condition places the health and safety of staff and the public at risk. Mold conditions, gas line issues, and drainage problems are just a few of the pressing issues.

 • Design flaws: First responder circulation throughout the building is both convoluted and hazardous, which can slow response times during emergencies.

 • Staff and Volunteer Retention: The building's condition makes it challenging to recruit and retain both volunteer and career staff, negatively impacting the quality of service we can provide to our community.

Our Path Forward: In light of these challenges, OPVFD and the OPA Board are seeking your support for a vital project. We propose to build a new station on the existing South Station footprint, addressing the shortcomings of the current facility and providing a safer and more efficient environment for our first responders and the public.

By supporting this project, you're endorsing and protecting the safety of our community and ensuring that OPVFD can continue to deliver the high-quality fire, rescue, and medical services that we all rely on. Together, we can create a safer Ocean Pines for generations to come.

Under the “Memorandum of Understanding between Ocean Pines Association, Inc. and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.” executed on July 12, 2024, upon completion of the South Station project, OPA, Inc. will become the owner of the South Station building and associated improvements at that property, subject to the OPVFD continuing to own the land, and having responsibility for property taxes and maintenance and repair costs. Accordingly, OPA members should be aware that, after completion of the project, the asset side of OPA’s balance sheet may be enhanced by ownership of the new station improvements.

“Do you authorize the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors and Administration to proceed with the construction of a new South Fire Station at a target cost to OPA, Inc. of up to $3.4 million, with a possible cost variance of up to ten percent (10%)?”

We respectfully ask that you vote “Yes” to this referendum question."

Thank you for your attention to this important update.

Sincerely,

Ocean Pines Board of Directors