Ocean Pines offers update on drainage improvement projects

(Sept. 10, 2020) Ocean Pines officials on Wednesday night supplied an update on proposed drainage improvements related to a recently received grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 

The presentation occurred during a regular Board meeting in the community center. Along with Ocean Pines staff and Board members, those present included Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino, county Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins, county Director of Environmental Programs Bob Mitchell, and officials from Vista Engineering.  

General Manager John Viola said the Ocean Pines team is “very excited about this project.” He said Director of Amenities and Operational Logistics Colby Phillips, Public Works Director Eddie Wells and Public Works Operations Manager Nobie Violante, in particular, put a lot of work into the proposal.  

“This is a project that has been a long time coming,” Phillips said, adding that local and county officials had worked to improve flooding in the area of Bainbridge Pond for some two decades.  

Phillips said the original project sent to the Department of Natural Resources in February would have cost $2.2 million, with just over $1.5 million sought in grant funding from the state. Ocean Pines and Worcester County would have supplied the remaining $729,000.  

“With this project, we were looking to put two more culverts under Beauchamp Road, as well as the addition to the stand-alone pond,” she said. “When we submitted the proposal … everybody loved it. Obviously, with COVID, it was scaled back. However, we still did receive one of … the largest state grants.” 

Ocean Pines, aided by Worcester County and Vista Engineering, received $549,000 in grant funding. In response, a scaled back flooding reduction plan was developed, to include several phases, or “sections” of work. These are not to be confused with the geographic sections of Ocean Pines. 

Viola said the estimated total cost was now about $805,000. 

“The OPA expense for the fiscal year 2020/21 that we’re in, we’re estimating [to spend] somewhere around $250,000-$270,000. And we’re conservative with that,” he said, adding the money would come from the drainage reserve.  

Viola said the scaled back project would tackle sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 this year, with sections 4, 6 and 8 held off until the following year. 

“There is a possibility of future grants,” Viola added. Phillips said that included working with Maryland Coastal Bays Program on a new grant application.  

Phillips said sections 1 and 2 would address water quality improvements and flooding, by bringing Bainbridge Pond up to Maryland Department of the Environment standards and adding capacity through forebays, aquatic benches (or wetland plants), and outfall structures and improved dam embankments. 

“This will help control water levels and can slow them down with the potential larger storms,” Phillips said. For residents, she added section 1 improvements could “help give some cushion to the water that flows in [residents’] backyards.” 

“Twelve percent of this community is affected by this pond,” Phillips said.  

She said work on sections 3, 5 and 7 would replace failing culverts and improve outfall channels, while sections 4, 6 and 8 would retrofit drainage swales, which help manage water runoff, filter pollutants and increase water infiltration.  

All of the improvements would help reduce pollutants, including 1,535 pounds of nitrogen, 174 pounds of phosphorus and 90 tons of total suspended solids, each year.  

“I just want to thank John for your support throughout this entire project. You’ve been unwavering in that,” Phillips said. She also credited Board members, Vista Engineering and county officials with helping to address flooding in the community.  

“Everybody’s worked really hard on this and it’s been a really great team effort, and I’m really proud of what we’ve put together,” she added.  

Viola added that Public Works would also continue regular maintenance of Ocean Pines drainage ditches, to help improve waterflow.  

“It’s a very well-planned-out project,” he said.  

As for next steps, Viola said sections of work would soon go out to bid, and that Ocean Pines would seek a formal acceptance of the grant funds by the County Commissioners.  

Association President Larry Perrone said the purpose of the presentation was to bring the other Board members, and the community, up to speed.  

He said proposed sections 9, 10 and 11 of the work, focused on property on the other side of Beauchamp Road, would have cost “a significant amount of money.” 

“That, at this point, has been eliminated,” Perrone said. “The cost for section 1 and 2 is down to about $800,000 overall. With the grant money we received … we’re probably looking at $250,000, maybe $300,000 … and that money is currently in our reserves.” 

Perrone said the county was looking for a sign that the Board endorsed the scaled back project. He asked for a show of hands, and all seven Board members raised their hands in support.  

“I think you’ve got unanimous support,” Perrone said, adding to Bertino, “I hope you guys will carry that back” to the County Commissioners.  

To view slides from the meeting, visit /documents/20124/122622/9-9-20%20Meeting%20Power%20Point.pptx/ae87ea94-c52f-3d0a-57b2-9dec3b272061.     

To view a video of the meeting, visit https://youtu.be/lnysDVimLEw.