Northern Worcester YMCA gets water and sewer approval
By Bob Lassahn

On Tuesday, May 3 the Worcester County Commissioners held a public hearing to consider a proposed amendment of the Worcester County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan to provide public water and sewerage to the proposed Northern Worcester County YMCA. The YMCA, to be built on a parcel of land donated by developer Marvin Steen and located north of Gum Point Road just off of Route 589, continues to jump a series of legal hurdles to become a reality.

The required 15 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) for the YMCA and an adjacent Chamber of Commerce building will be provided from an existing pot in the current capacity of the Ocean Pines treatment facility and are not an element in the ongoing question of plant expansion. As a result of a closely contested referendum the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) agreed to provide the required 15 EDUs plus an additional 60 EDUs for a Steen development on an adjacent parcel of land. The additional 60 EDUs were not included in the proposal placed before the commissioners and will be considered separately.

Following a presentation by Sandy Coyman, director of the Department of Comprehensive Planning, stating the Planning Commission’s favorable finding and a brief statement from attorney Mark Cropper the commissioners engaged in an exchange regarding some technical aspects of what exactly is required in expanding the existing service area. With input from county attorney Ed Hammond and Mr. Coyman the issue was resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.

With no objections raised to the amendment during the public hearing and assurance from OPA Board of Directors President Dan Stachurski that the commitment to provide the EDUs will be honored, the commissioners passed the measure by a five to two vote. Commissioners Louise Gulyas and Bud Church dissented based upon a long standing belief the location is not the best possible location for the YMCA.

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Check out the following stories in this week's Courier:

• The box of letters that became a book -- Author Jerry Harlowe highlights the experiences of a World War I soldier through the soldiers diaries and letters home.
• Delegate Norm Conway outlines his position on the Fair Share Health Care Fund Act.
• Once upon a time there was an Ocean City without lifeguards