Ocean Pines residents have long shouldered the burden of subsidizing Glen Riddle, which raises concerns. When I first investigated this issue during my time on the Board, Dallas Baker explained that Glen Riddle opted for the least expensive wastewater system available. Developers often choose membrane systems because they are cheaper to install, despite their significantly higher operating and maintenance expenses. I’m unsure which other developments use similar systems, but Ocean Pines should not be financially responsible for these decisions. Notably, Glen Riddle replaced a membrane in 2018 and again in 2022 due to chlorine degradation. At the time, I recall Commissioners Bertino and Nordstrom advocating for holding Glen Riddle’s developer accountable to recover some of the county’s expenditures, but other Commissioners did not support the effort. Commissioner Bertino continues to call for accountability.

While on the Board, I also researched the cost of hauling Glen Riddle’s waste to Ocean Pines and questioned whether we were being fairly compensated. I discovered that for 2021, hauling costs were reported at $204,581. I shared my findings with Director Rakowski when I left the Board. Today, we learned that the projected revenue loss from Glen Riddle ceasing hauling operations around December is $532,000. Whether this increase reflects rising hauling costs or efforts to secure fair compensation is unclear. Since 2019, the 5–8 trucks hauling waste daily to the pumping station on Beauchamp Road have likely cost the county at least $1.5 million.

I appreciate Commissioner Bertino and Bunting advocating for Ocean Pines rate payers. I look forward to their next Town Hall and am hopeful that the Community and our Board of Directors will come together to ensure Ocean Pines residents are treated fairly.