May 17, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 39 . . Showell Project Funding Included FROM PAGE 4 Berlin Stormwater Fee After the town of Berlin passed a graduated stormwater management fee for residential and commercial properties this year, it became apparent Worcester County would have to pay the fees for the properties it operated within the municipalities, which is reflected in the fiscal year 2014 budget. County officials aren’t happy about the new expenditure and vowed to revisit the issue with Berlin officials. “We have five buildings so we’re going to have to come up with a lot of money” said Bunting. “I think we need to have a talk with the town and see why we’re not exempt. We’re not a business and we’re not a residence. We’re providing services.” plumbing and wiring and see if it needs to be scrapped like OCES, or if it can be remodeled,” he said. After some debate, a consensus was reached to keep the $100,000 Showell Elementary study in the budget. Welcome Cruisers! Ocean City’s Newest Sports Bar! at 131st Street & Coastal Highway Here We Grow Again! Snow Hill Opera House Earlier this month, the County Commissioners heard a plea from the town of Snow Hill for a $200,000 grant to help stabilize and restore the old Mason’s Opera House, which has been rechristened the Arts and Education Center in Snow Hill. The project calls for restoring the historic structure and creating an arts and entertainment hub in the county seat, but the Commissioners were not ready to make the entire $200,000 investment this year. Boggs said Snow Hill should be given the entire grant because of the precedents already set. “I’m in favor of giving Snow Hill a chance,” said Boggs. “We’ve supported Ocean City and the Art League, and we’ve supported the Marva Theater in Pocomoke.” Boggs made a motion to include $200,000 for the project, but the motion failed. Shockley then made a motion to include $100,000 for the Snow Hill Opera House with the stipulation the money would be used to stabilize the structure until a long-term solution could be found and that motion passed. Atlantic General Hospital Since its inception decades ago, Worcester County has been a partner in Atlantic General Hospital and provides grants of various amounts in each budget cycle. Last year, AGH asked for and received $50,000 from the county, but the request has jumped to $100,000 this year. Some commissioners questioned the increase, pointing out the hospital’s thriving economic condition, citing the facility’s own publicized bottom line. “I know they need more money and I know what it’s for, but it’s not for expansion,” said Shockley. “I don’t have a problem with the $50,000 we gave them last year. I just don’t know why they keep coming back for more.” However, Commissioner Louise Gulyas said the county had a fiscal responsibility to support the hospital and her colleagues approved the $100,000 expenditure. “It’s a community hospital,” said Gulyas. “We said from the get-go we would support this and they really need this money.” BAR FOOD & DRINKS ALL DAY LONG Watch All Your Sports Action On Plenty Of Large HD TV’s With Plenty Of Seating. ENJOY THE MUSIC OF BOB HUGHES ~ FRI., MAY 17 • 6 P.M. ENJOY HOWARD ON THE PIANO ~ SAT., MAY 18 • 5 P.M. HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS The Place for Ribs, Seafood & Steaks Full Dinner Menu In Our Spacious, Separate Dining Room Open Year Round! Open Monday-Saturday 4 p.m • Sunday At 3:30 p.m. 131st St. & Coastal Hwy. 410-250-3100 • www.jrsribs.com Carry-Out Available in Front 410-250-3131 • Cold Beer • Bags Of Ice Showell Elementary There was come discussion about pushing back a planned study of Showell Elementary School another year to save $100,000 in the current budget. Showell Elementary is the next county public school in line for replacement or rehabilitation and a top to bottom study is the next step in that process but it comes with a $100,000 price tag. With Snow Hill High School renovations set to get underway, some wondered if Showell should be put on the back burner this year. “The thinking is Snow Hill High School won’t start until summer of 2014 and it’s a three-year project, so there is no way to start Showell until Snow Hill is substantially done,” said County Administrator Gerry Mason. Mason said the $100,000 study would include a systematic check of the entire school to see whether it could be restored and rehabilitated, or if it had to be completely replaced. “They’ll look at the school from top to bottom and look at all of the systems from heating and air to