Page 40 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch September 13, 2013 Berlin Wind Turbine Back On Track By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER BERLIN – A few technical setbacks have delayed the construction of Berlin’s first wind turbine but all bugs have been eliminated and blades should be spinning this November. The snag came this summer while testing materials that would be used in the turbine, according to Doug Richard, owner of DDU Magnetics. However, there was a silver lining as a probe into the malfunctions led to new discoveries. “We were developing the wind turbine by doing reliability testing in Chicago and we had some failures of some of the components, and we’ve worked those issues out and the result of our research resulted in another US patent,” he told the Town Council Monday. All “technical setbacks” have since been resolved, added Richard. Luckily, they were caught pretty early which is why component testing is done before any construction begins, he said, since it can be much more difficult to address problems once the 50kw turbine is built. “It’s a lot easier to test those components before you put it up in the sky. We did not want to have a failure after we’d installed it,” Richard said. “But the testing did result in a new discovery.” Final tests should wrap up in short order, he continued, at which point installation and construction can begin. “So sometime this fall we should have an operable wind turbine at the Berlin property?” Mayor Gee Williams asked. Richard confirmed that by November the turbine should be fully operational and supplying electricity to the town. And while it’s unfortunate that there was a delay due to component failure, the results of the tests have produced a better turbine, he said. “What we discovered was that we could remove some of the moving parts, some of the rotating parts and replace those with diodes and we’ve reduced the points of failure by more than half,” Richard said. “We reduced the components that were causing the points of failure by more than half. It is much more reli- able now.” The council was happy to have a timeline on the turbine. “I’m just glad this is moving forward…it’s progress,” said Councilwoman Lisa Hall. “We’re almost there.” Williams asked that Richard keep Utilities Director Tim Lawrence in the loop so that he can provide ongoing reports to the council. Obituaries Lawrence P. Majors BERLIN – Lawrence Phillip Majors, 85, passed away on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013 at his residence on Cathell Road in Berlin. He was born in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 13, 1927 to the late Edward and Margaret Majors. He is survived by his wife, Thelma “Helen” Majors of Berlin; his son, William L. Majors of Forestville, Md.; granddaughter, Kimberly Wildoner of Leonardtown, Md.; sister, Betty Dean of Owings, LAWRENCE P. MAJORS Md.; step children, Esther Quesenberry, Susan Johnson, Michael Parks, Clint Parks of Maryland and Cindy McDaniel of Boise, Idaho. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lawrence’s career was in the trucking industry. He was an independent contractor for the Campbell Sand Co. He was on the Metropolitan Police force for 25 years. He was an active member of the American Legion, VFW, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus and Fraternal Order of Police. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Taylorville United Methodist Church, 11252 Adkins Road in Berlin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church at P.O. Box 456, Berlin, Md. 21811. this week’s open houses CALL AGENTS FOR DIRECTIONS View more open houses at www.mdcoastdispatch.com/open_houses.php OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Sat & Sun 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 NORTH OCEAN CITY 304 140th Street Caine Woods Sat 11-2 Remodeled Home Short Walk to Beach No HOA Fees Linda Moran Prudential PenFed 410-520-2628 OCEAN CITY OCEAN CITY Sunset Island The Gateway Grand 67th St & The Bay Two 48th Street Open Sat & Sun Oceanfront Condos, Townhomes, Daily 10-5 Single Family Homes Fully Furnished Luxury Resort Living Penthouse Residences Terry Riley The Fritschle Group/ Vantage Resort Realty Condominium Realty 443-880-0512 877-260-2710 OCEAN CITY Eleven 11 Edgewater 1111 Edgewater Ave Open Daily 10-4 New Bayfront Condos 3BR/2.5BA/1700+SF Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 BERLIN Willow Brook Griffin Road Sat&Sun 11-4 New Construction Single Family Homes Kim Heaney Monogram Realty 443-386-3177 OCEAN CITY The View 57th St. Bayfront Daily 10-4 New Construction Direct Bayfront 3BR/2BA Condo Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-726-5108 OCEAN PINES 18 Seafarer Lane Sat 11-3 3BR/2.5BA Home Great Floor Plan Lots of Space Creative Landscaping Colleen Deptula Coldwell Banker 443-880-3471 ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA/HOLY SAVIOR PARISH INVITES YOU TO AN ALL-U-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST SUNDAY, SEPT. 15, 8 A.M.-NOON Parish Center-1705 Philadelphia Ave. Menu: Scrambled Or Western Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Hash Browns, Pancakes, Creamed Chipped Beef With Biscuit, Juice, New Items On Fruit Cup, Beverage And Pastry Adults $8 Children 12 And Under $4 Family Of Four: $20 (2 Adults And 2 Children) Menu Remember ... A.U.C.E. Come Join Us. We Look Forward To Seeing You There! For Additional Information, Call 410-289-0652