Talbot County, Maryland

04/24/2024

Category: County Council

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Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble shares story about Blake Newton's logo for the Critical Response Unit.

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Council Member Dave Stepp presented to Blake Newton (third from right) for his logo design. He was joined his family, Easton Police Department Chief Alan Lowery, and Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble.

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Council Member Keasha Haythe presented a proclamation recognizing April 2024 as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month to Susan Ahlstrom from For All Seasons.

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Blake Newton joined his family, Easton Police Department Chief Alan Lowery, and Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble.

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on April 23, 2024 at 6 p.m.; Vice President Pete Lesher was absent.

Certificate of Recognition to Blake Newton

Blake Newton, student at Easton High School, was presented a certificate of recognition for his design of the logo for the Critical Response Unit, a division of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Easton Police Department.

The Critical Response Unit, commonly known as SWAT, is commanded by the Easton Police Department and is highly trained to meet all standards set by the Maryland State Police and Correctional Training Commission. The group, which contains members of the Sheriff’s Office and Easton Police Department operates on an on-call status, responding to high-risk incidents where the safety of the public is paramount.

The logo will be used to identify members of the Critical Response Unit team.

Proclamation: National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 2024

Susan Ahlstrom from For All Seasons accepted a proclamation recognizing April 2024 as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The proclamation aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities about how to prevent it. Nationwide, 81% of women, and 43% of men report having experienced some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. This year’s theme for Sexual Assault Awareness month is Building Connected Communities, a campaign that asks individuals to create strong, connected communities that take care of one another and prioritize safe environments, respectful behavior, and prevention education. “Community level prevention benefits everyone in the community, and everyone has a role to play in preventing sexual violence,” read the proclamation. “Talbot County supports the experts who work to identify and prevent sexual violence and is dedicated to providing services and avenues for survivors to seek proper care and treatment.”

For All Seasons is the only Rape Crisis Center (RCC) serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. The RCC provides a 24-hour crisis hotline to ensure that victims have access to caring and knowledgeable support in their time of crisis; crisis appointments and ongoing mental health services; hospital, law enforcement, and court accompaniment; support through sexual assault forensic exams; victim statement preparation; and emergency shelter and support services referrals. Services are always free.

More information can be found at forallseasonsinc.org.

Other Business

• Patty Crankshaw-Quimby, Executive Director for Talbot Humane and Chief Animal Control Officer for Talbot County Animal Control provided an update on rates of adoption, spay and neuter, immunization, euthanasia, animal control calls and more. In addition, Crankshaw-Quimby noted this year marks 20 years of the very successful spay and neuter program operated by Talbot Humane. Currently there is about a two-month waitlist, but she encouraged anyone who is interested to reach out to Talbot Humane to get on the schedule. More information can be found at talbothumane.org.  Crankshaw-Quimby also highlighted the work of volunteers who support Talbot Humane and thanked them for their service.
• The Talbot County Agricultural Community provided information on the farming and agricultural industry in the region. Updates were provided by Shannon Dill, AgFS University of Maryland Extension – Talbot County, Shawn Smith, Talbot Soil Conservation District, John Swaine, Talbot Soil Conservation District, and John Barga, USDA Farm Service Agency. According to the USDA Census, Talbot County has 357 farms, which is up 13% from 2017. However, the average size of farms has decreased. Market value is up almost 60%, but along with that increase is a 45% increase in production and equipment expenses.
• A public hearing was held on Resolution No. 356.  If approved, the resolution will formally decline an offer of dedication for the paper street portion of Calvert Avenue, located in the Rio Vista community of St. Michaels, and subsequently authorizes the execution of a quitclaim deed to convey a 4,195 square foot portion of the paper street to owners of the adjacent property, Grayson and Teresa Bowers. Resolution No. 356 is expected to be voted on at the Council meeting on May 14, 2024.
• County Attorney Patrick Thomas presented Findings of Fact for Bill No. 1551. The Council unanimously voted in support of the Findings of Fact, and subsequently unanimously approved Bill No. 1551. The legislation will award 8.348 acres of supplemental growth allocation to the Town of Easton for property located at 28580 Marys Court (Easton).
• Council unanimously approved Bill No. 1552, which will exempt Thompson Park, located in the Town of Easton, from the 500-foot public park setback requirement for liquor licenses for offsite consumption.
• Martha Sparks, Director of Finance, requested approval for 4th Quarter Transfers that focus on the purchase of capital outlay items. There were some capital items requested as part of the FY25 budget that were later determined could be purchased with FY24 appropriations within the guidance of Section 615 of the Talbot County Charter and Council’s approval. The transfers totaled $871,572. The memo can be found on the County website. Council unanimously approved the request.
• The Department of Corrections requested approval to award Bid No. 24-04 for shower stalls and plumbing renovations at the Department of Corrections to the low bidder, PBI, Inc.  in the amount of $350,440. The request was unanimously approved.
• The Department of Economic Development and Tourism, requested approval to award Bid No. 24-05, printing of the 2024 Talbot County Travel Guide to the sole bidder, APG Chesapeake Inc., in the amount of $52,451. The request was unanimously approved.

The Talbot County Council will hold two public hearings to discuss the FY25 Budget on May 7, 2024. The first session will be held at 2 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. The second session will be held at 7 p.m. at the Easton Elementary School cafeteria located at 307 Glenwood Avenue in Easton. The hearings are open to the public.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14th beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room located in the South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton.  The meeting is open to the public. Please note, from June to September, Council meetings start at 5:00 p.m.

council highlights budget proclamation tourism economic development sexual assault awareness public health