Talbot County, Maryland

02/28/2024

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on February 28, 2024, at 6 p.m.; Council President Chuck Callahan was absent.

Proclamation: Endometriosis Awareness Month

Shannon Hannawald, founder of Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore, accepted a proclamation from Council to raise awareness of Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places in the body. It is one of the most common gynecological diseases, and its primary symptoms include pain and infertility. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the United States.

Hannawald shared her personal story with the Council, before emphasizing that individuals should always advocate for themselves. “You never know what someone is going through. Looking at me, you cannot see that I deal with endometriosis, we should never assume you know how someone is feeling.” 

Hannawald also invited the community to join her on March 15, 2024 for “Go Yellow for Endo”. This initiative asks participants to wear yellow or don a yellow ribbon on that day to raise awareness of the disease and its effects on our community.

For more information on Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore, visit their Facebook page.

Update to the Board the of Health

The County Council serves as the County’s Board of Health. Several times of year, the Talbot County Health Department provides updates on community health issues including disease rates, programming, events, and opportunities in our community.

Maria Maguire, M.D., Talbot County Health Officer, was joined by Brennan Greene, L.E.H.S., the new Talbot County Director for Environmental Health. He replaces Anne Morse, who retired in December 2023 after 43 years of service.  Mr. Greene previously worked for Maryland Department of the Environment serving as the Regional Consultant for the On-Site Systems Division.

Dr. Maguire noted that March is Colorectal Cancer Month. Maguire provided an update on the levels of colorectal and other cancers in Talbot County. On average, Talbot County falls in the same percentage of diagnosis and related deaths as the state, apart from melanoma. Talbot County has the 4th highest rate in the state for melanoma diagnosis, Maguire attributes this to our large farming and watermen population, and our outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, walking, etc.  

Maguire invited the public to attend the Colorectal Screening Fair to be held on March 10th in coordination with the University of Maryland Medical Systems and Digestive Health Center.

Maguire also noted that the Talbot County Health Department is one of 23 organizations nationally to be awarded a $75,000 grant to provide screening awareness and education with a focus on marginalized patient populations.  Through the grant, the Health Department will be able to offer 100 in-home Cologuard screening kits.

Maguire highlighted several programs and community outreach events at the Health Department, including Mobile Integrated Health, in which the Health Department coordinates with the Department of Emergency Services and a pharmacist from University of Maryland Medical Systems, Shore Regional Health to complete house calls for frequent users of emergency services to identify needs; and Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs, which provides funding assistance and wraparound care assistance for individuals with special healthcare needs and their families. Maguire announced that in Spring 2024 the Health Department will be launching new clinical services including Family Planning and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Testing as well as general health screenings.

Finally, Maguire thanked the County Council for their support for the new Health Department facility to be located at 510 Cadmus Lane in Easton.  The new facility is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2024.

For more information about the Health Department, visit talbothealth.org.

Other Business

• Mike Detmer, the new Community Liaison for the Office of Representative Andy Harris, M.D. was introduced to Council. Detmer will work with the Council and County staff on any federal issues.
• Resolution No. 353, introduced by Council Vice President Lesher and Member Mielke, consolidates Resolution Nos. 338, 347, and 348 into a single resolution and proposes to reclassify the water and sewer classifications of those parcels in the Lakeside Development currently classified as W-2/S-2 to W-3/S-3. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
• The County Manager presented two board nominations for the Council’s consideration:
  • Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) – Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Jennifer Williams
  • Talbot County Local Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council (LDAAC) – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Taneesha DeShields, Case Management Program Supervisor/Caroline and Talbot Counties. Caroline County Department of Juvenile Services
• Critchlow Adkins Children’s Center requested a Letter of Support for their Legislative Bond Initiative Funding request in the amount of $500,000. The funding, if received, will assist with the renovation and expansion of their facility located at Chapel District Elementary School in Cordova. The request was unanimously approved.
• Talbot County Public Information Officer, Sarah Kilmon, provided a brief overview of 2024 Talbot Day. The celebration of Talbot’s birthday will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024 on the Courthouse Lawn, weather permitting. The Council encourages citizens to participate in the Poster Contest and to nominate individuals for the Talbot Citizen and Service Awards, both of which are due on April 1st. More information can be found at talbotcountymd.gov/talbotday

The Talbot County Council will hold hearings for FY25 budget presentations from County department and agencies on Thursday, March 7 beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room, and again on Tuesday, March 12 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. The meetings are open to the public. Budget Hearings for public comment will be held in May.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12 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.

council highlights county council health department acc ldaac