Talbot County, Maryland

09/25/2026

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held its regular meeting on September 22, 2026, at 5 p.m. Council President Chuck Callahan was absent, Council Vice President Pete Lesher participated by phone.  Councilwoman Keasha Haythe chaired the meeting.

Economic Development Week

The Talbot County Council proclaimed September 28 through October 2, 2026, as Economic Development Week in Talbot County, recognizing the importance of economic development to the county’s prosperity, quality of life, job creation and retention, business growth, and tax base.

The proclamation recognized the work of the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Economic Development Commission, and Tourism Board in supporting local businesses, developing strategic partnerships, attracting and retain talent, encouraging entrepreneurship, and strengthening the local economy.

Stephanie Mervine, Talbot County’s new Economic Development and Tourism Director, joined Council for the recognition and spoke briefly about the importance of economic development and the upcoming celebration.

Council members welcomed Mervine and recognized the department’s work to support businesses and jobs throughout Talbot County. Reflecting on a recent tour with local economic development partners, Council Vice President Pete Lesher said the experience provided “refreshed insights” into the work being done each day to attract and retain businesses and jobs in the County.

“We can’t do enough to sing your praises for the vital work that you do,” Lesher said.

Community Resource Day Expo

Catherine Poe, Chair of the Talbot County Hunger Coalition, and Yvette Robinson, Deputy Director of Neighborhood Services of Talbot, invited the community to attend the 2026 Community Resource Day Expo, scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Easton Elementary School located at 307 Glenwood Avenue in Easton.

The free event will bring approximately 50 organizations and resources from Talbot County and across the Eastern Shore together in one location. Residents will be able to connect with services related to energy assistance, health and dental care, mental health, housing, food assistance, transportation, legal assistance, education, employment, childcare, and disability services.

Organizers said the goal is to make it easier for residents to identify multiple resources during a single visit rather than requiring them to contact several different agencies.

A new feature this year will include a live cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Derick Daly using staples commonly available through local food pantries. More than 200 participating families are expected to receive three meal kits each, meaning more than 600 meal kits will be distributed during the event.

Poe also highlighted the financial pressures facing many of the working families who rely on community resources. She noted that someone earning $15 an hour and working full time throughout the year earns approximately $31,000, while the estimated annual cost for one person to live in Talbot County is more than $49,000.

“These are your neighbors. These are the people that we are talking about,” Poe said. “The people who are coming to this expo, these are who are coming because they need that help.”

Poe also announced that, after 13 years leading the Talbot County Hunger Coalition, she will be stepping down at the end of the year. Katie Fox will assume the leadership role beginning January 1. Council members and County Manager Clay Stamp thanked Poe for her years of service, including her work coordinating food resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board of Health Update

Dr. Fahmi Fahmi, Talbot County Health Officer, provided Council with an update on activities of the Talbot County Health Department, including emergency preparedness, environmental health, community services, vaccination efforts, and seasonal illness prevention.

The Health Department continues to conduct emergency preparedness exercises to ensure systems are in place should a public health emergency occur. Dr. Fahmi also announced a community flu vaccination event scheduled for Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Talbot County Health Department located at 510 Cadmus Lane, Easton.

Dr. Fahmi noted Rachel Leahy, LEHS as the Health Department’s new Environmental Health Director and discussed the department’s ongoing work to digitize services to improve accessibility for residents.

With flu and other respiratory illnesses entering their seasonal period, Dr. Fahmi encouraged residents to consider recommended flu and COVID vaccinations and emphasized basic preventative measures, including frequent handwashing.

Talbot County Public Schools FY28 Capital Improvement Plan

Kevin Shafer, Director of Operations for Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS), presented the school system’s FY28 Capital Improvement Plan, including two projects for which TCPS plans to seek State and local funding.

The first priority is replacement of rooftop HVAC units at Easton High School. Shafer said the units will be approximately 30 years old when replaced and are reaching the end of their useful life. The project has a total estimated cost of $1,092,500, with a maximum State allocation of $522,500 and a local funding request of $570,000.

The second priority is replacement of the Easton High School gymnasium bleachers, which also date to the 1997 renovation and are beginning to present safety concerns. The project has a total estimated cost of $308,000, with $153,926 anticipated from the State and a local funding request of $154,074.

Shafer also reviewed the school system’s five-year capital outlook and noted that planning for the future of Easton High School is approaching. A feasibility process is anticipated around 2033, placing the school within the ten-year planning window for a significant renovation or replacement.

Council members discussed whether the existing Easton High School site will remain the best long-term location. Shafer emphasized that no formal discussions have taken place regarding relocation but said TCPS and the County should evaluate the issue before committing substantial resources to a feasibility study and a facility investment expected to serve the community for approximately 40 years.

Council unanimously approved the FY28 Capital Improvement Plan and the associated request for support of the proposed projects.

Community Repair and Reinvestment Fund

Nancy Andrew, MSW, Director of the Talbot County Office of Community Partnerships, updated Council on the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) and presented Talbot County’s inaugural CRRF Distribution Plan for consideration.

Council established the County’s CRRF through Bill No. 1620, which became effective December 13, 2025, and designated Talbot Family Network Board of Directors to serve as the County’s CRRF Commission.

Through June 30, 2026, Talbot County had received $854,706.08 from the Maryland Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund. Administrative expenses during FY2026 totaled $3,315.03, with no other administrative expenses reported to date.

Talbot County’s inaugural grant round generated 19 applications requesting a combined $867,350, compared with the $200,000 available for the first funding cycle. The Commission awarded the full $200,000 across 10 projects, including initiatives focused on home repair and accessibility, early childhood and after-school programming, workforce and career development, literacy, and improving outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system.

The Commission intentionally limited the amount distributed during the inaugural cycle while learning from the new grant process and retaining funds for future investment. Lessons learned from that first round, together with Talbot County data and community input, informed the Distribution Plan presented to Council.

The plan establishes three initial priority areas for future CRRF investment: economic stability and mobility, housing stability, and child development and educational opportunity. It also identifies justice-system involvement and its consequences as foundational to the County’s use of CRRF funding.

Council unanimously approved the CRRF Distribution Plan.

Resolutions Nos. 399, 400 and 401 Introduced

Council introduced three resolutions related to property transfers associated with infrastructure and access improvements.

• Resolution No. 399 would authorize conveyance of approximately 4.195 acres of County property to the State of Maryland for use by the State Highway Administration, together with approximately 0.369 acre and 0.909 acre for revertible slope easements. The transfer would facilitate access associated with Medical Center Drive and the new regional medical center. County legal counsel noted that the proposal had been reviewed by Parks and Recreation staff and would not impact the Community Center.
• Resolution No. 400 would authorize conveyance of Lots 6 and 7 on Tax Map 17 in connection with infrastructure serving the new regional medical center. The transfer would facilitate infrastructure including a water storage tank, substation, and pump station.
• Resolution No. 401 would authorize conveyance of approximately 1.785 acres of County owned property on Oxford Road to the Town of Easton. The transfer would facilitate access to the Town of Easton’s Woodland Park property from the Easton Bypass/Tristan Drive area and is related to a Memorandum of Understanding previously approved between the County and Town of Easton.

Public hearings on Resolutions Nos. 399, 400 and 401 are scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Dulin Farm Reserved Land Agreement

Council considered a request to release the Reserved Land Agreement for Dulin Farm, 12551 Church Lane in Cordova.

Planning and legal counsel explained that the request is the next step following Council’s  approval of Bill No. 1627 in July 2026. That legislation amended the County’s zoning and subdivision provisions to allow the land to qualify for the proposed transaction, subject to applicable requirements.

Staff explained that the release is necessary before the parties can proceed with execution of the contract and that a subsequent revision plat will memorialize the extinguishment of the reserved land area in the County land records.

Council approved the release by a 5-0 vote. Council President Chuck Callahan participated in the vote by phone.

County Manager’s Report

County Manager Clay Stamp presented several items for Council consideration.

• Waterfowl Building – Maryland State Arts Council Grant: Council approved a revised letter supporting Waterfowl Festival, Inc.’s State capital grant application for improvements to the historic Easton Armory/Waterfowl Building. The project is estimated to cost approximately $682,000, with Waterfowl Festival seeking up to $500,000 from the State; the construction component is estimated at $491,768. No County funding is required.
• Resolution No. 250 Sewer Extension Project: Council approved the conditional award of the Resolution No. 250 portion of Bid No. 23-12 to Orenco Systems, Inc. for the purchase of up to 600 STEP systems, pending final Maryland Department of the Environment approval. The baseline unit price is $6,940 per system, or up to $4,164,000 if all 600 systems are purchased at that price. Orders of 100 systems reduce the unit price by $400 per unit, saving $40,000 per 100-unit order.
• Poplar Hill Farm: Council approved an Agreement of Sale with the Town of Easton for approximately 1.785 acres adjacent to Tristan Drive for no monetary consideration. The property will provide access to the Town of Easton’s Woodland Park.
• Talbot County Sheriff’s Office Vehicles: Council approved use of $128,228.55 in FY27 Capital Outlay funding to  to outfit four new 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles through Global Public Safety.
• Request to Designate Monday, October 5, 2026, as a Special Legislative Day: Council unanimously approved the request to designate Monday, October 5, 2026, as a Special Legislative Day and set a meeting time of 4:00 p.m.

Next Meeting

The Council’s next meeting will be a Special Legislative Day on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room, South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 N. Washington Street in Easton. Council meetings are open to the public and are available for viewing through the County’s meeting video archive.

council highlights meeting highlights economic development crrf health education