Talbot County, Maryland

08/18/2025

Category: County Manager’s Office County Council

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.; all Council members were present.

Senior Citizens Task Force

Council reviewed and acted on an amended Administrative Resolution to establish a Senior Citizens Task Force, following input from the Commission on Aging, the Talbot County Health Department, and other partner agencies regarding addressing issues affecting homeless senior citizens. Council unanimously approved the amended resolution, paving the way for the task force to be created.

The task force will assess and recommend ways to improve services for homeless senior citizens, focusing on housing, transportation, health care and meals. Membership will include a broad coalition of community partners, including the Commission on Aging, Delmarva Community Services, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, Neighborhood Service Center, Talbot County Health Department Senior Care Program, Mobile Integrated Health Care Program, Mid-Shore Behavioral Health, the Town of Easton, and the County Council.

Information on the task force will be located here: talbotcountymd.gov/seniortaskforce

Resolution No.368 – Comprehensive Water Sewer Plan Amendment

Council unanimously voted to “Remove Resolution No. 368 from the table” after it was tabled by the Council on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.  The resolution proposes to reclassify a property located at 4502 Old Trappe Road from “Unprogrammed” to “W-1/S-1” immediate priority status in the Comprehensive Water & Sewer Plan.  If approved, it would enable the property to connect to the Town of Trappe’s water and wastewater system.

Council Member Keasha Haythe commented, “In the past Council has shown concern with Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan amendments related to residential development.  However, this property is located in an industrial area. This is an industrial zoned area, and growth here will support jobs and the economy in the Trappe area.”

Council voted 3-2 in favor of Resolution No. 368; Council President Chuck Callahan, Council Member Keasha Haythe and Dave Stepp voted in favor. Council Vice President Pete Lesher and Council Member Lynn Mielke voted against.

Bill No. 1618 – Cannabis Zoning Legislation

Council considered Bill No. 1618, which, if approved, would permit cannabis growing, processing, and dispensaries in certain zoning districts, subject to certain criteria, such as setbacks, odor controls, and special exception approvals.

Bill No. 1618 follows the passage of HB805 by the Maryland General Assembly, effective June 1, 2024, which updated State law to give local governments greater flexibility in regulating cannabis businesses beyond what was included in the Cannabis Reform Act of 2024.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) has issued guidance to assist jurisdictions in creating zoning ordinances, which can be found here. At present, the State has allocated two standard dispensary licenses for Talbot County. The State has provided the Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Data Dashboard to keep track of sales, volume, licenses, etc. of cannabis in the State of Maryland (learn more here).

In response to public comments regarding Bill No. 1618, including those made at the Council’s July 22, 2025, meeting, the Planning Commission made additional recommendations to the Council following their August 6, 2025, meeting as follows:

• Separate the Cannabis Grower and Processor (if cannabis grown on-site) in the Table of Land Uses such that cannabis processing would only be permitted by special exception; and
• Increase the minimum lot size for properties used for cannabis growing and processing from 20 acres to 40 acres.
• Additionally, the Planning Commission reaffirmed their strong support of Bill No. 1618 as drafted requiring minimum setbacks of 500 feet from preexisting residential and institutional uses for both cannabis growing and processing as well as the language regarding odor control.

During the Council meeting, two amendments were introduced. The first amendment, proposed by Council Member Lesher and introduced by Council Members Lesher and Stepp, would, if approved, incorporate the Planning Commission’s recommendations from their August 6, 2025, meeting. The amendment failed by a vote of 2-2-1, with Council Members Lesher and Stepp voting in favor, Council Members Callahan and Mielke voting against, and Council Member Haythe abstaining. The second amendment, proposed by Council Member Stepp and introduced by Council Members Stepp and Lesher, if approved, would eliminate the conditional reduction in setbacks for cannabis growing and cannabis processing from 500 feet to 200 feet if approved by all owners of residential properties within the setback, thus fixing such minimum setbacks at 500 feet.  The amendment failed by a vote of 2-2-1, with Council Members Lesher and Stepp voting in favor, Council Members Callahan and Mielke voting against, and Council Member Haythe abstaining. 

Bill No. 1618, as introduced, failed by a 1-2-2 vote. Council Member Lesher voted in favor, Council Members Callahan and Mielke voted against, and Council Members Stepp and Haythe abstained.

Thus, the provisions of Bill No. 1618 will not take effect.

Bill No. 1619 –Bond Issuance for Sanitary District

A public hearing was held on Bill No. 1619, which, if approved, would authorize the County to borrow up to $7,018,942 through the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund water and sewer improvements, including expanding sewer service, upgrading the Royal Oak pump station, and connecting more properties identified in Resolution 235. Council brought Bill No. 1619 to third reader and unanimously approved the bill.

County Manager’s Report

• Board and Committee Appointments
• Local Emergency Planning Committee: Council unanimously approved the following appointments and reappointments:
  • Michael Copeland (Emergency Preparedness Manager for UMMS Shore Regional Health)
  • Rich Taylor (Public Emergency Health Planner – Talbot County Health Department)
  • Sara Jane Kershaw (American Red Cross Disaster Program Manager)
  • Raymond Bonner (CERT citizen representative)
  • Mike “Carl” Owens (Security Coordinator – Talbot County Public Schools)
  • Sarah Kilmon (Communications Manager, Talbot County Government)
  • Marlin Hayman (State Highway Administration)
  • Dana Meintzer (Fuel Oil)
  • Nick Greenhawk (Utilities – Asst. Superintendent of Operations at Easton Utilities)
  • Matthew Spence (Media – WCEI)
  • Dr. Sharon Pepukayi (TCPS)
  • Micah Risher (Easton Airport)
  • Sheriff Joe Gamble (Law Enforcement)
• County Manager Stamp noted that Goldsborough Neck Road will be closed to through traffic between Villa Road and Glebe Road beginning on or about August 18, 2025, for an estimated three (3) months. The Talbot County Department of Public Works advises that the closure is necessary to complete utility relocation, culvert replacement, and road widening improvements near the intersection of Goldsborough Neck Road and Villa Road. The project is expected to be completed on or about November 17, 2025. During this time, a detour will be in place, and signage will be posted to guide motorists.
• County Manager Clay Stamp announced that the Route 50 entrance to the Talbot County Community Center will close on October 1, 2025 for infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the Regional Medical Center project. The improvements will prepare the shared entrance for both the Community Center and the future regional hospital. Residents are advised to use the alternate entrances to the Community Center complex, which include the entrance at Hiners Lane, and a new entrance expected to open in mid-to-late August 2025 off of Rt. 662 (Longwoods Rd.)

Next Meeting

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

meeting highlights council highlights senior citizen task force housing board and committee appointments