Talbot County, Maryland

09/29/2025

Category: Partner Agencies County Manager’s Office County Council

The Talbot County Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. Council Vice President Pete Lesher was absent.

Proclamation: Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Month. From left: Clay Stamp, County Manager; Council Member Dave Stepp; Beth Anne Dorman, CEO for For All Seasons, Alexa Seip, 1st Vice Chair for For All Seasons; Dr. Pepukayi, Superintendent for Talbot County Public Schools

The Council proclaimed September 2025 as No Matter What…You Matter Suicide Prevention Month in Talbot County. The proclamation, presented to For All Seasons, Inc., recognized the far-reaching impact of suicide, which claimed nearly 49,300 lives in the U.S. in 2023, including 608 Maryland residents. Talbot County youth are not immune: 17.2% of high school students and 16.8% of middle school students report having seriously considered suicide.

The proclamation calls for expanded behavioral health resources and encouraged all residents to reach out and check on one another. “Even a simple conversation can save a life,” it reads.

“Too often, people say they’re ‘fine’—when they can be anything but,” said Beth Anne Dorman, CEO of For All Seasons. “That’s why it’s so important to check in with the people around you, to ask how they’re doing and really listen. We all have a role to play in building a community that looks out for one another.”

Learn more about For All Seasons and resources: What if "I'm Fine" isn't the whole story?

Proclamation: Alopecia Awareness Month

Alopecia Awareness Month. From left: Council Member Keasha Haythe, and Dr. Annie Mewborn.

Council declared September 2025 as Alopecia Awareness Month in Talbot County and recognized Saturday, September 27 as Easton Walk for Alopecia Day. The proclamation honors the work of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), which serves nearly 7 million Americans living with this autoimmune condition.

Easton will host its first-ever Walk for Alopecia at Idlewild Park, bringing together families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to raise awareness, support research, and end stigma surrounding hair loss.

“Together we are breaking down stigma and building confidence,” said Dr. Annie Mewborn, who received the proclamation on behalf of NAAF. “This proclamation also connects directly to our community outreach. This Walk is about raising awareness, bringing families together proudly in solidarity with those affected… It is our hope that this recognition inspires more compassion and sparks conversation. Together, we ensure that no one is facing alopecia unseen and unheard—because it’s not just about hair.”

Learn more about Walk for Alopecia Easton: WALK FOR ALOPECIA™

Community Resource Expo Update

Catherine Poe emphasizes the important of local resources like Expo Day. 

Catherine Poe, Chair of the Talbot County Hunger Coalition and a member of the Steering Committee for Resource Day 2025, provided an update on the upcoming Talbot County Community Resource Expo, scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Easton Elementary School.

Poe emphasized the increasing local need for support services:

• 3,733 Talbot County residents receive SNAP benefits, including 1,430 children.
• Each week, nine local food pantries and three meal providers serve nearly 3,000 people each week —totaling more than 144,000 visits annually.
• Major food pantries face monthly costs ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 to meet demand.

“The people coming to our pantries are not sitting on the sidelines,” Poe explained. “You sometimes hear people say ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ or ‘get a job,’ but people are doing just that. They are the working poor. And this is why they come through our food pantries. This is why they need Resource Day.”

She pointed to the economic disparity faced by many in the county:

• The cost of living in Talbot County for an individual is approximately $40,646 after taxes.
• A person working full-time at $15/hour earns about $31,000 annually.
• A average person on Social Security receives about $24,080 per year.

This year’s Community Resource Expo aims to be a “one-stop shop” for residents seeking help with food, housing, utilities, health care, legal services, job placement, childcare, and more. New this year:

• Spanish-speaking interpreters will be available throughout the event.
• Delmarva Community Transit is adding two additional Saturday pickups and drop-offs to the Easton Elementary School site.
• Shuttle vans will bring attendees from St. Michaels Community Center and St. Mark’s Village.

The event is free to attend and includes kids’ activities, giveaways, meals, and a bike rodeo.

Learn more about the 2025 Resource Fair here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CdzGDbcha/

Talbot County Public Schools Capital Improvement Plan

Kevin Shafer, Director of Operations for Talbot County Public Schools, presented the FY27 Capital Improvement Plan. The only funding priority this year is to replace the roof at Easton Middle School, last replaced in 2003. The estimated cost is $4,095,000, with $1,950,000 expected from the State and $2,145,000 from local funding.

Shafer also outlined future priorities, including HVAC upgrades at Easton High (FY28), Easton Middle (FY29), and White Marsh Elementary (FY30), as well as brickwork at Easton Middle (FY31) and a feasibility study for the renovation of Easton High (FY32). He reported that the Chapel District Elementary project is on schedule,  on budget, and is expected to be completed by the end of the current school year.

Council unanimously approved support for submitting the Capital Improvement Plan to the State; funding decisions will occur later in the process.

Tax Abatement Requests

Finance Director Martha Sparks presented a request to abate FY26 real property taxes for 32 nonprofit organizations operating within Talbot County. These organizations—including entities focused on conservation, housing, historic preservation, community development, and cultural enrichment—own property within the county that qualifies for tax relief in accordance with State law and County policy.

The total amount of the requested abatements was $48,922.78. After review, the Council unanimously approved the request in support of the mission-driven work these organizations provide to the community.

County Manager’s Report

• Board and Committee Appointments: The Council approved several board and committee appointments, including:
  • Adult Public Guardianship Review Board – Council approved the appointment of Amanda Andrew.
  • Commission on Aging – Council approved the appointment of Wendy Palmer.
  • Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors – Council approved the appointment of JoAnn Asparagus Murray.
• Letter of Opposition to Modifications on Striped Bass Management: The Council heard from Jeff Harrison, President of the Talbot Watermen Association, and Jeannie Haddaway, who urged the Council to oppose Draft Addendum III to Amendment VII of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The proposed changes would impose a 12% reduction in Maryland’s commercial striped bass harvest and potentially reopen the recreational catch-and-release season during the critical January through May spawning period.
  According to the letter of opposition, such measures “unfairly punish working watermen while ignoring the real sources of stock decline.” It also emphasized that recreational anglers harvested over 1.7 million striped bass in 2024—nearly three times the size of the commercial harvest, noting the measure unfairly impacts commercial striped bass fisherman.
• The Council unanimously voted to support a letter of opposition, noting that Talbot County’s heritage-based watermen economy—along with tourism, restaurants, and supporting businesses—would be disproportionately impacted. The letter requests the State’s support in protecting both the striped bass population and the livelihoods of Maryland’s watermen.
• FY26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Applications: The Council unanimously approved staff recommendations for proposed partnerships for FY26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding which is administered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. This cycle, the County received Letters of Interest from 6 non-profits with requests totaling over $2.2 Million. Of those, three non-profits were recommended for partnership for SFY26 CDBG applications.  The CDBG program supports a variety of housing, infrastructure, and social service projects for low-to-moderate income residents.
• Engineering Report for Claiborne Water System: Following a recent work session with residents of Claiborne, the Department of Public Works presented a proposal to initiate a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to evaluate long-term water access solutions for the village. The proposed study will assess the feasibility of connecting to existing nearby systems—such as those operated by Martingham Utilities Cooperative or the Town of St. Michaels—or installing new individual wells and septic.
  While the County does not operate water utilities, it is committed to helping communities like Claiborne explore viable options. The Council approved the request to award the $29,814.75 contract to Rauch, Inc., with funding to come from FY26 contingency funds. Once complete, the PER will be submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for review and consideration for grant and loan funding support.
• Emergency Change Order – Chapel Road Culvert Replacement: The Department of Public Works also requested an emergency change order following notification that the culvert under Chapel Road is at risk of imminent failure. To avoid delays, staff proposed adding the project under Bid No. 23-09, an existing contract with David A. Bramble, Inc., which already includes similar culvert work being completed throughout the county.
  Council unanimously approved Change Order No. 2 to Bid No. 23-09 in the amount of $1,379,483, with direction to the County Engineer to negotiate the final price if possible. The project will be funded through Capital Project CPSTREET 8583, and right-of-way acquisition from three nearby property owners will begin immediately.

Work Sessions

The Talbot County Council hosted the President and Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) for their annual discussion on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.  A link to a recording of the meeting can be found here: Talbot County Council Meeting with Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Representives

Next Meeting

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room, South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton.   At 2:30 p.m. the Council will be meeting with the local delegation (Senator Mautz, Delegate Adams and Delegate Hutchinson).  Both meetings are open to the public.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the County Council will be holding a work session at 4:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room to discuss the feasibility study for the welcome center with Cassandra Vanhooser, Director of Economic Development and Tourism.  At 5:00 p.m. the County will be meeting with elected officials from the Towns.  The meeting will be held in the Talbot County Free Library, Easton branch.  Both meetings are open to the public.

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the County Council will be meeting with the Board of Education at 5:00 p.m. at the Chapel District Elementary School.

county council meeting highlights council highlights suicide prevention proclamation alopecia community resource expo