Talbot County, Maryland

11/12/2026

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

County Council Tours BAAM Facility

From left: Dr. James Bell, Council Member Dave Stepp, Council Member Keasha Haythe, Council President Chuck Callahan, Dina Daly. 

Prior to the legislative meeting, the Talbot County Council visited Building African American Minds (BAAM) in Easton for a tour of the organization's facility.

The visit provided Council members an opportunity to learn more about BAAM's programs, services, and efforts to support local youth and families through education, mentorship, and community engagement.

The tour also provided an opportunity to discuss the organization's ongoing work and its role in serving the Talbot County community.

Talbot County Recognizes Operation Green Light for Veterans

The Talbot County Council presented a proclamation recognizing November 4–11, 2026, as Operation Green Light for Veterans, encouraging residents and businesses to display green lights in recognition of veterans' service and sacrifices.

Representatives from Mid Shore Behavioral Health and For All Seasons joined the Council to highlight the importance of supporting veterans and their families.

Speakers noted that Talbot County is home to approximately 2,600 veterans and emphasized the need for continued access to mental health services, housing assistance, crisis intervention, and other resources.

For All Seasons highlighted its Center for Veterans and Military Families, which continues the work previously undertaken by the Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA). Representatives emphasized that military service affects entire families, noting that 46% of the clients served through the center are children, stepchildren, spouses, or partners of veterans.

“It's great to see the partners in the community working together to help our veterans, but just like Beth Anne said, when our service members serve, the family serves alongside of them,” said Council Member Keasha Haythe. “Having a family member that is a veteran, we know firsthand. I had one that was struggling, and For All Seasons saved his life. Thank you.”

The Council thanked local organizations for their continued work and invited veterans in attendance to join the proclamation presentation.

Operation Green Light is a nationwide initiative led by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO).

Talbot250 Commission Presents Final Report and Receives Recognition

The Talbot250 Commission presented its final report to the County Council, highlighting nearly two years of community programming commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary and Talbot County's 365th anniversary.

Established by the Council in January 2025, the Commission began meeting in April 2025 and will conclude its work in December 2026. Talbot County Communications Manager and Talbot250 Administrator, Sarah Kilmon, presented a photographic retrospective of 13 initiatives, highlighting the Commission's efforts to make local history accessible, encourage community participation, and create lasting resources.

Among the accomplishments highlighted were:

• Ken Burns' The American Revolution Screening: More than 300 registrations and 200 new contacts for marketing future programming.
• Native American Heritage and Artifact Day: More than 750 attendees exploring Indigenous history and culture.
• Talbot Treasures: More than 250 artifacts and contributors sharing local history.
• Voices of Talbot: 16 radio episodes produced in partnership with WHCP highlighting local people, places, and history.
• Talbot Day: Recognition of 11 citizen and service award recipients during the County's 365th anniversary celebration.
• Community Partnerships: More than 10 partner organizations supporting historical programs and commemorative activities.

The presentation also highlighted the Liberty Tree dedication at Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe, the transfer of a portrait of Tench Tilghman to the Talbot County Courthouse, and the dedication of the Uncle Nace Hopkins historical marker.

Several legacy projects remain underway, including an interpretive panel at the Little Red Schoolhouse, a six-part audio time capsule, and a Talbot250 archive to be housed in the Maryland Room at the Talbot County Free Library.

“It's so important to preserve our history and to promote it and educate about it,” said Council Member Lynn Mielke. “Unless you know where you've come from, you don't know how grateful you should be for where you are. It's a great project to study history. Thank you, all of you.”

The Council also acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the Commission's work and the coordination required to bring the initiatives together.

“The coordination, with the communication, everything that really made this whole effort work was all centralized through the efforts of our very own communications manager, Sarah Kilmon,” said Council Member Pete Lesher. “Sarah, thank you very much for your leadership on this project. You have left an enduring legacy to Talbot County with this project.”

Following the presentation, the Council unanimously approved Certificates of Recognition for members of the Talbot250 Commission in appreciation of their dedicated service.

Council Member Pete Lesher served as the Council representative to the Commission, and Talbot County Communications Manager Sarah Kilmon served as Commission Administrator. Commission members recognized included Charlie “Chuck” Powers, Cindy Orban, Emma Poole, Jaelon Moaney, Ja’Lyn Hicks, Jerry Seiler, Jill Ferris, Joan Levy, Richard Skinner, Sharon Pepukayi, Stacey Radcliffe, Wesley Hagood, and Kristen Goller.

Further information about the Talbot250 Commission’s work can be found at talbot250.org.

Council Recognizes Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month and Approves Funding for Community Needs

The Talbot County Council addressed several aspects of housing insecurity during its November 10 meeting, recognizing Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, approving emergency housing assistance, and authorizing two planning studies focused on senior services and housing needs.

Although considered separately during the meeting, the actions reflect the County's efforts to respond to immediate needs while developing longer-term solutions for vulnerable residents.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month

The Council proclaimed November 2026 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, recognizing the challenges faced by individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and housing instability throughout Talbot County.

Representatives from Talbot Interfaith Shelter including Julie Lowe, Executive Director and Laura Richeson, Director of Development and Marketing, accepted the proclamation and emphasized that hunger and homelessness remain significant, though often less visible, challenges in the community.

Richeson reported that approximately 180 individuals are on the organization's waiting list, underscoring the continued demand for housing assistance and supportive services.

The proclamation also highlighted the importance of community partnerships and ongoing efforts to connect vulnerable residents with resources and services.

Emergency Housing Assistance

Andy Hollis, Executive Director of Neighborhood Services of Talbot, requested additional County funding following a $142,000 reduction in federal funding distributed through the State, representing approximately half of the organization's funding for certain homelessness services.

Hollis explained that the funding supports eviction prevention and emergency hotel placements for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly during extreme winter weather.

He emphasized that emergency hotel placements provide temporary relief but are not a sustainable long-term solution. Hollis also discussed efforts to work with nonprofit partners to establish a temporary, low-barrier shelter during periods of extreme cold this winter.

Geneva Schaffle of the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services attended the meeting in support of these efforts, which would bring together emergency services and nonprofit partners to provide a safer option for individuals experiencing homelessness during severe winter conditions.

Nancy Andrew, Director of the Talbot County Office of Community Partnerships, also addressed the Council, emphasizing the importance of maintaining emergency services while developing more sustainable approaches to housing instability.

The Council unanimously approved $172,000 from County contingency funds to support emergency housing assistance and related services.

Planning for Senior Services and Housing Stability

In addition to addressing immediate housing needs, the Council approved two consulting projects intended to evaluate senior programming and develop strategies for addressing housing challenges among older adults.

The Council unanimously rejected a $25,000 bid from Community to Community, LLC, for a senior programming feasibility study after determining that the proposal did not meet the County's needs.

Following that action, the Council unanimously approved sole-source contracts with MGT for two projects:

• Senior Programming Services Feasibility Study – $74,368: An evaluation of existing senior services, including those provided through Upper Shore Aging, to identify service gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Senior Housing Support Services Action Planning – $89,750: Development of an actionable plan addressing housing needs among older adults, including support for aging in place, emergency shelter options, and longer-term housing stability.

The combined $164,118 in funding will come from County contingency funds.

The planning efforts build on the work of the Senior Citizens Task Force and previous Council discussions regarding the need for additional services and housing options for vulnerable older residents.

Together, the proclamation, emergency assistance funding, and planning studies highlight the Council's approach to addressing housing insecurity: supporting residents facing immediate emergencies while identifying sustainable strategies to improve services and housing stability in Talbot County.

Additional Council Action

Maryland Time to Care Act: The Council unanimously approved a request from Human Resources Director Donna Pardieu to submit a Declaration of Intent to opt out of the State's Maryland Time to Care insurance plan and pursue competitive pricing for private coverage.

The action follows the dissolution of a statewide public-sector collaborative that had previously been exploring group insurance options for participating jurisdictions. The County will continue evaluating coverage options to meet the requirements of the State's paid family and medical leave program.

County Manager's Report

• Board and Committee Appointments: The Council unanimously approved the following appointments:
  • Airport Board: Mike Henry, former Easton Airport Manager
  • Commission on Aging: Melanie Chappell, PharmD, University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
  • Planning Commission: Richie Wheatley
  • Upper Shore Aging Board of Directors: Reappointment of Kevin Moran
• Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Grant Support: The Council unanimously approved a letter of support for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's application for a $75,000 Chesapeake Bay Trust Watershed Assistance Grant. If approved, the funding would support stormwater management and climate resilience improvements at the museum. No County funding is required.
• 2027 Community Pool Management Contract: The Council unanimously approved renewing the contract with Coastline Pool Services in the amount of $318,468 to manage and operate the County's community pools in Easton and St. Michaels for the 2027 season. The contract includes lifeguard staffing, pool management, maintenance, and related services. Parks and Recreation Director Emily Gilmer noted that the County has worked with Coastline Pool Services since 2021 and has been pleased with its performance. Funding is included in the County budget.
• Talbot County Community Center Ball Field Renovations: The Council unanimously approved awarding Bid No. 26-18 to Bridges Land Management, Inc., in the amount of  $90,500 to renovate the baseball and softball fields at the Talbot County Community Center. The project will replace approximately three inches of existing infield material with a new mix designed to improve player safety and field maintenance. The project was included in the FY2027 budget, with $100,000 allocated for improvements.
• North Easton Innovation District Master Plan: The Council unanimously approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Easton for joint funding and project governance of the North Easton Innovation District Master Plan. Talbot County and the Town of Easton have each committed $75,000 toward the planning effort, for a combined investment of $150,000. The project will develop a coordinated 10-year strategy for land use, transportation, infrastructure, and economic development in the North Easton area, leveraging existing assets such as Easton Airport and the regional medical center to support business growth and employment opportunities.
• Senior Services and Housing Planning Studies: The Council unanimously approved rejecting the $25,000 bid from Community to Community, LLC, for Bid No. 26-09 and subsequently approved two sole-source contracts with MGT: $74,368 for a Senior Programming Services Feasibility Study and $89,750 for Senior Housing Support Services Action Planning. The studies will evaluate existing senior services, identify service gaps, and develop recommendations for aging in place, emergency shelter options, and long-term housing solutions. Both projects build on the work of the Senior Citizens Task Force, with a combined $164,118 funded through County contingency funds.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room, located in the South Wing of the Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton. The meeting is open to the public and will also be streamed live.

Recordings, minutes, and transcripts of past Council meetings are available through the County’s meeting archive at talbotcountymd.gov/meetings.

council highlights meeting highlights