Talbot County, Maryland

04/11/2025

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on April 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.; all Council members were present, with Council Vice President Pete Lesher joining via conference call. 

Talbot Day Proclamation

Photo credit: Konner Metz, Star Democrat

Council rededicated April 25th as Talbot Day, the official birthday of Talbot County.

Sarah Kilmon, Communications Manager and Public Information Officer, provided details about the Talbot Day celebration that will occur on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn.

“This year’s celebration, themed “Talbot Through Time”, invites citizens of all ages to explore the county’s past, present, and future through a variety of engaging activities, including the Passport Challenge, Time Traveler Trivia, Citizen and Service Awards, and the Talbot Day Poster Contest, and the celebration on April 25th.”

Council Member Dave Stepp encouraged every Talbot County citizen in the audience to join in for the photo, highlighting the importance of celebrating Talbot County all month long in April.

To learn more about Talbot Day, visit talbotcountymd.gov/talbotday

National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week Proclamation

Director of Emergency Services, Brian LeCates, and 9-1-1 Division Chief, Holley Guschke, accepted a proclamation on behalf of the department to celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.  

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is celebrated in the second week of April. The week, sponsored by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APSCO) International, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to citizens worldwide.

The proclamation recognizes and celebrates the work of telecommunicators and honors their commitment, service, and sacrifice to keep our county and its citizens safe.

“We can send all the fire trucks, ambulances, or police calls to an emergency, but if it doesn’t get through that room [the dispatch center]…it doesn’t happen. It’s easy to be de-sensitized to the importance of the work that they do,” said County Manager Clay Stamp. “Oftentimes when people call 911, they are experiencing the worst day they’ve ever had, and they can be very emotional. [911 Dispatchers] sit in that room and can navigate [these individuals] through those emotions and get critical information and resources to them. And oftentimes…save lives; whether it’s stopping bleeding, initiating CPR, or whatever it may be why emergency services are on the way. I get really excited when I see the light shine for a moment on our 911 telecommunicators because the work they do is absolutely amazing.”

Talbot County will celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 13-19, 2025. To follow along, visit their Facebook page at /talbotdes.

Talbot Works Business Academy Graduates

The Talbot County Council awarded graduation certificates to 14 participants of the 3rd cohort of the Talbot Works Business Academy. The business owners recently completed an 8-week entrepreneurship course with Will Holmes Consulting sponsored by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

At the graduation, Cassandra Vanhooser, Director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, reflected on the program’s impact on all three cohorts of graduates. She noted the successes of several of the business owners, including those who have expanded and hired new employees.

“This is what your investment is doing in this community,” Ms. Vanhooser told the Council in her closing remarks. “And this is why we asked you to support this program.”

Ms. Vanhooser stated that each graduate receives a certificate and a $2,000 grant to reinvest in their business. All cohorts are required to report on their business growth over the coming years, including increased revenue and the number of jobs they’ve added.

“This program has helped me prepare for my business’s future by reassessing outdated practices and embracing smarter strategies,” said Jen Wagner, one of the graduating members of the cohort. “It shifted my mindset on using loans and working capital. It really gave me clarity on my next 12 months, allowing me to actively seek new jobs and opportunities, increase my revenue, and drive my growth.”

See the list of graduates and learn more about their businesses here on the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism website here: Talbot County Business Academy Announces 14 New Graduates - Talbot County Economic Development.

Request from Neighborhood Service Center for Contingency Funds

The Talbot County Council received a funding request from the Neighborhood Service Center (NSC), the County’s designated community action agency. NSC provides a wide range of support services for low-income individuals and families, including emergency assistance, job training, housing and food support, and access to healthcare services.

NSC is currently facing a temporary cash flow issue due to a delay in federal and State grant reimbursements, specifically the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) resulting in the loss of $302,765 in funding. Although these reimbursements typically fund much of the agency’s operations, NSC has not yet received its most recent allocation and has not been provided with a timeline for disbursement. To maintain critical services for residents during this uncertain period, NSC is requesting the use of County contingency funds to bridge the gap. NSC requested $150,000 from the County to help cover expenses.  Marilyn Neal, Executive Director, NSC stated that she has requested funding consideration from the municipalities as well.  All clients of NSC are Talbot County citizens with approximately 52% being residents of the Town of Easton.

Following discussion, Council agreed to provide $50,000 to NSC for temporary assistance. Additional funding may be allocated upon further review. Mr. Stamp certified that funds are available in the Contingency Fund.

Other Business

• Mitch Ettinger, Chairman of the Talbot County Police Accountability Board (“the PAB”) and the Administrative Charging Committee (“the ACC”), provided an update on the responsibilities and actions taken since the PAB’s inception. The PAB has been fully operational for two years, issuing annual reports each year. The PAB meets quarterly with the county Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to discuss issues associated with disciplinary actions, use of force reports, arrest data, criminal activity trends and analysis, possible training opportunities, community relations activities, and issues of interest.  The ACC, which reviews complaints from the public, meets as needed. They have reviewed 21 complaints since 2023, of which 16 were determined to be unfounded;  all complaints were received by the LEAs and referred to the ACC. Mr. Ettinger mentioned that any citizen can submit a complaint via the form which can be found on the County website at talbotcountymd.gov/acc.
• Tim Ford, Managing Director, Environmental Operations and Gary Lasako, Senior Project Manager of Maryland Environmental Service (MES) provided an update on the Midshore Regional I Transfer Station and Midshore II Landfill. MES manages local landfill services for Talbot County and the surrounding counties of Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s. MES representatives stated  that trash and brush tons and the scale house transactions have been on par with previous years.
• Director of Administrative Services, Donna Pardieu presented the 2024 Diversity Training Report. The report can be found online at: https://talbot-md.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=108441
• Council unanimously approved an Administrative Resolution to enter into a 7-year lease –purchase agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4.2M to serve the County’s 911 Division and 911 Computer Aided Dispatch System.
• Public Hearings on resolutions requesting to amend the County’s Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan were held on the following:
  • Res. No. 371 –proposes to reclassify and remap property located at 5536 Public Landing Road, Royal Oak, MD from “unprogrammed” to “S-1” immediate priority status for the purpose of providing sewer services for the Bellevue Passage Museum which lies outside the current sewer service area.  The Public Works Advisory Board (PWAB) and the Planning Commission (PC) reviewed the resolution and unanimously recommended approval. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
  • Res. No. 372 – proposes to reclassify and remap property located on two parcels, 23452 Pine Point Road and Pine Point Road, Bozman MD from “unprogrammed” to “S-1” immediate priority status. The PWAB and PC reviewed the resolution and recommended approval; the PWAB by a vote 4-0-1, and; the PC was unanimously in favor. Council approved the resolution 4-1, with Mr. Lesher dissenting.
  • Res. No. 373 – proposes to reclassify and remap property located 24500 Rolles Range Road, St. Michaels, MD from “unprogrammed” to “S-1” immediate priority status. The PWAB reviewed the resolution and recommended approval with changes. The changes clarify that only a portion of the property is recommended for the zoning change. The PC found the resolution consistent with the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan and recommended approval. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
  • Res. No. 375 – proposes to reclassify and remap a portion of the property located at 26396 St. Michaels Road, Easton, MD from “unprogrammed” to “S-1” immediate priority status. The PWAB and PC reviewed the resolution and recommended approval, with amendments. The amendment clarifies that only a portion of the property is recommended for the zoning change and to limit the development rights to one (1) EDU. Council unanimously approved the amendment and subsequently unanimously approved the resolution.
  • Res. No. 376 – proposes to reclassify and remap property located at 7952 Church Neck Road, St. Michaels, MD from “unprogrammed” to “S-1” immediate priority status. The PWAB and PC reviewed the resolution and recommended approval unanimously. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
  • Res. No. 377 – proposes to reclassify and remap property located at 3965 Ocean Gateway, Trappe, MD from “unprogrammed” to “S-1” immediate priority status. The PWAB and PC reviewed the resolution and recommended approval. The PWAB voted 4-0-1 to approve the motion with a WHEREAS clause that acknowledges that the property was previously connected due to a mistaken assumption that the property was already mapped “S-1”. The PC was unanimously in favor. Council chose to defer the vote to allow for an amendment to be considered to incorporate the PWAB’s recommendation.
  • Council President Chuck Callahan commended the Public Works and Planning and Zoning Departments for their work on these resolutions. “It’s very important that we are hooking up some of these failing septic systems and giving people the opportunity to adjust their property; while letting the county grow and be environmentally friendly for the bay.”
• A public hearing was held for Bill No. 1584, which proposes amending the zoning designation for property located on Tax Map 32, Parcel 36, consisting of approximately 3.737 acres, owned by Shannahan Holdings and a portion of Tax Map 32, Parcel 91, approximately 4.66 acres, owned by Destination Lodging, LLC, from Town Residential (TR) to General Commercial (GC). The PC reviewed the request and recommended approval of the request, citing that the designated zoning was likely a mapping error. The bill is eligible for vote on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
• Council Member Lynn Mielke requested changes to the Short-Term Rental (STR) Licenses, which would, if approved, create two classifications of STR licenses: for primary residential dwelling units and non-primary residences, as well as additional changes to the composition of the Short Term Rental Review Board. The changes are intended to give more discretion to the Short-Term Rental Board when making decisions. The proposed amendments were referred to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to the Council.
• Council unanimously approved designating Tuesday, April 15 as a special legislative day for the purpose of introduction of the FY26 budget and appropriation ordinance.
• Council unanimously approved providing a letter of support for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s application for the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Alliance’s $50,000 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) non-capital grant. Dorchester County will serve as the grant’s fiscal agent, and Talbot County will be contributing $2,500 in matching funds to support the project which includes the following items: 1) Developing a Maryland 250 web page on the Chesapeake Country All-American Road website; 2) Creating a free online frontline worker training program; and 3) installing additional interpretive signage along the scenic byway.
• Council unanimously approved the Road Department’s request to award American Paving Fabrics, Inc. a contract to resurface approximately 34 miles of County roads this season in the amount of $234,000; American Paving Fabrics, Inc. will be piggybacking on a State of Maryland contract with Somerset County.
• Ray Clarke, County Engineer, requested approval to award Change Order No. 1 to Bid No. 23-09 to David A. Bramble, Inc. for culvert replacement work on Goldsborough Neck Road, Glebe Road and Villa Neck Road to in the amount of $1,108,529. $750,000 of this item will be grant funded. Council unanimously approved the request.
• The Finance Department requested approval for 4th Quarter Transfers for the purchase of capital outlay items. Some of these items were requested as part of the FY26 proposed budget and were determined they could be purchased in the current budget cycle. Council unanimously approved the request.
• Parks and Recreation requested approval to award Bid No. 25-04, grass cutting services, to the low bidder, Marshall’s Professional Property Management, LLC in the amount of $89,500. Council unanimously approved the request.

FY26 Budget Process

The FY26 budget is scheduled for introduction on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (a Special Legislative Day).  Public hearings on the proposed FY26 Budget will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room and at 7:00 p.m. in the Easton High School Cafeteria.

The public is encouraged to follow the budget process and engage as necessary. FY26 Budget information, including any relevant documents, meeting links, dates, etc. can be found at https://engage.talbotcountymd.gov/fy2026budget.

Next Meeting

The Council’s next regular legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd beginning at 5:00 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 council meeting proclamation des emergency services legislation public works comprehensive water and sewer plan cwsp