Talbot County, Maryland

07/26/2023

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 25th at 5 p.m.; Council Member Dave Stepp was absent.

Traffic Advisory Committee Recommendations

On behalf of the Traffic Advisory Committee, Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble and Assistant County Engineer Mike Mertaugh presented several recommendations to the Council for consideration of approval.

Suggestions were made for the following:

• Black Dog Alley in Easton – Recommendation to add safety enhancement signage;
• Back Creek Landing community in St. Michaels – Recommendation to reduce speed limit within the community;
• Rio Vista and Bentley Hay communities in St. Michaels – Recommendations include additional stop signs, curve warning signage, and pursuing an independent traffic study;
• Miles River Road in Easton – Recommendation to add advisory signage;
• Radcliffe Avenue in St. Michaels – Resident requested consideration to add no parking signs. The Committee reviewed the request and concluded that the area does not warrant the need for parking restrictions.

The Traffic Advisory Committee is comprised of staff from Public Works, Roads, Emergency Services, and the Sheriff’s Office. The Committee receives and reviews traffic related concerns from the public and makes recommendations to the Council on appropriate action based on road safety standards. The Committee may request independent traffic studies if issues or areas warrant a specific focus. 

Other Business

• Public hearing was held for Bill No. 1545 which amends Chapter 20 of the Talbot County Code for clarity and consistency regarding the Board of Appeals’ proceedings, forms, hearings, and procedures. Bill No. 1545 is eligible for vote on August 8, 2023.
• Public hearing was held for Bill No. 1546 which authorizes a feasibility study for, and possible construction of, a Talbot County Visitors Center. Bill No. 1546 is eligible for vote on August 8, 2023.
• Council unanimously approved Bill Nos. 1531 through 1537 and Bill Nos. 1539 through 1543. These bills authorize certain capital projects included in the FY24 Budget. Budget authorization requests included:
  
  • Bill No. 1531, Development of Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe, 13213 Lewistown Road, Queen Anne
  • Bill No. 1532, Expansion of St. Michaels Branch of the Talbot County Free Library
  • Bill No. 1533, Improvements to the Talbot County Detention Center
  • Bill No. 1534, Purchase of improved or unimproved real property for future County purposes
  • Bill No. 1535, Upgrade or replacement of the wastewater treatment plant at The Preserve at Wye Mills
  • Bill No. 1536, Extension of water and sewer lines to the proposed regional medical center hospital site located between Longwoods Road and U.S. Route 50 in Easton
  • Bill No. 1537, Construction of Emergency Medical Services Stations
  • Bill No. 1539, Construction and Improvements to Driving Range Complex at Hog Neck Golf Course
  • Bill No. 1540, Gymnasium addition to the Talbot County Community Center
  • Bill No. 1541, Improvements to County roads
  • Bill No. 1542, Replacement of the 911 Division Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system
  • Bill No. 1543, Replacement of roof at White Marsh Elementary School
• Council approved Bill No. 1544, which amends Chapter 190 of the Talbot County Code regarding Historic Inns. The bill will permit inns operating in historic structures to apply for special exceptions. The vote was 4-1, with Mielke dissenting.
• The County Manager presented board nominations for the Council’s consideration:
  
  • Board of Appeals – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Ed Heikes to the Board of Appeals as an alternate member.
  • Economic Development Commission – Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Jacqueline “Jackie” Wilson to the Economic Development Commission.
  • Public Works Advisory Board – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Thomas J. Lane to the Public Works Advisory Board as the representative for District 1 (Easton).
• Department of Parks and Recreation requested approval to award the contract for repairs and repaving of the Talbot County Community Center parking areas to R.L. Ewing in the amount of $294,851.70.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room located in the South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton. 

See previous Meeting Highlights on the Talbot County Website here: Talbot County Council Meeting Highlights - Talbot County, Maryland (talbotcountymd.gov)

meeting highlights county council community center finance budget