Talbot County, Maryland

04/11/2024

Category: County Council

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The Department of Emergency Services received a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. From left to right: Brian LeCates, Holley Guschke, Rich Williamson, Josh Willis, Melody Whitley, Heather Jones, Haleigh Kimble, Donna Haddaway

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Director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Cassandra Vanhooser (right) and Will Holmes of Will Homes Consulting (left) discuss the success of the first cohort of the Talbot Works Business Academy. They are joined by two graduates.

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Council Member Dave Stepp congratulates the graduates of the Talbot Works Business Academy.

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Council Member Keasha Haythe stands with graduates of the Talbot Works Business Academy. The first cohort had 15 business participants.

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Graduates of the Talbot Works Business Academy

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Will Homes takes a selfie with the graduates.

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From left to right: From left: Alan Lynch, Portside Grille, LLC; Dr. James Bell Jr., Bell Education Solutions; Will Holmes, WHC; Andre Gibson Jr., Shore Awareness Self-Defense; and Gregory Harris, Harris Event Security

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on April 9, 2024, at 6 p.m.; all Council members were present.

Proclamation: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

April 14-20, 2024 – 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 citizens safe.

Proclamation: Talbot Day

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

“This is for everyone, to celebrate Talbot County. This has been a great tradition in the making, and hopefully will continue for years to come,” said Council Member Dave Stepp, who initiated the reinvigoration of the birthday date. 

Sarah Kilmon, Communications Manager and Public Information Officer, provided details about the Talbot Day celebration that will occur on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

“We are excited to celebrate our community with a birthday celebration on April 25th at 5 p.m. on the Courthouse Lawn, weather permitting. If it rains, we will head over to the Avalon Theatre. There will be musical performances, poetry reading, a keynote speaker, and we will highlight the nominees for the Talbot Citizen and Service Awards and the Poster Contest. The Council will also announce the 2024 Citizen of the Year. And of course, we’ll finish the event off with some purple and red cake!”

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

Presentation of Certificates for Talbot Works Business Academy Graduates

Council, Cassandra Vanhooser, Director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and Will Holmes, of Will Holmes Consulting (WHC) awarded graduation certificates to 15 participants in the inaugural Talbot Works Business Academy.  The cohort of business owners recently completed an 8-week entrepreneurship course that was sponsored by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism

Graduates of the 8-week business development program include:

• Dr. James Bell Jr., Bell Education Solutions LLC
• Tamara Foote, Total Body Wellness
• Andre Gibson Jr., Shore Awareness Self-Defense
• Kimberly Hardesty, Salon Inspire
• Gregory Harris, Harris Event Security
• Tyvon Horsey and Tina Skinner, Royal “T” Catering
• Amy and Dave Keller, Aging at Home Solution
• Alan Lynch, PortSide Grille Caterers
• Michelle Moaney, Every Voice Counts Rehabilitation Services
• Brandon Morgan, East Coast Poly Solutions
• Anna Miller, Trade Whims
• Dontele Pinder, Helen and Rae’s Kitchen for the Soul
• Barbara Ranson, Oxford Vintage Trade
• Tam Vu, Helen’s Nail Salon
• Windon, Windon Distilling Company / Lyon Rum

“This program has been proven to be an economic driver, and we expect the graduates will pay back the community in dividends by providing job opportunities and fostering further economic growth. We are extremely proud of the work that each member of the cohort put in to ensure future success for themselves, and their peers,” said Vanhooser.

More information about the program and graduates, can be found here: Talbot County Announces Business Academy Graduates - Talbot County Economic Development (talbotworks.org)

Other Business

• A public hearing was held for Res. No. 353. Introduced by Council Vice President Lesher and Member Mielke, the resolution as currently written consolidates Resolution Nos. 338, 347, and 348 into a single resolution and proposes to reclassify the portions of the southern parcels in the Lakeside Development shown as W-2/S-2 on Exhibits A and B to Resolution No. 281, as amended, to W-3/S-3.
• A public hearing was held for Res. No. 354. If approved, the resolution will amend the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan to reclassify four parcels near Blueberry Acres (St. Michaels) from unprogrammed to “S-1”, immediate priority status. Each property will be allocated one equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) for public sewer . The Public Works Advisory Board recommended approval, while the Planning Commission requested more information before they consider the resolution for a vote.  Res. No. 354 is eligible for vote by the County Council on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
• A public hearing was held for Res. No. 355. If approved, the resolution will amend the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan to reclassify two properties on Bellevue Road from unprogrammed to “S-1”, immediate priority status. If approved, each parcel would be allocated one equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) for public sewer. The Public Works Advisory Board recommended approval, while the Planning Commission requested more information before they consider the resolution for a vote.  Res. No. 355 is eligible for vote by the County Council on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
• A public hearing was held for Bill No. 1551. If approved, the legislation will award 8.348 acres of supplemental growth allocation to the Town of Easton for property located at 28580 Marys Court (Easton). Brendan Mullaney, representing the property owner, commented that ownership exchanged hands on the property last week, but the new owner is still pursuing the supplemental growth allocation and subsequent re-zoning request to the Town. Res. No. 1551 is eligible for vote on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
• A public hearing was held for Bill No. 1552. If approved, the legislation would exempt Thompson Park, located in the Town of Easton, from the 500-foot setback requirement for liquor licenses for offsite consumption. Res. No. 1552 is eligible for vote on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
• Council approved Res. No. 338 with Amendment 1. The Public Works Advisory Board and Planning Commission also reviewed the legislation and found it consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Resolution No. 338, as amended, will be sent to MDE for review.
• Council tabled Res. Nos. 347 and 348, following the approval of Res. No. 338, as amended. Council is expected to reconsider Res. No. 353 during their Tuesday, May 14th meeting.
• The County Manager presented board nominations for the Council’s consideration:
  • Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board – Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Jeannie George.
  • Animal Control Board – Council unanimously approved of Margel Highet as an alternate member.
  • Board of Electrical Examiners – Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Christopher Kleppinger.
  • Commission on Aging – Council unanimously approved the reappointment Megan Murray.
  • Emergency Services Advisory Board – Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Jeanne Kuperberg as the representative of the Bay Hundred district.
  • Public Works Advisory Board – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Charles Powers as the representative of the 5th Election District.
  • Short Term Rental Review Board – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Bob Haase as a representative of a community with short-term rentals.
• The Department of Roads and Facilities requested approval to award a contract to David A. Bramble, Inc. for road paving, not to exceed $800,000, by piggybacking on the Maryland State Highway Administration contract.

The Talbot County Council will hold a special legislative session on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room to introduce the FY 2025 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance.  The session is open to the public.

The Council will also hold a legislative meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 beginning at 6:00 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 county council business works academy economic development