Council Meeting Highlights, May 14, 2024
05/16/2024
Category: County Council
Amanda Tondin, Programs Manager, and Lt. Tia Slaughter are recognized at Talbot County's Correctional Employee and Officer of the Year, respectively.
Council recognizes May as Older Americans Month
Council is recognized as a
The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on May 14 at 6 p.m.; all Council members were present.
Proclamation for Older Americans Month
Members of the Talbot County Commission on Aging and Childlene Brooks, Manager for Brookletts Place Talbot County Senior Center, accepted a proclamation recognizing May 2024 at Older Americans Month.
This year’s theme is “Powered by Connection”, which emphasizes the profound impact that meaningful interactions and social connections have on the wellbeing and health of older Americans, encourages the community to recognize the contributions our older Americans make, and to join efforts to support older Americans’ choices about how they age in their communities.
To celebrate further, the Talbot County Commission on Aging will be hosting a Senior Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The fair will take place at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, 315 Leonard Rieck Drive, Easton from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering valuable services and information for seniors and their families. Admission and parking for the event is free.
For more information on the Senior Resource Fair, or to become involved in the Talbot County Commission on Aging, visit our website at talbotsenior.org, or email commissiononaging@talbotcountymd.gov
Proclamation for Stroke Smart Talbot County
Dr. Rena Sukhdeo-Singh, from University Maryland Medical System accepted a proclamation recognizing Talbot County as “Stroke Smart”. This recognition indicates the County’s commitment to educate members in the community on the signs of a stroke and the importance of immediately calling 911 for assistance.
The County encourages members of the community to participate in and contribute to Stroke Smart: Spot-a-Stroke, Stop-a-Stroke, Save-a-Life campaign through active citizenship efforts so that Talbot County may serve as a model for other communities throughout the nation.
Certificate of Recognition to Talbot County Department of Corrections Officer and Employee of the Year
Talbot County Department of Corrections recognized Lt. Tia Slaughter as the Officer of the Year, and Amanda Tondin as Employee of the Year.
Lt. Slaughter has served with the Department since August 2016. During her career, she has immersed herself in every training opportunity provided, most recently completing High Security Transports, Inmate Records, and Firearms specialized training provided by the Department.
“Lt. Slaughter is greatly respected by staff who both enjoy working with her and appreciate her leadership skills. Her attention to detail ensures her shift completes all required tasks in a timely fashion,” said Terry Kokolis, Director of the Department of Corrections. “Talbot County is extremely fortunate to have such a sincere and dedicated Supervisor on staff.”
Born and raised in Talbot County, Amanda Tondin, Program Manager, has worked in the Department since February 2019. During the pandemic, she single-handedly managed programs and electronic court dockets. Understanding the need for family contact, she facilitated family visits through virtual meetings. Since that time, she has reinstated essential programs including GED, NA/AA Groups, Parenting Programs, MAT programs, a book club, and more.
“Ms. Tondin’s dedication extends to providing everyday support to security by mentoring and training newly hired Correction Officers,” said Kokolis. “She is intelligent, ambitious, and seeks to improve her knowledge, understanding, and professional development at every opportunity presented to her.”
In addition to the kudos from the Talbot County Council, Lt. Slaughter and Tondin will join other Employees of the Year at the annual Maryland Correctional Administrators Association (MCAA) Conference to receive additional recognition.
Legislation Regarding Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan, Lakeside Development, and MDE’s Requests for Information
Council held a series of votes for legislation related to the Maryland Department of Environment’s (MDE) request for information regarding the Lakeside development, located in Trappe, Md., and other legislation regarding the County’s Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (CWSP). Updates to the CWSP are sent to the Public Works Advisory Board and the Planning Commission for review and recommendation before returning to Council for a final decision.
During discussion, Council Member Keasha Haythe thanked the Planning Commission for reviewing each piece of legislation and concurring the legislation is consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
Resolution No. 347 with Amendment No. 3, which amends the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (CWSP) to provide the Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) for all phases of the Lakeside development, was approved by the majority of Council. The Planning Commission found Resolution No. 347 consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan at their May 1, 2024, meeting.
Resolution No. 348, which clarifies and confirms the water and sewer classifications for certain parcels incorrectly shown in Exhibits A and B to Resolution No. 281, and also includes maps showing the current water and sewer classifications for the Town of Trappe, was approved by majority of Council. The Planning Commission found Resolution No. 348 consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan at their May 1, 2024, meeting.
Resolution No. 353, which consolidated Resolution Nos. 338, 347, and 348 into a single resolution and proposed changing the water and sewer classifications of certain parcels in the Lakeside development from W-2/S-2 to W-3/S-3, was not adopted. The Planning Commission found Resolution No. 353 consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan at their May 1, 2024, meeting.
The Council previously adopted Resolution No. 338 at its April 9, 2024, meeting.
The Council also voted on two other Resolutions that amended the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (CWSP).
Resolution No. 354, which amends the CWSP to reclassify four parcels near Blueberry Acres (St. Michaels) from unprogrammed to “S-1”, immediate priority status, was approved by majority of Council. The Planning Commission found Resolution No. 354 consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan at their May 1, 2024, meeting.
Resolution No. 355, which, as written, amends the CWSP to add two properties on Bellevue Road from unprogrammed to S-1 status, was approved unanimously by Council following the approval of a floor amendment. The floor amendment removed the unimproved Parcel 40 from the requested sewer allocation and was made with the approval of the property owner initiating the request. The Planning Commission found Resolution No. 355 consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan at their May 1, 2024, meeting, with the condition that the unimproved Parcel 40 be removed therefrom.
Other Business
- Council referred proposed zoning regulations regarding cannabis to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will review the proposed amendment before it comes back before Council for introduction of a bill.
- Council introduced Resolution No. 357 to amend the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) dated October 14, 2014, by and between Talbot County, the Town of Easton, and Shore Health System, Inc. pertaining to the regional medical center project. The public hearing is currently scheduled for the Council’s June 11, 2024, meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. The Talbot County Council will hold a work session Tuesday, May 28th at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) in the Bradley Meeting Room. The work session is open to the public.
- Council approved Resolution No. 356. The resolution formally declines an offer of dedication for the paper street portion of Calvert Avenue, located in the Rio Vista community of St. Michaels, and also authorizes the execution of a quitclaim deed to convey a 4,195 square foot portion of the paper street to owners of the adjacent property, Grayson and Teresa Bowers.
- Clay Stamp, County Manager presented board nominations for the Council’s consideration:
- Emergency Services Advisory Board – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Lisa Stone.
- Police Accountability Board – Council unanimously approved the appointment of William Belding as the representative for the Oxford district.
- The Department of Emergency Services requested approval to enter into a lease agreement for a storage facility located on Canvasback Drive in the amount of $111,240 for one year. The facility will be used to substitute the current storage space used at the Talbot Business Center, which is scheduled for demolition later this year. The storage space is expected to be shared with other departments. The Council unanimously approved the request.
- The Talbot County Free Library requested a letter of intent be sent to the Maryland State Library Agency to support funding for the St. Michaels Branch Expansion and Renovation Project. The request was unanimously approved.
- Heather Grant, Executive Director of Talbot Thrive, on behalf of the Town of Oxford, requested a letter of support for the town’s application for funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation for the Oxford Parks Connector Project. The project, if funded, aims to improve walkable access from the Oxford Conservation Park to the Town of Oxford, creating safer and easier pedestrian access for people of all ages and abilities. The request was unanimously approved.
- Mary Kay Verdery, Talbot County’s Grants Administrator, presented Council with letters of interest for the FY25 Community Development Block Grant. For All Seasons requested $750,000 in grant funding for their capital improvement project for their headquarters, located at 300 Talbot Street in Easton. The Council approved moving forward with their request for funding. The public hearing for the project and CDBG request will be held on Tuesday, May 28th. For more information on the CDBG program in Talbot County, visit talbotcountymd.gov/grants.
- The Finance Department requested an extension of an agreement with SB and Company, LLC in the amount of $49,000 for FY2024 and $50,500 for FY2025 for Financial Auditing Services. The request was unanimously approved.
The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 28 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.
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