Talbot County, Maryland

03/11/2026

Category: County Manager’s Office County Council

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room at the Talbot County Courthouse. Council President Chuck Callahan participated via telephone. Vice President Pete Lesher presided over the meeting. 

Proclamation: Endometriosis Awareness Month – March 2026

The Council issued a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month, which was presented to Shannon Hannawald, Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore. The proclamation highlighted the importance of raising awareness about endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide, and emphasized the need for increased education, early diagnosis, and support for those living with the disease.

Council members expressed their support for ongoing efforts to raise awareness, improve treatment options, and encourage open conversations about women’s health.

Request from the State’s Attorney – Support for State Legislation

Talbot County State’s Attorney, Joseph Coale, appeared before the Council to request support for State legislation that would increase the salary for the Talbot County State’s Attorney beginning in FY28.

Coale stated that the current salary is the lowest of the 23 jurisdictions in the state of Maryland and noted that adjusting the salary structure may be important for recruitment and retention in the future.

Following discussion, the Council agreed to send a letter to the State Legislature requesting the drafting of legislation that would delegate authority to the Talbot County Council to set the salary for the State’s Attorney. This approach is already used in several other Maryland counties and provides greater local control. Any change in salary structure would require approval by the Maryland General Assembly. 

Administrative Resolution – Office of Community Partnerships

The Council introduced and unanimously approved an Administrative Resolution establishing the Office of Community Partnerships.
County Manager Clay Stamp explained that the initiative responds to growing demand for nonprofit services as many organizations face reduced federal and State resources. The proposed framework would include four primary program areas: oversight of the Local Management Board, administration of the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, coordination of community capacity investments (Council directed funding and programs), and support for the County’s designated community action agency, the Neighborhood Service Center.

Andy Hollis, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Service Center, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “I have had the benefit of sitting in your seat during budget season, and I am well aware of how many nonprofits come before the Council seeking funding. The number of asks is increasing, especially with flat or reduced funding. I think it is absolutely critical in today’s atmosphere that we have a coordinating office so that we’re not competing against each other, duplicating services, and can provide the best services possible to the people of Talbot County.”

Linda Webb of the Department of Social Services also described increasing demand for assistance, noting that recent federal legislation introduces additional work requirements for programs such as SNAP and Medicaid. Webb explained that as individuals lose benefits, nonprofits will likely experience greater demand for services and emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts so organizations can work together efficiently.

Nancy Andrew, Director of the Talbot Family Network Local Management Board, highlighted how stronger collaboration and shared data among organizations can help ensure residents are able to access available services while supporting the workforce that provides human services throughout the county. Under the resolution, Andrew will lead the new Office of Community Partnerships, supported by a project manager position that the County is currently in the process of hiring.

Introduction of Resolutions – Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan Amendments

The Council introduced two resolutions proposed to amend the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (CWSP).

The first resolution (Resolution No. 392) proposes to reclassify and remap six parcels located on Bushey Heath Road from “Unprogrammed” to “S-1” Immediate Priority Status to allow connection to the County sewer system.

The second resolution (Resolution No. 393) proposes to reclassify and remap a 26-acre portion of property on St. Michaels Road from “Unprogrammed” to “S-1”  Immediate Priority Status.

These amendments would allow the properties to connect to the Region II wastewater treatment system, subject to applicable engineering requirements and connection fees.

Both resolutions were introduced by Council members Callahan, Haythe, Mielke and Stepp and will proceed through the County’s public hearing and review process before Council action.  The public hearings on Resolution No. 392 and 393 will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Public Hearing – Bill No. 1624 (Cannabis Zoning)

The Council held a public hearing on Bill No. 1624, which proposes amendments to Chapter 190 of the Talbot County Code related to zoning regulations governing the location and operation of cannabis-related businesses in Talbot County.

The bill would:

• Allow cannabis cultivation and on-site processing by special exception in the Agricultural Conservation, Countryside Preservation, and Western Rural Conservation districts.
• Permit processing of cannabis grown off-site by special exception in the Village Mixed, General Commercial, and Limited Industrial districts.
• Permit cannabis dispensaries by special exception in the Limited Commercial, General Commercial, and Limited Industrial districts.

The legislation also establishes definitions and operational requirements associated with cannabis-related uses. During Council discussion, members noted that if the County does not adopt its own regulations, regulatory authority would default to the State.

No public comments were made during the hearing. Bill No. 1624 will be eligible for vote on March 24, 2026.

Request from Planning and Zoning – MALPF Easement Prioritization Formula

Bryce Yelton, Assistant Planning Officer, Department of Planning and Zoning, presented a request for Council approval of a proposed modification to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) Easement Sale Prioritization Formula.

The formula is used to rank agricultural properties seeking to sell preservation easements through the MALPF program. The Easement Sale Prioritization Formula evaluates farms based on factors such as soil capability, stewardship practices, farm size, surrounding preserved lands, and overall agricultural productivity.

Yelton explained that the County’s ranking sheet was originally adopted in 2000 and last updated in 2011. The proposed revisions would clarify language, remove outdated terminology, and update data thresholds so the ranking system better aligns with the current MALPF program and modern agricultural data. The changes were reviewed by the Talbot County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, which unanimously recommended approval.

The Council approved the request and will forward the proposed changes to the MALPF Board for consideration. If also approved at the State level, the updated formula will be used to evaluate applications for the FY27 easement cycle.

County Manager’s Report

• Letter of Support – Habitat for Humanity Choptank: Council unanimously approved a request to submit a letter of support for Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s Home Repair Program application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for Operating Assistance Grant (OAG) funding. If awarded, the funding would support weatherization, roof repairs, accessibility improvements, and other critical health and safety repairs for low-income homeowners in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties. The program partners with government and private funding sources to help homeowners maintain safe housing, improve neighborhood conditions, and preserve affordable housing stock in the region.
• Road Maintenance Requests: The Council unanimously approved two recommendations from the Roads Department related to materials used for roadway maintenance.
  For Bid No. 26-02, the Council approved awarding the contract for furnishing AASHTO M43 Size No. 8 double washed aggregate to the sole bidder, Vulcan Construction Materials, Inc., at a unit price of $45.50 per ton, with a total bid amount of approximately $136,500. Funding of $174,000 is available in the FY26 Roads budget.
  The Council also approved the award of Bid No. 26-03 for the furnishing and delivery of CRS-2L emulsified asphalt with polymer and/or the furnishing, delivery, and application of CRS-2 emulsified asphalt with polymer for roadway maintenance. Following review of two bids received, staff recommended awarding Work Items #1 and #2 to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Slurry Pavers, Inc.

Next Meeting

The Talbot County Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton. The meeting is open to the public.

In addition, the Council continues to hold weekly briefings with Providence Strategies during the Maryland General Assembly legislative session. These briefings are held each Thursday at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom and are open to the public.

Budget Season

The County Council will be holding FY27 budget work sessions on the following dates, all of which are open to the public:

• Thursday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information on the budget process, visit FY2027 Budget | Engage Talbot County.

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