Talbot County, Maryland

10/16/2026

Category: County Council

The Talbot County Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Council President Chuck Callahan was absent from the meeting; however, he had submitted absentee ballots for two legislative items. All actions taken by the Council were approved unanimously, either 4-0 by the members present or 5-0 where absentee ballots were submitted.

Council Recognizes Colonel Tench Tilghman Week

The Talbot County Council proclaimed October 19–24, 2026, as Colonel Tench Tilghman Week, recognizing the Talbot County native and Revolutionary War hero whose service helped shape the nation's independence.

Born in Talbot County in 1744, Tilghman served as General George Washington's aide-de-camp and personal secretary from 1776 to 1783. He is best remembered for carrying the official news of the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, arriving on October 24, 1781. In recognition of his service, Congress awarded him a ceremonial sword and horse.

The proclamation was presented to Wes Hagood, a member of the Col. Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Talbot250 Commission Member; Shawn O’Donnell, Col. Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Dana Newman, Director, Talbot County Free Library.

The recognition coincides with the third annual celebration of Colonel Tench Tilghman Week, which features a parade, commemorative wreath laying ceremony, and guest speaker presentation at the Avalon Theatre on Saturday, October 24. More information on the 3rd annual celebration can be found at talbot250.org.

Council Recognizes Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day

The Talbot County Council proclaimed October 21, 2026, as Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, recognizing the important role chambers of commerce play in supporting local businesses, fostering economic growth, and strengthening community partnerships.

The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, celebrating 60 years of service and representing more than 600 members throughout Talbot County and the Mid-Shore, supports business advocacy, leadership development, and workforce initiatives. Through the Talbot Chamber Foundation, the organization also invests in apprenticeships, career pathways, and entrepreneurship.

The proclamation was presented to Amy Kreiner, President and CEO of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, Liz Connelly, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Talbot Chamber, and Chamber staff member Taylor Russell, recognizing the Chamber's ongoing contributions to the local business community.

Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan Amendments

The Council held public hearings on three resolutions proposing amendments to the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan.

• Resolution No. 396 proposed reclassifying property at 27414 Ferry Bridge Road in Easton from unprogrammed to S-1 immediate priority sewer status. The Council approved the resolution unanimously, 5-0.
• Resolution No. 397 proposed reclassifying property at 5586 Leeward Lane in Tilghman from unprogrammed to S-1 immediate priority sewer status. The Council approved the resolution unanimously, 5-0.
• Resolution No. 398 proposed reclassifying 21 parcels along Goose Neck Road in Royal Oak from unprogrammed to S-1 immediate priority sewer status. Amendments to the resolution are pending, and the Council did not take a vote during the meeting.

The Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan establishes priorities for public water and sewer service throughout Talbot County. The proposed amendments address the designated sewer service status of the affected properties.  All three amendments were reviewed by the Planning Commission and Public Works Advisory Board.

Other Legislation

The Council also held public hearings on two proposed amendments to the Talbot County Code.

• Bill No. 1653 proposes changes to public hearing notification requirements for new and renewed short-term rental licenses, including expanding the notification area to properties within 1,000 feet, subject to a limit of the 50 nearest properties.
• Bill No. 1654 proposes amendments to the Volunteer Emergency Services Longevity Award Program, including changes to eligibility requirements and monthly benefits for qualifying volunteer members.

Both bills are eligible for a Council vote on October 27, 2026.

Other Council Business

• Finance Office Receives GFOA Recognition: The Council recognized the Talbot County Finance Office for receiving a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 (FY25). Finance Director Martha Sparks and Assistant Finance Director Kaitlin Foster-Clark were recognized specifically in connection with the award, which reflects the County's commitment to financial reporting and accountability.
• Opioid Restitution Fund Grants: Council unanimously approved the distribution of $100,000 in Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) grants to eight local organizations, following recommendations from the Local Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council (LDAAC). Sheriff Joe Gamble, who chairs the LDAAC, presented the funding recommendations after the Council reviewed nine applications. Approved funding includes $10,000 for Tilghman Area Youth Association, $18,000 for Talbot Goes Purple, $5,000 for Channel Marker, $10,000 for Grace Street, $18,000 for Not My Child, Inc., $18,500 for Chesapeake College Foundation, $18,000 for Mariah's Mission, and $2,500 for St. Michaels Community Center.
• Property Tax Abatement: Council unanimously approved $54,040.13 in County real property tax abatements for Fiscal Year 2027 across 34 property accounts, including properties owned by nonprofit and community organizations such as Chesapeake Audubon Society, Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, Habitat for Humanity Choptank, Neighborhood Service Center, and Waterfowl Festival, Inc.

County Manager's Report

County Manager Clay Stamp presented several items for Council consideration.

• Board and Committee Appointments: The Council unanimously approved the following appointments:
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee – Unanimously approved the reappointment of Michael Sullivan as the Town of Trappe’s representative, pending successful background check. 
  • Police Accountability Board – Unanimously approved the appointment of Benny Mangor.
  • Social Services Board of Directors – Unanimously approved the appointment of Rabbi Jordan Goldson.
  • Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board of Directors – Unanimously approved the appointment of Katie Levitan.
• Program Open Space Funding: Council unanimously approved the use of $75,000 in County Program Open Space funding to assist the Town of Queen Anne with the acquisition of waterfront property along the Tuckahoe River for potential future public recreational use, including a kayak launch.
• Community Center Equipment: Council unanimously approved the use of $1,320,354 in FY27 Capital Budget funding for the replacement of the main ice rink dehumidifier, fabrication of a new curling rink dehumidifier, and replacement of curling rink HVAC units at the Talbot County Community Center through Electrical Automation Services, Inc. (EASI) by piggybacking on Wicomico County’s contract.
• Biosolids Facility Equipment: Council unanimously approved the use of $58,273 in FY27 Operating Budget funding to purchase a replacement screen rake assembly from Sherwood-Logan & Associates for the Talbot County Biosolids Facility on Klondike Road in Easton.  This is a sole source procurement as the screen must fit within the current Rotomat.
• Emergency Services Ambulance: Council unanimously approved the use of $378,350 in FY27 Capital Outlay funding to purchase a 2027 Horton ambulance on a Ford F-550 chassis for the Department of Emergency Services through Fesco Emergency Sales.

Next Council Meeting

The Talbot County Council's next regular legislative meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room, South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton. 

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the County Council will be meeting with representatives from Maryland Department of Transportation at 3:00 p.m. for the annual Consolidated Transportation Plan meeting.  The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the Wye Oak Room located at the Talbot County Community Center, 10028 Ocean Gateway in Easton.

Council meeting agendas, recordings, and additional information are available at www.talbotcountymd.gov.

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