Talbot County, Maryland

10/02/2024

Category: County Council

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Dana Newman, Director of Talbot County Free Library, and Edward "Boots" Robinson discuss the impact of Frederick Douglass.

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The Talbot County Free Library and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society accept a proclamation declaring September 28, 2024 Frederick Douglass Day.

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The Talbot County Free Library and the Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution accept a proclamation declaring October 19 – 24, 2024 Tench Tilghman Week.

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For All Seasons accepts proclamation for Suicide Prevention Month.

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Beth Ann Dorman, MS. President and CEO and Carly Palmer, Outreach Coordinator, from For All Seasons discuss mental health and suicide prevention in Talbot County.

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on September 24 at 5 p.m.; all Council members were present.   Prior to the regular meeting, the Council met at 3:00 p.m. with Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) President John Olszewski, Jr., and MACo Executive Director, Michael Sanderson to discuss the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session.

The Council also met with members of the Talbot County Planning Commission and the Planning Officer on Monday, September 23rd to review draft cannabis legislation and proposed legislation concerning Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) byproducts (also known as Food Processing Residuals).

Frederick Douglass Day (September 28, 2024) and Colonel Tench Tilghman Week (October 19 – 24, 2024)

Council honored two prominent historical figures, both of whom were Talbot County natives.

Frederick Douglass, born into slavery in 1818 in Talbot County, was known to have had the most powerful impact on the American abolitionist movement. His life spanned the Civil War, the end of slavery, and the beginning of segregation.

The Frederick Douglass Honor Society asked the community to join in celebration on Saturday, September 28, 2024, for the 11th annual Frederick Douglass Day event.

Colonel Tench Tilghman was born in Talbot County in 1744 and served as General George Washington’s Aide-De-Camp and personal secretary for seven years from 1776-1783. On October 19, 1781, Tilghman was entrusted to carry the official word of Lord Cornwall’s surrender in Yorktown, Virginia to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

The Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution invited the community to celebrate and honor his accomplishments during Colonel Tench Tilghman Week, from October 19th - 24th.    

To learn more about the impact of both individuals on Talbot County, citizens are encouraged to visit the Talbot County Free Library.

Suicide Prevention Month

Beth Anne Dorman, MS. President and CEO of For All Seasons, Inc. accepted a proclamation to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month. She was joined by Carly Palmer, Outreach Coordinator, For All Seasons.

The proclamation stated that “In Maryland, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 10 – 14 year olds and the 4th leading cause of death for ages 15 -34,” and “we urge all citizens to actively work toward the prevention of suicide and to reach out to one another and ASK, LISTEN, and SHARE.”

For All Seasons highlighted their new Open Access model, which allows clients to be seen by a clinician following intake on the same day. They report having 25+ new clients a week, and serve Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties. To learn more about For All Seasons, Inc., visit their website at forallseasonsinc.org

To learn more about Suicide Prevention Month, visit samhsa.gov.

Other Business

• Council also discussed a request from Council Member Dave Stepp to send a letter to the Talbot County Board of Elections regarding certain rules and regulations of the Maryland Election Code, in particular sections 10-201 and 10-202 pertaining to Election Judges. A majority of the Council chose not to send a letter as proposed.
• Kevin Shafer, Director of Operations for Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS), requested Council support of TCPS’ FY26 Capital Improvement Program which includes funding for the Chapel District renovation project. Approval of the CIP is subject to the availability of adequate County funding at the time each project is scheduled to be initiated.
• An Administrative Resolution, introduced by Council, authorized the issuance and sale of bonds in the amount of $88,000 for the purpose of closing out loans for the St. Michaels Wastewater System Improvements. Funding for the loans was provided by the Town of St. Michaels. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
• Council also introduced and approved an Administrative Resolution establishing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the aim of which is to identify and prioritize projects that enhance safety and accessibility of non-motorized transportation, promote public awareness and education of bicycle and pedestrian safety, advise the Council on matters related to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure by creating a Bicycle and Pedestrian master plan, and more. Further information about the committee, including how to apply, will be made available on the County website.
• Bill No. 1578, which amends electrical standards of the Talbot County Code, was eligible for vote. Having received several citizen comments and concerns, Council requested more information and chose to defer the vote to the October 8, 2024 meeting and to invite members of the Board of Electrical Examiners to be present.
• Each year, Talbot County abates the County Real Property Tax for various non-profit organizations that own property in the county. This year, the Finance Department received $159,891.38 in waiver requests.  Martha Sparks, Finance Director, stated that the list presented for consideration is the same as in 2023. The request for abatement was approved unanimously.
• The Roads Department requested approval to purchase a Vermeer Vacuum Excavator in the amount of $54,950. The machine would primarily be used for roadway work, allowing the Roads team to excavate an area with pressurized water, and then vacuum any remaining water or debris from the site to expose any underground utilities. Council unanimously approved the request.
• Public Works requested approval for two change orders related to the Royal Oak Pump Station Project (Bid 22-11) to wrap up work. The change orders, totaling $102,453.56, are related to necessary changes to two culvert designs. Funding for the project is being provided through Maryland Department of Environment using the State Revolving Loan Funds and Loan Forgiveness program. Council unanimously approved the request.
• Talbot Country Free Library presented information on the bids they received for the St. Michaels Library Expansion project (Bid No. 24-10). Having reviewed the options, Council chose to postpone approving any bid until additional information could be received about the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
• Public Works also requested approval to award Bid No. 24-14, design and construction of an EMS Station in Cordova, to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Industrial Engineering Company, Inc., in the amount of $1,688,000. The goal is to have the station up and running in roughly six (6) months. Council unanimously approved the request.

The Talbot County Council will host their annual meeting with the local delegation on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. The session is open to the public.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on October 8, 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 open to the public. Please note new meeting time.

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