Talbot County Council meeting highlights, October 8, 2024

The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on October 8, 2024 at 6 p.m.; all Council members were present.

Proclamation: Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Week

Tina Kintop, EMS Division Chief; Rachael Cox, Paramedic and Program Coordinator at the Department of Emergency Services; and Carrie Ottey, RN, BSN, Program Manager for Senior Services at the Talbot County Health Department, accepted a proclamation declaring October 6 – 12, 2024 as MIH Week.

MIH aims to provide in-home healthcare solutions for residents, focusing on reducing emergency room visits and hospital re-admissions by bringing care directly to those in need, particularly seniors and vulnerable populations.  A wide range of services are offered including medication management, chronic disease monitoring, and social support coordination, enabling individuals to manage their health more effectively and improving overall community wellness.

The County’s program is a collaborative effort between DES, the Health Department, and local medical partners. The program is primarily funded through the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission’s Health Equity Resource Communities five-year grant program, which went into effect in July of this year.

“This strikes me as one of the smartest programs in government today. You give people a little bit of preventative care, and it prevents them from using much more expensive emergency care”, said Council Vice President Pete Lesher. “It’s compassionate…and it makes economic sense. There are winners all around here. Thank you for all that you are doing.”

For more information about Mobile Integrated Health, visit the National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers at namihp.org. To learn more about the MIH program in Talbot County, reach out to [email protected] or call 443-239-6999.

Talbot County Food Pantries and Community Resource Day Event

Catherine Poe, Chair of the Talbot County Hunger Coalition, presented to Council the necessity for, and usage of, food pantries in our community, as well as information on the upcoming Community Resource Day Expo.

The annual Community Resource Day, which will be held on Saturday, October 19 at Easton Elementary School, 307 Glenwood Avenue, Easton from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is a “one stop shop” for residents in need, offering a range of services under one roof including dental screening, heating assistance, health screenings, free children’s books, immigration help, free home repair and much more. Free lunch will be provided as well.

The event is spearheaded by the Neighborhood Service Center, Talbot Family Network, Talbot County Hunger Coalition, Easton Utilities, Choptank Electric, Talbot County Public Schools, and the Department of Social Services.

“Look at the stat and you will see why a program like this is needed,” offered Poe. “70% of our students in Middle School are on Free and Reduced Meals…last year there were more than 200 homeless children in grades K-12.”

According to the Department of Social Services, 3,738 people received SNAP benefits in Talbot, as of September 2024.

“Many people do not even realize that help is out there,” she said. “They just need access and learn how to navigate the system. The Community Resource Day event gives them that opportunity.”

To learn more about the Talbot County Hunger Coalition as well as a list of food pantries, visit https://healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-county-hunger-coalition/. For additional resources on Food and Nutrition Assistance, visit https://healthytalbot.org/resource_category/food-and-nutrition-assistance/.

Other Business

• A public hearing and vote were held on Res. No. 362, an amendment to the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer plan to reclassify and remap two parcels on Bozman/Neavitt Road from unprogrammed to “S-1” Immediate Priority Status due to failing septic systems. The Public Works Advisory Board and the Planning Commission have both reviewed the request and provided unanimous recommendations to approve. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
• A public hearing and vote were held on Res. No. 363.  As outlined in the Maryland Annotated Code, §4-416, the Town of Easton requested a waiver of the County’s 5-year zoning hold on two parcels of real property, shown as Tax Map 34 as Parcels 128 and 175, totaling 17.329± acres which were recently annexed by the Town of Easton. Council approved the resolution with Council member Haythe abstaining.
• A public hearing was held on Bill No. 1579, which addresses conditions for approval of Bill No. 1544 by the Maryland Critical Area Commission. The Commission requested an additional requirement be included in Bill No. 1544 for historic inns located within the Critical Area. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval, noting consistency with the 2016 Comprehensive Plan. The bill will be eligible for vote at the Council’s next meeting on October 22, 2024.
• Bill No. 1578, was brought forward for vote. The bill which aims to amend the County’s Electrical Standards code, received an amendment that clarified some of the language regarding a homeowners’ ability to make their own repairs or installations. Following a discussion with Board of Electrical Examiners Chairman, J. Christopher Kleppinger, Council approved the bill as amended.  Council member Haythe abstained.
• Assistant County Manager Jessica Morris presented two board nominations for the Council’s consideration:
  • Commission on Aging – Council unanimously approved the appointment of Kathleen Dormody and Megan Pinder.
  • Tourism Board – Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Mark Salter.
• Brennan Tarleton, Director of Planning and Zoning, requested approval to appoint Nickole Whitmer as the Talbot County Alcoholic Beverages Inspector. In her capacity as the County’s Alcoholic Beverages Inspector, Whitmer will conduct routine inspections of establishments serving liquor, as well as provide routine training and guidance for businesses serving alcoholic beverages in the county. The Council unanimously approved her appointment. To report a violation of the County alcoholic beverages code or State alcoholic beverages law, please contact the Office of Code Compliance at 410-770-8177 or visit https://talbotcountymd.gov/liquorboard for more information.
• Council discussed Amendment No. 1 for Bid No. 22-07, the contract for Engineering Services for the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan update – 2022/2023 Report of the Review with County Engineer, Ray Clarke.  Council requested an itemized invoice from Rauch, Inc. for the additional work provided prior to further action.
• Talbot County Department of Public Works and Talbot County Free Library requested approval to award Bid No. 24-10, the St.Michaels Library Expansion and Renovation project, to Keller Brothers, Inc. of Salisbury, Maryland in the amount of $5,295,750. The Council unanimously approved the request. The County Council previously appropriated $7,317,000 in Bill No. 1555 for the project, which will also receive grant funding from the State.
• Emily Gilmer, Director of Parks and Recreation, requested approval to award a contract to J.J. Clow & Sons, in the amount of $57,000, for the installation of light poles and conduit at the Talbot County Community Center parking lot specifically near the ice hockey entrance.

On Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 p.m., the Council will be meeting with the Talbot County Board of Education. The meeting will be held at the Wye Oak Room at the Talbot County Community Center and is open to the public.

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd 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.

---

As a reminder, all meeting highlights can be found on the county’s website at: https://talbotcountymd.gov/About-Us/County_Council/talbot-county-council-meeting-highlights

All meeting recordings and agendas can be found: https://talbotcountymd.gov/About-Us/County_Council/council-meeting-videos