Eleven years ago, Shore Health Systems (SHS) presented to the Talbot County Council development plans for the new hospital. The Plan required a realignment of Route 662, with a new, relocated section of Route 662 to be constructed first, in order to maintain continuous traffic flow on Route 662 during the hospital construction phase. It was unanimously approved by the 2013 County Council. Bill 1231 enacted March 26, 2013.
Fast forward to early this year (February/March). SHS, without involving the County Council, approached County Staff (not the elected officials) to push for a temporary closure of a segment of MD Route 662. This closure was to occur before the completion of the new, relocated section of Route 662. The urgency of this request was tied to SHS’s desire to start hospital construction, claiming that the building design had “changed slightly,” necessitating the relocation of a small corner of the hospital over Route 662. This change, according to SHS, made it “urgent” to close the road to begin foundation work.
County Staff, including Public Works, Roads, and the Sheriff’s Department, recognized the significant negative impacts this closure would have. The proposed detours would require redirecting traffic to nearby County roads: Hiner’s Lane, Hailem School Road, Goldsborough Neck Road, and Airport Road, from October 2024 to May 2025 (assuming the construction stayed on schedule). These roads would require upgrades to handle the increased traffic. There were also serious concerns about safety and the negative impact on the farming community and Community Center traffic. Despite the diligence of County Staff in communicating these concerns to SHS, except for a concession to make a financial contribution toward the costs for upgrading the county roads, the hospital was resolute about the closure.
Even though there was a perfect opportunity in May to address the issue while addressing another issue with SHS, the County Council was only substantively brought into the process, as a body, late in the game, with a “work session” with SHS which was not held until July 23. However, this work session felt like a charade. It was clear that its plan was a fait accompli, essentially a done deal.
Now, based on discussions led by the County Manager—conversations that did not substantively involve the County Council, as a body, as they were left out of the process—the Council is being asked to rubber-stamp this “emergency” change of plans. Bill 1577 will come before the Council on July 13 for an amendment and for a public hearing on August 27 as an “emergency” bill. But let’s be clear: an emergency, as defined by Webster’s, is “a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action.” SHS has not demonstrated that an emergency exists to justify the closure of Route 662 before the new route is completed. This is not a sudden or unforeseen occurrence. As SHS’s legal counsel admitted, the hospital design was only “changed slightly.” If SHS recognized back in February that the design change required the closure of Route 662 in October, they had ample time to either revise the construction plan and avoid closing the road or begin the construction process for the new road earlier this year.
We all want the new hospital, and I fully support and want to facilitate the timely construction of the new hospital. However, for the sake of the public, there must be a transparent process. I cannot support their request that compromises the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens. The hospital should not have requested the closure of Route 662 before constructing the new section and should have adhered to the original plan as outlined in Bill 1231. Any changes SHS needs to make should be at its own expense to comply with the approved plan. This approach is not only best for the County residents but also respectful of their welfare and safety.
Lynn Mielke serves on the Talbot County Council.
Maury Schlesinger says
In many jurisdictions, a developer is required to install the infrastructure necessary for the project before starting the intended building. This would include water and sewar as well as access roads. Why is the hospital starting foundation work before these other elements are completed, or at least started?
Michelle Maclay says
Thank you for this article. If the closure comes through as planned, how do we ask the person that lives at the corner of 662 and Hailem School to trim the bushes in his front yard?? They block your view of traffic in there are going to be some major accidents here with the increased flow of traffic. They really should be trimmed down now.
Tom Lane says
Move the building to the west and 662 does not need to be moved or relocated at all…..total waste of money!
Mark Laurent Pellerin says
ABSOLUTELY AGREED.. what idiocy this design is.
Reed Fawell 3 says
History repeats itself, over and over.
William Keppen says
Do no harm. I repeat …
Marshall Rickert says
What nit-picking this. Go find something substantive to complain about. This new hospital is a godsend for the Mid-Shore!
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, MD says
This is more than a “nit” to the commuters and farmers who rely on that road. This also reflects the lack of communication and involvement with local government by the UMMS. A shiny new hospital is a lovely thing, but not much good if it as understaffed and inadequate to meet the needs of the community as the old one is!
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, MD says
Thank you Ms. Mielke for relating the facts behind this issue. Although the new hospital is important to us all, equally important is the ability of UMMS to collaborate with the community. In the past, this has not been their strong suit, with most of the decisions regarding local health care facilities and staffing made in Baltimore, without local input. I suspect this is only the first in what will likely be a succession of plan changes that will be sprung upon the town and the county. Local concerns have never been the concern of UMMS. Good luck to you and the Council in dealing with them!
Mark Laurent Pellerin says
Indeed… THANK YOU, Ms. Mielke