There’s hardly a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian in Easton who doesn’t have a spot in town that drives them nuts — the slow lights at Five Corners, the sidewalk gaps on Port Street, or the nerve-wracking dash across Route 50 or the Parkway. Getting around town just isn’t as easy as it should be.

The good news, according to Town Engineer Rick Van Emburgh, is that many of these problem areas are finally on the fix-it list for 2026 and 2027. The work is being guided by Easton’s new Complete Streets Design Manual, a roadmap that tells the town to design streets for everyone — walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users, and drivers — not just fast-moving traffic.

In simple terms, the manual lays out how Easton’s streets should look and function going forward: where sidewalks go, how wide lanes should be, how crossings are marked, and how to make routes feel safer and more connected. It’s a shift toward treating people on foot and bike as full users of the road, not afterthoughts.

In our Spy interview with Rick, we talked about what this means on the ground — from long-awaited sidewalks on Washington and Port Streets to possible roundabouts at tricky intersections and better crossings along Route 50. If all goes as planned, some of Easton’s most frustrating pinch points could start looking a lot different by late 2026.

This video is approximately eight minutes in length.

It likely comes as no surprise to Spy readers following the ongoing debate before the Talbot County Council that opinions are sharply divided over the latest proposal to amend Chapter 190 of the zoning code governing short-term rentals (STRs) such as Airbnb and Vrbo.

The bill, introduced by Council Vice President Pete Lesher and Councilmember Lynne Mielke, would reshape how the Short-Term Rental Review Board operates. It adds new requirements for applications and renewals, expands the grounds for denial, and includes stricter rules on neighbor notifications, density caps, and transfer restrictions — all of which have stirred strong objections from many property owners.

A vocal group of speakers lined up to oppose Bill 1622. In our Spy highlight reel, Emma Brown of Flaneur Vacation Rentals pointed to the lack of quantitative evidence showing real harm from STRs and noted that the Planning Commission did not view most of the changes as necessary. Michelle Hoyle, owner of Tidewater Vacations, echoed those concerns, citing fewer than ten complaints in six years and stressing the millions in tax revenue and thousands of local jobs supported by STRs. Bryan Trautman of Eastern Shore Vacation Rentals went further, calling the bill a “solution in search of a problem,” saying it creates new bureaucracy without addressing any demonstrated need and appears driven more by politics than practicality.

Supporters of the bill, however, argued that STRs are disrupting residential neighborhoods and need tighter oversight. Longtime resident James Flood described losing the “quiet enjoyment” of his home because of the constant turnover and large groups drawn to an STR next door. Monica Otte, speaking for the Rio Vista Community Association, urged the Council to apply density limits to town residential zones as well, arguing these tightly knit neighborhoods face the same pressures as village districts. She emphasized the need to balance tourism with residents’ rights and protect the character of established communities.

The public record for written comments remains open until December 5th, and the bill will be eligible for a vote on December 9th.

This video is approximately 15 minutes in length.

The long-awaited opening of the newly redeveloped Doverbrook Apartments is on hold as federal housing officials review a required public comment period.

The 64-unit affordable housing project, completed in May, has already received 145 applications, including 24 from former Doverbrook residents. But the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ruled that a small change to the project’s housing plan—listing specific property names and clarifying priority for returning tenants—requires a new 45-day public comment period.

Housing Commission Executive Director Don Bibb said the commission has requested a waiver, arguing that the change is minor and that no public comments have been submitted during the past 50 days. A public hearing also drew no attendees.

“If HUD grants our waiver, we could begin moving people in this month,” Bibb said. “If not, the new comment period will end in late September, and we will start move-ins shortly after that.”

Local officials are considering reaching out to HUD and state representatives to expedite the process. In the meantime, the Housing Commission plans to release updates to the public through social media, local churches, and community leaders.

The other highlight was the comments made by all five council members on the arrest of Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 21. 

Doverbrook Apartments
This video is approximately 16 minutes in length.

The Arrest of Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal
This video is approximately 16 minutes in length.