EASTON, MARYLAND — The Talbot County Council voted unanimously Oct. 27 to raise the monthly benefit for long-serving volunteer firefighters and emergency responders, and approved three land transfers tied to the new regional medical center and a future Easton park.
Bill No. 1654 sets a minimum monthly benefit of $100 for life for qualifying active volunteers under the county's Volunteer Emergency Services Longevity Award Program, known as LOSAP. Under the enacted bill, members already receiving that benefit get at least $50 more a month for each additional five years of certified service beyond 25 years, up to at least $200 more a month at 45 years or more. The council can raise those minimums in the county budget.
"You deserve this," Council President Chuck Callahan said. Vice President Pete Lesher said, "We hope this provides an incentive for members to continue to give their time."
The land transfers, all approved unanimously after hearings:
- Resolution No. 399 conveys about 4.195 acres to the State Highway Administration for roadway work near Route 50 and the Talbot County Community Center tied to the new medical center.
- Resolution No. 400 conveys about one acre to the Town of Easton and 1.253 acres to Shore Health Systems under the development agreements for the medical center.
- Resolution No. 401 conveys about 1.785 acres at Poplar Hill Farm to Easton so the town can build road access from Easton Parkway to its planned Woodland Park, instead of from Oxford Road.
The council approved Bill No. 1653 by a 4-1 vote. For new short-term rental license hearings and renewal applications, it limits the notice that goes to owners of other nearby properties to those whose property lines are within 1,000 feet, including properties in line of sight within 1,000 feet across waterways, or the 50 nearest properties, whichever is fewer. Adjoining owners; owners across a road, easement or right-of-way; any applicable homeowners association, property owners association or covenant administrator; and owners who share access over a private road must still be notified. Councilmember Lynn Mielke voted no, saying the county should review the short-term rental law as a whole.
Bill No. 1655, which merges the Economic Development Commission and the Board of Tourism into one Board of Economic Development and Tourism, passed 5-0 on final adoption. It takes effect in March 2027. Lesher had voted against moving it to third reader, citing a rushed process.
The council also unanimously reclassified 21 Goose Neck Road parcels in Royal Oak to S-1 immediate priority in the county water and sewer plan; awarded East Coast Land Paving $469,440 to rebuild the back-nine cart paths at Hog Neck Golf Course; rejected all bids for a two-tier driving range there because they ran over budget; leased an Easton Airport hangar at 9465 Jet Lane to WestAir Aviation for $6,000 a month; and backed Waterfowl Festival Inc.'s request for $1.3 million in the governor's fiscal 2028 capital budget for the Waterfowl Building, the historic Easton Armory.
Talbot Humane Executive Director Patty Crankshaw-Quimby reported 350 initial animal control calls in fiscal 2026, up 14%, a 93% live-release rate and 1,321 spay and neuter procedures. The group has bought the former Sts. Peter & Paul Church rectory and parking area for a new shelter and has begun permitting.
The council next meets Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room of the courthouse at 11 N. Washington St. in Easton.
Source: Talbot County
Also: Talbot County (2), Talbot County (3)
Drawn from public records; drafted with AI and edited by Peter Gorman before publication.
Comments
Signed comments are held for review, then published. Obvious spam is rejected before it reaches the editor. Letters and comments.
No published comments yet.