Oxford Commissioners Cool on Joining Robert Morris Inn Bankruptcy Case, Adopt New Ethics Chapter and Trash Rules

OXFORD, MARYLAND — Oxford is unlikely to try to join the federal bankruptcy case involving the Robert Morris Inn unless supporters bring the commissioners a concrete plan, according to the video of the commissioners' Nov. 10 meeting.

Near the end of the meeting, one commissioner responded to a letter about the inn from Dick Deerin, listed among letters the town received, and to the Friends of the RMI group's push for the town to intervene in the case, which he described as a federal bankruptcy proceeding in the District of Columbia. He said the research alone to decide whether the town could intervene would likely cost thousands of dollars, probably tens of thousands, and that seeking to intervene would cost tens of thousands more. He said he would be hard pressed to support further steps toward intervention without good arguments about what the town would seek as a party, what it would cost and whether it could matter before this winter. A second commissioner said the board is frustrated but does not see what a town can do while the inn is tied up in the courts and buying it is not an option, and asked residents with ideas to bring them forward. A colleague concurred.

Earlier, the commissioners adopted the rewrite of the town's ethics chapter, listed on the agenda as Ordinance 2606, after a public hearing at which no one from the public spoke. The chapter covers the town's elected officials, employees and appointees.

They also approved Resolution 2604, the updated trash collection policy, with minor edits made at the meeting. The policy keeps regular trash in lidded cans and bars plastic bags for yard waste. Resolution 2605, which sets when contract positions qualify for benefits, also passed.

On paid family and medical leave, the commissioners voted to tell the state the town plans to pursue a private insurance plan under Maryland's FAMLI law instead of the state-run program, and to start the process with the insurer Renaissance; the plan still needs state approval. Town Manager Holly Wahl recommended that the town itself fund the 0.45% employee share of the FAMLI contribution, placed in escrow starting Jan. 1, 2027, so no money is withheld from paychecks only to be refunded later. The commissioners voted to have the town fund that escrow until the plan is approved.

The commissioners also approved a template agreement for owners who stop using an accessory unit as a dwelling; signing it removes the extra sewer charge. At the meeting, they added a line requiring the owner to disclose the agreement when the property is sold. Under the template, the restriction binds future owners and stays in effect until the town approves a release in writing. Putting the unit back into service as a dwelling requires prior notice to the town and restores the extra billing, and using it as a dwelling in breach of the agreement can bring a fine of $200 a day. The $2,000 in façade grant money left by the Odd Fellows project's withdrawal went to Sandaway Suites & Beach.

In a work session, the commissioners discussed 2027 boat slip rules and rates and did not vote. They said decisions could wait until about December, before the new calendar year.

The commissioners' next regular meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 101 Market Street.