Woody Barnes

The agenda included Board Organization matters, such as appointing a County Administrator/Clerk. Key action items involved considering a Text Amendment for the Critical Area Ordinance concerning restaurants and retreats in the RCA, and a Request for Release of Lien for property at 31872 Flower Hill Church Road. Discussion topics included formal approval and a letter of support/allocation for the Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Company, a Letter of Support Request regarding the City of Crisfield Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a Proclamation Request for Professional Social Work Month 2026. The correspondence noted included communication from the County Health Officer regarding Test Well Monitoring Sites. A closed session was planned under the authority of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland § 3-305(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters pertaining to appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an official under the Board's jurisdiction.

The meeting agenda included several discussion items for the Roads Division, such as an update on the Fuel Site Upgrade, updates on Sign Post Road Fiber and Residential Electric Service, a Letter of Support with the City of Crisfield for the BUILD Grant, and an Equipment Update. The Waterways Division agenda featured an update on the Waterway Improvement Fund Grant Agreement DG-190L-25. The agenda also allocated time for a Roads Report and a Public Comments section. A Closed Session was scheduled under the authority of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland § 3-305 (b)(1) concerning the appointment, employment, discipline, compensation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official.

The agenda for the Somerset County Sanitary Commission Regular Meeting includes a review of the Quarterly Financial Report Analysis and a first read of the Reserve Fund Policy. Information items cover the Princess Anne Subdistrict, focusing on the ENR Upgrade, Color Removal Project, and the Lead Service Line Project. The Smith Island Subdistrict has an update on the Clean Water Project. The Fairmount/Rumbley Subdistrict includes a request/petition for the Rumbley Frenchtown Sewer Extension. General Business actions include the approval of invoices, ratification of phone poll approvals for prior invoices (totaling $25,273.68 for various services, primarily GMB related to SICWP), and specific action items for the Princess Anne Subdistrict concerning emergency repairs at the WWTP and an influent pump rebuild, as well as a request for a payment plan. The Fairmount Subdistrict includes a request for a leak credit.

The meeting included a bid opening for the Tylerton Breakwater Project, where bids were read aloud, and the recommendation for award was deferred to the next meeting. Discussions regarding the Somerset Grove Development focused on accepting the subdivision roads into the County's inventory; the Board ultimately requested the development plans be revised due to concerns over utility infrastructure placement, easement size, parking limitations, and snow removal challenges. The Board approved a FY26 Capital Purchase request for three new trucks that slightly exceeded the budgeted amount, utilizing a piggybacked state contract. Fuel site upgrades were approved, including replacing a gasoline tank and installing new dispensers, as well as compliance upgrades to replace underground fuel lines and upgrade sump pumps, requiring a reallocation of funds from the Smith Island bridge project. Approval was granted for Choptank Fiber and Electric to attach utilities to Bridge 11. An update was provided on a recent accident involving a gradall and a commuter bus, leading the Board to consensus to request the State Highway Administration consider a turn lane at that location. Furthermore, an update indicated a potential funding increase for the Ewell County Dock replacement project under the FY27 Waterways Improvement Program. Public comment included suggestions for traffic control measures at Route 413 and inquiries about breakwater funding longevity.

The Roads Division meeting focused on the sale and closure of two road sections. The Board approved signing the deed for the sale and closure of a 0.024-mile stretch of Edelen Webster Road following a public hearing in June 2024 where no opposition was noted. The Board also approved signing the deed for the sale and closure of a 0.27-mile stretch of Halls Creek Road, which also had a public hearing in June 2024 without opposition. Additionally, the Board approved a letter of support for a partnership with the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension to apply for grants addressing nuisance flooding in Tylerton, requiring only technical support. A copy of the snow policy for the upcoming season was reviewed and accepted without modification. The Roads Department provided updates on assisting with the Deal Island School's fall festival and traffic management for a Halloween event. In Waterways business, the Board awarded the Tylerton Breakwater Project bid to Coastal Design and Construction for $456,800, funded entirely by a Department of Natural Resources grant. The Board also acknowledged receipt of a $25,000 maintenance grant from DNR for general facility maintenance, including dock and pier replacements.