The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Prince Frederick. The meeting included a proclamation, awards, a public hearing, several new business items, a detailed water quality monitoring presentation, public comment, and commissioner reports. The board approved consent items en bloc, removed term limits for boards and commissions, and approved a grant for GIS software.
The meeting began with an invocation by Rev. Lucretia W. Mann of Christ Church in Port Republic. The board approved the agenda with an amendment to move Item 2 (Economic Development term limits) from consent to new business. Public service announcements noted no bus service due to staff training and vacancies on the Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee.
The board proclaimed June 2025 as National Safety Month in Calvert County. Daniel Baker, safety officer, highlighted workplace safety programs, heat illness prevention, and training statistics: over the past nine years, he has taught CPR/First Aid/AED to 1,248 county employees.
The board approved the following items unanimously (motion, second, all aye):
The board voted to repeal and remove Section 11-4 of the County Code, eliminating term limits for all county boards and commissions appointed by the board (unless set by state law). The amendment, originally focused on Economic Development, was expanded to address membership challenges across all boards. The motion passed unanimously.
The board conducted a public hearing for a grant award of $171,696.71 from the Maryland 9-1-1 Board for a five-year subscription to Datamark GIS software. The software improves routing accuracy for first responders. There were no public comments. The board closed the hearing and approved the resolution and Budget Amendment BA2025-000420 unanimously.
Carrie Wilson, Executive Director of Calvert Library, presented the summer reading program "Color Our World." The challenge runs June 2 to August 16, 2025, with a goal to read 2.5 million minutes (up from 2.4 million in 2024). Participants can log minutes via paper or the BeanStack app and earn tickets for prizes.
Amalia Fleetam, Environmental Planner, introduced Jeremy Testa and Laura Harris from the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL). They presented results from the 2024 water quality monitoring program, which has been ongoing for 38 years in some areas. Key findings:
Bob Estison, representing Friends of Hunting Creek, emphasized the value of volunteer-collected data (water chemistry, macroinvertebrates) and urged the county to integrate it into monitoring efforts. The board acknowledged the contribution.
Commissioners reported on various events: Small Business Appreciation Week visits, Memorial Day ceremonies, school visits, and attendance at Kids' Day on the Farm. Commissioner Grasso highlighted the need for a new Sheriff's Department building (current building is 106 years old, has mold and structural issues) and also acknowledged fire department building needs. Commissioner Hance clarified that the county has no control over gas prices, responding to public concern.
The meeting adjourned to executive session at approximately 11:40 a.m.
The Lord be with you and we also with you. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, as we embark on the discussions and decisions of this county board of commissioners meeting, we humbly ask for your guidance. Grant us insight to see beyond the surface. Discernment to understand the implications of our choices, and courage to make decisions that honor you and serve this organization well. May your wisdom illuminate our path and your grace sustain us in our endeavors. We commit this meeting to your name. Amen. And do the republic for which you Pastor Man. Pastor Mann comes to us from Christ the Episcopal Church on Bruce Island Road. I do the Joustin Tournament. Yeah. And it will be my first term. And as the interim rector, I've only been here since October. Yeah. So I'm told I need to look especially forward for the credit case. Yes. Oh, yeah. It's always the last Saturday in August, and the tournament's been going on for 170 some years. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. I was going to give you a plug. And the church was established in the 1600s. 1672, actually. Um by the Roman Catholic Church. And then re-established by the Anglican churches in 1692. So yes, it has a long and storied history. And in order to get the church built, the parishioners had to tie so much tobacco. That's right. That's right. And tobacco farmers surrounding the church are still prospering. Well, not many of us left around the church anymore. That I but the tournament the dinner is wonderful. So it and it always lasts, as I say, occurs on the last Saturday of August. And uh get the crab cakes. I'm looking forward to it. Don't get the chicken and ham. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So we fasting beforehand. It's always a good dinner. So well, thank you for coming in this morning. We greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Uh the next item on the agenda is to approve the agenda. Are there any corrections or additions to the agenda as presented? No. I have none.