Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – August 19, 2025
Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – August 19, 2025
The meeting opened at 10:00 a.m. with an invocation by Pastor Angel Cartagena of Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the amended agenda. Public service announcements included a reminder about a hurricane in the Atlantic (expected to remain a "fish storm"), an upcoming Ag Preservation Program meeting on August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Harriet Brown Community Center, a community quality-of-life survey, a notice that tax bills will be mailed by the end of the week, and the introduction of adoptable cats Bendy and Sheila from the county animal shelter (free adoptions through the end of the month). No public comments were received.
Consent Calendar
- Department of Public Safety: Grant award for Maryland 9-1-1 Board Annual Maintenance (BA2026-000021).
- Department of Community Resources: Memorandum of Understanding with Calvert County Health Department for Healthy Hearts Program Collaboration.
- Department of Public Safety: Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant Application.
- Department of Public Safety: Federal Fiscal Year 2025 State Homeland Security Grant Application.
All four consent items were approved unanimously without objection.
Discussion Items
- Mass Notification System Contract: Stephen Pereira, Director of Technology Services, presented a request to approve a two-year contract with Everbridge for the county's mass notification system. The renewal allows expansion of use to additional departments (e.g., public works, sheriff's office) at no extra cost. The total cost is $109,715 for two years ($54,857 in year one, budgeted), with a cost reduction of $6,582.94 due to the multi-year commitment. County Emergency Manager Mike Reerson described the system's manual and automatic alert capabilities, including integration with National Weather Service and the ability to reach unregistered residents in emergencies such as at the county's nuclear power plant.
Commissioner Reports
- Commissioner Cox: Recognized three young volunteers from North Beach Volunteer Fire Department who won a national competition; requested prayers for the Pitcher family; reminded motorists to watch for school buses as school starts Monday.
- Commissioner Hart: Echoed back-to-school safety message.
- Commissioner Grasso: Held constituent meetings; toured a new office location; noted Dan DeVoe won a seat on Chesapeake Beach Council.
- Commissioner Ireland: Attended MACo (Maryland Association of Counties) summer conference; completed final class for Academy for Excellence Certificate; reported on transit bus discussions with St. Mary's County and meeting with Jennifer Moreland on potential stop locations; spoke to Lions Club; working with Barks & Rec and sheriff's office on improvements under Solomon's Bridge boat ramp area; extended condolences to Pitcher family.
- Commissioner President Hance: Attended MACo; reported on three safety improvement projects on MD 231 (intersections at Adelina Road, Mason Road, and Skipjack) with construction starting in 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively; noted that due to budget constraints, only two commissioners and the county administrator attended MACo (limiting staff expenses); highlighted the county's tight budget and difficult state financial outlook; praised the county's booth theme featuring Aquaman photos.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0 or voice vote).
- Mass Notification System Contract: Resolution authorizing a two-year agreement with Everbridge, including all renewal options, was approved unanimously.
- Executive Session: The board recessed into closed session at approximately 10:30 a.m. pursuant to §3-305(b)(1)(i) to discuss personnel matters and §3-305(b)(3) to consider real property acquisition. The meeting then adjourned.
Note: Meeting minutes were not available for this session. All votes were recorded as unanimous voice votes.
Meeting Transcript
So good morning, everybody. We'll welcome you to the August 19th, 2025 meeting of the Calvert County Board of Commissioners. At this time, I'd like to ask Pastor Cartagena if he would come forward and give us an invitation, please. Good morning. Before I begin, I wish to apologize for my attire. It was a long day of ministry yesterday, which became a long night of ministry, which became a early morning of ministry, and I've not had time to change, and so it does not reflect the deep respect I have for this body. You're by let's pray. Thank you. Gracious and merciful Father. In the season of challenge and difficulty, those who are called to take on the mantle of leadership need you more now than ever before. As we balance the needs of our community, let us, Lord, lead with firmness but also grace. That we may, Lord, be convicted but also show love. And in the midst of everything, Father, more than anything else, we need your wisdom and your discernment to know how best to care for those who have entrusted us through their votes. Lord, I pray for this esteemed body and all those who support them. For I know, Lord, that the burden is heavy. And while they smile and they often give us their very best whenever we see them in the community, we know, Father, that there are times when they take these matters with them to bed. When Lord, they are carrying the wants and the desires and the needs of people who depend on them. And so, Lord, in the midst of everything, may we be mindful of you and know that we always have you as our ultimate resource for everything that we need. Father, bless them in the name of our Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen. God bless you. Thank you. So, Pastor Cartagena comes to us from the Chesapeake Church in Huntington. I want to thank you for that prayer. You fully encaptured what we go through, and I greatly appreciate it. Welcome, sir. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is to approve the agenda. Are there any corrections or additions to the agenda as presented? No, and I move that we approve and adopt the agenda as submitted. Second. The amended agenda that is as submitted. Have a motion and a second to approve the agenda as amended. Any discussion on that motion hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. So I gotta get a little organized. Staff meeting ran until 9 59, so it takes a second. Um just want to make people aware that uh as if you've been watching following the weather, there is a major hurricane in the Atlantic. That's going to be a fish storm, which means it's not going to make landfall. At least that's what they believe at this time, but uh coastal areas could see some significant flooding, a little bit of storm surge. Those people that live in low-lying areas know that happens on occasion, so and they know how to prepare for that. So we just want to remind everybody that um just pay attention to the weather, and uh hopefully by the end of the week this thing will be out in the middle of the Atlantic and become a little storm that nobody's talking about.
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