Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - October 21, 2025
Calvert County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - October 21, 2025
The Calvert County Board of Commissioners met on October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting included an invocation, approval of the agenda, public service announcements, a consent agenda, a presentation on the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center HVAC and roof replacement, a public hearing on a supplemental budget request, public comments, commissioner reports, and an executive session.
Consent Calendar
- Department of Community Resources: Memorandum of Agreement with Community Ministry of Calvert County and Three Oaks Center, and Budget Adjustment BA2026-000170. Approved unanimously.
- Department of Parks & Recreation: Simplified Buffer Management Plan for Flag Ponds Nature Park. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joseph Cormio (Owings, MD): Speaking on the supplemental budget, he expressed concern that the public lacked background on items like the $255,000 snow removal increase and $750,000 for detention center nurses. He noted that the county has a different attitude toward budget adjustments for the school system.
- Joseph Cormio (again, during Public Comment): Commented on the Owings Town Center expansion, opposing expansion into historic farms, ancient forest, and Hall Creek swamp. He noted vacant properties in the current town center and traffic concerns on MD 778 and Chesapeake Beach Road.
- Stacey Lagana (President, Calvert Aquatics Club): Expressed full support for the renovation but stressed the impact on 160 swimmers. She highlighted that a 4-week break can decrease swimmer times by 3.8%, and that two missed meets could jeopardize sanctioning and $120,000 in lost revenue. She requested that the closure be minimized and that CAC be included as a partner in scheduling.
- Ed Cullett (Head Coach, Calvert Aquatics Club): Thanked the board for hearing them and invited commissioners to see the team's dedication.
Discussion Items
- Presentation - Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center HVAC and Roof Replacement: Director Bob Branham, Division Chief Brandon Medea, and Facility Manager Zachary Brickie presented. The project will replace aging HVAC systems, install a new TPO roof, and upgrade LED lighting. The total cost is $5,809,450, funded through the Capital Improvement Plan. The facility will close May 1, 2026, with reopening targeted for October 2026. Commissioners discussed the impact on the Calvert Aquatics Club, swim teams, therapy programs, and the public. They emphasized communication and exploring alternate venues (e.g., Naval Recreation Center). The board approved the work order.
- Public Hearing - Supplemental Budget Request FY2026: Deputy County Administrator Stephen McGibbon presented. Items include $255,000 for snow/ice removal, $1.65 million for teacher retirement pension (HB 352), $75,000 for Prudent RX, $45,500 for mosquito control, $2,993,000 in increased revenue estimates, and funding for detention center medical contract (Wellpath) and a public safety master plan. The board approved the budget amendment.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Work Order 143818 (Aquatic Center): Approved unanimously to award Centennial Contractors Enterprises Inc. $5,809,450 for HVAC and roof replacement, with liquidated damages of $500/day for delays.
- Budget Amendment BA2026-000204: Approved unanimously after public hearing, increasing FY2026 revenue estimates by $2,993,000 and appropriating funds for critical needs.
- Executive Session: Commissioners voted to recess into executive session for real property acquisition and pending litigation (pursuant to §3-305(b)(3) and (b)(8)).
Commissioner Reports
- Commissioner Cox: Prayers for the Hall family; congratulations on a new grandchild.
- Commissioner Hart: Nothing to report.
- Commissioner Grasso: Attended meetings with realtors/builders, Dunkirk Med Spa ribbon cutting, Northern High School golf championship, and noted constituent meetings. Clarified that the county supports the Board of Education.
- Commissioner Ireland: Attended Ducksburg Appreciation Days, CTA walkthroughs, ribbon cutting at Falls and Relaxed, and thanked Economic Development.
- Commissioner Cox (also): Mentioned visiting Colorado and killing an elk; noted that the board is committed to minimizing impacts of the aquatic center closure.
Meeting Transcript
Osterfeld, if she'd come forward to give us an invitation. Good morning. Good morning. Right there. Thank you. Good morning. Thank you for inviting me. I'm Reverend Jen Taber Osterfeld of Huntingtown United Methodist Church, and I'm honored to be here today. If you would bow with me for prayer. Lord God, on this beautiful day in Calvert County, fill this room of our leaders with your spirit. Grant them wisdom and courage to make the hard decisions. We live in a place blessed with diversity, and so remind us that as leaders our responsibility is to see the world through your eyes. Keep open hearts and minds, remembering that all people are created in your image. Keep before us the sacred task of servant leadership, drawing us close to one another so we can lean more into what we have in common than we do different. Help us to be good stewards of what we have, bless our county with abundance where it is needed, remove evil from our midst, and help us to see all people, especially those in our world that our world pushes to the margins. As leaders remind us to cherish the elderly, train up the children, and help the helpless and to love all because they are beloved by you. Make this time together fruitful and productive. We give thanks for all that you have done in our midst, and we ask all this in the name of Jesus, who was the example of the leadership we should follow. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Osfield. We really appreciate you coming in for us this morning. Next item on the agenda is to approve the agenda. Is there any corrections or additions to the agenda as presented? I don't believe so. I'll make a motion that we approve the agenda submitted. Second. A second to approve the agenda as presented. Any discussion on that motion, hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion carries. I do have a couple of public service announcements today. Coward County is going to participate in the National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25th, which is this coming Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southern Community Center and the Northeast Community Center. The Southern Community Center is located at 20 Appeal Lane and Lesby. Northeast Community Center is located at 4075 Gordon Senate Avenue in Chesapeake Beach. Residents are encouraged to safely dispose of unused or expired medications by dropping them off at either location. Law enforcement officers and volunteers from the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse and the Calvert Behavioral Health will be on hand to assist with collection and provide resource information. For those unable to participate on October 25th, there are excuse me. The Maryland State Police Barry U on 210 Main Street in Prince Frederick. And the Calvert County CSO Dunkirk Station, which is the old bank at the corner of uh Ferry Landon Road. That's and the address for that is 10500 Southern Maryland Boulevard in Dunkirk. The next item on the public service announcement list today is Linda Kelly Linda Kelly Animal Shelter. We'll hold an October adoption promotion called Ghouls Just Wanna Have Home. Starting today through Friday, October 31st, you can come in and adopters can draw a prize from a spooky cauldron to win a waived adoption fee, half-off adoption fee, or treat bag filled with candy. Animals of all ages are available for adoption, including dogs, cats, rabbits, roosters, pigs, and more. Adoptions include spade or neuter surgery, microchipping, age appropriate vaccinations, and a starter care package. So that that will run through this through Friday, October 31st.
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