Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - April 28, 2026

County Commissioners & Boards — Tuesday, April 28, 2026

BodyCalvert County, Maryland

SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards

DateTuesday, April 28, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 5:29:03

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

And welcome to the Tuesday, April 28th regular meeting of the Board of Calvert County Commissioners.

0:04

This time I'd like to ask Mr.

0:06

Brandon Ferguson with Huntingtown Church of Christ in Huntingtown to please come forward for invocation.

0:13

Morning.

0:14

Morning.

0:15

And thank you for having me here.

0:16

I'd like to start by quoting Romans 1 and verse 13.

0:20

Let every soul let every soul be uh be subject to the governing authorities for all authority comes from God and the authorities that are appointed are appointed by God.

0:30

And I thank you for having me here.

0:32

And it's uh I see the importance of God being in this room and the idea that you all uh seek his wisdom and the decisions that you make.

0:40

And I pray that as governing authorities you'll recognize that responsibility, and as citizens will recognize our responsibility to submit to you.

0:48

Let's have a word of prayer.

0:53

Great God and Father, we come humbly before your throne of grace and mercy.

0:57

Father, we recognize that you are the beginning of the and the end of all things, that you are the creator, that you are the most magnificent and the most high.

1:06

Father, we fall down at your feet, recognizing your authority.

1:11

Father, we love you so much.

1:12

We thank you for each and every day that's given to us.

1:15

As we woke up this morning and rose out of our beds, it's not because you promised it to us, it's not because it was guaranteed, but because you freely gave it to us.

1:24

You gave it to us, not that we can enjoy time with our friends and family, but that we can draw closer to you, that our relationship with you could be stronger, and that we can look forward to walking with you in eternity.

1:37

Father, every day in this world we face challenges every day in this world.

1:40

We have decisions to make, and some have greater decisions and greater weight than others.

1:45

And Father, I just pray for these commissioners as they uh go through the the business of today's meeting and future meetings that they will seek your wisdom in all that they do.

1:55

Father, I pray for the citizens of this county that that we we walk together in unity, in unity of your love and unity of your grace and unity of your word.

2:07

Father, you are so gracious and loving.

2:10

You allow us the opportunity to serve you every single day, and I just praise that we do so in a way that's pleasing to you.

2:18

Thank you for the time that we have to be able to serve you.

2:20

Thank you for the opportunity that we have to speak to our Creator.

2:24

You know, what an incredible, incredible thing that is.

2:28

Thank you for the Holy Spirit that's delivered your word and guides us through it.

2:32

And we thank you above all for your son.

2:35

Your son who emptied himself and came to this earth that lived a life of perfection only to be nailed to a cross, not for his transgressions, but for ours.

2:44

We thank you for the blood that was spilt that day.

2:47

And the water as we go down into it in baptism that we come in contact with that blood and we're forgiven of our sins.

2:54

Father, we thank you for that gift.

2:56

We thank you for this opportunity, and we thank you for this day.

3:00

In Jesus' name.

3:02

Amen.

3:04

My plagiarism is the United States of America.

3:12

One nation, under God with the Pastor, do you have any upcoming events at your church or anything you'd like to share?

3:23

No upcoming events, just uh we do meet Sundays at 10 a.m.

3:26

for Bible study, worship at 11, and then Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

3:30

for Bible study.

3:31

We're a congregation of folks that just try to live by what the New Testament tells us to do.

3:37

And I'd like to think we're a very close-knit and humble uh family.

3:41

And you can't really miss us upon the wooden for just up on the hill.

3:45

Um so we'd love to have all you uh come by and stop by and and worship God with us.

3:51

Well, thank you, sir.

3:51

Thank you for being here today and share the prayer.

3:54

Takes us to the approval of the agenda.

3:58

Mr.

3:58

President, I move that we approve and adopt the amended agenda as submitted.

4:04

Second.

4:05

So I have a motion and a second to approve the adopted amendment agenda is submitted.

4:11

Hearing none, all those in favor say aye.

4:13

Aye.

4:14

Aye.

4:14

Opposed.

4:15

Motion carries.

4:17

Takes us to our public service announcements.

4:22

First one, Calvert County resident God now available.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget Equity Analysis█████████████13%

Public Engagement████████████12%

Data Center Regulation████████████12%

Energy Management████████████12%

Education Funding██████6%

Procedural█████5%

Education Policy█████5%

Parks and Recreation█████5%

Economic Development████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - April 28, 2026

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The meeting included proclamations, presentations on data centers and the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a consent agenda, new and old business items, a budget work session, public comment, and commissioner reports. Key topics included education funding, electricity demand from data centers, the FY2027 budget, and a recreational area buffer amendment. Several public commenters opposed proposed data center developments, citing health, environmental, and infrastructure concerns.

Consent Calendar

Item 1 (Tobacconist License): Approved for Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. Commissioner Ireland recused himself.
Items 2-5 (Cooperative Agreement, Land Trust Tax Credits, Sheriff's Grant, LGIT Sponsorship): Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Sherry Verden (Marley Run HOA): Expressed concerns about the Marley Run buffer amendment, stormwater management, and lack of consultation. Noted high water bills and questioned county priorities.
Patrick Flaherty (Lusby): Opposed selling county-owned BGE Park for data center development. Called for transparency and a halt to data center zoning changes.
Megan Barringer (Lusby): Highlighted proximity of proposed data centers to eight schools within five miles. Cited electromagnetic field concerns.
Carl L. Wine: Referenced a presidential executive order requiring data centers to bring new generation resources. Urged holding Amazon to the pledge.
Kenneth Lee (Huntingtown): Criticized commissioners for lack of transparency and lobbyist contracts. Expressed opposition to data centers.
Patty Stuckler (Candidate): Called for a moratorium on data centers, noting Prince George's County had implemented one. Criticized commissioners' votes against moratorium.
Patty Umke (Long Beach): Raised concerns about low-frequency noise from mega data centers. Requested a town hall for direct answers.
Jeff Dixon (Lusby): Described noise from existing Dominion LNG plant and doubted noise mitigation claims. Noted incomplete maps from Natelli.
Kathy Decker (Calvert Citizens for Student Safety): Advocated for a five-mile student safety zone based on FEMA and ANSI standards. Cited health effects of industrial noise on children.
Don McNellis: Highlighted PFAS pollution risks from data center cooling systems. Proposed amendment requiring contaminated water be trucked out. Noted ongoing state study due September 2026.
Shanna Gottesart: Criticized underfunding schools while creating new government positions. Opposed data centers as threat to groundwater and air.
Caller (T66): Noted the Solomon's plant water is treated reclaimed water, not gray water. Raised concerns about consumptive use and potential illegal gift of public funds.
Cassie Turner (St. Leonard): Expressed betrayal over commissioners' support for data centers. Accused them of selling out the county.
Pamela Warner (Huntingtown): Requested moratorium, citing environmental commission recommendations, unknown tariff impact, and lack of constituent meetings.
Joe Cormier: Criticized no-bid lobbyist contract and LNG pilot deal with no escalation clause. Urged voter turnout for June 23rd.

Discussion Items

Proclamations

National Economic Development Week (May 4-8): Recognized. Economic Development Director Julie Oberg highlighted business appreciation events.
National Travel & Tourism Week (May 3-9): Recognized. Tourism Specialist Hillary Daly noted $174 million in visitor spending and 1,623 jobs in Calvert County.
National Apprenticeship Week (April 26 - May 2): Recognized. CTE Director Carrie Aikens emphasized partnerships with businesses; 15-20 more apprenticeship placements needed. Student apprentices and mentors introduced.

SMECO Presentation on Data Centers

Tom Dennison and Hugh Vold from SMECO presented on electricity demand, capacity prices, and regulatory requirements. SMECO stated data centers must pay full interconnection costs and a separate large load tariff (to be filed by September 2026). Existing customers should not subsidize large loads.
Commissioners questioned impacts: Two proposed projects in southern Calvert would require ~1.1 GW (more than current peak demand). Wholesale capacity prices have risen sharply; PJM cap at $329.17/MW-day for 2026-2027. SMECO noted lack of in-state generation and must-run orders for power plants.
SMECO acknowledged no authority to enforce offset of market impacts; state Public Service Commission has regulatory role.
Commissioner Grasso expressed concern about rising electricity costs hurting residents.

Calvert County Blueprint Committee 2026 Update

Dr. Marcy Groover (CCPS) presented progress on the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (five pillars). Calvert met all state criteria, with 100% approval on submissions. Key highlights: expanded pre-K (318 slots, full-day in every elementary school), 350% increase in National Board Certified teachers, top state ranking in grade 10 ELA for three years, and declining chronic absenteeism (30.3% in 2022 to 17.3% in 2025).
Challenges: limited private provider participation in pre-K (only one grant received), facility capacity, teacher pipeline, and complex financial tracking for minimum school funding (MSF). Commissioner Grasso criticized the state's budget deficit and unfunded mandates.

Post-Legislative Session Update

Lobbyists Jenna McGreevy and Tim Perry (Perry Jacobson) reported success: five county bills passed (tax credits for tobacco barns, long-term contracts, naming health center, bonding authority, burial benefits, salary increases). Noted $5 billion state deficit looming.
Commissioner Hart questioned need for lobbyists; board directed a work session to evaluate future scope of services.

Marley Run Recreation Area Buffer Amendment

Proposed resolution to reduce 100-foot buffer to 35 feet for parking lot improvements and stormwater management. Planning commission recommended. Public hearing held April 14.
Director Bob Branham noted subsequent public emails raising concerns about stormwater, lights, a maintenance building, etc. Parks staff clarified no elevator or lights were planned.
Commissioner Grasso and others urged meeting with HOA. Motion passed to keep record open for 60 days and hold project pending community engagement.

Sheriff's Office Concept Design

Lt. Colonel Payne requested $60,000 from capital contingency to begin concept design for new property room/crime lab. Current facilities rated

Meeting Transcript

And welcome to the Tuesday, April 28th regular meeting of the Board of Calvert County Commissioners. This time I'd like to ask Mr. Brandon Ferguson with Huntingtown Church of Christ in Huntingtown to please come forward for invocation. Morning. Morning. And thank you for having me here. I'd like to start by quoting Romans 1 and verse 13. Let every soul let every soul be uh be subject to the governing authorities for all authority comes from God and the authorities that are appointed are appointed by God. And I thank you for having me here. And it's uh I see the importance of God being in this room and the idea that you all uh seek his wisdom and the decisions that you make. And I pray that as governing authorities you'll recognize that responsibility, and as citizens will recognize our responsibility to submit to you. Let's have a word of prayer. Great God and Father, we come humbly before your throne of grace and mercy. Father, we recognize that you are the beginning of the and the end of all things, that you are the creator, that you are the most magnificent and the most high. Father, we fall down at your feet, recognizing your authority. Father, we love you so much. We thank you for each and every day that's given to us. As we woke up this morning and rose out of our beds, it's not because you promised it to us, it's not because it was guaranteed, but because you freely gave it to us. You gave it to us, not that we can enjoy time with our friends and family, but that we can draw closer to you, that our relationship with you could be stronger, and that we can look forward to walking with you in eternity. Father, every day in this world we face challenges every day in this world. We have decisions to make, and some have greater decisions and greater weight than others. And Father, I just pray for these commissioners as they uh go through the the business of today's meeting and future meetings that they will seek your wisdom in all that they do. Father, I pray for the citizens of this county that that we we walk together in unity, in unity of your love and unity of your grace and unity of your word. Father, you are so gracious and loving. You allow us the opportunity to serve you every single day, and I just praise that we do so in a way that's pleasing to you. Thank you for the time that we have to be able to serve you. Thank you for the opportunity that we have to speak to our Creator. You know, what an incredible, incredible thing that is. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that's delivered your word and guides us through it. And we thank you above all for your son. Your son who emptied himself and came to this earth that lived a life of perfection only to be nailed to a cross, not for his transgressions, but for ours. We thank you for the blood that was spilt that day. And the water as we go down into it in baptism that we come in contact with that blood and we're forgiven of our sins. Father, we thank you for that gift. We thank you for this opportunity, and we thank you for this day. In Jesus' name. Amen. My plagiarism is the United States of America. One nation, under God with the Pastor, do you have any upcoming events at your church or anything you'd like to share? No upcoming events, just uh we do meet Sundays at 10 a.m. for Bible study, worship at 11, and then Wednesdays at 7 p.m. for Bible study. We're a congregation of folks that just try to live by what the New Testament tells us to do. And I'd like to think we're a very close-knit and humble uh family. And you can't really miss us upon the wooden for just up on the hill. Um so we'd love to have all you uh come by and stop by and and worship God with us. Well, thank you, sir. Thank you for being here today and share the prayer. Takes us to the approval of the agenda. Mr.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com