OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Carroll County Board of Commissioners Open Session - May 14, 2026

County Commissioners & Boards — Thursday, May 14, 2026
BodyCarroll County, Maryland
SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards
DateThursday, May 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:03:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:56

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

0:58

Welcome to the Thursday, May 14th, 2026 open session for the Board of Carroll County Commissioners.

1:03

As we always do, we'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection.

1:10

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans for all.

1:46

God bless you.

1:47

Thanks.

1:48

On that note, I hope everybody is doing well today.

1:51

Allergy season.

1:52

Allergy season.

1:53

It's getting almost uh so first up as always we have priority Carol and Commissioner Kyler, would you like to lead us off today?

2:00

Sure.

2:01

Um busy week.

2:04

Uh Mother's Day.

2:05

I hope everybody had great time with family, and uh um it was a special day.

2:11

Uh we had the sheriff's peer breakfast and office picnic, and uh a lady last night um reminded me, chastised me probably.

2:24

Um very often I talk about the value of EMS firefighters, volunteers, sheriff, people, uh state hot state troopers, um, and everything, and she said you never mention the correction officers.

2:45

And to me, they're part of the sheriff's department and the deputies, but um I would like to say uh I very much va value our detention center and the correction officers.

2:56

Um a lot of a lot of them that's where they start and uh and uh I think it's awesome.

3:03

Um we talked about data centers a meeting or two ago.

3:08

I talked to uh Michael Oaks yesterday, who's one of the candidates for governor, but um and he had some strong feelings about it.

3:17

Um I felt like we kind of kicked the can down the road.

3:23

Um I I just uh I I think we need to we need to be strong on the data centers and their problems.

3:34

Uh electric water.

3:36

Um and and I I've asked a couple of times of different people uh whether they recycle water or what they do, and I'm now hearing that a lot of the water evaporates and then they get a lot of metals in it.

3:50

So uh I just I think we need to be cautious about that.

3:54

Um Carroll County Board of Elections.

3:57

Um it's very disappointing this year.

4:00

Their location for early voting and their location for drop boxes.

4:07

I've sent them an email.

4:08

Uh at least one of the area mayors have sent 'em an email.

4:14

Um it's not fair, but I guess what it is is what it is.

4:19

There is no drop box, there is no early voting site in Manchester Hampstead, Finksburg, or any of District Two.

4:29

And uh the closest one for us is actually Westminster, but we're encouraged that the one for Ari is Charles Carroll.

4:39

Um and uh I just think we've heard government kind of excuses on why they don't, but um I can't believe that in District Two there's no facility acceptable for early voting that they could get.

5:00

And uh um this year's this year, I don't know that it can change, but uh I strongly want to encourage them to uh do a better job next year.

5:11

Um Helen Gorman Library, uh Rhonda and I went to that uh ribbon cutting, sign unveiling, uh portrait unveiling, there were several unveilings.

5:23

Great group of people, great facility.

5:25

I encourage you to get there.

5:28

The next night we went to uh Gerstell's 30th birthday.

5:32

Again, great group of people, and uh um it's awesome uh how many community members are involved in in that school, and uh it's hard to believe it's been 30 years.

5:47

Umfortunately, uh Rhonda and I have two viewings at funeral homes this week.

5:56

And uh I wanted to mention um with the Dell family and prior uh Commissioner Donald Dill, um his son-in-law Frank Armakoffs passed sitting on his couch yesterday morning.

6:13

Um he's had some medical issues, but was just examined on Monday, and everything was okay, and uh he passed, so deepest sympathy for all the Armacos families and Dell families.

6:29

Um Hampstead Day is coming up Saturday, and uh that's great.

6:34

Uh I got to speak at the uh homeless um all day event, and uh it just uh again um you go to some of these events and you see how many people are there learning, teaching.

6:50

It's a great presentation to to kick it off, and uh um it it's uh we forget sometimes.

7:01

We all have our special interests, but we forget how much uh Carroll County and the community college does for all kinds of people.

7:10

And uh thank you.

7:12

Thank you very much, Commissioner.

7:13

Commissioner Gordon.

7:14

Good morning, Carroll County.

7:15

I'm gonna start off uh as Commissioner Kyler mentioned last Friday, uh the Historical Society of Carroll County had the uh unveiling of the Helen A.

7:24

Gorman Library at the Historical Society.

7:27

Uh also a wide array of other rooms that were uh sponsored by various members of the community.

7:32

So the uh Cocky's Tavern uh property on the Historical Society uh area over there has been renovated extensively.

7:41

Uh there's access to a wide array of the collections now, which is over 40,000 items, which uh some of that was uh less available in years past.

7:51

Uh definitely something to uh stop in and take a look now that it's back open.

7:55

And then on uh Tuesday, um Commissioner Kyler and I were at the 11th annual uh drug overdose vigil.

8:05

As always, just a very uh powerful event, uh number of uh speakers as well, and just uh a time to reflect on the uh losses we've had in the community.

8:17

Um there's one I guess positive I would say is we are they are seeing numbers on a downward trend.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations█████████████████████21%
Forest Conservation██████████████14%
Procedural██████6%
Senior Services██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Cluster Subdivisions██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Education Funding█████5%
Retirement Villages█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Carroll County Board of Commissioners Open Session - May 14, 2026

On May 14, 2026, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners held an open session covering a range of routine approvals, proclamations, presentations, and policy discussions. Key items included contract awards for community support services, technology upgrades, and infrastructure projects; a budget transfer and contract for a small area plan amendment in the Freedom area; debates on extending temporary deferrals for cluster subdivisions and retirement villages; a decision not to adopt amendments to billboard regulations; and a briefing on proposed forest conservation code revisions. The meeting also featured presentations from Scouting America, EMS services, and Older Americans Month.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Scouting America: Rebecca O'Hara, an Eagle Scout from Troop 8634, presented the state of scouting. Key statistics: 1,178 co-ed youth, 693 adult leaders, 32,000 pounds of food collected, 51,000 community service hours, 47 Eagle Scouts in 2025, and nearly 2,000 merit badges earned. The board presented a challenge coin to the scouts.
  • National EMS Week (May 17–23): Chief Michael Robinson and Assistant Chief Eric Zaney accepted a proclamation. They noted over 100 paramedics, 500 EMTs, and 20,000 annual calls. Highlights include a whole blood program that is a state model and a pilot point-of-care testing program with Johns Hopkins. Commissioner Kyler raised a question about cancer screening for retired volunteers; the chief indicated they are working on extending screening under a grant.
  • Older Americans Month: Celene Steckel and Rich Otone presented statistics: 2,000 unduplicated individuals attended fitness classes, 127 meals served daily across five senior centers, and 550 daily visitors. They highlighted the 54-year history of senior services, a new expansion at Tawny Town Senior Center, and a "Boxing for Balance" program for Parkinson's patients. The board proclaimed May 2026 as Older Americans Month.

Routine Approvals & Contract Awards

All items below passed unanimously unless noted.

  • Contract Award – Coordinated Community Supports Services (Item 2): Awarded to Sheppard Pratt Health System, Inc. ($1,135,729), Advanced Behavioral Health, Inc. ($447,430), and Carroll County Youth Service Bureau ($663,123). Funded 100% by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC). Discussion included how the selection was made; Commissioner Gordon expressed disappointment that Boys and Girls Clubs of Carroll County were not funded, citing the school system's priorities. The motion passed 5-0.
  • Grant – Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) Round 2 (Item 3): Approved submission of a $50,000 grant for the Youth Action Board (YAB). The board noted YAB's success in engaging homeless youth and fostering leadership. Passed 5-0.
  • Grant – MARBIDCO Local Government Cost Share for Faithful Friends Farm (Item 4): Authorized application and acceptance of award. Commissioner Krebs abstained, citing her husband's service on the MARBIDCO board. Passed 4-0-1.
  • Purchase – Cisco Hyperflex Replacement (Item 5): Approved $1,049,736.36 to ePlus Technology Inc. for migrating to Nutanix. Passed 5-0.
  • Purchase – Pavement Testing & Rehabilitation Recommendations (Item 6): Approved $112,474.50 to O’Connell & Lawrence, Inc. for evaluation of 84 roadways (44 miles). Passed 5-0.
  • Purchase – Storm Water Pipe CCTV & Evaluation Services (Item 7): Approved $149,859.10 to Reybold Construction Technologies for inspecting 192 pipes (12,458 linear feet). Passed 5-0.
  • Purchase – Pipe Lining (Item 8): Approved $57,800 to Proshot Concrete, Inc. for shotcrete and Thermoform lining on Woodside and Glen Drives. Passed 5-0.
  • Contract Award – Janitorial Services (Item 9): Awarded to Summit Building Services, Inc. for $295,930.02, covering 11 county buildings for one year with four renewal options. Passed 5-0.
  • Purchase – IT Partitions (Item 10): Approved $121,446.88 to Douron for new modular partitions and furniture for the IT area. Passed 5-0.
  • Contract Award – Commissioning Services for Carroll Community College Central Plant (Item 11): Awarded $54,690 to RMF Engineering for commissioning of boiler/chiller systems. Passed 5-0.
  • Change Order – State’s Attorney’s Office (Item 12): Approved $106,971 additional cost to Dustin Construction for unforeseen soil conditions. The project budget includes contingency. Passed 5-0.

Freedom Area Small Area Plan & Overlay Zoning District (Items 13 & 14)

  • Budget Transfer (Item 13): Approved Resolution O-26.05 to transfer $59,860 from Reserve for Contingencies to Planning and Land Management for consulting services. Passed 5-0.
  • Contract Award (Item 14): Awarded $59,860 to Downtown Redevelopment Services, LLC for the small area plan amendment and overlay zoning district for the Freedom Area. The consultant will evaluate the MD 26 corridor and consider overlay regulations. Passed 5-0.

Extension of Temporary Deferrals in Freedom Designated Growth Area (Item 15)

The board discussed extending deferrals for cluster subdivisions and retirement villages/homes. Staff presented a timeline complicated by the Maryland Housing Certainty Act (effective Oct 1, 2026), which establishes early vesting for residential projects. For retirement villages, the board voted 4-1 (Commissioner Kyler dissenting) to direct staff to hold a public hearing on an ordinance extending the deferral on final approval only until October 1, 2026. For cluster subdivisions, after debate, Commissioner Krebs withdrew her motion to extend the deferral due to lack of a second. The board agreed to add a future agenda item to discuss possible removal of cluster subdivision provisions from the code. A representative from St. John Properties, Thomas Pelon, spoke against any extension, calling the current deferral a moratorium that is "unconstitutional, illegal, and manifestly unfair."

Billboard Zoning Amendments (Item 16)

The board considered amendments to §158.115 (off-premises signs) and §158.113 (general regulations) that would allow consolidation of nonconforming billboards. After public input and discussion, the board voted unanimously not to adopt the amendments. Commissioner Kyler noted community opposition to the size and digital nature of potential consolidated billboards. The board also directed staff to bring back administrative text amendments and to study digital billboards and their alignment with the master plan. A separate motion to require staff to draft language ensuring all ordinances align with adopted master plans failed due to lack of a second.

Forest Conservation Code Revisions (Chapter 150) (Item 17)

Staff presented proposed changes required by Senate Bill 526 (2023) and additional staff-recommended changes. Key changes include: expansion of priority retention areas to cover 60% of the county; new public notification requirements for clearing priority forest; increased mitigation (all unforested stream buffers must be planted); reduced mitigation for non-priority forest in priority funding areas (0.5:1 ratio); retention banking allowed; and a revised stream buffer definition (50 ft intermittent, 100 ft perennial). Staff-recommended changes include aligning the forest clearing threshold with the state (40,000 sq ft), exemptions for agricultural activities with Schedule F documentation, and a fee-in-lieu option. The board voted unanimously to proceed to a public hearing on the proposed changes.

Public Comments

  • Catherine Adelaide, Carroll County Republican Central Committee, provided updates on the MDGOP convention and invited commissioners to the Maryland Right to Life Convention on May 16.

Administrative Session & Agenda Review

  • The board reviewed the upcoming week's agenda, including the FY27 budget adoption on May 21, and noted various community events.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Thursday, May 14th, 2026 open session for the Board of Carroll County Commissioners. As we always do, we'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans for all. God bless you. Thanks. On that note, I hope everybody is doing well today. Allergy season. Allergy season. It's getting almost uh so first up as always we have priority Carol and Commissioner Kyler, would you like to lead us off today? Sure. Um busy week. Uh Mother's Day. I hope everybody had great time with family, and uh um it was a special day. Uh we had the sheriff's peer breakfast and office picnic, and uh a lady last night um reminded me, chastised me probably. Um very often I talk about the value of EMS firefighters, volunteers, sheriff, people, uh state hot state troopers, um, and everything, and she said you never mention the correction officers. And to me, they're part of the sheriff's department and the deputies, but um I would like to say uh I very much va value our detention center and the correction officers. Um a lot of a lot of them that's where they start and uh and uh I think it's awesome. Um we talked about data centers a meeting or two ago. I talked to uh Michael Oaks yesterday, who's one of the candidates for governor, but um and he had some strong feelings about it. Um I felt like we kind of kicked the can down the road. Um I I just uh I I think we need to we need to be strong on the data centers and their problems. Uh electric water. Um and and I I've asked a couple of times of different people uh whether they recycle water or what they do, and I'm now hearing that a lot of the water evaporates and then they get a lot of metals in it. So uh I just I think we need to be cautious about that. Um Carroll County Board of Elections. Um it's very disappointing this year. Their location for early voting and their location for drop boxes. I've sent them an email. Uh at least one of the area mayors have sent 'em an email. Um it's not fair, but I guess what it is is what it is. There is no drop box, there is no early voting site in Manchester Hampstead, Finksburg, or any of District Two. And uh the closest one for us is actually Westminster, but we're encouraged that the one for Ari is Charles Carroll. Um and uh I just think we've heard government kind of excuses on why they don't, but um I can't believe that in District Two there's no facility acceptable for early voting that they could get. And uh um this year's this year, I don't know that it can change, but uh I strongly want to encourage them to uh do a better job next year. Um Helen Gorman Library, uh Rhonda and I went to that uh ribbon cutting, sign unveiling, uh portrait unveiling, there were several unveilings. Great group of people, great facility. I encourage you to get there. The next night we went to uh Gerstell's 30th birthday. Again, great group of people, and uh um it's awesome uh how many community members are involved in in that school, and uh it's hard to believe it's been 30 years. Umfortunately, uh Rhonda and I have two viewings at funeral homes this week. And uh I wanted to mention um with the Dell family and prior uh Commissioner Donald Dill, um his son-in-law Frank Armakoffs passed sitting on his couch yesterday morning. Um he's had some medical issues, but was just examined on Monday, and everything was okay, and uh he passed, so deepest sympathy for all the Armacos families and Dell families. Um Hampstead Day is coming up Saturday, and uh that's great. Uh I got to speak at the uh homeless um all day event, and uh it just uh again um you go to some of these events and you see how many people are there learning, teaching. It's a great presentation to to kick it off, and uh um it it's uh we forget sometimes. We all have our special interests, but we forget how much uh Carroll County and the community college does for all kinds of people. And uh thank you. Thank you very much, Commissioner. Commissioner Gordon.

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