Council Meeting Highlights, August 26, 2025
08/28/2025
Category: County Council
Megan Greenwood, left, and Dr. Fahmi, right,. discuss the Health Department's recent collaboration with Global Vision and local ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Council presented a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month.
Major Steve Elliott of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, and Kelley Callaghan, Director of Grace Street Recovery
The Talbot County Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.; all Council members were present.
Proclamation – Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month
Council presented a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment of vision issues. Each school year, the Talbot County Health Department provides free hearing and vision screenings in schools, identifying issues early to ensure students are ready to learn.
The Council highlighted the Talbot County Health Department’s recent collaboration with Global Vision 2020 of Easton and local ophthalmologists and optometrists, which brought a one-day event to Easton providing free eye exams and glasses to local students. The effort was supported by volunteer physicians and staff who donated their time to ensure children entered the school year with the vision care they need.
The program was a success in removing barriers for uninsured and underinsured students, and the Health Department has indicated it may be offered again in the future. By expanding access to essential vision care, these efforts build on the County’s long-standing commitment to ensuring every child can see, learn, and thrive.
Talbot Goes Purple & Festival of Hope Update
Council received an update from Major Steve Elliott of the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, and Kelley Callaghan, Executive Director of Grace Street Recovery, on the upcoming Festival of Hope and ninth-year kick-off of Talbot Goes Purple, a community substance use prevention initiative.
The Festival of Hope will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Anchor Church, 620 Goldsborough St., in Easton. The event is free, open to the public, and will feature live music from Christ Church, family fun activities including a dunking booth with Sheriff Joe Gamble, a bounce house, K-9 demonstrations, food, resource vendors, and a memorial honoring lives lost to substance use.
Now in its ninth year, Talbot Goes Purple continues its mission to educate youth and families about the dangers of substance use, particularly the risks of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Sheriff Gamble emphasized the importance of parents and caregivers engaging with youth about these issues, noting that fentanyl remains a leading driver of overdose deaths for young people.
The community is again invited to “go purple” throughout September by displaying purple lights and gear as a sign of support. More information, including resources and ways to get involved, is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org.
County Manager’s Report
- Board and Committee Appointments:
- Administrative Charging Committee: Council approved the reappointment of Jennifer Williams
- Local Emergency Planning Committee: Council unanimously approved the appointment of Samual Harrison as a representative of the University of Maryland Talbot County Extension Office, and Holly Wahl as the Town of Oxford, representative
- Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Tim Kearns as the Town of Oxford representative
- Police Accountability Board: Council unanimously approved the reappointment of William Belding as a representative of the Oxford district
- Tourism Board: Council unanimously approved the reappointment of Judy Bixler as the Town of Oxford representative
- Oyster Recovery Agreement: Council voted to send a letter urging the Maryland Port Administration to reinstate its Oyster Recovery Agreement, which, for nearly 30 years has funded oyster replenishment and restoration across Maryland. The program is critical for supporting sanctuaries, aquaculture, watermen, and Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals, and Council emphasized the need for continued funding.
- Easton Airport – Airfield Modernization Program Council approved three requests related to Bid No. 25-11 (Package 3: Improve RSA and Extend Runway 4-22 at Easton/Newnam Field Airport), which includes a major electrical infrastructure upgrade and rehabilitation of Runway 15/33:
- Acceptance of funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), totaling $8,713,750
- Award of the construction bid to the lowest bidder, David A. Bramble, for Base Bid and Add Aternate 5 totaling $8,220,260; the award is contingent upon notification of AIP funding
- Award of professional engineering and construction phase services to airport consultant, AECOM, in the sum of $837,166; the award is contingent upon notification of AIP funding
- Department of Emergency Services (DES) Council unanimously approved the following purchases and proposals, funded through FY26 allocations:
- 2026 Horton Ambulance on a Ford F-550 chassis in the amount of $363,969
- 2024 Ford F-350 for use as an emergency chase vehicle in the amount of $55,582
- To enter into a payment agreement with Flex Financial, a division of Stryker Medical Salesfor heart monitors/defibrillators, stair chairs, and power stretchers at an annual cost of $198,798 for the next seven (7) years.
Work Session
The Talbot County Council will hold a work session to discuss the Claiborne Water System on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room. The work session is open to the public.
Next Meeting
The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 9, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room located in the South Wing, Talbot County Courthouse, 11 North Washington Street, Easton. The meeting open to the public.
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