Talbot County, Maryland

06/12/2026

Category: County Council

 The Talbot County Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 5 p.m.; All Council members were present. Prior to the regular meeting, the Council held a work session with members of the Senior Citizen Task Force.

Work Session with Senior Citizens Task Force

Prior to the regular meeting, Council met with members of the Senior Citizens Task Force to receive a preliminary briefing on senior housing insecurity and homelessness among older adults in Talbot County. The Task Force, established by the Council in late 2025, has been meeting monthly to review local data, hear from community partners, and explore strategies being used in other communities to address similar challenges.

In their preliminary report, the task force reported that nearly 30 percent of Talbot County residents are age 60 or older and noted that older adults are among the fastest-growing populations experiencing housing insecurity nationwide. The report emphasized that many vulnerable seniors are not visibly homeless but may face challenges related to housing affordability, unsafe living conditions, transportation, healthcare needs, and the ability to age in place. Affordable senior housing options often have lengthy waiting lists, and Talbot County currently lacks a low-barrier emergency shelter.

The Task Force outlined three broad strategies for future consideration. The first, Preventing Homelessness, focuses on strengthening service navigation and helping older adults age in place through home repair programs, supportive services, and financial assistance that enable seniors to remain safely housed. The second, Crisis Response, includes evaluating shelter options such as a low-barrier, year-round facility open 24 hours a day, including the potential for senior-specific sheltering, as well as rapid re-housing and transitional housing programs. The third, Permanent Housing, centers on expanding housing opportunities through new accessible, affordable, and subsidized construction, along with strategies such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), home sharing, master leasing, and housing set-asides.

Members also requested guidance from Council regarding the role county government should play in helping address housing vulnerability among an aging population.

View the full report here: Preliminary Report

Shore Regional Health Update

Ken Kozel, President of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, provided an update on the organization’s performance and progress toward construction of the new Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Kozel reported that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released updated hospital quality ratings. UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown received a five-star rating, while UM Shore Medical Center at Easton received a four-star rating. He noted that only 12 percent of hospitals nationwide achieve a five-star rating and only 29 percent receive four stars or higher.

Mr. Kozel also announced that Shore Regional Health has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the current Easton hospital property on South Washington Street. The property is expected to transfer ownership following the move to the new Regional Medical Center, currently anticipated in 2028. Proceeds from the sale will be applied toward construction costs for the new facility.

Construction of the Regional Medical Center continues on schedule. Mr. Kozel reported that all 1,728 geothermal wells have been completed and crews are now connecting the system to the hospital’s central utility plant. By the end of June, all concrete floor slabs for the six-story east tower and five-story west tower are expected to be complete. Exterior wall panels are being installed and the building is anticipated to be enclosed by the end of the year.

Additional milestones include the anticipated reopening of the Route 50 and Medical Center Parkway intersection in July following completion of paving work and signal testing. Mr. Kozel estimated that the facility could begin receiving patients in late summer or early fall of 2028.

Council members congratulated Shore Regional Health on its quality ratings and thanked Mr. Kozel and his team for their continued transparency throughout the project.

Recognition of Cassandra Vanhooser, Director of Economic Development and Tourism

Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to Cassandra Vanhooser in appreciation of her 13 years of service to Talbot County.

Vanhooser, who served first as Director of the Office of Tourism and since 2016 as Director of Economic Development and Tourism, was recognized for her leadership in promoting economic growth, supporting local businesses, expanding the County’s tourism initiatives, and strengthening partnerships throughout the community.

Council members highlighted her contributions to broadband expansion, business support efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the development of the County’s 2026-2030 Economic Development and Tourism Strategic Plan.

Reflecting on her time with the County, Vanhooser shared, “There’s a sign that hangs over the locker room door at the University of Tennessee that says, ‘I will give my all for Tennessee today.’ I love that because it’s simple, it’s direct and it sets a really high bar. I want you to know that I have always tried to give my all for Talbot County, every day that I have worked here.”

Vanhooser recently accepted the position of Managing Director of the Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism.

Council members thanked her for her leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the county and wished her success in her new role. “You’ve always said that tourism is your superpower, and tourism is indeed your superpower,” council member Keasha Haythe said. 

Capital Improvement Project Legislation Introduced

Council introduced twenty-three Capital Improvement Program (CIP) bills related to projects included in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

Projects include:

• Community pool improvements
• Security enhancements at county facilities
• Improvements at Hog Neck Golf Course
• Frederick Douglass Park on the Tuckahoe
• Talbot County Detention Center HVAC and fire system upgrades
• Easton Middle School roof replacement
• Talbot County Education Center exterior improvements
• Courthouse Music Hall assessment and design
• Future county property acquisitions
• Culvert rehabilitation projects
• Road improvements in St. Michaels and Trappe
• Multiple sanitary district and wastewater treatment projects throughout the county
• Sewer and water infrastructure improvements in Claiborne

Public hearings on the proposed legislation (Bills No. 1628 – 1650) will be held on July 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bradley Meeting Room.

Other Business

• Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS) Budget Transfer Request: TCPS Chief Financial Officer Sarah Jones presented a Fiscal Year 2026 budget transfer request to address increased plant operations costs. The Board of Education previously approved the request, and Council unanimously approved the transfer of approximately $400,000 between budget categories.
• Public Hearing – Resolution No. 394: Council held a public hearing on Resolution No. 394 regarding public sewer connections for properties outside the sewer service areas in Resolution Nos. 175 (Unionville/Tunis Mills/Copperville) and 250 (Bozman/Neavitt). No public comments were received. Following the public hearing, Council adopted the resolution.
• Public Hearing – Bill No. 1626: Council held a public hearing on Bill No. 1626, which would exempt certain corporate flags from sign permit requirements. Representatives of Preston Automotive Group spoke in support. The bill remains under consideration and will be scheduled for vote at the June 30, 2026 County Council meeting.
• Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) Easement Applications: Council unanimously approved forwarding 16 agricultural preservation easement applications to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) for consideration in the Fiscal Year 2027 easement cycle. Talbot County received 28 applications this year, and the 16 highest-ranked applications were recommended by both the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission.  Since its inception, the MALPF program has permanently preserved 14,537 acres of farmland across 95 farms in Talbot County.
• Proposed Text Amendment – Developer Agreement Waivers: Council reviewed a proposed zoning amendment that would allow certain nonprofits to request waivers from developer agreement bonding requirements. Council directed the County Attorney to prepare draft legislation.

County Manager’s Report

• Board and Committee Appointments: County Manager Clay Stamp presented several board and committee appointments approved by Council:
  • Animal Control Board – Karen Roberts, Donna Haddaway, and Margel Highet reappointed.
  • Economic Development Commission – Ted Bautz reappointed.
  • Ethics Commission – Dr. Reginal Harrell and Vernon Jones appointed.
  • Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – David Fisher (at-large member) reappointed.
  • Department of Social Services Board of Directors – Geoffrey Cooke appointed and Dorri Gowe-Lambert reappointed.
• Habitat for Humanity Letter of Support: Council unanimously approved a letter of support for Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s application for Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Local Rehabilitation Agency Services funding to support rehabilitation services.
• Emergency Services Vehicle Purchase: Council unanimously approved the purchase of a replacement vehicle for the Department of Emergency Services through the Maryland State contract at a cost of $57,829.
• Talbot250 representatives provided information on upcoming Flag Day celebrations and commemorative events scheduled throughout the county. For more information, visit talbot250.org

Next Meeting

The Council’s next legislative meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 30 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.

council highlights meeting highlights senior citizen task force