[1:55] >> The first thing to night is the Junior All Stars!

[1:58] There you go!

[2:00] The state champions!

[2:05] [Applause]

[2:07] >> Madam Secretary can you go ahead and read the certificate

[2:11] into the record please?

[2:24] >> The certificate of recognition is signed by all

[2:28] members of the Council.

[2:31] >> Okay that's great.

[2:33] Okay.

[2:33] Is there a motion to put this into the record?

[2:39] I've got a motion and a second madam Secretary can

[2:43] you call the vote?

[2:46] [Members voting]

[2:51] >> Okay coach come on up.

[2:52] Give us a little background on what you guys have been up to.

[2:56] You can sit down there with the speaker if you would please.

[3:00] There we go!

[3:01] There we go!

[3:09] >> We started this journey back in June

[3:11] >> There we go we've got a future baseball player.

[3:14] >> Yeah so we started this journey back on June 5th.

[3:17] Started through the districts, did pretty well there.

[3:22] We had a few challenges but fought through them.

[3:25] We won that, and then we went to the state tournament,

[3:27] in Waldorf Maryland.

[3:29] We also did pretty well there we ended up

[3:35] going to Du Bois Pennsylvania, ended up

[3:41] falling short the following two games

[3:43] but we couldn't be any more proud of these boys.

[3:45] It was a heck of a journey for all of us.

[3:47] And the future is very bright for all 12 of these young men.

[3:52] >> That's great.

[3:53] We really appreciate what you're doing

[3:54] and we're so happy and proud of you guys

[3:57] to represent Maryland and really represent Talbot County.

[4:01] We are so proud of you guys and it's a pleasure and an honor

[4:05] to be up here.

[4:06] We've got some stuff for you up here,

[4:08] Council would you like to say anything?

[4:13] >> We are so proud of you and what you have accomplished

[4:15] and we are excited to provide you with these certificates.

[4:19] >> Just congratulations, you've done Talbot County proud.

[4:24] We are all proud of you.

[4:27] You've shown us all in a good light.

[4:32] >> Well done.

[4:34] >> Okay we've got a certificate for you.

[4:57] [Background Conversation]

[5:26] [Reading names]

[6:36] >> All right guys you're going to look at Makayla real quick.

[6:39] Three, two, one.

[6:42] Great.

[6:51] Lynn can you scoot to the left just a little?

[6:55] There you go.

[6:56] There we go.

[6:57] We are good.

[7:05] [Applause]

[7:28] [Cross-Talk]

[7:53] >> Okay we will go ahead that was pretty special.

[7:59] We got one more special thing coming now.

[8:01] Come on up here.

[8:11] Ray is retiring this week.

[8:14] The 28th.

[8:20] >> The 28th.

[8:21] Will technically HR says the first

[8:25] >> I got you.

[8:25] Madam Secretary can go ahead and read the proclamation please?

[8:29] >> Certificate of recognition to Raymond P Clark p e County

[8:32] Engineer, whereas Raymond P Ray clerk p e began his career

[8:37] as a county engineer for Talbot County Government on August 7th

[8:40] 2000, and whereas throughout his tenure,

[8:43] Ray has earned the respect and appreciation of both his

[8:46] colleagues and the community as evidenced by numerous letters

[8:49] of appreciation from Talbot County residents included in his

[8:53] personnel file as a testament to the exceptional service,

[8:56] responsiveness, and care that he has demonstrated throughout his

[9:00] career.

[9:00] And whereas, over the course of his career,

[9:03] Ray has made a lasting impact on his fellow county employees

[9:07] as expressed through his professionalism,

[9:09] technical expertise and unwavering commitment to serving

[9:13] the citizens of Talbot County.

[9:15] And whereas, with the support of the County

[9:17] Council along with his team at the Department of Public Works,

[9:20] Ray led projects which have made,

[9:23] and continue to make meaningful contributions to county

[9:26] infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and long term

[9:30] planning efforts, including upgrades to the region two

[9:33] Saint Michael's wastewater treatment plant in 2008,

[9:36] and region two sewer collection system

[9:39] in 2017 to 2022, replacement of the region for Wye Mills

[9:45] wastewater treatment plant, scheduled for 2027 and 28

[9:49] upgrades to the region 25 Tillman Wastewater Treatment

[9:53] Plant scheduled for 2027 2028, and an extension of public sewer

[9:57] to eliminate approximately 1200 septic systems.

[10:00] All with the goal to improve the water quality and the Chesapeake

[10:03] Bay and its tributaries.

[10:05] And whereas, for the past 26 years

[10:09] as leader of the Department of Public Works, Ray and his team

[10:13] in conjunction with leadership and team

[10:15] with the roads Department of implemented overseen and brought

[10:18] to completion numerous road and other infrastructure replacement

[10:22] and rehabilitation projects.

[10:24] Including improvements to Black Dog Alley Goldsborough

[10:27] Neck Road, Airport Road, and Dutchmans Lane as well as

[10:31] many bridges and culverts.

[10:32] And whereas, during his tenure as county engineer,

[10:36] various county buildings and facilities

[10:38] have been constructed or renovated,

[10:41] including renovations to the Talbot County Free Library

[10:43] Easton and Saint Michaels branches, the former health

[10:47] department building on Hanson Street

[10:48] and the new health department facility on Cadmus Lane,

[10:51] the North EMS station in Cordova, white Marsh Elementary

[10:55] School, Easton Middle School, Tilghman Elementary School,

[10:58] Saint Michael's Elementary middle and high school,

[11:00] chapel District elementary school,

[11:03] Mid-shore regional landfill transfer

[11:05] station on Barker's land and, all while

[11:08] securing over $100 million in federal and state grants

[11:12] for Talbot County sewer, roads, and construction renovation

[11:16] projects.

[11:17] And whereas Ray's impressive educational background

[11:20] reflects his commitment to lifelong learning

[11:23] and professional excellence.

[11:24] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Metal Engineering

[11:28] and University of Texas in El Paso,

[11:31] and his Master's in Environmental Engineering

[11:33] at the University of Maryland.

[11:34] As a registered professional engineer

[11:36] with the State of Maryland, Ray has upheld the highest standards

[11:39] of the engineering profession and demonstrated his dedication

[11:44] to his field through active membership

[11:46] and numerous professional organizations,

[11:49] and by continually seeking opportunities

[11:51] to stay informed and contribute to the engineering community.

[11:56] And whereas, Ray's knowledge, integrity, and dedication

[11:59] have left a lasting legacy within Talbot County government,

[12:02] and his years of service have strengthened the county,

[12:05] and have and will continue to benefit countless residents

[12:09] for years to come.

[12:10] Now, therefore, we the County Council of Talbot County

[12:13] do hereby express our sincere appreciation

[12:15] for his 26 years of outstanding service

[12:19] to Talbot County Government and the citizens of Talbot County.

[12:22] We extend our sincere gratitude for his many contributions

[12:25] and we wish him good health, happiness,

[12:28] and success in the future.

[12:30] Given our hands and the great city of Talbot Carol,

[12:34] the year of our Lord 2026.

[12:37] Bam thank you Madam Secretary.

[12:40] >> Good job.

[12:42] >> I just want to say congratulations Ray

[12:44] on your retirement.

[12:45] I'm sure it's bittersweet for you.

[12:47] And I just want to say thank you for your leadership

[12:49] and your dedication for all of the years

[12:52] that you have been with Talbot County.

[12:54] You've certainly helped Talbot County improve and become

[12:57] a better county because of all of your hard work.

[13:00] So thank you, and enjoy your retirement.

[13:04] >> I would like to join in with that.

[13:06] It's been a pleasure knowing you, congratulate you

[13:09] on all of the projects that you have overseen,

[13:13] and as a former resident of Tunis Mills,

[13:17] I just wondered how you're handing off the Lathes Creek.

[13:21] I think the public would like to know how your handing off

[13:24] Leeds Creek.

[13:37] >> Congratulations Ray and thank you for your service.

[13:39] I get to see Ray in action every month,

[13:43] as the council liaison to the Public Works Advisory Board,

[13:46] and the number of projects as he heard referenced in the citation

[13:53] it ranges from wastewater to roads to county facilities

[13:56] facilities, and we have an awful lot going on,

[14:01] and as you have heard, we have made a lot of progress.

[14:05] So, thanks to you for leading your team through all of that.

[14:10] You have got a lot to take credit for here.

[14:14] And we are really grateful for your service.

[14:19] >> Ray to add to that, it has been great working with you

[14:21] for many years.

[14:23] And thank you so much for your dedication.

[14:27] And thank your better half over there too.

[14:29] For everything that she's put up with you know?

[14:31] So, at the end of the day Ray, I really

[14:35] appreciate you hanging in there with us.

[14:38] I know that, I didn't want to let you go really.

[14:43] I really didn't want to let you go.

[14:45] You know?

[14:45] But we've got a good man that's gonna back you up,

[14:49] we've got a good man there.

[14:50] You've done a great job training him.

[14:52] And you've got a really great staff behind you.

[14:56] You got a big team behind you.

[14:59] And I just want to personally thank you

[15:02] for hanging in here for a few months.

[15:06] I know you wanted to do something last year,

[15:08] but it means so much that you mentored the people that

[15:13] can take your job over.

[15:16] Really your job has been a really tough job.

[15:18] But you've done so many things, in the last 20 years really.

[15:23] But here in the last five years, since COVID.

[15:27] You know we've done schools, we've done EMS stations,

[15:31] you guys have just been knocking it out of the park.

[15:35] And you're the one that's been driving them on that stuff.

[15:40] I really thank you.

[15:43] For all that you've done for the county, and for the council

[15:46] because you've made the council really

[15:48] look good with all your projects and stuff.

[15:50] So I really appreciate you.

[15:52] And, your endeavors are what you want to do and stuff, so can

[15:57] I still have your phone number?

[15:59] Thank you.

[16:00] Thank you.

[16:06] >> Council, thank you for allowing me to say a couple

[16:08] things about Ray.

[16:09] I have been working with Ray for about 17 years,

[16:14] since I arrived here as the emergency director.

[16:17] And my initial contact with Ray was nothing but cooperation day

[16:21] in and day out.

[16:22] He taught me so much.

[16:24] And in my roles as Acting County Manager and Assistant County

[16:28] Manager, he mentored me in the last five years

[16:31] as County Manager, we've been side by side

[16:34] and we've done so many good things for this community.

[16:36] This guy is a smart guy.

[16:38] More than being a smart guy call me

[16:41] he's got a heart that is huge.

[16:43] And he understands customer service.

[16:46] When people call Ray Clark.

[16:49] He figured out a way to help them get where they need to get.

[17:16] (Indistinct) But Ray thank you for everything.

[17:24] >> First off Council thank you very much for all the kind

[17:26] words.

[17:27] I really appreciate it the other thing

[17:28] I will tell you is 26 years is a long time.

[17:30] And I did a lot, I'm actually tired from listening

[17:35] to what Susan said.

[17:36] That being said, I think one of the things a couple of tidbits,

[17:41] actually noted I graduated with a degree in engineering

[17:47] from Texas El Paso, so technically I

[17:49] learned how to rake the earth and then

[17:50] I became an environmental engineer.

[17:52] So I learned how to fix it and make it better.

[17:57] That being said, when I first came to Talbot County,

[18:00] we had a treatment plant and our contract operations.

[18:05] And in 2001, our daily average flow was 352,000 gallons per

[18:11] day.

[18:12] We had a situation at the wastewater treatment plant

[18:16] basically the transducer, and in 2004 the transducers

[18:22] on the rod or clamp.

[18:26] So it's dropping, we're reading flows,

[18:30] so our daily average flow in 2004 was 470,000 gallons a day.

[18:34] In 2005, it's 579,000 gallons per day.

[18:39] And I'm calling up EMS saying where's this flow coming from?

[18:45] We need to know where the flow is coming from.

[18:50] It wasn't until we went out there and got this clamp

[18:55] basically letting the transducer fall.

[18:57] So basically it was going higher and higher and higher.

[19:01] So that kind of caught us off guard.

[19:02] But I'll say what's very interesting is in 2025,

[19:07] our wastewater flow at the wastewater treatment plant is

[19:10] actually 295,000 gallons.

[19:12] So significantly less than they were.

[19:17] >> What's the capacity of that plant?

[19:20] >> That plant 660,000.

[19:23] >> We're trying.

[19:24] We're trying to get up there.

[19:25] The other thing I will tell you, and I will say this,

[19:29] I have in my career in Talbot County

[19:31] I've replaced four out of five.

[19:43] The only other thing I'll say is we've done

[19:46] a lot of culvert replacements.

[19:47] And I'm very happy about that -- the only disadvantage I had

[19:59] engineering working for him, (Indistinct)

[20:34] [Background Conversation]

[20:59] [Applause]

[21:31] >> Next on the agenda eligible for vote madam Secretary can you

[21:34] read the title of the bill into the record please.

[21:39] >> Bill number 1652 the Bill to amend chapter 131 road Naming

[21:43] and Property naming of the Talbot County Code

[21:46] for the purposes of modernizing Talbot County's addressing

[21:49] standards to the next generation 911 compliant and to clarify

[21:54] staff responsibilities in administering the provisions

[21:57] of chapter 131.

[22:00] >> Okay.

[22:01] Thank you Madam Secretary.

[22:02] How are you doing Bryce?

[22:03] How are you guys >> Good.

[22:07] Thank you Council.

[22:08] Next to me is Katie Stafford emergency services.

[22:11] The bill is what we are here for today.

[22:14] So again this is just another bill

[22:15] that is going to seek to modernize the way that people

[22:18] are addressing standards in Talbot County,

[22:20] and it really just clarifies the responsibilities

[22:22] within each department on who is responsible.

[22:24] So I'm happy to answer any questions I know we've been here

[22:27] a couple of times before.

[22:29] >> Okay.

[22:30] That's great.

[22:30] Any questions?

[22:32] >> We've been over some of this ground before as we did

[22:34] the public hearing for this, but, it sounds like planning

[22:40] and zoning emergency services are already working together.

[22:43] This may formalize the relationship and codify

[22:46] some of what is already happening on the ground.

[22:49] And make us compliant.

[22:51] But, this doesn't sound like it's

[22:53] going to be a big change for the way that you operate.

[22:57] >> That's correct.

[22:59] >> I was just going to say this is more of a housekeeping bill

[23:03] come this does codify what has taken place operationally.

[23:06] Emergency Services department and specific

[23:10] has been doing the work, making sure that the addressing is

[23:15] in order following the guidelines,

[23:19] so again it's just codifying what the operation's

[23:23] been done for some time.

[23:25] >> Okay.

[23:26] That being said, were there any other questions or concerns?

[23:30] Madam Secretary do you want to call the vote?

[23:41] [Members voting]

[23:45] >> Okay.

[23:45] Thanks a lot guys.

[23:46] Good job.

[23:52] Okay.

[23:52] We've got a few things that have happened here,

[23:57] >> Good evening Council on your county manager's report I have

[24:01] several committee and board appointments that I'm bringing

[24:04] to you, the first would be the agricultural Resolution Board,

[24:07] I'm asking for your consideration to appoint Miss

[24:11] Antoinette Johnson to that board.

[24:18] >> Okay we've got a motion and a second,

[24:19] madam Secretary can you call the vote?

[24:23] [Members voting]

[24:25] >> The next council will be the Commission on Aging requesting

[24:27] the appointment of Miss Betsy Roe.

[24:32] >> Motion to approve?

[24:33] >> Second.

[24:34] >> Okay we've got a motion and a second madam Secretary can you

[24:37] call the vote?

[24:40] [Members voting]

[24:49] >> The board of directors is requesting the appointment

[24:52] of Demetrius Price to that board.

[24:56] We have a motion to approve

[24:59] >> >> We've got a motion and a second madam Secretary call

[25:01] the vote.

[25:03] [Members voting]

[25:10] >> That completes the board and committee appointments and then

[25:13] I have three items for you this evening the first

[25:15] of the waterfowl festivals is seeking a letter of support from

[25:18] the Talbot County Council for their applications through

[25:21] Maryland State Art Council grant and the amount of $200,000

[25:24] for the restoration of the Waterfowl Building.

[25:28] No county funds are required, and I don't see Dina here

[25:32] with us this evening but she has extended this request to you.

[25:38] >> I think we've seen how much Waterfowl Festival has been

[25:40] doing with this building that they received for a dollar,

[25:44] and you might think that they overpaid for it for all that

[25:46] it's costing them now.

[25:48] They've put a new roof on it, they've restored the windows,

[25:51] this will be the next step.

[25:52] And I know they've got big ambitions for what is really

[25:56] a very valuable community resource with this building,

[25:59] and of course they make it available for much much more

[26:02] than their waterfowl festival functions.

[26:04] It's really a great place.

[26:06] So, I will move for issuance of that letter of support.

[26:12] Madam Secretary can you call the vote?

[26:18] [Members voting]

[26:48] >> (Indistinct) So by replacing a 1995 dump truck with a steel

[26:51] body that was conveyed to the county from SH a 200,000 miles

[26:56] on it.

[27:00] Again we're asking the council to approve.

[27:06] [Members voting]

[27:21] >> Finally Council I have the last request seeking approval

[27:23] from Council to renew the county's contract with

[27:25] Providence Strategy Group in the amount of $48,000 a year

[27:29] for lobbying services.

[27:30] There are sufficient funds in the budget

[27:32] for this contract I will just mention to you as Council

[27:36] is aware Providence provides services this last state

[27:40] legislature session that was incredibly

[27:44] helpful during a really challenging time where we are

[27:48] seeing movement at the state level

[27:50] to shift fiscal obligations to the county governments

[27:53] and at the same time seeking to remove authority from the county

[27:57] government so it's very important that the county have

[28:00] real time view of the city so you

[28:04] can engage in a timely manner.

[28:05] One and two, he was successful in securing half $1 million

[28:10] grant for Talbot County to aid in the delivery of the sewer

[28:15] services to the hospital.

[28:17] Which was excellent.

[28:19] So, the staff recommends your consideration

[28:21] to approve this request.

[28:28] >> Motion to approve the request.

[28:30] >> Second.

[28:31] >> Okay we've got a motion and a second,

[28:32] madam Secretary can you call the vote?

[28:36] [Members voting]

[28:40] >> Council that completes your county manager report for this

[28:43] evening, and as always, I thank you for your support.

[28:47] >> Okay, good job good job.

[28:49] Okay, next, public comment.

[28:53] Do we have any?

[28:55] Yes sir.

[28:56] Come on up.

[29:05] >> Thank you sir.

[29:08] 29736 Sullivan Drive actually, it was interesting,

[29:18] I'm fascinated by what was a very short agenda, but one

[29:22] that's very pithy. (Indistinct) It will

[29:56] elevate the status of eastern.

[30:00] And then improving health care is always something,

[30:06] I also want to let you know that I was a little bit late getting

[30:12] in here today, and I was even later when 77 people came out

[30:16] the door at one time.

[30:18] Having, I guess, thank to the little League.

[30:21] I used to call it little League I guess it's the Junior League.

[30:26] And the state champions.

[30:29] So that's great.

[30:30] I also want to mention something it's kind of close to my heart.

[30:37] What you just did on renewing the contracts for your lobbying

[30:45] services, it's extremely important.

[30:48] As a lobbyist, a long time ago, I

[30:52] know that whenever I told someone

[30:54] I was a lobbyist they frowned at me thinking I was somebody who

[30:58] was smoking cigars in the back room,

[31:00] but those days are way over.

[31:03] It hasn't happened for a very long time.

[31:06] I was looking at a book at my house yesterday,

[31:09] and I was lucky enough to be featured as one of the most

[31:17] successful lobbyists in Washington D.C..

[31:21] And the book, people like Barry Goldwater you're probably not

[31:29] old enough to remember him but other people

[31:31] have significance who talked about how lobbying

[31:33] was a big part of the legislative process,

[31:36] and I know it was.

[31:39] Congressional members, new folks,

[31:43] state legislators you can't possibly

[31:45] know enough about everything that's going on.

[31:48] And if you ever disappoint someone, the door is shut,

[31:55] it takes forever to get that door back open again.

[31:57] So it is a very above board profession.

[32:02] And I'm glad to see that you folks have decided

[32:05] to move forward with that, because I

[32:07] know you represent if Mako at times,

[32:09] but you also have very unique things before the legislature

[32:13] or that should go before the legislature where you're

[32:18] lobbying representation is precisely

[32:21] focused on something like that.

[32:25] $200,000 for the waterfowl building,

[32:28] I'm always thrilled as a resident of Easton to see how

[32:32] well that building has been maintained.

[32:34] There are too many armories around the state that have been

[32:38] allowed to fall in disrepair.

[32:40] And not Easton's.

[32:43] And that's a very valuable part of life here in town.

[32:48] And anybody who comes to the plenary event each year will

[32:52] know to what extent that place is up and running. $200,000,

[32:56] I don't think that's enough money to get the job done over

[33:01] there.

[33:01] So, maybe I won't lobby a lobbyist,

[33:06] but, you need more money maybe you

[33:10] should go directly to the state legislature

[33:11] and get targeted funds.

[33:14] Maybe the lobbying group can help you do that.

[33:16] Because, you know, it's tough going grant money grant money

[33:20] grant money.

[33:21] When you can go directly to the legislature.

[33:24] So, that's all I have.

[33:27] Thank you very much for listening to me.

[33:30] >> Absolutely.

[33:31] Thank you.

[33:32] I appreciate you.

[33:33] Okay.

[33:34] Would anybody else like to come up?

[33:36] Okay.

[33:37] Council comments?

[33:44] >> Yes.

[33:44] Mr. Reagan mentioned the Maryland Association

[33:46] of Counties, I recently attended their annual conference,

[33:49] the summer conference which was for me, the best one yet.

[33:53] And tackling the most pressing issues the counties including

[33:57] Talbot are facing from housing affordability

[33:59] to the blueprint for excellence to the plan of play

[34:02] of issues around data centers.

[34:04] It was a particularly informative session

[34:07] on data centers that included a panel with County Virginia.

[34:11] Which is currently hosting the greatest concentration

[34:15] of data centers.

[34:16] At least in the United States.

[34:18] The issues around resource use, electric power, and water

[34:22] use as well as latency, that is the transmission of data.

[34:26] Raised to specifically look at all

[34:31] of these that have not yet grappled with data

[34:33] centers near zoning Code.

[34:34] To do just what Talbot County is poised to do.

[34:38] And that is to institute a moratorium to gather the facts,

[34:42] and take the time to figure this out.

[34:45] We'll be holding our public hearing

[34:47] at our next meeting on that moratorium,

[34:49] and I look forward to the discussion

[34:51] that will follow from there.

[34:54] >> Okay.

[34:54] Thank you.

[34:56] >> Today we took a tour of the hospital.

[34:59] Under construction.

[35:02] And it was awfully impressive.

[35:06] The progress that they are making.

[35:08] And looking forward to that being a monument in this county.

[35:19] And, a facility to proceed with offering good health

[35:29] services to the community.

[35:31] Not only Talbot County, but the surrounding counties.

[35:34] So, I look forward to it.

[35:43] >> So as Mr. Asher stated I had the opportunity to attend that

[35:45] as well, and to speak at the diversity conference

[35:49] at Mayfield.

[35:50] And about why diversity matters.

[35:53] And that's a conversation that President Callahan and I

[35:55] have had quite often.

[35:57] And, more recently.

[35:59] So I'm really glad that President Callahan does

[36:03] understand why diversity matters and why

[36:05] it's important in regards to Talbot County and his council.

[36:08] And I certainly hope that the next council that

[36:11] takes this seat will continue in that vein

[36:13] and understand why diversity matters as well.

[36:16] In addition to that, I had a constituent reach out

[36:20] regarding the ball fields,

[36:42] >> Okay.

[36:43] I just had a few things just to follow up

[36:44] on what Mr. Reagan said about the lobbyists, last year was

[36:47] our first year with the lobbyists,

[36:49] and we had a phenomenal experience with that.

[36:52] We had a great guy, Mason, he was great.

[36:58] And we learned a lot.

[37:00] So, I think it was well spent.

[37:03] For the constituents.

[37:04] They learned a lot.

[37:05] So -- just to follow up with what they were saying about

[37:09] the hospital, we all went out there today to take a tour

[37:12] of that hospital and what an impressive building.

[37:15] Something to be really proud of.

[37:17] Not just the council, but the whole county,

[37:20] and the whole tristate.?

[37:22] It's not just us, it's the people around us.

[37:26] Basically from the bridge to the ocean setting.

[37:30] I mean this is a regional hospital.

[37:33] And it was very impressive.

[37:36] And what we did learn is basically

[37:40] they're on time and on budget.

[37:42] But the gentleman that we're taking a tour around,

[37:47] they just knew all of the new technology that's

[37:50] going into that hospital.

[37:51] It's just fascinating.

[37:53] It really is.

[37:54] So it's really been a great project.

[37:58] That being said, that's about all I have.

[38:02] So -- >> 666 days.

[38:06] >> 666 days.

[38:07] Don't record that. (laughs) wait till tomorrow to be 665.

[38:18] >> Exactly.

[38:19] Exactly.

[38:20] >> The county Council's next meeting will be held on Tuesday

[38:22] September 8th beginning at 5:00 pm.

[38:24] Council will be convening an open session at 2:30 p.m.

[38:28] Before work session at the Talbot County Farm Bureau,

[38:30] and then adjourning into closed session at 3:30 p.m.

[38:33] For a discussion of items as listed on the statement

[38:35] for closing that meeting.

[38:37] Therefore, is there a motion to adjourn this meeting

[38:40] and reconvene as noted?

[38:42] >> So so moved.

[38:49] >> Second

[38:50] >> We've got a motion a second can we call the vote?

[38:52] [Members voting]

[38:53] >> Thanks a lot I appreciate everybody coming tonight.

[39:44] >> Okay.

[39:45] That's okay.

[39:49] >> Do we need to go back in session?

[39:51] >> We need to reconvene, do we need a motion?

[39:54] >> You can call us back into order.

[39:59] >> Unless legal counsel has something else in procedure

[40:01] for us?

[40:03] >> You're fine.

[40:08] >> Yes sir I'm going to give you three minutes if you can.

[40:10] >> I know I'm a little late to the party.

[40:12] >> No problem.

[40:13] >> I'm here to make problems comments about the data center.

[40:16] So just real quick.

[40:18] Good evening, Council president and members of the Council.

[40:21] >> I'm sorry sir can you introduce yourself please?

[40:24] >> I'm so sorry my name is Peter Gorman I live in McDaniel.

[40:26] And I am almost a lifetime resident of Talbot County.

[40:31] >> Okay great.

[40:33] Thank you.

[40:34] I'm here tonight about tonight's data center moratorium

[40:38] I'm late now I understand those concerns,

[40:41] but I'd like to ask a different question if not

[40:44] whether we can stop data centers,

[40:45] but whether Talbot County leads and how

[40:48] this county handles them.

[40:50] Data centers are coming to this region

[40:51] to Talbot County or the county next door that's already

[40:54] decided by the market, counties across Maryland

[40:56] are scrambling with moratoriums.

[40:58] Talbot doesn't have to be one more county reacting,

[41:00] we can be the one others look to.

[41:03] I'd also like to look past the outdated image of data centers

[41:06] as a water hub, Standard Data Center

[41:09] uses roughly 110 million gallons a year,

[41:11] about what 118 golf course uses for irrigation.

[41:15] Modern facilities increasingly use closed loop cooling,

[41:20] I'll just try to get it all in three minutes.

[41:25] Recirculating water internally instead of

[41:26] drawing and discharging it.

[41:28] Cutting fresh water use up to 70% further.

[41:30] This isn't the environmental threat of a decade ago.

[41:33] So here's what I propose, instead of a blanket clause,

[41:36] let's set the standard the rest of the shortfall

[41:39] is welcome data centers in Talbot County under one

[41:42] condition.

[41:42] Developers negotiate real tangible benefit

[41:44] to our power infrastructure.

[41:45] Not just tax revenue, power that the whole community shares in.

[41:51] Specifically I'd like to direct this council to direct staff

[41:54] to bring small modular reactors to the Eastern Shore.

[41:58] Built with more capacity than data centers needs,

[42:00] with the surplus sold back on -- modern SMRs safety systems

[42:08] a fraction of the footprint in our operating overseas in North

[42:12] America, it's not fringe either, the industry is moving towards

[42:16] these plans reconnected instead of isolated.

[42:18] The region already has infrastructure

[42:20] spread the length of the shore, rock springs to the north

[42:23] and Cecil County, Vienna in the middle and Dorchester County

[42:27] and create Bachelor one into the south and the other county.

[42:31] Set to serve the whole peninsula not just one corner of it.

[42:34] Diesel all but leads come new capacity spread

[42:36] across the region and it brings down cost.

[42:40] Not up.

[42:41] I'm not asking for a blank check.

[42:44] I'm asking leaders to negotiate and send in a treat --

[42:52] I know nucleus is stretched but it's just a spring idea

[42:55] just to talk about what could be done in the possibilities.

[42:59] >> Sounds great.

[42:59] I appreciate you coming tonight.

[43:01] >> I also left a copy of my comments for each of you and I

[43:03] also sourced all my information as well.

[43:05] >> That would be great.

[43:06] Thank you.

[43:09] >> Sorry to keep everybody.

[43:10] >> No that's fine.

[43:11] I appreciate that.

[43:12] Okay do we need a motion to go out?

[43:19] >> So moved

[43:20] >> We've got a motion and a second,

[43:21] madam Secretary could you call the vote?

[43:24] [Members voting]

[43:29] >> Okay.

[43:30] Thank you.

County Council Meeting - August 25, 2026

Agenda

Transcript