[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.