[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6310403,"mediaKeyId","2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0","parentId",2402974,"title","Town of Trapp defends Paris Foods sewer hookup after mapping error surfaced","audioSeconds",1212,"startMs",202000,"endMs",1414000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0&start=202&end=1414","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0/thumbnail_202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310403/Talbot-County/Maryland/Town-of-Trapp-defends-Paris-Foods-sewer-hookup-after-mapping-error-surfaced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310403-a669d9cf20dc5303288f39798cd708ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1777645851&Signature=HOLf3xtV8aq7egMvfmFJBYJVrNfg0WtRLle-8yQFo7Rgc2xZntXARR2Vfu8-w-8U9WCbkNDP8yzmHaR3EAmVPhsE83yPoVUAz1~SeRxzMnHyWWwni3dogLo53lDFGN2t-d9kfptKVA7vU5Z8nJCH0EMdvmhwEaCyJiaBeA-UR9-8zs2QywNZF~RxpEwJ2dEiwnwA3azD36FLE29jN6cp-eZglk8E9zlsALNsrgplWjpJvqxw5EkTL6~Z1Mww9Sgn-boI9NwEX~xFfG95imn1-hs4~E8HTMOmVdIqxdxKP18fRxGRWe0XL1jjkJplQeaK5WIxdJXWGWZR5W9udRX8TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Talbot County, MD","date","2025-02-26T12:52:16Z","article","Lindsay Ryan, representing the Town of Trapp, told the Talbot County Council that Paris Foods was connected to Trapp's wastewater system in 2021 after the town's consulting engineer reviewed monitoring and laboratory data and concluded the plant could treat the discharge. The town later learned the county comprehensive water and sewer map designated the parcel as “unprogrammed” after mapping changes were made and has since applied to amend the map.

The town’s engineer sampled Paris Foods’ effluent over several months and concluded the waste strength fell “within the typical domestic influent wastewater strength” and that Trapp had available capacity, Ryan said. The town entered an agreement in August 2021 to provide 16 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) to the Paris Foods property; connection and service occurred between August and October 2021, she said.

Why it matters: County mapping determines whether a parcel is eligible for connection under the comprehensive water and sewer plan. Council members raised questions about how the connection moved forward despite later findings that the parcel had been unprogrammed on updated county maps, and about whether Paris Foods had contributed to a rise in discharge parameters cited in a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) letter.

Ryan said the maps attached to the county’s February plan showed Paris Foods as eligible (S1/W1) at the time Trapp approved the connection, and that the mapping inconsistencies did not come to the town’s attention until November 2021. \"At that point we had already submitted the application and it just didn't come on our radar,\" she said. Ryan added the town submitted a letter to the county in December 2024 and filed a comprehensive water and sewer plan application in January 2025 to reclassify the Paris Foods parcel as S1.

Council members pressed for detail on an MDE letter that raised concerns about higher discharge parameters. Ryan said MDE had signaled there could be contaminants of concern and suggested industrial wastewater standards the town could adopt; the town’s engineer sampled and, Ryan said, determined the rise was not coming from Paris Foods. \"We have done samplings and determined that the rise in the discharge parameters was not coming from Paris Foods,\" she said.

Council members also asked whether the town would now require onsite pretreatment for Paris Foods. Ryan said the town consulted with its engineer and does not believe pretreatment is necessary at this time.

Council members asked the town to check whether any other properties were connected during the period when the county maps were erroneous and to provide the record. Ryan said the town would check its records and follow up with the county. She also said Trapp and the county would work on better communications so both jurisdictions are aware of future connections.

What the town said they did: the town’s consulting engineer reviewed Paris Foods’ sampling and monitoring reports for about six months, advised the town it could treat the discharge, and Trapp entered agreements in 2021 to provide 16 EDUs and to allow connection. After press coverage identifying the map discrepancy, the town submitted a letter to the county in December 2024 and filed an application to amend the comprehensive water and sewer map in January 2025.

What remains unclear from the meeting: the county council did not vote on the Paris Foods map amendment at this meeting; several council members requested the town provide records showing whether other connections occurred during the period when county maps were later found to be erroneous. The exact date the Paris Foods service was turned on was offered as between August and October 2021 and the town said it could provide the precise date if requested.

Ending: Council members said they appreciated the town’s willingness to follow up and asked county and municipal staff to develop a method to notify each other about future hookups so the county’s comprehensive water and sewer plan and municipal actions remain aligned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Talbot County Council: February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lindsay Ryan, representing the Town of Trapp, told the Talbot County Council that Paris Foods was connected to Trapp's wastewater system in 2021 after the town's consulting engineer reviewed monitoring and laboratory data and concluded the plant could treat the discharge.","taxTitle","Talbot County, Maryland","taxId",69752,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6310399,"Talbot County Council tables repeal of DEI administrative resolutions after public outcry",6094,3153000,9247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0&start=3153&end=9247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0/thumbnail_3153000.jpg","/articles/6310399/Talbot-County/Maryland/Talbot-County-Council-tables-repeal-of-DEI-administrative-resolutions-after-public-outcry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310399-c4bf509790ca47b7393091e7404becec/orig.mp4?Expires=1777645851&Signature=FtD4KD1qwqLILIUcBNMDHrWOynJ-76I--6neT4hBvBFavQDW9zirwMQ3~71ng8c5iX7s2cQ1ZcFPRLwsumnlGL4IlDpggssY9GYprLXA~LvpeRx-72xIfXkMDB8uGsjg8jRQga6fPkxcoTiFnOCGBr6s3qnKImvJeftICIham6NQmKvb3Qxtg3UJqcK4hi9YKbGIJxhGpH8cfDclHNG0ck4HfmqVaDyZxVnYP20qJL44LIRX1WoBpzu7MZB~2LoUXtBXz~2vh4B68P4PtjCUdhXr3ZSfizoc8wt-bLdNhwg7kSIrfKvqyZX87opgngMSgROJS0rI-YC4VlGWyrE8GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman Stepp introduced an administrative resolution to repeal two administrative resolutions adopted in 2020 that established county diversity training and a county diversity statement. Stepp framed the repeal as fiscal stewardship and argued the resolutions had not increased workforce diversity. “I will respectfully ask for a yes vote from my fellow council members on this administrative resolution today,” he said during a prepared statement.

The proposal drew immediate and sustained public comment and several council members urged caution. Vice President Lesher and other council members said repealing a brief, nonbinding statement could send negative signals to potential job applicants and harm recruitment and grant competitiveness. Lesher said county funding is not at risk under the White House executive order as some advocates argued and urged the council to retain the statement.

Public commenters included employees and residents who urged the council not to repeal the statements. Speakers representing nonprofit organizations and residents described DEI programming as a tool to improve public services and to attract grant funding for underserved communities. Shore Rivers, an environmental nonprofit, said DEI-linked grants had funded local restoration and community projects.

The council voted to table the repeal motion after discussion. The recorded vote on the motion to table was: Callahan — aye; Stepp — aye; Lesher — nay; Milke — nay; Haake — aye; the motion to table passed. Several public speakers then addressed the council during the public comment period.

At the end of the meeting, Councilmember Hayes moved to suspend the council rules of procedure so the repeal could be taken up again later in the same meeting; the council voted on that motion and the result recorded in the minutes was Callahan — no; Stepp — no; Lesher — aye; Milke — aye; Hayes — aye. After that vote the council agreed the item would be placed on the next meeting agenda for further consideration.

Why it matters: The two administrative resolutions at issue (one adopting diversity training and one adopting a county diversity statement) were adopted in 2020. Opponents of repeal argued the statements are short, nonbinding affirmations of county values that support recruitment and community trust; proponents of repeal argued the statements risk political or legal exposure and have not demonstrably improved workforce diversity.

What happened next: The council voted to table the repeal motion during the meeting and then, after procedural votes late in the evening, agreed to schedule the item for the next meeting so the public and council can be heard again. Several commenters asked the council to retain the statements; others urged repeal. Council members asked county staff for additional legal and funding-impact analysis before final action.

Ending: Council members said they were moved by the volume and tone of public comment and asked staff to collect more information on federal and state implications and on the possible effect on recruitment and grants. The repeal therefore remains unresolved and will return to the council agenda at a later meeting.","Councilman Stepp introduced a measure to repeal two 2020 administrative resolutions on diversity training and a county diversity statement; the council tabled the repeal after extended debate and public comment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6310394,"Votes at a glance: Talbot County Council actions on March 4, 2025",4325,2431000,6756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0&start=2431&end=6756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402974-89ee7b1e2b6ac640f10b1a1be0ef87e0/thumbnail_2431000.jpg","/articles/6310394/Talbot-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Talbot-County-Council-actions-on-March-4-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310394-c6fdf7f053afc564b922cb94e67a87fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1777645851&Signature=Kv3drr6zONdDf~va96yN01vQKmuNDoiV07CrvHhZ80RtRl5hEh0NCaEulmpry7WG1B3JJlE680XWGK1WO1HseqP3mYi3MTHbCPlTXQr6RAy-Jr~JCWUQ6lb3flkCkTygE5KzOZNxazMvOsHFSHTw9fVLe5axDs5tcy37zXRSPiYJXEj9DQcO05SoBoQgcLRH42b0bu9NBFvMWCa-5H6KB1ghGZsMpGiFI2iYXbcsAz8RAKoiA0zRmCioZUmgPM8n0U5rWDreUCXAOX-0KHtNA0GncM5SB15onCdRZLAeibUyjAybo6oN1kGPbPFChkc1NWfdTKwHzHSWzcwtXpaCiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Here are the formal actions the Talbot County Council recorded on March 4, 2025. This is a concise roundup of motions, votes and outcomes that were presented or voted on during the meeting. Where a recorded count appears in the transcript, it is included.

- Chesapeake College fund-balance request approved (use of fund balance $167,550). Vote recorded: unanimous aye (Callahan, Stepp, Lesher, Milke, Hayes).

- Administrative resolution adopting a general fund reserve policy (finance director presentation) — adopted unanimously (recorded ayes).

- Administrative resolution amending citizen representation on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (increase membership from 7 to 11) — adopted (recorded ayes).

- Resolution 3-66 (reclassify mapped parcels near Easton to W1/S1 immediate priority following annexation) — adopted (recorded ayes).

- Resolution 3-67 (remap property at 7510 Quaker Neck Road to S1 immediate priority; applicant Kevin Mills) — public comment and advisory board reviews recorded; council vote recorded with split positions (recorded: Callahan aye, Stepp aye, Lesher nay, Milke nay, Haake/Haight aye); outcome reflected in minutes as adopted.

- Resolution 3-68/3-68 variant (property at Tax Map 54 Parcel 302 for W1/S1 for a single EDU) — Planning and Public Works Advisory Board recommended; council discussion led to a motion to table this resolution for additional information; motion to table passed and council recorded votes approving tabling.

- Resolution 369 (decline offer of dedication for a paper street portion of Rude Avenue; authorize quitclaim to adjacent property owners) — adopted (recorded ayes).

- Bills concerning school facilities and related capital work:
- Bill 15-80 (authorize improvement of athletic fields at public schools) — moved to third reader and passed on third reader (recorded ayes).
- Bill 15-81 (replace auditorium lighting at Easton High School) — moved to third reader and passed (recorded ayes).
- Bill 15-82 (replace interior lights at St. Michael's High School) — moved to third reader and passed (recorded ayes).
- Bill 15-83 (authorize borrowing up to $26.9 million for Chapel District Elementary School improvements) — moved to third reader and passed (recorded ayes).

- Upper Shore Aging requested additional funds to cover increased meal contract costs; the council allocated $60,000 from contingency to help cover the provider change and higher per-meal costs for the remainder of FY2025 — motion approved (recorded ayes).

- Roads department: approval to extend Asphalt Emulsion Industries LLC bid through 06/30/2026 at stated per-gallon rates — approved (recorded ayes).

- Award of construction management services for the Chesapeake Resilient Green Infrastructure Project to Lane Engineering (proposal about $100,005) — approved; project will be funded by grants previously awarded to the county (no county match required) and includes living-shoreline measures — motion approved (recorded ayes).

Ending note: Several items were moved, referred or tabled for additional information. Council members asked staff to supply follow-up reports and documents (engineering sampling, maps, and legal analyses) where required before the next meeting.","The council approved fund transfers, administrative resolutions, several sewer-map and land-use resolutions, and moved multiple school facility bills to final reading; the meeting also included awards and grant-support votes and an appropriation to Upper Shore Aging","actionData","errors"]

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Town of Trapp defends Paris Foods sewer hookup after mapping error surfaced

Talbot County Council tables repeal of DEI administrative resolutions after public outcry

Votes at a glance: Talbot County Council actions on March 4, 2025