[{"_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",6120488,"mediaKeyId","2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294","parentId",2707417,"title","Board approves routine consent items, three liquor licenses, EMS hiring authority, school music donation and partial water‑repair payment","audioSeconds",7095,"startMs",72000,"endMs",7167000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294&start=72&end=7167","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294/thumbnail_72000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120488/Kent-County/Maryland/Board-approves-routine-consent-items-three-liquor-licenses-EMS-hiring-authority-school-music-donation-and-partial-waterrepair-payment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120488-0de2277c9c804962f9b9f745463a9aea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164616&Signature=NcuqXeaJmOFF5ZSxftxJd7S6Yp3GsodzM7pFAlsgnqVjQQ9IeGax32Wc4Ta6Bbqi2Dsf9juZx2XYFDRwPP59AS3wbjfSEOb6nucLZMC4tetQjlPiIXPRM65~StwyQIxfE7AAU7An7horKNCL~lQwSxpRhfduQHETYODwHAoH53BRo7hwg5XjiuKYoluMXKruppJxMvW9wOOb0lLhrLHg8yL5o5uK0BIX~ylh0wqV4UdnIrZ5poc08~tMPZ8fKN0OZYyDnrNnqvK~C-6bhshQQZC2LQpwHla~K2CpwPcswfl~4OtkGxN21xnL96dXMsBwcbp7PGUHq9q5EkuoqrBVWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent County, MD","date","2025-03-19T13:15:29Z","article","Kent County commissioners handled several routine and administrative items at the March 18 meeting, approving consent items, hearing three liquor‑license applications, authorizing conditional hiring offers for emergency medical services and approving limited financial assistance to local groups and a property owner.

Consent items: The board approved nine consent items by voice vote early in the meeting. Packet items included March regular session and closed session minutes, an appointment to the Commission on Aging, a cooperative agreement with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, park improvements funded by Program Open Space at Wharton basketball courts, a grant acceptance for the state’s attorney’s office, and release of two letters of credit (document references not specified in the meeting packet). The motion to approve the consent agenda carried by unanimous voice vote.

Liquor licenses: The board held public‑hearing‑style reviews and approved three temporary or transferred licenses.
- Washington College Ducks Unlimited: Commissioners approved a Special Class C per‑diem license to sell beer only at a trap and skeet event at Hopkins Game Farm (event in April 2025). The hearing was opened and, with no public opposition, approved by voice vote.
- Kent Soil and Water Conservation District: The board approved a Special Class C per‑diem license to sell beer, wine and liquor at a dinner event at Red Acres Farm, Wharton (application was heard and approved with no public opposition).
- Northpoint Marina LLC (Rock Hall): Applicants Marshall D. Owings, J.A. Owings and K.C.C. Owings sought a Class A beer, wine and liquor license to permit off‑premises retail sales at an address on Walnut Street. County staff confirmed the location previously held a license under prior ownership and the application cleared legal and inspector review; the board approved the license after a brief applicant statement and no public opposition.

EMS hiring authorization: Public safety staff requested authority to allow county staff (Shelly Heller) to make conditional offers of employment for three EMT vacancies so hires could proceed before the next meeting. Commissioners approved the delegation by voice vote.

Chesapeake College clinical‑rotation agreement: The commissioners voted to table a clinical‑rotation agreement with Chesapeake College to the April 1 meeting while staff resolve a contract clause.

Music boosters donation: During public comment Judy O’Brien described a student‑musician fundraiser at the Mainstay on March 30. The board approved a surprise $1,000 donation from county contingency funds to the Kent County High School Music Boosters.

Water repair assistance: Property owner Melissa Freeman described a July water‑line incident at 2506 Lambs Meadow Road, Wharton, when tenants excavated and severed a connection. County staff said an emergency repair contractor, Nicholson, performed the work; the contractor’s invoice and county labor together totaled $2,506.29 (no interest assessed). Commissioners voted to pay half the total ($1,253.53) toward the invoice; staff said they would confirm whether the contractor has already been paid and coordinate next steps.

Other procedural motions: The board moved into and out of a legislative session and later approved a motion to enter closed session under Maryland law to discuss personnel matters.

All votes on the items summarized here were taken by voice and announced in the meeting record as “ayes have it.” Where individual roll call votes were not recorded in the transcript, the board reported unanimous approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03.18.25 Commissioners Meeting 1","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 18 meeting Kent County commissioners approved nine consent items, granted three temporary liquor licenses, authorized conditional EMT offers, donated $1,000 to the Kent County High School Music Boosters, and agreed to pay half of an emergency water repair invoice for a Wharton property owner.","taxTitle","Kent County, Maryland","taxId",69327,"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},6120493,"Commissioners introduce code to assign local management board to administer cannabis 'community reinvestment' fund",502,1082000,1584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294&start=1082&end=1584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294/thumbnail_1082000.jpg","/articles/6120493/Kent-County/Maryland/Commissioners-introduce-code-to-assign-local-management-board-to-administer-cannabis-community-reinvestment-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120493-78813aa6e2aff530eb1b5665bcaa69fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164616&Signature=iopw3DEbq7sVc1FXB6YgYl2A5FhbJrhe3ayd2b-3-ImqOhEA5VS7ro0dMMuEZFvGedpM0hrZrnltabdv~QBGF6rIXBpfgH7JAeiGhPA9R-13MW2GBb-U1zTro0AXFSnbjjw3pfScLT-6KWspTqqs9YlCJlsErxxYdWMONCYFF5gVo7cc-XXFsKKr-Hzd0~F0VCURrbjf~-R5SuyhzOT2LCvZPbJpQQaZhIJjeXJLRWvjiJ6vF02fFjfZ-PkXSPuKrYDAEugq88bmPph4pkYcKQ373~PCR94zzHVe-Yktf57NeQbr2XBC8x589r9qRiFBtN8bOBhNLrIadRU2KGzrgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent County commissioners on March 18 introduced Code Home Rule 2‑2025, a local ordinance that designates the county’s existing Local Management Board (LMB) to receive and recommend disbursement of the county’s portion of state cannabis tax revenue into a Community Reinvestment and Repair Special Revenue Fund.

Shelly Heller, who prepared the legislation for the county, told the board the state law requires jurisdictions to form a mechanism to distribute cannabis tax receipts and that the statute specifies permitted uses. Heller said the county’s proposal mirrors state language and would avoid creating a separate body by assigning responsibility to the LMB, which would accept grant applications and recommend awards to the commission.

Heller described permissible uses under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article and the Annotated Code of Maryland, saying money “may only be used to fund community‑based initiatives intended to benefit low‑income communities” and “may not be used for law enforcement agencies or activities or to supplant existing appropriations.” She also said the county has already received one‑time conversion fees and small quarterly disbursements, and that the fund currently holds about $220,000–$230,000 set aside for those purposes.

Commissioners discussed timelines and next steps. The board member moving the motion said the county should act promptly so the money would not remain unused; after a second, the measure was introduced and the clerk was directed to schedule a public hearing for the ordinance.

The introduction requires a public hearing before the board will take a final vote; if approved after the hearing and final readings, the board will direct the LMB to issue notices of funding availability and recommend projects that fit the statute’s permitted uses. Heller emphasized that the local language intentionally mirrors state code so the county can adapt funding priorities over time without conflicting with state law.","Kent County commissioners voted to introduce Code Home Rule 2‑2025, assigning the existing Local Management Board (LMB) to administer Community Reinvestment and Repair Special Revenue Fund created by state cannabis tax revenue, and set a public hearing.",{"_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},6120498,"Kent County pledges $210,749 to coordinate Millington earthwork, delegates signing authority",5096,1658000,6754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294&start=1658&end=6754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707417-457f456ffba4a0122c4b12e0d7e10294/thumbnail_1658000.jpg","/articles/6120498/Kent-County/Maryland/Kent-County-pledges-210749-to-coordinate-Millington-earthwork-delegates-signing-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120498-c3f81f0b4cfedc3f05e20252e66afff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164616&Signature=XfNzFZ-N9jk5YeaDJ0vmdKbt3KNUVWdfgAXqd4LnEurRlDghQOgruP3tO8O0Iw2oPWhQUfrbhsyofdYVwEoSQBXv938TI1G-LkCUxZTDxsgrfgpRogDEXhYfWtWRlzeb0utztjA0J1eFcsH9RC0j1HN5I4bkcz1850ys6EMRJ4V5O0SSaFkEcnaBfPZB2aZuRmjbB-waIG3hRKp4DnQc~EZRWlpili2NNIL2ZY~WjRLbKGNzqSxHSPoXNNmTG6T386etswruTWTB68PFnzUnVIbE-NqEz8Y~bfsw7q4CpY0hzkBpkPm8bsMrAlmNjW30Tyv6Fb1VD7DKLFrG7yYVfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent County commissioners voted unanimously March 18 to commit $210,749.01 toward coordinated earthwork so fill from the Millington Crossing wastewater treatment plant site can be exported and reused at the Millington Senior Village project.

The payment, approved to help defray contractor and schedule costs tied to moving soil from the county wastewater site to the nearby senior-housing property, also authorizes the board president to sign a letter of intent and related documents after county legal review.

The vote follows several weeks of meetings among county staff, Millington Crossing Associates, Millington Senior Village representatives and contractors. Public works staff presented a line-by-line cost-share breakdown that started with a county “fair share” of about $181,005.15 but rose after adding a Bramble Construction demobilization charge, potential per‑diem charges and optional road work. During discussion commissioners and stakeholders negotiated a package that included a $10,000 cap on one contractor demobilization exposure and the county’s agreement to assume a defined share of costs for primary and secondary earthwork.

Public works representative Dan Mattson said the assembled cost spreadsheet split items where all parties benefited and assigned sole-benefit items to the party that received them. He summarized the county’s negotiated exposure and the savings the coordinated approach created: “The straight line math shows that if the county were to do this ourselves with the small contribution from Millington Crossing, it would be about $63,000 more expensive,” he said, later noting updated scenarios increased projected savings to roughly $93,000 when certain optional items were excluded.

Frank Hodges of Home Partnership, who represents the senior-housing project, told the commission his contractor had placed geotechnical borings and he expected lab results within days. Hodges said he included a soil-quality clause in draft agreements because the senior project must meet HUD compaction standards: “I need to include this language so that if I didn’t want to be compelled to have to buy soil if it didn’t meet that compaction test. But I’m going to know that within a day or two,” he said.

Lance, representing property owner Russ Richardson and Millington Crossing Associates, confirmed Richardson’s contribution to the cost-sharing framework and said Richardson would not market the property while negotiations proceeded. County counsel and staff told the board they would finalize a letter of intent and a memorandum of understanding with the developers and contractors; the county is not yet a signatory to the draft MOU but would be asked to accept obligations consistent with the board’s vote.

Commissioners asked that any agreement mirror the terms discussed in the meeting and tasked staff and counsel to complete legal review and finalize documents before the next meeting. Staff reported appraisals for the parcel should be available about a week after the meeting and that invoices from contractors could be timed so the county’s first payment could fall in the next fiscal year to ease cash‑flow timing.

The motion approved at the meeting includes a county commitment of $210,749.01 and delegation of signature authority to the board president for documents consistent with the board’s direction and subject to county attorney review. Commissioners asked staff to return with final documents, soil‑test results and contract terms at the April 1 meeting or earlier if agreements can be completed.

The county’s action is procedural authorization to proceed with negotiated cost‑sharing and does not itself create construction contracts beyond directing staff to finalize and sign documents that conform to the board’s vote.","The Kent County commissioners approved a $210,749 commitment to coordinate earthwork between the Millington wastewater treatment plant and nearby Millington Senior Village, and delegated the commission president to sign related documents after legal review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine consent items, three liquor licenses, EMS hiring authority, school music donation and partial water‑repair payment

Commissioners introduce code to assign local management board to administer cannabis 'community reinvestment' fund

Kent County pledges $210,749 to coordinate Millington earthwork, delegates signing authority