[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6271745,"mediaKeyId","3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae","parentId",3028661,"title","Commissioners approve special-event liquor permits and 61 license renewals amid comptroller holds on some establishments","audioSeconds",3033,"startMs",156000,"endMs",3189000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae&start=156&end=3189","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae/thumbnail_156000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271745/Kent-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-special-event-liquor-permits-and-61-license-renewals-amid-comptroller-holds-on-some-establishments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271745-45ca1f22cc2f98aae1e2467efdcd6b0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437884&Signature=aq59eZ22eNRdExHkoxB4n2cQmY6loW-YK7cNJ9Rv7TlLdKGT7JvMEHPtD~HHhXAfEei0UTN4X~NL-59rMT52GDDLDXBKiUOJNnr8mTxBl1f~nmb0rxFOm9CMCWwykpo1G8gf1Ng6zK2y16kxi8Zwdf33lY-2Vw4waAnXfv9WmO4mqGPSWbn02JFfokciCzfRi16HOqgW6bjaC0gdgqec8Siw92oavDxEhvEmqOqzzgXdgIvxguvUoORq~XRxVMyIsO3n4xeo68qIESTB-iFoybDZSv7TuyAliQ5RFNQrbweKlTwWQXYIS42zG2RdpvoeTasbM64kSl2Y0Iib7~pM7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent County, MD","date","2025-04-17T00:40:23.797Z","article","Kent County commissioners on April 15 approved several special-event alcohol permits and moved to accept 61 alcoholic beverage license renewals while noting lingering issues with the state comptroller and a small number of license applicants.

The board held the public hearing required for three special class C (per diem) beer-only applications: Dogwood Festival of Galena (May 2025) and two Eastern Shore Rabbit Rescue and Education Center Incorporated events (May 10 and September 6, 2025). No members of the public spoke for or against the applications and the board approved the permits by voice vote.

Inspector Bonnie Pearsall of Kent County Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement reported that 61 licensees submitted renewal applications and met basic requirements for board consideration. She said two establishments had not submitted renewal paperwork as of the meeting, two previously approved locations had outstanding contingencies that remain unfulfilled, and seven establishments were on hold with the comptroller's office. Pearsall recommended approval of the 61 renewals while noting the comptroller holds and that the board may add contingencies at its discretion.

A motion to approve the 61 renewal applications passed by voice vote. Commissioners discussed a possible letter to the Maryland Comptroller's Office about processing delays; staff said they had postponed a formal letter after learning the comptroller's office showed movement on some cases but agreed to revisit the option if the issues are not resolved next week.

Separately, the board noted issuance of two new Class B beer, wine and liquor licenses with catering privileges (prorated fees paid and license numbers issued on April 9) that will be recorded in the county's monthly report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04.15.25 Commissioners Meeting 1","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved three special class C per diem liquor licenses for local events and accepted 61 alcoholic-beverage license renewals; staff noted several establishments remain on hold with the state comptroller and two applicants have outstanding contingencies.","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},6271750,"Health department faces backlog, staffing shortfall and missing files for well-and-septic work; commissioners urge case-by-case follow-up",774,3366000,4140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae&start=3366&end=4140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae/thumbnail_3366000.jpg","/articles/6271750/Kent-County/Maryland/Health-department-faces-backlog-staffing-shortfall-and-missing-files-for-well-and-septic-work-commissioners-urge-case-by-case-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271750-66d837bfeb098e2e4cd7ca234a122880/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437884&Signature=blNjHr1qldB5Plup9CgkCNKx-SYiCZ-r8b-ZC0W50KkBuXwbBkXPz9wnGgLXMkjlCt1XnG2-kki5YRO2lVWks0XXkRw5bcmmTB0YmEhLRMce2~zcQYMEQMWfD20utfPqP5WCbEBYPKwiU12fBiB9yqBHLlLalTLVSkSM2A19XH~lTyuk7YMHfTEEFQdZLwQ9t1jsyIU0mthHKrLwkFSPPKY64gMFmsTo0DduAbMVH6nyiajCwv9ZhI1U~2LQ0WzmYu2hSKv1hmxvpuF6WHxyHqwsmADQc7~E3eP~coKXJS22hGL6BDzfwGGh~h5wlKlbgZKspOPo3ZaypCPiLTbkXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent County health officials and residents discussed delays, missing records and workforce shortages in the county’s well-and-septic program at the April 15 meeting. Health Department leaders said the office lacks licensed specialists, that many older file records are incomplete, and that state regulations and monitoring-well data drive wet-season percolation testing decisions.

Bill Webb, director of the Kent County Health Department, described four permit categories (land evaluations, septic permits, building-permit reviews and well permits) and said staff are working through a backlog of pending items. Webb said the department has not had a licensed well-and-septic specialist on staff since June 2023 and that recruiting licensed staff has proved difficult. He said Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) staff have provided direct assistance and an ongoing appraisal of the county’s program found recurring missing documentation in historic files — soil-evaluation details, percolation testing results, water-table readings and as-built inspection reports.

Webb said the department is waiving repeat-test fees when county records are incomplete and is trying to expedite cases where possible, but added that many approvals require inspections or documentation that must be produced under state regulations. \"When we have encountered the situation where we have to repeat specific tests, on a case by case basis, we have waived the fee to redo a perk test or to redo a land evaluation,\" Webb told commissioners. He said wet-season testing is opened only when county monitoring wells show the water-table rise required to perform saturated-soil evaluations; county data did not support opening wet-season testing in 2025.

Multiple residents and contractors described situations where previously documented perk tests could not be found in county files, where piezometer installation coordination failed to produce timely results, or where routine projects (garages, small additions) are delayed because a missing historical file prevents permitting. Contractors urged the department to allow interim building permits in some cases; health staff said they were reluctant to permit construction before confirmed wastewater handling was approved because that would risk installing buildings without adequate wastewater systems.

Health staff offered several follow-ups: guidance documents on permit and testing requirements (to be published on the county website), individual meetings with residents and contractors to examine pending cases, efforts to mentor and license two environmental-health trainees on staff, and participation in a new apprenticeship program intended to grow the state workforce. The board encouraged residents with outstanding cases to schedule individual appointments at the Health Department for case-by-case review.

Commissioners did not take formal action on policy changes during the meeting but instructed health staff to work with constituents to resolve open files and review guidance materials for wider publication.","Kent County Health Department staff and commissioners heard numerous resident complaints about delays and missing documentation for septic and well approvals; health officials cited workforce shortages, missing file documentation and strict state regulations as causes and offered follow-up meetings and guidance documents.",{"_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},6271754,"Friends of Eastern Neck ask Kent County to press federal representatives to maintain Fish & Wildlife staffing",691,1499000,2190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae&start=1499&end=2190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae/thumbnail_1499000.jpg","/articles/6271754/Kent-County/Maryland/Friends-of-Eastern-Neck-ask-Kent-County-to-press-federal-representatives-to-maintain-Fish-Wildlife-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271754-76534dda16b46a074308ade5442eca34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437884&Signature=jF8NM8ibBC6XJuOKUUkAedjNhUyWCbVgIsWlni1EFXhVropMAd6tx-DEkzrhkCPp8jNsr6pNbp2dZvDLyn4DT7ThF72L1kb5iLIp0ySLX5ZlNxnefM9jti9T-6vZT6Q9Ywo0j4pXXseWwpQOCq2r0bYJAheTPTUGK5fAWzU07hMSxnawcoYIkaHwBU1srX1N4oAcnPTC5FtghxfNhxMkLwBrz~~6hPz3gftlPJig42TJmJmvl91NNSj4JKsbxvhoILYdmIf58hpCV~PyoysVgujVArWZb1MZK8GiB5Oxto7rCV8Hgwj7p~m7Gk5WA8q4roQbaeGcKqG90UgjpiUFaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Friends of Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge told Kent County commissioners on April 15 they are worried about staffing cuts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that could force operational changes at the refuge and asked the county to urge federal representatives to maintain staffing.

William Burton, president of the Friends of Eastern Neck, and vice president Bonnie Ford described volunteer support and ongoing repair projects at the refuge and said federal staff reductions at the Blackwater field office have already reduced on-site presence. \"The US Fish and Wildlife staff based at Blackwater has already been cut to the bone. Any further cuts could make it impossible for them to manage the behind-the-scenes work that keeps refuge habitats healthy,\" Bonnie Ford said.

Friends officials listed possible local consequences of continued federal cuts: closure of the lodge (visitor center and indoor restrooms), reduced volunteer programs, increased invasive plants, reduced hunting and conservation work, and greater vulnerability to vandalism. They said more than 70,000 visitors use the refuge annually and that the refuge supports local tourism and businesses.

Commissioners discussed sending letters to U.S. Rep. Harris and the state's two U.S. senators and ultimately approved a motion directing staff to prepare and send a letter to all three federal representatives asking for a meeting and expressing county concerns. Commissioner motion language asked the board to prepare a letter \"to all 3 of our representatives at the senate level and the congress level and express our concerns about the future of the budget as well as a future meeting.\" Friends said they would provide a draft template letter for commissioners to use and staff asked for an electronic copy for the county clerk.

The motion passed unanimously; the board requested the Friends provide an editable electronic template and county staff said they would forward the letter to kentcounty@kentgov.org so county stationery could be used.","Friends of Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge told commissioners federal staffing cuts threaten refuge operations; commissioners voted to send a letter to the county's congressional delegation seeking a meeting and expressing concern.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271759,"Bayside Landing marina: County assesses penalties, approves up to $30,400 and amends DNR agreement for electrical upgrades",455,2265000,2720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae&start=2265&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","/articles/6271759/Kent-County/Maryland/Bayside-Landing-marina-County-assesses-penalties-approves-up-to-30400-and-amends-DNR-agreement-for-electrical-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271759-83dd7c1a80f03a4ac29c50e3926e9db7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437884&Signature=KdiBqBqvROWbyZn1-nb~Pet~iGy5-mTfEotcY6bft887OGENU6pAWp5Wm0tWxDTNwebAMMmPCHzGDplQdHONC8HkZ2hh3QJcn6zirxc6-xE7Gg1AcJyKnDL2Ml-tXJ2f8LW9UEQofeKPyuuRScQSouVb1AO2Wr8tRerfnuShykUy0E8IpZlwzoLbMkICv6wm9fmo6oGIdiP~VX8zyXK0T8zII6G-2N60dmVAsuoIErexP8GUsF1fo1hLhVbl91kbWQk4PxqOE3Oyjvr8Sm8kMLD8dUuL6BpaJN2jqBYN6w7T9oO7BlS~1imuwLuQo4imYt-afHZO3kMWkEh37BSjZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners were told April 15 that Bayside Landing Marina construction is behind schedule, contract liquidated-damages have begun and the county must cover a portion of an unplanned cost increase tied mainly to electrical upgrades required to meet current code.

Dan Mattson, Public Works director, briefed the board that structural elements (piers and bulkheads) were expected to be finished in about two weeks and that the county began assessing daily penalties to the contractor after the April 14 contractual completion date. He said the contractor acknowledged responsibility for schedule delays and the county is documenting loss of revenue tied to unpaid slip fees.

Mattson described additional work related to electrical hookups and said the total contract cost increase for unspecified design/construction defects and upgraded electrical components was $69,420. He said the county has $8,620 in contract contingency available and that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) agreed to increase its contribution on a 50/50 basis. Mattson requested a not-to-exceed amount of $30,400 from the county to allow work to continue while final responsibility determinations continue.

Commissioners voted to move $30,400 from fund balance to contingency, and then approved a motion to fund up to $30,400 from contingency for the county share of the additional work. Mattson also asked the board to approve the amended grant agreement with DNR, which commissioners approved. Mattson told the board that DNR has committed to the county's requested amendment confirming a 50% share of the additional costs.

Mattson added that DNR has increased and clarified Waterway Improvement Fund limits and programs that could benefit future projects, including higher maximum grants for marinas and emergency repair awards.

The board approved three motions in succession: reallocation of $30,400 to contingency, authorization to expend up to $30,400 from contingency for the marina work, and approval of the amended memorandum of understanding (grant agreement) with DNR to confirm the 50/50 funding split.","Public Works updated commissioners on construction delays at Bayside Landing Marina, reported a $69,420 contract cost increase (largely for electrical upgrades to meet current code), began assessing daily penalties, and the board approved not-to-exceed county funding of $30,400 plus an amended DNR agreement for a 50/50 split.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271764,"Kent County adopts assisted-living zoning change; opens record for cannabis reinvestment bill and introduces kennel-license rules",435,911000,1346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae&start=911&end=1346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028661-1f4d42f54130ac1c71a50a55d7ae79ae/thumbnail_911000.jpg","/articles/6271764/Kent-County/Maryland/Kent-County-adopts-assisted-living-zoning-change-opens-record-for-cannabis-reinvestment-bill-and-introduces-kennel-license-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271764-06bc9fa7ef1df7879ce06a07ebab4ae4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437884&Signature=lHN2~hPlOXKWziU1INj0cdEcuy0CNm0QJ9rxmBJN365DFg6F8M01XzXlsl1atJeLychNIDEYUub39m7-jiq3WdrNAhYaY3OBhQLoM4OF-EU1~c~umUvUJoWXQQQFmJr4ZFDi~SrcuyOacxgqczgROQdggIrdVES~wlC75Q5FP2fMgy32eponSKaJHeUlxZEU4VkE2r8sHryyTnYILCK3ZSGBDBmuj8FG0EUE~is75zKQYtXA0tt17IL6nPtnpa-WX6qkYvRsHdRFAZhsAnU1Tys~nxGEmkdWOo3CurrwgQEI1vS6J~2JoNyA7fMWqGk7ySCz8TzzvGiNfCayaPFYcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kent County commissioners on April 15 adopted a zoning change on assisted-living facilities, opened the public record for a local cannabis-revenue reinvestment bill and introduced a first-reading ordinance to create a licensing process for fox-hunting club dog kennels.

The board voted to adopt Code Home Rule (CHR) 1-2025 on third reading, a measure that adds assisted-living facilities as a permitted use in the critical-area residential and community-residential zones. County Attorney Tom read the procedural options for the ordinance before the vote. \"I'll make a motion to adopt code and form a new bill 1 dash 20 25,\" a commissioner moved; the motion passed and the chair said, \"The ayes have it.\"

The vote implements the version of CHR 1 that was presented at prior hearings; the clerk confirmed no written comments were received after the public hearing date. Commissioners were given the choice to adopt as written, adopt with amendments or reject the bill; they adopted the bill as presented.

Separately, the board opened a public hearing record for CHR 2-2025, \"Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission and Special Revenue Fund.\" County staff said the bill would establish Kent County's local management board (LMB) as the county's Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission to oversee local allocations from the state Cannabis Reform Act of 2023. The bill would create a special revenue fund, define permitted uses for the funding (targeted to underinvested and disproportionately impacted communities), and explicitly prohibit using the funds for law-enforcement activities or to supplant existing local program funding. Commissioner motion closed the public hearing that night but left the record open until close of business on April 18, 2025.

Shelley, a county staff member, briefed the board on the CHR 2 proposal and said the local share is derived from 35% of the state's 9% cannabis excise tax; the board was told the LMB would make recommendations on how to allocate the local funds. No members of the public had signed up to testify at the hearing; the board voted to keep the record open for written comments until April 18 so residents could submit input.

The board also introduced CHR 3-2025 on first reading, which would amend the animal-control ordinance to establish licensing procedures for fox-hunting club dog kennels. County counsel summarized CHR 9-2024 (previously adopted) as background and left CHR 3 for a future public hearing. A county representative for the fox-hunting community described the draft as intended to balance the tradition of fox hunting and protections for neighboring properties; commissioners voted to schedule the measure for public comment.

No amendments or roll-call vote tallies naming each commissioner were recorded on the CHR 1 adoption in the meeting transcript; commissioners announced the motion, a second and the chair declared the motions carried.","Kent County commissioners adopted CHR 1-2025 on assisted-living facility placement, kept the public record open for CHR 2-2025 (Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission) and introduced CHR 3-2025 on fox-hunting club kennel licensing for first reading and public hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve special-event liquor permits and 61 license renewals amid comptroller holds on some establishments

Health department faces backlog, staffing shortfall and missing files for well-and-septic work; commissioners urge case-by-case follow-up

Friends of Eastern Neck ask Kent County to press federal representatives to maintain Fish & Wildlife staffing

Bayside Landing marina: County assesses penalties, approves up to $30,400 and amends DNR agreement for electrical upgrades

Kent County adopts assisted-living zoning change; opens record for cannabis reinvestment bill and introduces kennel-license rules