Newark Commissioners approve fire training tower and wastewater treatment plans

The Worcester County Commissioners convened on May 6, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including public safety enhancements, infrastructure improvements, and budgetary considerations. The meeting commenced with a motion to approve the purchase of a fire training tower for the fire training center in Newark, which received unanimous support from the commissioners.

Following this, the commissioners approved two proposed private lane names intended to improve emergency service coordination. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0, despite one commissioner being absent.

The agenda progressed to a request from the Department of Public Works for an over-expenditure to award a contract for cleaning a wastewater treatment tank in Ocean Pines. The contract was awarded to Miller Environmental Group for $124,157.97, with discussions confirming that sufficient funds were available in the reserve account to cover this expense.

Another request for an over-expenditure to make necessary repairs at the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant was also approved unanimously. The commissioners then moved to award independent auditing services, selecting Clifton, Larson, and Allen despite their bid being higher than the lowest. The decision was based on the firm's experience and qualifications, which were deemed to provide the best value.

The meeting also included a board appointment, with Alex Seterbaum being appointed to the Mystic Harbor Water Wastewater Advisory Board, which passed without opposition.

As the meeting concluded, the commissioners reminded attendees of an upcoming public hearing regarding the fiscal year 2026 general fund and enterprise fund budgets, scheduled for later that evening. The session wrapped up with a discussion among commissioners regarding the fairness of proposed rate adjustments for wastewater services, highlighting ongoing tensions and differing perspectives on the issue.

Overall, the meeting addressed critical infrastructure and public safety needs while also revealing underlying disagreements among commissioners regarding financial management and service equity. The discussions set the stage for further public engagement on budgetary matters later that evening.