[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",6561689,"mediaKeyId","3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee","parentId",3288325,"title","Wetlands designation at fairgrounds referred to planning and zoning after communication gaps","audioSeconds",143,"startMs",2050000,"endMs",2193000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee&start=2050&end=2193","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee/thumbnail_2050000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561689/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Wetlands-designation-at-fairgrounds-referred-to-planning-and-zoning-after-communication-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561689-87f5d150b104249626765b3ee8cfc2c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005272&Signature=go0ZIDuQfAqoDqvdtpt6D36eNSUg5iJvVWB6yU7yku3B8-jZFwrn31gMr28YGcxUNn-aZqFY95bcndkLef5LBJmOSsX1LM3FDNg3fADyvbFxOxvJv6FUkt0VSwbXTGhAcrmVCGVRkBw4seJ3fqYCDkYOFKuPsnEzRmYrOyALHrNd3IlPdZgEHK8WH4ZGwNSSOlxxXm01FuFbvtZiNHR~oY24977DqJLvFj1PkrdgB6Sc6szqDTBCyQxGkvpytfZc3b8xgGWMZuROk40k4fQzfj4V7YguyuvafMSxu1p7Xp8uHUa9NoGFmoJ7LLplheoWpZoieVCKMO0WdWuL-zY5ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pocomoke City, MD","date","2025-05-13T22:30:23Z","article","Pocomoke City officials said they will put a wetlands compliance matter involving the fairgrounds on the Planning and Zoning agenda after committee members said the issue was not routed to the mayor and council in a timely way.

Committee members said the wetlands designation or violation was recorded months earlier and that multiple parties were involved in on-the-ground work before council members were informed. The mayor stated he has asked that the wetlands matter be placed on the Planning and Zoning agenda for the next meeting so the city can investigate and determine whether local or state regulations were breached.

Speakers warned the city could face significant fines if the state environmental authority finds violations; one participant said the city could face penalties on the order of $10,000 per day if noncompliance persisted, though a precise citation or statutory reference was not provided during the meeting.

Committee members and the mayor described the problem as a failure of communication across several actors — the fair committee, staff, contractors and council liaisons. City leaders instructed that future large or potentially regulated projects be escalated through the council liaison so the mayor and council are aware of activities affecting city property.

Ending: The mayor said the wetlands matter will appear on the Planning and Zoning agenda for further review; committee members and staff will be expected to participate in that process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Melinda Stafford's Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City officials said a wetlands designation and related compliance issue at the Pocomoke City fairgrounds will be placed on the Planning and Zoning agenda after committee members said the mayor and council were not adequately notified.","taxTitle","Pocomoke City, Worcester County, Maryland","taxId",53953,"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},6561694,"Fairgrounds grandstand, fencing and furniture flagged for repairs before fair",652,1244000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee&start=1244&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee/thumbnail_1244000.jpg","/articles/6561694/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Fairgrounds-grandstand-fencing-and-furniture-flagged-for-repairs-before-fair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561694-97663c64192bc2336248d15f44c20ca5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005272&Signature=NitWYm-YqRAr5auueFjpWEiq2pzqx8LsAF0pncNitDMfP2ZJ7TbdzIP83e9vs8UoIld2fFiqFDrY-UGcGKGpS0jxDNi9BzPSopYV1qKKH~0OkPLvPkmJDj9K58edz3tYO6So9nvXFtWnwuqSP514rTZy2rO7FBItxNEpGFBD7PtefVa~DrHK9woqr4dssGrz0AMrGZ5KGVE2tAcifYaH5Ay9PuZs74TT3F8k4P6ZJTa0am8CRVRBN05~yIlvBmNPwh49aJhUsfUo36csC67uI5uO7KoPYf0zO5Ua9qs3FurAXGu~NRk8g7USkQXSIBbAXzx9KLaTkzXkSTAvEhUJtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pocomoke City Fair Committee members identified multiple repair and safety items at the fairgrounds and asked city staff to compile a prioritized list of repairs with cost estimates that the city or the fair committee can act on.

In new business, committee members described a drop where concrete meets grass at both the north and south ends of the grandstand; the south end was described as nearly knee-high. Members said missing split-rail fencing used historically to prevent falls no longer exists and urged either reinstalling split-rail or adding a more permanent fence fastened to the grandstand seam.

The committee also reported loose or missing bolts on seating brackets and bent metal pieces that protrude into walkways and present tripping hazards. Members said some pieces had been temporarily repositioned to reduce immediate risks but recommended a systematic walk-through to identify all loose fasteners and bent hardware.

Members asked for fencing to prevent children from entering under the grandstands, citing prior incidents of children playing underneath structures. Public works staff (Phil) warned that permanent fencing can complicate mowing and maintenance and that design must allow equipment access.

The committee discussed options for funding and procurement. Staff asked the committee to provide a list of needed repairs and, where appropriate, three quotes so the city can determine responsibility and move forward. Committee members noted the fair organization retains an active 501(c)(3) and that some donations (for example, donated fencing) might change procurement steps.

The committee also noted harness-race revenue of roughly $16,000 that flows automatically to the city (described in the meeting as “$16,000 from harness races”), with a small additional amount beyond that; members said this revenue contributed to fair finances but did not provide a full budget breakdown.

Ending: Staff committed to review a submitted repairs list and to advise whether specific items fall under city responsibility or the fair committee; the committee agreed to gather quotes and present them to staff for a decision.","Committee members raised safety and maintenance concerns about the grandstand, split-rail fencing, picnic tables and under-stand access at the Pocomoke City fairgrounds and asked staff to prepare a repairs list and cost quotes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6561699,"Pocomoke City fair committee presses for clearer event permits, backup plans",0,225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee&start=225&end=225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288325-c60c43650e20505b4e8e0e826748a5ee/thumbnail_225000.jpg","/articles/6561699/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Pocomoke-City-fair-committee-presses-for-clearer-event-permits-backup-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561699-0014f7f0c8961d6b51854a7736574056/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005272&Signature=ibeFkWhSVpeFf0Yw0immWdTfJCxnIGo0BuXhIyDNoY5XfPETKJKV5t--j9NVRDNh5GpTU8fXM87hSaUo-6nVMHgt3x6E30r60c0adXgWGu3voSFq-foyFAjUhRiUZd6mJevdtq6WyplP7oC2j15UraEkj8rXO6u4-lJOHny9i12J03-TJAVp3U2VkEKpdTRJ4DNb~jKattaaeuhAnHLswNqwZolB0-tUTm~2KUaDnNjDIUtfarbu4B2kpXgyvD6rHme0n9iIT7V-KzG~qKnIFNDg8H4tBotb5gWbA503OSu4cstBQTLwu8BCBlIQwIzCgIr-MDb-300zeoV2vRj6gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pocomoke City Fair Committee members and city staff spent substantial time discussing the city event-permit process, concluding the current approach lacks enough differentiation by event type and consistent backup planning.

Committee members said large open-to-public events such as the Easter egg hunt are fundamentally different from ticketed concerts and that a single permit rule cannot cover both. City staff and committee members agreed permits should require an event-specific backup plan that lists equipment and staffing needs in advance so the city and vendors can be reserved or sourced ahead of time.

The committee discussed recurring problems during recent events: last-minute requests for generators, uncertainty about what public-works equipment can be requested, and missing inventories that caused delays. One committee member said Sunbelt and other rental vendors have limited large generators and that late requests left organizers scrambling to locate equipment. Committee members said they have started seeking grants to add permanent electrical service and lighting at the fairgrounds to reduce reliance on rentals.

City staff urged organizers to document requests by email and to include a written backup plan in event permit submissions so the city can route requests to the correct departments. The events coordinator, Kara, was named as the contact to coordinate promotion and logistics; staff advised emailing Kara to arrange collaboration on publicity and signage. Council liaison Scott and the mayor were described as the channels by which more formal items or disputes should be escalated to Mayor and Council.

Committee members and staff also discussed the availability and movement of picnic tables and other assets. Public works said requests that require moving heavy equipment or tables must be scheduled in advance because of competing workloads and trailer/transport needs. Members urged creating a simple inventory of city equipment available for events and a clear rubric for when nonprofit groups should be charged or exempted.

The committee agreed to improve planning for the eight-day fair this year by compiling comprehensive equipment lists and backup plans and by communicating those lists to city staff well ahead of events. Staff offered to help assemble and circulate the lists and to route requests to specific departments (public works, code enforcement, police, fire) as needed.

Ending: Committee members asked to continue the discussion at the next meeting after assembling written permit-backup templates and an equipment inventory; staff said they would support that follow-up and encouraged written email requests to create a paper trail.","Members of the Pocomoke City Fair Committee and city staff discussed gaps in the city event-permit process, asking for clearer rules that distinguish event types, require backup plans for equipment and staffing, and better coordination with the city events coordinator and public works.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wetlands designation at fairgrounds referred to planning and zoning after communication gaps

Fairgrounds grandstand, fencing and furniture flagged for repairs before fair

Pocomoke City fair committee presses for clearer event permits, backup plans