[{"_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",6487300,"mediaKeyId","5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e","parentId",5676316,"title","Talbot County Council: reappointments, airport grant acceptance, emergency‑services purchases and more — votes at a glance","audioSeconds",276,"startMs",1944000,"endMs",2220000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e&start=1944&end=2220","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e/thumbnail_1944000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6487300/Talbot-County/Maryland/Talbot-County-Council-reappointments-airport-grant-acceptance-emergencyservices-purchases-and-more-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487300-a1870541e1860f36d9968de2bc78d384/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008273&Signature=P-gfcTJgxV4ElM6gtHsOQ0cpzrUTQafnOHdLzlin9W6L3gFfQg1nupBki5NcIAl05GbUQDi2fSnVpvx5DlCNZcxNfOnVoTVpHl9ckWLVpAELbBjrpLlimnUE~gCoM9~dTqYOtvTTF2VRM4UI81e0pOOsOPSRMflAl2KqoPIg2jghNiP7Bcw2mlPhXYh8jZJ8QO9fPZxD3xHlT0n47AvrMyp0GYlm28F-Bi2nAiUaHlfY14srNo3Jk1iRT899KikVmtwBbXTm6ScAprPVVtBoJAjh6BgCI4Nwwz-qADo7FXNnvpovrXQgDLv5z4DCBcJgZFpWMt9Si06ZrppSh-EjkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Talbot County, MD","date","2025-08-26T20:26:23Z","article","The Talbot County Council took a series of formal votes during its Aug. 26 meeting. Below are the motions the council recorded, the outcomes from the meeting transcript and key details from staff presentations.

Reappointments and boards
- Administrative Charging Committee (Police Accountability Board): Council approved the reappointment of Jennifer Williams to continue service on the administrative charging committee; recorded vote: Callahan (Aye), Stepp (Aye), Lesher (Aye), Milke (Abstain), Haight (Aye). Outcome: approved (motion carried). Note: Miss Milke recorded an abstention.

- Local Emergency Planning Committee: Council appointed Samuel Harrison (University of Maryland Extension representative) and Holly Wall (Town Manager, Oxford) to the local emergency planning committee. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

- Park and Recreation Advisory Board: Council reappointed Tim Kearns as the Town of Oxford representative. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

- Police Accountability Board (Oxford representative): Council reappointed William Belding to represent Oxford on the Police Accountability Board. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

- Tourism Board: Council reappointed Judy Bixler to represent the Town of Oxford on the tourism board. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

Letter of support
- Oyster recovery funding: The council authorized a letter of support requested by the Talbot Watermen’s Association to restore funding for oyster sanctuary replenishment and mitigation. The agenda packet said no county funds were required. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: authorized.

Airport funding and contracts (contingent on FAA AIP grant)
- Federal grant acceptance for airport airfield lighting/control work: County staff requested authority to accept an FAA AIP (Airport Improvement Program) grant; the transcript records the council’s motion and a unanimous vote to accept the grant and execute related documents once issued. The exact grant amount stated in the presentation was garbled in the record; staff said the award and contract execution are expected in September and that subsequent contracting would be contingent on receipt of the AIP grant. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved (contingent).

- Construction contract (bid #25-11): Staff requested authority to award bid number 25‑11 to the lowest bidder, David A. Bramble, for the base bid plus add alternate 5 only, described in the record as totaling $8,200,000. Council approved the award contingent upon notification and execution of the FAA AIP grant. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved (contingent on grant).

- AECOM price proposal: Council approved AECOM’s price proposal for engineering and project management covering the base bid and add alternate 5, recorded in the transcript as $837,166, contingent upon FAA funding. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved (contingent).

Emergency services purchases and lease
- 2026 Horton ambulance: Council approved a replacement ambulance (not an addition to the fleet) at a recorded cost of $363,969.09; staff said the vehicle was budgeted and would be purchased through the HTAC cooperative procurement. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

- Pool vehicle (F‑350 pickup): Council approved purchasing a 2024 F‑350 pickup truck to support emergency services and technical staff; low quote was Preston Automotive at $55,582. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

- Lease‑to‑own program for Stryker medical equipment: Council approved entering a seven‑year lease with Flex Financial (Stryker division) to replace stretchers, stair chairs and a majority of heart monitors. The transcript records an annual payment of $198,798.63 for seven years; staff said the item was budgeted in fiscal year 2026. Vote: unanimous aye. Outcome: approved.

Minutes and routine business
- The council accepted minutes and disbursements for prior meetings by unanimous consent and placed the children’s eye health proclamation into the record (see separate story).

Several items were described as contingent on future grant execution (FAA AIP). Where the transcript contained unclear numerical details (notably the exact FAA grant amount as spoken), the council recorded the actions as contingent on formal award and execution. For each vote the clerk called the roll and the transcript records the roll‑call results.

A member of the public made a brief comment in support of the airport initiative; no change to the council’s recorded actions resulted from the public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Talbot County Council: August 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 26 meeting, the Talbot County Council approved multiple reappointments, authorized a letter supporting oyster sanctuary funding, accepted airport grant funding contingent on FAA award and approved emergency‑services equipment purchases and a lease‑to‑own medical equipment agreement.","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},6487304,"Top Goes Purple outlines fall events, pushes Good Samaritan outreach and flags youth access concerns",271,1108000,1379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e&start=1108&end=1379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e/thumbnail_1108000.jpg","/articles/6487304/Talbot-County/Maryland/Top-Goes-Purple-outlines-fall-events-pushes-Good-Samaritan-outreach-and-flags-youth-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487304-3f32c8ffaa1aaa5c433ef8a723e86ca3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008273&Signature=HbalPsorzk3-LMflDxSPcysm3Fq-xX1y55qGoh97UkmN7DKJwLdBXLKFl5UXE0iehbwKHRu1sS3NYbR~v7JxggQMdvv6Fue5ZPLNlzUDUj3LYWf3CIdfZH9LguhYJrfa~-2HVofRQLBPlmT50-XKC37EngwtOdkRflBzEZNu6z-UAhzfR76i2fpINO5tURbJADI1Go3LXQ3F844Iwz7RTDohl7EUPahgcR04nwVK2q7wxacmqtsOWD3YS1-yMYemy948lZc4k235~u7X1wXsYaDSsz8uh2hOxjh7v8dnPcng74bPF92R0SAH92nAWYuu8TOntnfuIQankfWTzcBn~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Top Goes Purple told the Talbot County Council they plan a series of fall outreach events, are working to reestablish student clubs in county schools and will step up education about Good Samaritan protections and youth access as local cannabis retail licensing advances.

Steve (Top Goes Purple) thanked the health department and described the organization’s schedule: a Festival of Hope kickoff Sept. 5 at Anchor Church from 6 to 8 p.m.; purple ice cream at the Scottish Highland Creamery on Sept. 4 (Oxford); a resource fair at Easton High School on Oct. 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and purple‑themed nights at local school sporting events. He said the group is coordinating preliminary regional efforts with Queen Anne’s County and Kent County and exploring joint student activities across counties.

On policy priorities, the presenter said, “One of the things we wanna push is a Good Samaritan law. I think it's critical that adults and children know that if somebody's having an episode, that they can call the police without fear of some sort some sort of retaliation or getting in trouble,” and added organizers will watch how a future Talbot County marijuana dispensary affects youth perceptions and access.

Council members praised the long‑running program — now in its ninth year — and urged continued coordination with schools. The presenters said they are recruiting club volunteers and working with school staff to relaunch clubs at Saint Peter and Paul, Easton High School and Saint Michael’s High School.

Top Goes Purple representatives requested no formal county action during the presentation; the update was informational. Council members expressed support and thanked organizers for continuing prevention and recovery outreach in the community.","Top Goes Purple updated the council on outreach and school clubs for the fall, announced a Festival of Hope Sept. 5 and other local events, and said organizers will promote Good Samaritan protections and monitor impacts of an upcoming marijuana dispensary on youth.",{"_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},6487309,"Talbot County proclaims August children’s eye health month after vision clinic served 29 students",288,173000,461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e&start=173&end=461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676316-cbf7c4d0991cb16002e24efd85d44a7e/thumbnail_173000.jpg","/articles/6487309/Talbot-County/Maryland/Talbot-County-proclaims-August-childrens-eye-health-month-after-vision-clinic-served-29-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6487309-1e343ddf4c6a00a529610375ec286a27/orig.mp4?Expires=1771008273&Signature=MASOp8sgMA7wik1WX8Usq5qw2YAxQeTjAIwuDC~ifsaqCcLIlJhqi7X1lF9F8-VPIUZDz-iWb-xgkTOJsn~mqzgQxZDrm3lzVoSuKtA41kEklI5iWaDqdcoWPn7n~Cx8paw9~ohzO6TDp1QUlWflVw6~JHoNOzgxiiVhD2lZFcIW4kRHrihoPxK1RGaek3uTWzxnu-LXM7HTg1-gvJY4ffDAZPDbkFgi8abl3nL-Muo8NPOkmJbSKD1qX4Ygw8sMO8XfUfv7G4q2buuVYTLR0BgGEq110i14~LQs8AzJgzqZzrY7PDR9yU2xzVul7lH1AYUPey8fBFpe9z9UnxS5SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Talbot County Council voted unanimously to proclaim August 2025 as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and recognized a new local partnership that delivered free comprehensive eye exams and glasses to county students.

The council placed the proclamation into the record after the Talbot County Health Department described a pilot clinic held April 26, 2025, during which “29 students received comprehensive eye exams” and “28 students received glasses,” all provided at no cost to families, the proclamation says.

The program was described to the council by Fami Fami, who introduced herself as the county’s health officer: “I am Fami Fami. I'm the health officer for Talbot County,” she said, and recounted being diagnosed with a vision problem as a child and how glasses changed her life. “The vision is really, I mean, significant part of our well‑being,” she said.

Megan Greenwood, director of school health services at the Talbot County Health Department, told the council the department conducts free hearing and vision screenings in accordance with COMAR and that, after the National Association of School Nurses voucher program was suspended, the department worked with a local nonprofit, Global Vision, to restore access. Greenwood said the county partnered with Global Vision and volunteer physicians — named in the proclamation as Dr. Travis Peck, Dr. Whitney Farman and Dr. Brett Klein — to run the clinic. “For the 29 children that came through our clinic, they had no other options. Absolutely no other options,” Greenwood said. She added that many students left the clinic able to see clearly for the first time.

Council members and staff praised the initiative as a community partnership between the health department, public school nurses and Global Vision volunteers. The council’s recorded vote on the proclamation was all ayes (Callahan, Stepp, Lesher, Milke, Haight). The proclamation text also notes the clinic was the first Global Vision clinic held in Talbot County and that organizers expect to run the clinic again.

The proclamation cites COMAR as the regulatory framework under which the health department provides school screening services. The council did not allocate county funds in that agenda item; the proclamation and the clinic recognition were ceremonial and did not create a new program or budget line.

The council presentation named school nurses Carrie Ader and others who helped plan and staff the clinic, and it thanked volunteer physicians and Global Vision staff who provided on‑site exams and glasses.

The county clerk recorded the proclamation into the minutes and the council placed the document on the public record.","Talbot County Council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing August 2025 as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month and honored a partnership that delivered on‑site eye exams April 26, 2025; 29 students received exams and 28 received glasses at no cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Talbot County Council: reappointments, airport grant acceptance, emergency‑services purchases and more — votes at a glance

Top Goes Purple outlines fall events, pushes Good Samaritan outreach and flags youth access concerns

Talbot County proclaims August children’s eye health month after vision clinic served 29 students