[{"_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",6480582,"mediaKeyId","5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d","parentId",5676217,"title","Commissioners approve Black Waterman's Monument at Wells Cove; artist will seek grants and county support letter","audioSeconds",1174,"startMs",3180000,"endMs",4354000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d&start=3180&end=4354","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6480582/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-Black-Watermans-Monument-at-Wells-Cove-artist-will-seek-grants-and-county-support-letter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480582-6ef2392846a127a893812bdaefd976c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147309&Signature=bQY5~6royoFlV9mMrqNGMx3JYu6bB5fJNNS4coF-RiqTJoED3gXmFUj~6oTPK8u0ip4EiUiO6MUL~NZu17db7369czcBWH8HTm3KE5Ff7EegjYDeO8s1R9KQHq3qBx~vibiCfDRSasPcHfYeMLKUvwNyAHCLtmF7XPsvZB19Z7Vt4xrvz-lnf8rGOiCrmIcu2D8HxN5VhDS9FPs86VHpF2WyFNFPVXwTrdIs2qLiUWzjQjgOnDmxlypuo0XGjIU-cr0Xx3zW08CoxBMiMS7SMAqBGYAQ1j27iviOeMoi5M3AwpYy4wHwoTWRP9Ey-sm1nNZbrszu2LBT-zNSHp2jKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Queen Anne's County, MD","date","2025-08-27T11:32:28Z","article","The Queen Anne's County Commissioners on Aug. 26 approved a proposal to place a Black Waterman's Monument at Wells Cove on county land and signaled support for the project's grant application.

Artist Tillman Hensley, director of American Patriotic Monuments, Inc. (APMI), presented a maquette and site plan concept showing life-size bronze figures on two oyster/head boats and described the work as a public, walk-through sculpture that would include engraved historical context about Black watermen. Hensley said the project team has Parks & Recreation preliminary approval for the site, a recommendation from the Kent Narrows Foundation and an advisory committee comprised of local watermen and community members.

Why it matters: The proposed monument aims to honor the history of Black watermen in the county and create a public art feature at a high-visibility waterfront site. The proponent said the piece could be completed quickly if fundraising and permitting proceed on an accelerated schedule tied to a 250th-anniversary commemoration.

Board discussion and conditions

- Some commissioners expressed a desire to review an overhead/site layout in the record and to visit the staked site before finalizing approval; Parks & Recreation staff said the location had been staked and was reviewed by staff, and would be documented in a follow-up letter to commissioners.

- A commissioner moved to approve placement of the monument on the county site; another commissioner asked that the commission also provide a letter of support for the grant application. The motion to approve placement passed. Commissioners agreed to provide a letter of support for the grant request.

Funding and maintenance

Hensley said the project will pursue grants and private sponsorships and estimated a project cost in the mid-six-figure range (the artist cited an approximate $475,000 figure as an initial estimate). He said the monument would be constructed by outside foundries and artists and that APMI will pursue fundraising; Hensley said the group is not dependent on county funding but welcomed county support.

Safety, durability and insurance

Commissioners asked about durability and vandalism repair. Hensley said the piece will be low-maintenance stainless steel with bronze figures and that APMI has addressed maintenance concerns in prior projects; commissioners asked that insurance and maintenance expectations be documented in project agreements.

Next steps

- Parks & Recreation will provide a written confirmation of site review and stake locations.
- The county will prepare a letter of support to accompany the project's grant application.
- Project proponents will continue fundraising and grant applications; the commission approved placement on county property pending standard permitting and agreements.

Ending: The commission approved the monument site placement and agreed to a letter of support; commissioners asked staff to supply an overhead/site plan and documentation from Parks & Recreation to the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","QAC Commissioner Meeting || 08/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved placement of a Black Waterman's Monument at Wells Cove on county property, asked staff for an overhead/site plan and agreed to provide a letter of support for a grant application; commissioners also discussed a tabling request and advisory committee input before voting.","taxTitle","Queen Anne's County, Maryland","taxId",59354,"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},6480586,"Residents raise concerns as commissioners hear proposal to add Great Neck Road properties to sewer service plan",372,1282000,1654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d&start=1282&end=1654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d/thumbnail_1282000.jpg","/articles/6480586/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Residents-raise-concerns-as-commissioners-hear-proposal-to-add-Great-Neck-Road-properties-to-sewer-service-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480586-452e8840c7509ff0fa142c08b53f231b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147309&Signature=SdvLSgkDaiBAjiWTmlrEz7fMcMi1wK8~oSoDaCO5uAnwNz7LvVI1L04F2My-Xz2PWGsjmKA~o8NWEsT8sXkLprrCRoY0JRHefICV4QHEqBUdzA308HLDGEQLHWfQz42kxCmHOl2~4Jiz8lS1pAUMSrzb8orwuyPv6jDnFbdwi2ye4ywiP9GyEuRBHR~n47Q16KVdhhlnElmiiEJGIFEbWkOMqNzGF3rYHvOtM83tXVW0P~d7KksKW-AwU~8SMMu5VrHPssWl7U69gbzNMQEsuyaFdkKegVMyW5dJPkwsXfVtGdG8-SpJvsi3mRKxHpGVlwBW0uvCaUoeuYohukpZCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Queen Anne's County held a public hearing Aug. 26 on a proposed amendment to the county's water and sewer service map to allow two properties at 233 and 235 Great Neck Road in Stevensville to connect to public sewer.

The properties are owned by the Brennan and Provosnick families and are described in county materials as having documented failing on-site sewage disposal systems and soils unsuitable for replacement on-site systems. County staff said the amendment would change the designation from S-6 (no plan service) to S-2 (service on demand) with an \"L\" suffix denoting limited development; the amendment would allow the properties to construct and connect to a sewer main in the Great Neck Road right-of-way and convey flow to the existing low-pressure sewer serving Mattapeak Professional Park. Projected flow was stated at approximately 500 gallons per day.

Why it matters: County staff and the applicants said the amendment is intended to address immediate public-health concerns caused by failing septic systems. Several nearby residents said the sewer line would improve options for their homes but warned that extending sewer service could be used later to justify subdivision or other development unless the county strictly limits flow allocations and development rights.

Public comment and questions

- Mark Gabler, the attorney for the applicants, said the owners are seeking the amendment specifically to address the failing systems and that the owners are prepared to pay to install the sewer main to reach their properties. Gabler said the proposed \"L\" suffix limits future development by allocating flow only for existing uses and that the applicants are not seeking to subdivide at this time.

- Several residents asked whether adjacent homeowners would be able to connect should their systems fail in the future. Commissioners and staff explained that any other homeowner would need to go through the same amendment and allocation process; staff said neighbors could coordinate and submit a joint application but that the current application covers only the Brennan/Provosnick parcels.

- Residents including Holly Mann and Gail Humphrey described decades-old septic systems on nearby properties (built in the 1970s) and asked whether the plan would allow those homes to connect if their systems eventually failed. Staff and the applicants said individual homeowners would need to apply for service or be included in a future amendment; there is no automatic right to connect under the Brennan/Provosnick filing.

Technical and environmental concerns

Speakers noted the proposed sewer alignment follows Warehouse Creek and crosses wetlands. Commissioners and staff discussed construction methods that could reduce wetland disruption, such as directional drilling, and noted such methods would add cost.

Cost and schedule

Staff and the applicants estimated the installation of the sewer main to be a five- to six-digit cost and possibly a six-figure project when including grinder pumps for the two residences; commissioners and the applicants discussed a general planning estimate of approximately $100 per linear foot for similar installations, but speakers emphasized actual cost depends on restoration, directional drilling and other site-specific conditions.

Outcome and next steps

Commissioners left the public hearing record open for at least two weeks to receive additional comments. Staff said any future proposal to subdivide would trigger a re-review and consistency check with the county comprehensive plan and would need separate approvals. Commissioners and staff said neighbors could coordinate and submit a joint amendment request if they wished to share installation costs.

Ending: The hearing focused on balancing immediate public-health needs for existing homes with residents' concerns about whether sewer extension might enable future development; the matter remains under active review with the record left open for more comments.","Homeowners near Great Neck Road told commissioners the Brennan/Provosnick sewer-service amendment would fix failing septic systems but could open the area to future development unless restrictions are explicit; the planning hearing remained open for more comment.",{"_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},6480591,"Queen Anne's County commissioners adopt emergency solar law, assume Sudlersville debt and approve wide set of contracts",197,2035000,2232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d&start=2035&end=2232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5676217-27016d4c42a068987007c31dc0ad485d/thumbnail_2035000.jpg","/articles/6480591/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Queen-Annes-County-commissioners-adopt-emergency-solar-law-assume-Sudlersville-debt-and-approve-wide-set-of-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480591-ad4c63ba87117e8880abf9637efc1755/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147309&Signature=g3Vjf7mel-4e5Mbu5pAy0iOqvm0Rpg9jyp3YzXvGpU8hEI7Bwnn3-G7RPJALYJnEs15YQLLKP~vPjKG2qaFtIn2l2rwy3WLJUgXCvKP-Y2dWHuHc9QqNG7TeJuBCDN4bBDP7tDKHADtwgwFZ6xDBS2ehK1yoTuDygKSKur5zD0rs8buk9xO1QTkhNrDaPOLR0oh7A2PEbDpwBNACF47vZg~q9du9-X-snN8F0p-cm17pRd9b1l9fjGsOVVQosCipglMwJFeLR0GT1XbNR5IV-hxHtdg562FGW2QctfzBklP7Q6WCbj4aq~uu6siQzsJrQy~8V7Mh7r51tQLe1na8Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Queen Anne's County Commissioners on Aug. 26 adopted an emergency ordinance to bring the county into compliance with recent state renewable-energy requirements, approved an ordinance authorizing the county to assume indebtedness on behalf of the town of Sudlersville, and approved a package of contracts and grants including road resurfacing, ambulance purchases and broadband work.

The commission adopted county ordinance 25-10, an emergency bill that updates local rules for community solar generating systems, energy storage devices and solar energy generating stations to align with state law (Senate Bill 931 and House Bill 1036). The motion to adopt passed unanimously, 5-0.

Why it matters: the ordinance creates supplemental use regulations for community solar and batteries, sets a 5% limit on solar energy generating station acreage within the county's priority preservation area and establishes a compensatory preservation payment when systems are sited on Class 1 soils. County staff framed the vote as necessary to match new state requirements.

In separate legislation the commission adopted county ordinance 25-11, an emergency measure authorizing Queen Anne's County to \"incur and assume indebtedness\" in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,500,000 to acquire water and sewer public facilities from the town of Sudlersville. That motion carried, 5-0.

The meeting also included a slate of operational approvals and contracts the commission said were needed to maintain county services. Highlights:

- A hot-mix asphalt overlay program contract using the State Highway Administration pre-established contract was awarded to David A. Bramble Inc. for $1,925,146 to resurface about 8.92 miles of county roads. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention (one commissioner recused because they live on a street included in the program). The county described the work as mill/grind, patch and resurface at multiple locations.

- The commission authorized the purchase of two ambulances through the Houston-Galveston Area Council cooperative purchasing program from FESCO Emergency Sales in the total amount of $776,900; expected delivery was stated at 18 to 24 months. Commissioners said extended manufacturer lead times motivated ordering now.

- A three-year contract for groundwater and landfill gas monitoring at county landfills was awarded to Hill Consulting of Annapolis, Maryland, for $107,850.

- The county executed a Public Works agreement allowing Parcel 24 Holdings LLC to construct a 12-unit apartment building (six one-bedroom and six two-bedroom units) next to Cult Classic in Chestertown; the commission voted to execute the agreement.

- The county accepted an amendment to a state's \"difficult to serve\" broadband grant for 130 addresses, with a state grant amount of $793,124 and a per-connection cap of $8,000. Internet service providers will cover an estimated 60% of connection costs, with the grant covering the remainder.

- The county's IT department was authorized to execute an agreement for a redundant fiber-optic connection across the Bay Bridge to complete a fiber ring; county staff said the contract will cost $63,800 for the remainder of the fiscal year and $75,960 annually thereafter.

- Economic development recommended and the commission awarded a $100,000 contract to Bay Crossing Consulting to run the \"Catalyst\" minority business accelerator, funded from community reinvestment/repair funds (cannabis sales tax proceeds).

- The county updated its Investment of Public Funds policy (policy 400-003) to align with state law and current practice; the board approved the comprehensive update.

Additional routine items adopted included the Queen Anne's County Library certification for state aid for FY 2026 and other departmental contracts.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Ordinance 25-10 (emergency solar ordinance): Adopted, vote 5-0.
- Ordinance 25-11 (assume Sudlersville indebtedness up to $5,500,000): Adopted, vote 5-0.
- Asphalt overlay contract (David A. Bramble Inc.): Approved, $1,925,146; vote 4 in favor, 1 abstain (recusal).
- Ambulance purchase (two units via FESCO): Approved, $776,900; unanimous.
- Groundwater and landfill gas monitoring (Hill Consulting): Approved, $107,850; unanimous.
- Parcel 24 Holdings public works agreement (12 apartments): Approved; unanimous.
- Broadband \"difficult to serve\" grant amendment (130 addresses): Approved; unanimous.
- Fiber optic bridge connection (state DOIT agreement): Approved; unanimous.
- Catalyst minority business contract (Bay Crossing Consulting): Approved, $100,000; unanimous.
- Investment of Public Funds policy update (Policy 400-003): Approved; unanimous.

What the board and staff said: Jack Thompson (county staff) and others characterized many items as compliance or routine infrastructure projects. The board emphasized urgency on procurements with long lead times (ambulances, apparatus) and the need to update local code to match state renewable-energy law.

What remains pending: county ordinance 25-13, adding Settlers of Oak/Barclay Wastewater Subdistrict and Settlersville Water Subdistrict to the water and sewer plan, was introduced for consideration; it was not adopted at this meeting.

Ending: Commissioners said the package of approvals would support road, emergency and utility services in the near term and allow the county to pursue grant funding for planned projects.","At their Aug. 26 meeting the Queen Anne's County Commissioners adopted an emergency ordinance to meet new state solar rules, approved an ordinance to assume up to $5.5 million of Sudlersville\u0000debt, and voted on multiple contracts including road resurfacing, ambulances, landfill monitoring and broadband grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve Black Waterman's Monument at Wells Cove; artist will seek grants and county support letter

Residents raise concerns as commissioners hear proposal to add Great Neck Road properties to sewer service plan

Queen Anne's County commissioners adopt emergency solar law, assume Sudlersville debt and approve wide set of contracts