[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6479207,"mediaKeyId","5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc","parentId",5706732,"title","Votes at a glance: Worcester County Commissioners meeting, Sept. 2, 2025","audioSeconds",3093,"startMs",5000,"endMs",3098000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc&start=5&end=3098","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc/thumbnail_5000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479207/Worcester-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Worcester-County-Commissioners-meeting-Sept-2-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479207-b7a13413687201bf111d6f952ff0de4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770409537&Signature=UhE9xtkQBh-p5~ieuethwYOpJjLB5SejS9wbWICmvDPpGiGiAmJjzfpXsgNausfnAgEUtcY5N4ZmCGlWvUQPWtBKw~vxH5XyvomauBHH4-N74EyNJHFyhN4QMEqMOGIIOlRpyI1i3TDRqQvd5hVfGFKt4WmTVFB0TGtCoLfnMJVRV8VWZNy0tXNdZNxkWi1sLnwHGq35TDqW1yxtu3F17vjIJfyr-IDJNR4nr7KX3lFrftDhX4AVPX72uFWr1noXMOH02F5Z3CzsuQYs9jVy3by6yRFhVt-Rp7mFfXj6frmH6IA3830JI2hWCKeREC1~BJ2CDcqixAL~C-r8gyTSBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Worcester","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Worcester County Commissioners recorded the following formal actions during their Sept. 2 meeting. This list is a summary of motions, movers/seconders when recorded, and outcomes as shown in the meeting record.

- Motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel summary, real property acquisition, legal advice and administrative functions: motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as 7 in favor. (Closed session adjourned at 9:59 a.m.; motion in closed session by Commissioner Bertino; second by Commissioner Abbott.)

- Approve minutes of Aug. 19, 2025: motion moved and seconded; unanimous approval.

- Consent agenda (items 2–9): motion to approve moved and seconded; unanimous approval.

- Item 10 — Annual renewal of Memorandum of Understanding for the school resource deputy program: motion to approve moved and seconded (second by Commissioner Purnell); unanimous approval.

- Item 11 — Board of Education fiscal year 2025 intercategory budget transfers and budget amendment: motion to approve moved and seconded; unanimous approval.

- Item 12 — Purchase permitting and licensing software through Tyler Technology: motion to approve moved by Commissioner Matresick and seconded by Commissioner Fiore; vote unanimous (see separate article for details including recurring $193,500 annual maintenance cost and implementation timeline).

- Item 13 — Nuisance abatement for roadside property (90-day deadline): motion to approve moved by Commissioner Abbott; vote recorded 6 in favor with 1 recusal; motion passed. County staff reported one demolition-permit signature outstanding.

- Item 14 — Over-expenditure request for maintenance costs tied to private broadband network: motion to approve moved by Commissioner Fiore and seconded; vote unanimous.

- Item 15 — Introduction of bill to lower allowable increase in taxable assessment (Homestead Property Tax Credit) from 3% to 0: introduced for consideration; commissioners discussed application process; no final vote recorded (bill introduced).

- Item 17 — Town of Berlin request to reallocate county rails-to-trails funds to match MDOT earmark: initial motion to table failed; amended motion to allocate $24,000 for the immediate match passed 6-1 (see separate article for details). The county noted MDOT had requested a response within roughly 48 hours.

- Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded; unanimous.

For several items, the minutes or supplemental memos did not include full supporting documentation discussed during the meeting; commissioners requested additional paperwork or follow-up memos for several actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Worcester - County Commissioners Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and outcomes from the Sept. 2 Worcester County Commissioners meeting, including closed session action, consent agenda, MOU renewal for school resource deputy program, BOE budget transfers, broadband over-expenditure, and adjournment.","taxTitle","Worcester County, Maryland","taxId",53952,"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},6479212,"Commissioners order abatement of roadside structure; 90-day deadline set",82,1070000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc&start=1070&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","/articles/6479212/Worcester-County/Maryland/Commissioners-order-abatement-of-roadside-structure-90-day-deadline-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479212-a65ce594826040304cdb41a88b969b22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770409537&Signature=o5WEvkhSQ-Y0HzRGxy9mzWyDqHLZyCrtGpVtaEV0E6AVWYrT~2MCbjg0TEuGda-NCP6c7~5Ir5ej0dZScH3oj1ScLaJFg6Q40jPWHfOxvXhu8dIEz6UeyWiZNUstsNKT7-nUYaQfSzym6OE21nTraqAIjSA64Dalgiv2VowwRCPD4iEitzInt5w-MfB2UgPJrJjsE1amO~8eoAIovJTnEJcuHrka-CBin1FfcK1haiUILnUgOYaTj~gdbmHksGKvJW80bM77Qh1agosi88IhKUuR6CgWwC98S0mwzAaWs9la80YazGuwItegcMv6~P~OPB5TY6FN~aC7j9TH2bgliw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Worcester County Commissioners voted to declare a privately owned, deteriorating roadside structure a nuisance and ordered abatement, with a 90-day deadline for demolition activity.

County staff reported they had contacted the property owner and that a fence had been erected but the structure remains close to the roadway and appears in danger of falling into the road. Staff said a demolition permit had been applied for but remained pending because one signature was still required. Staff recommended setting a limited time for abatement so demolition could proceed in a reasonable manner.

A commissioner announced a recusal from the matter because of a personal acquaintance with the property owner; that commissioner did not participate in the vote. Commissioner Abbott moved to approve the abatement and a commissioner seconded. Staff advised commissioners the county’s demolition permit is valid for a year, but under the abatement procedures the board could set a shorter deadline; commissioners set the abatement period at 90 days.

The motion to abate passed, recorded as 6 in favor and 1 opposed or recusal in the record. The minutes state the motion carried \"6 to 1 with 1 refusal.\" County staff will proceed with abatement steps if the owner does not complete demolition within the timeframe and will coordinate issuance of the demolition permit.","The county approved a nuisance abatement for a deteriorating structure close to a roadway, setting a 90-day timeline for abatement; one commissioner recused and the motion passed 6-1.",{"_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},6479218,"Worcester County approves $24,000 allocation to help Berlin secure $463,000 MDOT earmark for bike-ped project",1244,1322000,2566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc&start=1322&end=2566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc/thumbnail_1322000.jpg","/articles/6479218/Worcester-County/Maryland/Worcester-County-approves-24000-allocation-to-help-Berlin-secure-463000-MDOT-earmark-for-bike-ped-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479218-1a02db46a46a8c5cd11a46756c5e7ea1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770409537&Signature=obsiQqZjejjyuCLMy9tvQLsi61zNuMRAk0ktVc-WLyjU0kvyTQBYV2m0IrN4-e3iOL5M0vG1JAjV9LSj11-0qIpaLve-KOdwnMvKI9pmmrF115ju0-v81DDSsh6oRtPg7F6qN1XB26IybjF~zOQVptEWdEKl1OaabuZJBLb~X0IJryxEn-mVw49FH54HxNCFPmt~5bnX1BLKP2GRwNO87gRYDhHkzlUK-i~0LSLx4dlmHKEbeAfbw41BJPNARbg5v6rKWSNs9V4MJS1LPXrAzj567tW1frUEmPSrAI6cwRzqyRSs6-jWC9bG84gg57DycTRClnziFuKwNLFzZeI7Eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Worcester County Commissioners voted 6-1 on Sept. 2 to reallocate $24,000 of previously committed rails-to-trails funding to help the Town of Berlin provide a 20% match for a Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) earmark of $463,000.

Sarah Gorfinkel, executive assistant to Berlin Mayor Zach Tindall, told commissioners MDOT had offered $463,000 of previously unused earmark funding and that the town would be responsible for a 20% match — roughly $128,000. Gorfinkel said the town has $104,000 in its budget and asked the county to reallocate county rails-to-trails funding to make the match whole.

\"MDOT asked us to respond within 48 hours,\" Gorfinkel said, describing the short timeline.

Commissioners pushed back on the deadline and the lack of documentation in the materials provided that morning. Commissioner Fiore said he felt the request was rushed and moved to table the item to the next meeting; Commissioner Metresick seconded the motion to table. Several commissioners said they wanted clearer documentation of the town council's position and how the county funds would be used.

Commissioner Bunting and others raised a narrower proposal: allow the town to use up to the county's full $113,000 allocation toward the project but, for the immediate response to MDOT, only allocate the specific amount needed for the match. Commissioner Fiore amended his motion to allocate $24,000 for the match and Metresick amended the second. The amended motion passed 6-1.

Commissioners noted the grant is intended to support bike and pedestrian safety work tied to Berlin's Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods planning, including feasibility work and potential bridge crossing options over Route 113. Gorfinkel said the original $1.2 million reconnecting grant supported study work; the MDOT earmark would advance the town's feasibility and design steps, with consultants evaluating crossings and recommending safer connections to the town's bikeway and community center.

The record shows concern from multiple commissioners about the rushed request, the absence of detailed estimated construction costs and the need for clearer documentation of the town council's vote. Commissioners and Berlin representatives said consultants would identify recommended crossings and that MDOT, as owner of Route 113, would play a major role in final decisions about crossings.","After heated debate over a rushed deadline and incomplete documentation, commissioners voted 6-1 to allocate $24,000 from previously committed rails-to-trails funds so the town of Berlin can meet a state match and accept $463,000 in MDOT funding for bike and pedestrian safety work.",{"_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},6479221,"Worcester County approves Tyler permitting software with $193,500 annual maintenance",251,790000,1041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc&start=790&end=1041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706732-1e306b6ebd42953bf7cadbdc49694cdc/thumbnail_790000.jpg","/articles/6479221/Worcester-County/Maryland/Worcester-County-approves-Tyler-permitting-software-with-193500-annual-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479221-16ac615f04565f0e419ad987a402562c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770409537&Signature=IcJ060v5ll2yAC5EHF8rW~m1-7-EtsyB29M1hOqMNZJFzI-~xXLv-6RTfxH1of5qaJ7g47sowRfHK7bIW-6VgkfkOzqf7nAt9A5R~iDruHvaHt5TYjFABFcZZnXcfPUVCVN1NUzSGPwSfiy06KNNk0fPyfy3VcyBAA0F3iCM1q9D4K-PG7iXlXyavtqvSbo4Kl5oh~llzi29heusAD0k-gWy7Cc9tg6DoaDSDyqkPC1lO43aVV9ukGbH3IULQys-Q2UwcChpJRkzEDQfeiwvGMe4fFOg5rbwKxT8UOpxw6OCl211a7W7~VvvWL~3ACxnRMEUh-zWKd7d73HwcVTlnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Worcester County Commissioners on Sept. 2 voted unanimously to approve the purchase of permitting and licensing software from Tyler Technology, a county official said during the meeting. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Matresick and seconded by Commissioner Fiore.

County staff told commissioners the system will move permitting to an electronic platform, allowing applicants to log in, check permit status, receive staff questions and complete tasks online. \"As you log in, anybody applying for a permit will be able to log in, see the status of their permit, where it's being held up for,\" a staff member said during the discussion.

The commissioners heard implementation will begin quickly but take time: staff estimated roughly three months to start setup and about 12 to 18 months for full completion as different permit types come online at different times. The staff member added training and buildout will be required before departments can use the system.

Commissioners asked about cost and operations. Commissioner Bunting asked whether the annual recurring cost of $193,500 was the full ongoing expense; staff replied annual maintenance covers cloud storage, processes, maintenance and upgrades, and does not include internal staff time for implementation and ongoing work. Commissioner Metresick said he has seen the product in a neighboring jurisdiction and praised the potential for reduced phone calls and faster, more uniform information to the public.

The motion approved the procurement and associated contract negotiations; commissioners did not vote on a detailed payment schedule during the meeting. The vote was unanimous.

Implementation and training timelines, the contract's setup cost, and the exact internal staffing cost estimates were discussed but not specified in the record. Commissioners and staff said those details would be addressed during contract negotiations and the implementation phase.","The Worcester County Commissioners unanimously approved purchasing permitting and licensing software from Tyler Technology; officials said implementation will be phased over up to 18 months and recurring cloud/maintenance costs are $193,500 per year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Worcester County Commissioners meeting, Sept. 2, 2025

Commissioners order abatement of roadside structure; 90-day deadline set

Worcester County approves $24,000 allocation to help Berlin secure $463,000 MDOT earmark for bike-ped project

Worcester County approves Tyler permitting software with $193,500 annual maintenance