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Pocomoke council approves planning contracts, park lighting and other business; sets special election for District 3
Summary
At its Jan. 14 meeting the Pocomoke City council approved several contract awards and appointments, held a first reading on a charter amendment to give the mayor tie-breaking authority, and voted to hold a special election to fill the District 3 council vacancy.
Pocomoke City council handled multiple agenda items Jan. 14, approving a set of contract awards, making appointments to boards and commissions, and voting to call a special election to fill a vacant District 3 seat.
Contracts and planning - The council approved an award for the Cypress Park tennis/pickleball lighting project to a bidder who agreed to reduce their price by $2,500 to match the grant award; staff said Delmarva Power will elevate the transformer/service panel as needed for the project. Staff recommended awarding the contract to Ariel Services Incorporated and the council approved the award on a voice vote. - The council awarded a contract to update the city's comprehensive plan to Peter Johnston (author of the 2014 plan) after receiving only two bids; staff described Johnston’s price as substantially lower than a larger regional firm and said Johnston already possesses much of the city's mapping and plan history.
Appointments and internal business - Council appointed Diane Downing as first vice president and CL Marshall as second vice president and directed bank signatory changes to reflect the officer changes. The council also appointed Marcus Collins to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Richard ("Chip") Choquette to the Planning and Zoning Commission; both appointees were sworn in at the meeting. The mayor recommended appointment of a city employee to represent Pocomoke on the Worcester County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the council appointed Mike Wyatt to that role.
Charter amendment first reading - The council conducted a first reading of a resolution (2025-R7) proposing an amendment to the Pocomoke City Charter to explicitly give the mayor the power to break tie votes. Staff said the amendment, if adopted, would follow Maryland Code Local Government procedures and become effective 50 days after adoption; the item was presented as a first reading and no final action was taken.
District 3 vacancy and special election - Council members discussed the District 3 vacancy and resolved to hold a special election “as soon as possible” consistent with the charter’s vacancy provisions. Staff said advertising and statutory timelines will determine the precise election date, and staff indicated the special election could be close to the city’s April election but might slip depending on notice periods.
Votes at a glance - Cypress Park lighting contract: approved (contractor: Ariel Services Incorporated; motion carried by voice vote). - Comprehensive plan contract (Peter Johnston): approved (motion carried by voice vote). - Appointments (vice presidents, BZA, P&Z, Worcester County Solid Waste rep): approved and appointees sworn. - Special election for District 3 vacancy: motion approved to hold election as soon as possible. - Charter amendment (2025-R7) first reading: presented; no final vote recorded.
Ending: Staff will proceed with contract paperwork and scheduling for awarded projects, arrange bank-signature updates, and begin the advertising and scheduling steps required for the District 3 special election and for subsequent charter amendment procedures.
