St. Mary's County commissioners approve debris-disposal resolution, authorize emergency spending during hurricane watch

The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners on Friday approved a resolution to allow temporary storm-debris disposal on privately owned sites and reiterated existing emergency-spending authority as the county prepared for an anticipated hurricane watch.

County staff presented the resolution during an emergency session convened to mirror a state-declared emergency and to give the county extra flexibility to respond after the storm, including use of roll-off containers, temporary debris-management sites and portable toilets, the staff presentation said.

"What you have before you is a resolution," said Mr. Erickson, a county staff member, introducing the proposal and describing memorandums of agreement with private landowners to accept storm debris in assigned areas of the county. Erickson said permits from the health department and the state were already in hand and that the county’s centralized landfill and convenience centers would not be large enough to handle the expected volume.

The resolution allows county crews to place large roll-off containers — "large green containers, 30, 40 yards" — in neighborhoods that become difficult to reach and to stage debris for chipping or removal. Erickson said the county also plans to stage portable toilets at recreation sites if power outages occur.

Erickson noted the county’s previous experience, saying about 20,000 tons of debris were removed from St. Mary's County after storms in 2002–03 and that the county’s share of costs at that time was roughly $150,000; he said costs for a larger event could run into the $1.5 million–$2 million range. The county will seek FEMA reimbursement where eligible, he said.

Commissioner Jarber moved to approve and sign the resolution to address public health and safety; Commissioner Morris seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote; the recordation in the minutes did not include a roll-call tally.

County leaders also emphasized operational steps taken before the storm. Officials said evacuation sites and signage are in place, the county’s emergency operations center held a multiagency meeting the same morning, and the board has been coordinating with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The county reported sandbag distribution totals as of 3 p.m.: more than 1,000 at St. Andrews, more than 300 combined at Charlotte Hall, Valley, Lee and Ridge, and more than 150 at Oakville and Clements. Staff said they are attempting to keep about 500 sandbags staged at each site while supplies last.

Public Safety Director Bob Kelly reminded residents to reserve 911 for emergencies only, saying additional operators will be brought in as needed and non-emergency information calls should use other lines. A county speaker noted that physicians may advise tetanus shots to some residents involved in extensive cleanup, and that public health messaging would come from the health department via the county’s public information officer.

The commissioners also reiterated that Annex 7 to the county Emergency Operations Plan authorizes emergency deployment of resources and emergency spending for relief supplies, facility space, telecommunications, contracting, transportation and security services. Absent other direction by the board, county leadership said the county administrator or the public safety director will be able to authorize necessary emergency expenditures through the weekend to avoid delay.

The board said it will continue public communication through the county administrator’s office and the public information officer, hold routine conference calls with MEMA, and reconvene for regular and recovery business on Tuesday.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve and sign the storm debris-disposal resolution — Moved by Commissioner Jarber; seconded by Commissioner Morris; outcome: approved by voice vote (recorded yes votes for Jarber and Morris; full roll call not recorded in the transcript).