Pocomoke council tables charter-amendment first reading amid open-meetings notice concerns

Pocomoke City’s mayor and council voted to table the first reading of a charter amendment, Resolution 2025-R-7, after officials and a citizen raised questions about whether the agenda provided adequate notice.

Mayor (unnamed) said he had received an email from a resident contending that the agenda did not explain what the charter amendment would change and that the lack of detail could “potentially violate the open meeting time.” He told the council he had confirmed with staff that the item was intended as a first review so that the public would have another opportunity to comment in a later meeting.

"So ultimately, it is up to you all tonight if you would want to table it," the mayor said, urging caution to avoid an open-meetings complaint and the subsequent staff workload required to respond. Councilmember McBride moved to table Resolution 2025-R-7 until January; the motion was seconded and appears to have passed on a voice vote.

Supporters of tabling said postponing would allow staff to provide clearer notice to the public and avoid the administrative burden of responding to a potential Open Meetings Act complaint. Opponents of delay were not recorded as forcing a vote to proceed.

The council will reconsider the resolution at its first meeting in January; no formal vote on the substance of the charter amendment occurred at this session.