Dorchester County Council approves sale of 3 Cedar Street, awards boiler contract and clears consent agenda

The Dorchester County Council voted unanimously on Nov. 4, 2025, to proceed with the sale of county-owned property at 3 Cedar Street in Cambridge to Twenty-Nine Corporation for $1.2 million and approved a series of other actions on a consent agenda and during open session.

The sale was approved after a public hearing during which no members of the public spoke. The motion to proceed was made by Councilman Ricky C. Travers and seconded by Councilman Rob Kramer, Jr.; the roll call vote was recorded as George L. Pfeffer, Jr. — aye; Mike Detmer — aye; Rob Kramer, Jr. — aye; William V. Nichols — aye; and Ricky C. Travers — aye. County Attorney Charles MacLeod noted the purchaser is the current tenant and that the lease contains a first right of refusal clause.

Why it matters: the property disposition shifts an owned county asset into private ownership for the noted purchase price and may affect downtown property use and tax base; the Council recorded the decision in the open minutes and documented the statutory basis for earlier closed-session discussion about the property.

In other formal actions, the Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda (motion by Councilman Travers, seconded by Councilman Kramer). Consent items included approval of the Oct. 21, 2025 open session minutes; the accounts payable disbursement report for the week ending Oct. 31, 2025; adoption of meeting schedules for quarters 3 and 4 of FY2026; the FY2027 budget adoption schedule; lease renewals for Gootee's Marine, Inc. (boat ramp lease renewed for an additional 25-year term) and for the State of Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (Room 209 lease renewed for an additional five-year term); and an Eastern Shore Innovation Center memorandum of understanding allowing Fire Risk & Alliance, LLC temporary use of office suite 18 from Nov. 1, 2025 to Oct. 31, 2026 at no rental charge while their facility is under construction.

The Council also approved several standalone action items. Public Works Director Matt Ozman requested award of the Dorchester County Dog Control Boiler Replacement contract; on a motion by Councilman Detmer, seconded by Councilman Kramer, the Council unanimously awarded the project to Modern Controls, the only completed bidder, at a cost of $26,300 to be paid from the Dog Control FY2026 Operating Budget. The Council authorized the County's Solid Waste Division to advertise a request for proposals for litter removal services at the landfill (30-month as-needed basis), approved board appointments (reappointment of Jerome Stanley to the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board; appointment of Erick Windsor to BZA District 5 and James Crist to fill an unexpired District 4 term), and agreed to implement a Recruitment and Retention Plan for Emergency Medical Services following recommendations from County Manager Jerry Jones, Human Resources Director Kristin Budd and EMS Chief Debbie Wheedleton.

The Council also confirmed, by poll and a recorded 5-0 vote, interim support for a $3.5 million FY2027 Governor's Capital Budget Request submitted by the City of Cambridge in partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Corporation and the Residences at River Marsh Homeowners Association for bridge improvements.

What happens next: the sale of 3 Cedar Street will proceed consistent with the purchaser's lease rights and county closing procedures; board appointments take effect as noted in the minutes; procurement and RFP steps described will follow county procurement rules and advertised timelines.

At the end of the meeting, the Council adjourned at 7:26 p.m.