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Trappe Council adopts new employee handbook, approves apprenticeship program and green-space contracting
Summary
The Trappe Town Council on March 4 adopted a new employee handbook, voted to join an MD Rural Water Association apprenticeship program for water and wastewater operators, awarded a $2,950 drainage repair contract for Maple Avenue, and authorized a revised landscape services RFP to go out to bid.
Trappe Town Council on March 4 adopted a new employee handbook and approved several operational moves aimed at workforce development and local maintenance.
The council voted 4-1 to adopt Resolution 1-2026, which repeals the prior Town Employee Handbook and adopts a new handbook dated March 4, 2026. Commissioner Michael Sullivan moved to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Walter Chase seconded. Commissioner Brian Schmidt voted no; Commissioners Sullivan, Rose Potter, President Newnam and Chase voted yes.
The council also unanimously approved entering the MD Rural Water Association Apprenticeship program for both water and wastewater tracks after a presentation from Patty Shreves of the MD Rural Water Association. Shreves described the program as a "2 year program with on the job training" for apprentices to receive their water operator license; she said grant funding will cover required coursework and some supplemental services, and that the water and wastewater tracks cannot be completed simultaneously.
On infrastructure, the council addressed a drainage problem affecting a property on Maple Avenue. Resident Bobby Quidas reported ongoing issues; the town presented two repair quotes and voted to accept Apex Grading and Landscaping's $2,950 proposal for immediate repair work (road repairs to be scheduled later). The motion to accept Apex's quote was made by President Newnam and seconded by Commissioner Chase and carried unanimously.
Finally, the council authorized staff to issue a revised grass-cutting and landscape services RFP that adds Town Hall services, leaf removal for town properties, increases mulching to twice yearly, and requests alternate pricing showing contractor-supplied versus town-supplied materials. Commissioner Walter Chase moved to put the revised RFP out to bid, President Newnam seconded, and the motion was adopted unanimously.
The actions pair personnel and operations decisions that town officials said are intended to strengthen services while using grant resources where available. The handbook adoption takes immediate effect per the language read into the record; detailed implementation tasks were not specified during the meeting.
