Trappe adopts $645,000 line of credit to fund wastewater ENR upgrade, opts for underground power line

The Trappe Town Council on Jan. 7 adopted Ordinance 7-2025, authorizing a $645,000 line of credit promissory note with Shore United Bank, N.A. to provide interim financing for design and construction of an enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) upgrade to the town's wastewater treatment plant. The ordinance specifies the loan is to be repaid with grant funds from the Maryland Department of the Environment and that the town will pledge its full faith and credit toward repayment. Commissioner Walter Chase moved to adopt the ordinance; Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded and the motion passed unanimously (Schmidt, Sullivan, Newnam, Chase ' yes).

The council then heard an ENR project update from Dan String of KCI. String said "the design phase of this project is approaching 90% completion and should be going to MDE for their review soon." He told the council the site's existing electric supply is inadequate for the upgrade and presented two routing options for new three-phase service: an overhead route following the right-of-way with estimated costs between $750,000 and $1,000,000, or an underground route that would require an easement from Talbot County to access the Home Run Baker property and an estimated $108,000 payment to Delmarva Power (the cost excludes conduit installation). String said the electrical expense "should be covered under the MDE grant as a fully eligible expense."

Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan said she has contacted Talbot County, which asked KCI to prepare an easement exhibit for the county's review; the exhibit will need approval from the County Parks Board and Talbot County Council before an underground route can proceed. After discussion, Commissioner Michael Sullivan moved to pursue the underground electrical option; Commissioner Walter Chase seconded. The council voted unanimously to proceed (Schmidt, Sullivan, Newnam, Chase ' yes).

Next steps include submission of the ENR design to the Maryland Department of the Environment for review, preparation of an easement exhibit for Talbot County consideration, and coordination with Delmarva Power on underground service and conduit costs. Financial responsibility for the $645,000 interim financing will be secured by the town's full faith and credit and is expected to be repaid with MDE grant funds, per the ordinance language.

The council took the votes during the meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m. and adjourned at 6:47 p.m.