Trappe council adopts new employee handbook, joins MD Rural Water apprenticeship program and OKs drainage fix

At a March 4, 2026 meeting, the Trappe Town Council adopted a new town employee handbook, agreed to enroll in the MD Rural Water Association apprenticeship program for water and wastewater, and approved several procurement and billing actions affecting town residents.

President Newnam called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The council — Commissioner Brian Schmidt, Commissioner Michael Sullivan, Commissioner Rose Potter and Commissioner Walter Chase — and Town Administrator Erin Braband were present.

The council voted 4–1 to adopt Resolution 1‑2026, which repeals the prior Town of Trappe Employee Handbook and adopts a new handbook dated March 4, 2026. Commissioner Michael Sullivan moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Walter Chase seconded. Commissioner Brian Schmidt cast the lone dissenting vote.

The council heard a presentation from Patty Shreves of the MD Rural Water Association about a two‑year apprenticeship program that combines on‑the‑job training with classroom coursework to prepare operators for water‑operator licensing. Shreves told the council that MD Rural Water has grant funding to pay required coursework and some supplemental services; the association’s water and wastewater apprenticeships cannot be run simultaneously. After discussion, President Newnam moved that the town enter the apprenticeship program for both water and wastewater; Commissioner Walter Chase seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Property owner Bobby Quidas raised a recurring drainage problem on Maple Avenue. Council members reviewed two contractor quotes — Apex Grading and Landscaping for $2,950 and Good Life Property Management for $3,475 — and voted to accept the Apex Grading quote, with roadway repairs to be addressed later.

A noise complaint from resident Jason McDermott generated discussion. McDermott questioned a noise‑violation notice related to his dump truck and said the council had previously declined enforcement in 2023; President Newnam said the town had since received complaints from two neighbors and reminded the council that the town noise ordinance is in effect from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The council agreed to a temporary compromise allowing McDermott until Monday, March 9, to relocate the truck before enforcement resumes.

During public comment, resident Mr. Ramirez asked the council for relief after a large water bill caused by a busted pipe beneath his home. Town Administrator Erin Braband said the town’s leak‑credit policy requires repairs by a licensed plumber and that Ramirez had made the repair himself, which precluded an automatic credit. Commissioner Brian Schmidt moved to create a payment plan of three payments of $736.10 in addition to Ramirez’s regular monthly bill, with the first payment required to restore service and the plan to be paid off by June 1; President Newnam seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.

Administrator Braband also presented revisions staff requested for the grass‑cutting and landscape services RFP, including adding Town Hall services, townwide leaf removal, increasing mulch to twice annually, and an optional materials pricing line; the council voted unanimously to issue the revised RFP to bid.

The council approved procedural votes earlier on minutes and an agenda amendment to move a job‑description discussion into executive session. Commissioner Rose Potter moved to enter executive session at 7:33 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter; the council reconvened at 7:56 p.m. and adjourned the meeting the same minute.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 1‑2026 (employee handbook) — adopted 4–1; Enter MD Rural Water Association Apprenticeship program — approved unanimously; Maple Avenue drainage contract to Apex Grading ($2,950) — approved unanimously; Grass‑cutting/landscape RFP with staff revisions — approved unanimously; Payment plan for Mr. Ramirez (three payments of $736.10 plus monthly bill, payoff by June 1) — approved unanimously. Minutes and agenda amendment motions were also approved unanimously earlier in the meeting.

The council did not specify an implementation timeline for the employee handbook beyond adoption; several items (road repairs related to the drainage work and the job‑description discussion) were deferred for later action or executive session. The town’s Clerk’s report and the monthly public‑works and public‑safety reports were filed with town records.