Trappe council adopts $645,000 interim loan for wastewater ENR upgrade, votes to run electrical line underground

Trappe — The Trappe Town Council on Jan. 7 adopted Ordinance 7-2025, authorizing a $645,000 line-of-credit promissory note with Shore United Bank to provide interim financing for the design and construction of an upgraded Town of Trappe wastewater treatment plant for enhanced nutrient removal (ENR). The loan is intended to be repaid with grant funds from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The council then considered electrical-service options for the ENR project after KCI representative Dan String reported the design phase is nearing completion and will be submitted to MDE for review. "The design phase of this project is approaching 90% completion and should be going to MDE for their review soon," String said. He told the council KCI identified two ways to bring three-phase service to the plant: 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 approximate charge of $108,000 to Delmarva Power, excluding conduit installation.

String said the underground option "should be covered under the MDE grant as a fully eligible expense." Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan said she has contacted the county and that Talbot County has requested KCI prepare an easement exhibit; the exhibit will need review by the County Parks Board and approval by the Talbot County Council.

After discussion about cost and permitting implications, Commissioner Michael Sullivan moved to proceed with the underground electrical option; Commissioner Walter Chase seconded and the motion passed unanimously (Schmidt, Sullivan, Newnam, Chase — yes). The council recorded the decision as part of the ENR project planning.

The meeting also approved a one-year extension of the town's superintendent services contract with Livingston Septic at the same price. Town Administrator Erin Braband told the council the current contract expires at the end of January and that Livingston had offered the extension; President Nick Newnam moved to approve the extension and the council voted unanimously in favor.

During public comment resident Brian Endzel asked how a property currently on septic but inside town limits could connect to sewer if the septic failed. Attorney Ryan said the property owner would be financially responsible to run the sewer main from the nearest endpoint and that septic questions fall to the Talbot County Health Department.

Next steps: KCI expects to submit the ENR design to the Maryland Department of the Environment for review; the town will work with Talbot County on an easement exhibit and seek the county boards' necessary approvals before underground service work can proceed.