Rising Sun approves annexation agreement to enable water service to Southern States property; resolution introduced

The Mayor and Commissioners of Rising Sun voted to approve an annexation agreement to allow the extension of public water service to the Southern States Cooperative parcel at 881 Telegraph Road, the town administrator said. The agreement is a contractual step in a long-running effort — the board discussed work dating back to February 2010 — to provide water to properties tied to a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) consent order.

Town Attorney told the board the annexation agreement itself does not complete an annexation but serves as the contractual foundation for subsequent steps. He said the formal annexation resolution introduced at the meeting will start the statutory clock: the town must provide public notice, allow for state review and hold a public hearing before returning to the board for adoption.

The board’s action tonight approved the agreement and a later motion approved introduction of Resolution 2022‑18A to begin the annexation notice and review process. The town attorney explained to commissioners that the MDE consent decree, stemming from an environmental violation around 2008–2009, can only be addressed if the property can access public water — which is why the annexation is being pursued.

Town officials did not record roll-call vote counts in the transcript; meeting minutes show the motion was moved, seconded and accepted. Next steps include the required advertisements and public hearing(s) set by state and local procedures. Officials said additional legal and infrastructure agreements remain to be finalized before any lots are formally annexed.

The annexation discussion included examination of the property exhibits and the attorney’s advice on the timeline and state review requirements. Officials said adjacent parcels under the same consent order may require future annexations once the current effort is complete.