Council approves grant applications, engineering work, property acquisition and airport lease

At the Nov. 25 meeting the council approved several administrative and operational items:

- Letter of support: Council approved a letter of support for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the San Domingo Creek Park Environmental Enhancement Project (no county funds required).

- Maryland Energy Administration grant: Council authorized staff to apply for $1,825,101 from the Maryland Energy Administration’s Local Government Energy Modernization program to support energy upgrades at county facilities; the request requires a 10% local match of $182,510.10, and the finance office confirmed available FY26 funds for the match.

- Dehumidifier engineering: Council approved piggybacking a Wicomico County contract with Electrical Automation Services Inc. for engineering work estimated at $45,100 to design replacement dehumidifier systems for the Talbot County Community Center, ice rink and curling rink.

- Property acquisition (Goldberg Neck Road): Council approved the purchase/easement of roughly 13,333 sq ft at 9002 Goldberg Neck Road to advance road and intersection safety improvements; staff described using a recent appraisal and offering a modest additional payment in lieu of commissioning a new appraisal. The roll call recorded one nay on the motion.

- Airport farmland lease: The council approved awarding the farmland lease bid to the incumbent, Edward Rowe, at $8,600 per crop season for the next three years.

Votes on each item were recorded by roll call where applicable; staff said funding and procurement procedures will be followed in subsequent implementation.