Dorchester Council Approves Jetty Engineering, Rails-to-Trails Planning, ARPA Reallocation and Bond Counsel Engagement

At its May 14 meeting the Dorchester County Council approved a package of public-works and infrastructure items, including a DNR-funded engineering award, ARPA reallocation, rails-to-trails planning, and legal services for sanitary district financing.

The Council approved awarding engineering services for the Elliott Island jetty replacement to George, Miles & Buhr, LLC at a cost of $30,390, funded by a Department of Natural Resources Waterway Improvement Fund grant. Public Works Director Dave Edwards also asked the Council to reallocate $64,953.63 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds—left over after Hambrooks Boulevard repairs—for future infrastructure repairs or paving; the Council approved that reallocation.

The Council authorized a sole-source contract with Lane Engineering, LLC for engineering design services for the Rails to Trails project (Washington Street to Woods Road) at a cost of $75,000 to be funded from unspent Woods Road project funds; the minutes note Woods Road has a remaining balance of $398,542 and that Economic Development obtained Department of Commerce approval to use unspent funds for Rails to Trails planning. The Council also approved an engagement letter from Funk & Bolton, P.A. for bond counsel services related to disbanding the Sanitary District and MD Water Infrastructure Financing Administration loans for the McKeil Point No. 1 project.

The Council agreed to one-year Memorandums of Understanding (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) with volunteer fire companies (Eldorado Brookview, Hurlock, Madison) for housing Advanced Life Support units and staff; terms were unchanged from the prior year.