Commission recommends Federalsburg sewer-service map amendment so homeowner can connect to town system

Caroline County planning staff on March 2026 asked the Planning Commission to recommend a map amendment to the comprehensive water and sewer plan so the town of Federalsburg can connect one property on Old Denton Road to its sewer system.

Leslie Grundon of the county Department of Planning and Codes said the property is just outside Federalsburg town limits and that the health department determined the existing septic cannot support planned renovations (an added laundry room, half bath and a second-floor bedroom were cited). Because Federalsburg’s sewer main is already adjacent to the town boundary, staff said the work would likely consist of a short lateral rather than a major main extension.

Grundon told commissioners the town has capacity to accept the connection and that the change from an S3 timing category (immediate priority) to S1 (existing service) is consistent with county goals for supporting housing improvements and protecting water quality. She also noted the homeowner could be eligible for Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) grant assistance, but BRF grants require decommissioning the existing septic (remove/tank crush or fill with cement) as a condition of funding.

Commissioners asked whether the map graphic indicated multiple parcels and staff explained overlapping map layers made the parcel appear larger in the exhibits; staff clarified it is only one parcel directly adjacent to town sewer. A motion to recommend the timing-category change and forward the amendment to the county commissioners for their public hearing passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: the county commissioners will hold a public hearing on the map amendment and may adopt the timing-category change and map revision.