County Commissioner Meeting Wrap Up - October 27

The Tuesday, October 27th meeting began at 2:00 p.m. at the Liberty Building with the Annual Maryland Consolidated Transportation Plan Tour and the Legislative Initiatives discussion with the Eastern Shore Delegation.

The 2026 MDOT priority letter from the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary outlined transportation priorities for inclusion in the 2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation Plan as follows: 

1. Immediately design and construct safety improvements at US 301 & MD 405 intersection
2. Expedite the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Tier II NEPA and start engineering and design. 
3. Plan for future widening of US 50/301 corridor from Cox Creek to Queenstown
4. Continue and expand our successful partnership with SHA for Ramp Management Program on Kent Island
5. Construct improvements in the MD 18 corridor from Castle Marina Road to Kent Narrows
6. Support planning, design and engineering for a pedestrian overpass to connect the Cross Island Trail with the South Island Trail 
7. Support efforts to expand our bicycle and pedestrian network 
8. Construct the US 50 & MD 213 interchange
9. Continued support of our local transit efforts 
10. Support Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry 
11. Support regional coordination for transportation projects
12. Support Queen Anne’s County Rail Rehabilitation identified in the Maryland State Rail Plan

The County Commissioners met with the Eastern Shore Delegation to discuss the following 2027 legislative initiatives and FY 2028 State budget priorities: 

2027 LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES:  

1. Automated Camera Enforcement of Red X Lanes at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
2. 405/301 Automated Speed Monitoring
3. Performing Arts Non-Profit Organization Beer and Wine License 

FY 2028 BUDGET PRIORITIES:

1. Maintain the existing FY 27 & FY 28 State Funding for the new Queen Anne’s County Detention Center to replace the existing antiquated facility. 
2. Provide funding for engineering, design and construction of safety improvements at the intersection of US 301 and MD 405. 
3. Capital Funding for Board of Education Projects – Centreville Middle School 
4. Expansion of the US 50/301 Ramp Management Program
5. Mental Health Priorities

The regular meeting was held at Crumpton Volunteer Fire Department and began at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session for Land Acquisition and Personnel. 

1. Resolution No. 26-16 – Board of Education Salaries

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING COMPENSATION OF THE QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 

WHEREAS, §3-10A-04 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland establishes annual compensation for the President and other voting members of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, §3-10A-04(c) expressly authorizes the County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County to increase the annual salary of the County Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, the County Commissioners have reviewed the compensation currently provided to elected members of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education and desire to establish a revised compensation schedule, together with a modest automatic annual increase, that will take effect uniformly for all elected voting members following the 2028 general election; and

WHEREAS, Article III, §35 of the Maryland Constitution generally prohibits the salary or compensation of a public officer from being increased or diminished during the officer’s existing term of office;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND, THAT:

1. Effective December 4, 2028, the annual compensation for the President of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education shall be $6,000.

2. Effective December 4, 2028, the annual compensation for each other voting member of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education shall be $5,500.

3. Beginning July 1, 2029, and on each July 1 thereafter, the compensation amounts established by this Resolution shall automatically increase by two percent over the amounts in effect immediately prior to that July 1, rounded to the nearest whole dollar. These automatic increases are fixed and authorized in advance and shall not require further discretionary approval by the County Commissioners.

4. The compensation schedule established by this Resolution shall not take effect before December 4, 2028, the first Monday in December following the 2028 general election. On that date, all elected voting members of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education shall receive compensation at the same applicable rate established by this Resolution.

5. Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to increase or diminish the salary or compensation of any Board member in violation of Article III, §35 of the Maryland Constitution. The compensation amounts and automatic annual increases provided herein are established and authorized in advance of their effective dates.

6. The statutory reimbursement available to Board members for travel and other expenses pursuant to §3-10A-04(b) of the Education Article is not modified by this Resolution.

7. The County Administrator, County Finance Officer, and other appropriate County and Board of Education officials are authorized to take such administrative and budgetary actions as may be necessary to implement this Resolution.

ADOPTED this 27th day of October 2026.

The Board unanimously agreed to adopt Resolution No. 26-16.

APPROVED 5-0 

LEGISLATION

1. Public Hearing 5:40 pm - Citizen Sponsored Text Amendment County Ordinance No. 26-05 Supplemental Standards For Gas Station - Amendment No. 1 

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met.  

AN AMENDMENT TO A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Supplemental Standards for Gas Stations to Include Fuel Pumps, Underground Fuel Storage Tanks and Islands, and Canopies in Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE OF amending pending County Ordinance No. 26-05 to allow the Board of Appeals to grant a variance permitting the distance between an exit/entrance to a gas station to any intersection to be no less than 75 feet. 

The record will remain open for two weeks.  

2. Public Hearing 5:45 pm - Citizen Sponsored Text Amendment County Ordinance No. 26-06 Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio in the Suburban Commercial (SC) District - Amendment No. 1

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met.  

AN AMENDMENT TO A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING An Increase to the Maximum Impervious Surface Ratio for Commercial and Industrial Uses in the Suburban Commercial (SC) District Which Were in Operation Prior to December 31, 2025, in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland; FOR THE PURPOSE of amending County Ordinance No. 26-06 to increase the maximum impervious surface ration for all uses in the Suburban Commercial (SC) Zoning District, from 0.45 (45%) to 0.65 (65%); BY AMENDING pending County Ordinance No. 26-06. 

The record will remain open for two weeks. 

3. Public Hearing 5:50 pm - Citizen Sponsored Text Amendment County Ordinance No. 26-09 Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Open Space Administrative Subdivision - Amendment No. 1

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met.  

AN ACT CONCERNING Amendments to the Transfer Development Rights (TDR) Standards in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland; FOR THE PURPOSE OF amending pending County Ordinance No. 26-09 to further restrict the allowable uses in Open Space which has been administratively subdivided under other provisions of this legislation. BY AMENDING Section 18:1-12 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County. 

The record will remain open for two weeks.  

4. Public Hearing 5:55 pm - Merganser Drive Improvement Project Special Benefit Tax Assessment Private to Public Road

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met.  

An Informational meeting was held on May 20th at the Crumpton VFD Firehouse to present and review the proposed Merganser Drive Improvement Special Benefit Tax Assessment project with property owners and community members. The Merganser Drive project totals 2,090 ft extending from Double Creek Point Road to 304 Merganser Drive and includes 34 properties. The total estimated cost of the improvement project is $150,000 equating to a cost per owner of $4,412 with a twenty (20) year annual payment of $311. Of the 34 properties, a total of sixteen (16) provided their view of the project proposal. The majority voting in-favor of holding a public hearing with ten (10) for and six (6) opposing the project. The next step in the special assessment process is to schedule a public hearing.  

The record will remain open for two weeks. 

5. Public Hearing 6:00 pm - 2026 Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan (CWSP) – Adoption 

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met.  

The intent to for this public hearing is its adoption on November 10th. The Plan was presented to the Planning Commission on September 10th and as a result they forwarded a recommendation to adopt. This update of the Comprehensive Water & Sewerage Plan has three primary goals. They are to inventory existing and planned developments, to identify and address the water supply and sewerage treatment problem areas as identified by the County’s professional staff, and to accommodate future growth in ways consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. 

No Public Comment has been received or given. 

The record will remain open for two weeks. 

6. Public Hearing 6:05 pm - Citizen Sponsored Text Amendment County Ordinance No. 26-10 Noncontiguous Development (NCD) Open Space Administrative Subdivision – 

Amendment No. 1 

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met. 

AN AMENDMENT TO A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Amendments to the Noncontiguous Development (NCD) Standards in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. FOR THE PURPOSE OF amending pending County Ordinance No. 26-10 to further restrict the allowable uses in Open Space, which has been administratively subdivided under other provisions of this Ordinance. BY AMENDING Section 18:1-12 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. 

The record will remain open for two weeks. 

7. Public Hearing 6:10 pm - Commissioner’s Sponsored Text Amendment County Ordinance No. 26-14 Cottage Industry 

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met.  

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Cottage Industries in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland; FOR THE PURPOSE OF defining, providing for, and regulating Cottage Industry in Queen Anne’s County; defining “Artisan Shop” and “Cottage Industry”; providing for Minor Site Plans for Cottage Industries; permitting Cottage Industry as a use in the Agricultural (AG) District; providing supplemental standards and regulations for screening of materials necessary for Cottage Industries, uses appropriate or inappropriate, minimum lot size, setbacks, outdoor storage, parking, loading, number of employees, signage, refuse collection, and hours of operation; and generally dealing with and regulating Cottage Industry in Queen Anne’s County; 

The record will remain open for two weeks.  

8. Public Hearing 6:15 pm- Planning Commission Sponsored Text Amendment County Ordinance No. 26-15 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) 

Ms. Crystal Richard conducted the hearing on behalf of the Commissioners and noted all legal requirements had been met. 

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING Accessory Dwelling Units in Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE OF defining “Accessory Dwelling Unit;” providing for such Dwelling Units as an accessory to single-family dwelling units; providing setbacks, building height and size limitations in relation to the principal dwelling; requiring compliance with certain Critical Area regulations if located in a Resource Conservation Area; requiring adequate sewage disposal; providing for parking requirements and possible waiver or modification of such parking requirements by the Planning Director; and generally addressing, providing for, and regulating Accessory Dwelling Units in Queen Anne’s County to be in compliance with Maryland Land Use Article §4-501 through § 4-504. BY ADDING a definition to Chapter 18App – Appendix A: Glossary and REPEALING and REPLACING §18:1-48 of the Code of Public Local Laws in Queen Anne’s County.

The record will remain open for two weeks. 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

1. Request for Sewer and Water Allocation – The Courtyards at Nesbit

Mr. Alan Quimby, Director, Department of Public Works, submitted to the Board for their approval the Request for Sewer and Water Allocation – The Courtyards at Nesbit. 

Brent Paquin (dba The Courtyards at Nesbit) is the contract purchaser of a 4.2-acre vacant parcel located on Shoreway Drive (adjacent to the Queenstown Assisted Living facility off Nesbit Road). The developer proposes to construct a residential development consisting of 46 townhomes. The site holds 125-gpd of allocation and will require an additional 11,375-gpd of water and sewer allocation. The cost of the allocation, at 2026 rates, is $737,100.

The Board agreed to grant 11,375-gpd of sewer and water allocation to Brent Paquin for his proposed 46-unit residential development at a cost of $737,100 for which a 10% non-refundable* deposit will be required within 30 calendar days. 

APPROVED 4-1 

2. Sudlersville Skeet Club New Club House Funding Request 

Mr. Shane Moore, Chief Roads Engineer, Department of Public Works, submitted to the Board for their approval the Sudlersville Skeet Club New Club House Funding Request.

The Sudlersville Skeet Club, with a mission to “further the youth and adult shooting sports, teach and promote safety and to enhance outdoor and hunter safety” is seeking assistance in funding their club house replacement capital project. The total cost of the proposed project is estimated at $330,000 with $150,000 received and pledged. The Sudlersville Skeet Club formally requested the County to fund the remaining balance of $180,000. 

The Board unanimously agreed to provide $180,000 in funds to the Sudlersville Skeet Club “New Club House and Capital Improvements Project”.

APPROVED 5-0 

ACTION ITEMS

1. Proclamation No. 26-29 – White Cane Awareness Day

Commissioner Wilson read Proclamation No. 26-29 – White Cane Awareness Day. 

WHEREAS, the white cane, which every blind citizen of our county has the right to carry, demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to achieve a full and independent life and the capacity to work productively in competitive employment; and

WHEREAS, the white cane, by allowing every blind person to move freely and safely from place to place, makes it possible for the blind to fully participate in and contribute to our society and to live the lives they want; and

WHEREAS, every citizen should be aware that the law requires that motorists and cyclists exercise appropriate caution when approaching a blind person carrying a white cane; and

WHEREAS, Maryland law also calls upon employers, both public and private, to be aware of and utilize the employment skills of our blind citizens by recognizing their worth as individuals and their productive capacities; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maryland, through its public agencies and with the cooperative assistance of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, can and should facilitate the expansion of employment opportunities for and greater acceptance of blind persons in the competitive labor market:

NOW THEREFORE, WE, THE QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS do hereby proclaim October 15, 2026, as White Cane Awareness Day in Queen Anne’s County and do call upon our schools, colleges, and universities to offer full opportunities for training to blind persons; upon employers and the public to utilize the available skills of competent blind persons and to open new opportunities for the blind in our rapidly changing society; and upon all citizens to recognize the white cane as a tool of independence for blind pedestrians on our streets and highways.

2. Centreville Christmas Town USA Funding Request

The Town of Centreville is seeking “seed investment” donations for holiday decorations for the town. A one-time investment will allow Centreville to purchase quality commercial-grade holiday decorations that can be stored, reused and expanded upon for many years. Decorations are to include, garland and greenery, traditional wreaths and bows, commercial grade warm white lighting, historic inspired accents and signature downtown elements. This will give a welcoming holiday experience that reflects the character and charm of our historic town. The decorations will take the holiday theme to the next level for the 250th.

The Board unanimously agreed to approve funding in the amount of $15,000 to the Town of Centreville for Christmas Town USA/holiday decorations.

APPROVED 5-0 

3. Kennard Gala Celebration

The Kennard Gala Celebration will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The program is seeking sponsorship funding to support programs and scholarships.

The Board unanimously agreed to sponsor the Kennard Gala in the amount of $1,000 to support their programs and scholarship programs.

APPROVED 5-0 

INFORMATIONAL 

1. 2026 Annual MDOT Tour Meeting – FY2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation 

Plan

2. Eastern Shore Delegation Discussion – 2027 Legislative Initiatives
3. Proclamation No. 26-30 Mary Margaret Goodwin
4. Wye River Upper School Thank You Letter
5. Queen Anne’s County Veterans Committee Thank You Letter
6. Compass Regional Hospice Thank You Letter 
7. Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. Adjacent Property Owners Notification Form 
8. Kent Island High School Letter – Mr. Mullen – Adam R.
9. Kent Island High School Letter – Mr. Mullen – Ashley H.
10. Kent Island High School Letter – Mr. Mullen – Brynn B.

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