BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the passing of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

“Justice Sandra Day O’Connor broke the glass ceiling when she became the first woman confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, as the 102th Justice. Justice O’Connor experienced gender discrimination firsthand when she received job offers only to be a legal secretary after graduating with high honors from Stanford Law School. The nine-member Court now has four women, and our federal judiciary has become more diverse in no small part due to Justice O’Connor trailblazing career.

“Justice O’Connor demonstrated a remarkable ability to bring solid majorities of the Supreme Court together on some of the most controversial issues of the day. Her experience as a state legislator and judge in Arizona helped to inform her opinions on reproductive freedom, affirmative action, and equal rights for all Americans. Her jurisprudence will stand the test of time in the finest traditions of the Court in her nearly quarter-century of service as a justice. After stepping down from the Court, Justice O’Connor continued her public service as a strong advocate for the independence of the judiciary, civil discourse, and in the fight against dementia, which both Justice O’Connor and her husband suffered from for many years.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Justice O’Connor’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is issuing this request for proposals (RFP) to elicit bids from qualified organizations to expand Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Center (BHCSC) services in St. Mary’s County and Charles County. This
RFP is designed to implement and/or expand on crisis stabilization services to provide short-term (under  24 hours) observation and crisis stabilization services to all referrals in a home-like, non-hospital environment.

To apply for this RFP, an organization must:

• Build out services and infrastructure with a focus on attaining the BHCSC level of service based on elements listed throughout this RFP and as laid out in COMAR 10.63 and 10.09.16.

The deadline for submission of proposals is December 15, 2023.  For more information or to submit a proposal for this request, please visit smchd.org/rfp.

NAS Patuxent River will perform road work on Shaw Road in the vicinity of Gate 3 the week of Dec. 4, 2023. Road work is weather permitting, but is only expected to take one day to complete.  

Gate 3 will remain open for normal operations (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-9a.m.) during the road work. Should this change, the impacts will be communicated prior to work.  

The Calvert County Department of Public Works advises citizens that crews will temporarily close a section of Williams Street in Solomons for roadway repairs early next week. The area of Williams Street between Charles Street and the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory will be closed Monday, Dec. 4 and Tuesday Dec. 5, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The partial closure could extend past Tuesday depending on weather conditions.

Drivers are asked to stay alert, slow down and watch for driving pattern changes. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve the county’s infrastructure.

For more information, contact the Calvert County Department of Public Works at 410-535-2204 or email Public.Works@CalvertCountymd.gov.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

In comments submitted Thursday, Comptroller Brooke Lierman shared her concerns with Janet Yellen, Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury, about proposed amendments to the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 that would hamper states’ access to the Treasury’s $39 billion in mature unredeemed savings bonds in Unclaimed Property.

The 2022 SECURE 2.0 Act requires the Treasury to provide states with the information necessary to redeem abandoned bonds and use that information to reunite bond owners with their money. The U.S. Department of Treasury issued proposed rules on October 31, 2023, which provide that the applicable savings bond information cannot be used to escheat bond ownership to state. The public comment period for the proposed rules closed on November 30, 2023.  
  
In her submitted comments, the Comptroller noted that many states, including Maryland, have well-established programs that are effective at reuniting citizens with their unclaimed funds. 
 
“Here in Maryland, our unclaimed property program uses a range of strategies to help reunite people with their property, including year-round outreach to the community, quarterly mailings, and data matching, and we have a 40-person team solely dedicated to claims processing, Comptroller Lierman said. “And, our program has yielded results with $1.3 billion in funds being returned to rightful owners since its inception.”  

Rather than leveraging these existing state resources and programs, the Treasury Department’s proposal would prevent states from playing a sufficiently active role in the claims servicing process. She urged the removal of restrictions requiring sole reliance on the Treasury Department’s redemption processes and allowing states to continue to support the servicing of claims.

The Comptroller also expressed concern about the proposal’s prohibition on releasing information to the public without express written approval, which would place an increased administrative burden on state agencies while also preventing them from using proven and trusted reunification and fraud prevention tools and heightening costs associated with potential misuse, distribution, or inadequate protection of records. The stringent conditions could act as deterrents, limit state participation, and undermine the intended purpose of returning mature savings bonds to their owner or heirs.

Supporting the Comptroller in raising these points is the director of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).
 
“I welcome the support of the Maryland Comptroller who joins our organization in expressing concern regarding these regulations, which do not allow states to effectively utilize their proven and secure systems to assist in returning more than $39 billion in matured unredeemed savings bonds to the rightful owners,” said Jeremy Dawson, NAUPA’s director.

Lastly, the Comptroller said the absence of a title escheatment process or accompanying fund remittance also hinders available state resources to provide enhanced outreach efforts beyond currently established efforts.

“I strongly urge the Treasury Department to reconsider the proposed rule and incorporate changes that address the above issues. Specifically, defining a clear claim servicing role for states and more flexibility with data usage will significantly enhance the likelihood of successful participation,” concluded Comptroller Lierman. 

The full comments can be found at https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/unclaimed-property/static_files/MD-Savings-Bond-Federal-Comment.pdf.

On Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, around 7:05 a.m., deputies from the Calvert County Patrol Bureau responded to the report of a shooting on Sark Court in Prince Frederick. Deputies arrived on scene and located a juvenile male suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim was flown to an area trauma center in stable condition. Witnesses on the scene advised a masked male suspect was seen leaving the area in a black SUV. 
 
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and have assumed the investigation.  This does not appear to be a random act.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. J. Buck at Joshua.Buck@calvertcountymd.gov or (410) 535-2800 ext. 2765. Please reference case #23-85460. Citizens may remain anonymous through the ‘Submit a Tip’ feature on the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office mobile app. To download, visit https://apps.myocv.com/share/a39520678 . Tipsters may also email ccsotips@calvertcountymd.gov.

The investigation is ongoing. 

vestigation is ongoing. 

PHILADELPHIA – Do you know how to be #WinterReady? As winter settles in and we celebrate the holiday season, FEMA Region 3 is joining in on the spirit of fellowship and care by urging individuals and communities to prioritize your winter weather safety and preparedness.

The festive season brings joy and celebration, but it also comes with unique challenges, especially in colder climates. From navigating icy sidewalks to preparing for winter storms, here are some essential and practical tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season:

1. Create a Winter Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit containing essential supplies, including blankets, non-perishable food, water, medications, and a flashlight for your home. Keep essential supplies in your car as well, including food and water, a shovel, windshield scraper, blankets, tow chains, reflectors, and other supplies, in case you become stranded.
2. Develop an Emergency Plan: Establish a clear and concise communications plan with your loved ones so you know how to get in touch in an emergency. Before a winter storm or drop in temperatures, check in on your neighbors and friends, especially older adults or others who may have unique needs, to help them prepare.
3. Stay Informed: Keep abreast of local weather forecasts and official alerts. Stay informed about any advisories, watches, or warnings issued by authorities. This information is critical for making timely and informed decisions during severe weather events.
4. Protect Your Home: Winterize your home by insulating pipes, sealing drafts, and checking heating systems. Home heating is the second leading cause of home fires, and winter is when most home fires happen, so ensure that heating sources are in good working condition. Taking these precautions can prevent damage and ensure a warm and safe living environment.
5. Practice Safe Driving: If travel is necessary during adverse weather conditions, drive cautiously. It takes longer to slow down and stop on icy roads, so increase your following distance from 3-4 seconds to 5-6 seconds. Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle and be aware of road conditions.

As you're preparing this winter, follow along with FEMA’s #WinterReady campaign and FEMA Region 3 on X, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor, as we share more preparedness tips and resources.

We also invite you to join us for a free family-friendly holiday-themed webinar on Tuesday, December 12^th at 3:30pm on Zoom. This webinar will be focused on sharing winter, holiday, and home fire safety tips, to help foster a safer and healthier environment for everyone. This fireside virtual event will intertwine the joy and peace of the holidays with safety and preparation. 

Register here for the one of a kind "A Partridge and a Prepared Me" webinar. Once registered, you will receive an email with a link and passcode to join.

Everyone is welcome to join, especially kids who would like to speak with a firefighter about home safety and hear a preparedness spin on a classic holiday tale. For more information, visit FEMA.gov.

###

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announces the Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) is now accepting applications for new members. The committee reviews findings of law enforcement investigations to determine if it is appropriate to administratively charge a police officer who is the subject of the investigation.

The ACC is comprised of five members, including the Police Accountability Board (PAB) chairperson, two citizens appointed by the BOCC and two citizens appointed by the PAB. A four-member citizen review committee, comprised of one representative each from the Calvert County Fraternal Order of Police, Calvert County NAACP, Calvert County Republican Central Committee and Calvert County Democratic Central Committee, will offer recommendations regarding the applicants to the BOCC. The BOCC will use these recommendations to appoint a citizen to the ACC for a three-year term.

All ACC members are required to complete a free, five-day training program on police procedures provided by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission in Sykesville, Maryland. The ACC convenes at least monthly on the second Wednesday of each month from 3-4:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in applying to be a member of the ACC may complete an online application at www.CalvertPAB.com. For further information contact Liz Drew at 410-535-1600, ext. 2695, or by email at Elizabeth.Drew@CalvertCountymd.gov.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION, Patuxent River, Md. – Good boys and girls of all ages across Southern Maryland should look to the skies as Adm. Santa Claus conducts pre-deployment mission planning over Southern Maryland on Friday, Dec. 15, between 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Saint Nicholas—also known by call sign “Claus”—will fly with elves and other holiday helpers from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 aboard an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter. During the flight, Claus will spread holiday cheer while conducting reconnaissance and last-minute list-checking for upcoming operations on Christmas Eve. Children are advised to be on their best behavior.

While exact flight plans are classified, Claus and the HX-21 crew will fly over local sites and neighborhoods, including Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Chesapeake Ranch Estate, Solomons Island, Town Creek, Esperanza Farms, St. Mary’s County Airport, Leonardtown, Wildewood, Chancellor’s Run, Lexington Park, Cedar Cove and more.

As Rudolph will not be part of the reconnaissance flight, inclement weather could impact flight operations. If inclement weather is expected for Dec. 15, Adm. Claus may reschedule the flight for Thursday, Dec. 14, at the same time. Stay up-to-date on Santa Over Southern Maryland on the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Facebook page.

HX-21 is a component of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, the test wing for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. Nicknamed the “Blackjacks,” the squadron provides developmental flight test and evaluation for all U.S. Navy and Marine Corps rotary-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft. The Blackjacks are personal favorites of Claus, who tries to visit his HX-21 friends every year. Naval Air Station Patuxent River has been home to HX-21 since 1949.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Beginning Friday, December 1, at 10 a.m., the Chesapeake Public Charter School (CPCS) online lottery application will OPEN. All interested families must fill out applications online at cpcsapplication.com during the open enrollment period. (This includes all siblings who were waitlisted in the 23/24 school year). For the 2024-2025 school year, the online application link becomes LIVE at 10 a.m. on December 1, 2023, and closes at midnight on December 31, 2023.

There will be two in-person Q&A sessions this year to be held on the following dates. Use this Parent Information Session RSVP.

· IN-PERSON Wednesday, December 6, from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

· IN-PERSON Tuesday, December 12, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Can’t make it in person? An informational video & FAQs can be viewed on the CPCS website https://schools.smcps.org/cpcs/charter-school/admissions

LOTTERY APPLICATION INFORMATION

· Families need to enter a valid email address and create a password to create a free account. The application also features a mobile friendly platform. This account will need to be monitored for information regarding submission status and acceptance/waitlist notifications.

· All applications must be completed online. The order in which the application is submitted does not impact the selection process. It does not matter whether a family submits an application on the first day or the last day since the lottery is a random, computer-based drawing. The application is available in multiple languages.

· The official lottery will be run at the end of January 2024.

· Kindergarten families will be notified by email upon completing the lottery of their acceptance or waitlist status. All other families of students in grades 1-8 will receive an email about their waitlist status and will be offered seats as they become open through the summer months.

For more information, please contact the school’s main office at 301-863-9585, extension 0.

CCSO detectives assume investigation into missing person case: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking information leading to the location of a missing person, Jamell LeeHeung II, 25, of Indian Head. LeeHeung was initially reported missing on November 25 to the U.S. Navy Police at the Indian Head Base where he lived. On November 27, investigators from the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) contacted the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in checking Mattawoman Creek near Slavin’s Dock in Indian Head to try to locate LeeHeung after developing information his car might be in that area. The Charles County Dive Team responded and located LeeHeung’s vehicle submerged in the water; however, LeeHeung was not located. LeeHeung is 6’2” and weighs about 162 pounds. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has assumed the investigation and anyone with information is asked to call Det. Bringley at 301-609-6499.

Through a joint investigation conducted by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit, a search and seizure warrant was executed Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at an apartment in the 46000 block of Hilton Drive, Lexington Park, MD; the resident of the apartment was previously identified as 21-year-old Adam Joseph Holland.

During the search, detectives found a loaded privately made AR-15 pistol and a loaded Glock 29 semi-automatic handgun with obliterated serial numbers. Additionally, a large quantity of cannabis and US currency, and multiple items indicative of drug distribution, were found.

Just before the execution of the residential search warrant by detectives, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, who previously obtained a search and seizure warrant for Mr. Holland’s person and vehicle, initiated a traffic stop on Holland in Calvert County. During the search of Mr. Holland and his vehicle, additional suspected cannabis was found. Holland was then released to the custody of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.

Holland, who is prohibited from possessing regulated firearms due to a previous disqualifying conviction, was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, where he was charged with the following:

-         CDS - Possession of Firearm

-         Regulated Firearm Illegal Possession

-         Illegal Possession of Ammunition

-         Knowingly Alter Firearm ID Number 

-         CDS Possession Intent to Distribute Cannabis

-         CDS Possession Cannabis over Civil Use

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office extends appreciation to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for its collaborative work on this case.

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD—Two Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) students will serve as student pages during the 2024 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly (MGA), which runs from January to early April.

Congratulations

 to Northern High School students Margaret Rathgeb and Paige Plater who were selected to represent Calvert County in the 2024 MGA Page Program, and to Patuxent High School student James Oster who was selected as the alternate. Students were selected through an application process held in the fall.

The MGA Page Program is designed to build student interest in state government and broaden student leadership skills. Selected pages serve two nonconsecutive weeks during the thirteen weeks of session.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to learn first-hand about the legislative process and engage with Maryland’s senators and representatives,” shared CCPS Supervisor of Student Services Molly Wanamaker.

Maryland’s page program began in 1970 by House Speaker Thomas Hunter Lowe with the approval of the Maryland State Board of Education. Each year, 105 pages and 36 alternates are selected from across the State to represent their schools and counties in Annapolis. For more information about the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program, visit https://dls.maryland.gov/careers/student-page-program/.

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management will conduct a full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout Calvert, St. Mary’s and Dorchester counties Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at noon.

The full-cycle test includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Citizens are encouraged to be aware of the testing and relay this information to friends, family and neighbors.

The testing is conducted to check siren operation and increase public awareness of the alert and notification siren system. If the sirens sound at any other time outside of scheduled testing, residents should tune to one of the listed local radio stations for information and instructions.

Emergency Alert System stations include:

·         WKIK FM 102.9 MHz - California

·         WPRS FM 104.1 MHz - La Plata

·         WTOP FM 103.5 MHz - Frederick and Washington, D.C.

·         WMDM FM 97.7 MHz - Lexington Park

·         WPTX AM 1690 kHz - Lexington Park

·         WSMD FM 98.3 MHz - Mechanicsville

·         WRAR FM 105.5 MHz - Tappahannock

·         WNNT FM 107.5 MHz - Warsaw

·         WCEI FM 96.7 MHz - Easton

·         WKHZ AM 1460 kHz – Easton

·         WGOP AM 540 kHz - Pocomoke

·         WCEM FM 106.3 MHz - Cambridge

·         WCEM AM 1240 kHz – Cambridge

Visit www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/AlertNotificationSystem to learn more about the Calvert County siren alert system and to find other emergency planning and mitigation information from the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development issued the largest mortgage revenue bond in the agency's history. The $400 million bond from the department’s Community Development Administration through the Residential Revenue Bond program generated tax-exempt and taxable bond proceeds that may be used to finance affordable, sustainable mortgage loans to first-time homebuyers through the Maryland Mortgage Program.

“This record-setting bond reaffirms our commitment to providing pathways to homeownership, helping to create a brighter future for all Marylanders,” said Gov. Moore. “By opening the door for more families to create generational wealth, we are fostering a more equitable and competitive economy.”

The Maryland Mortgage Program has been the state’s flagship homeownership program for more than 40 years, providing fixed-rate mortgages primarily to first-time homebuyers. The program offers an array of mortgage products, including Maryland SmartBuy, the first government mortgage program in the nation designed to eliminate student loan debt as part of the homebuying process. 

In part due to the Community Development Administration’s solid credit rating and the high level of expertise provided by the department’s bond portfolio management team, this historic issuance received a strong response from bond investors. The strategic combination of tax-exempt and taxable interest rates achieved through the bond sale will enable the department to continue to offer Maryland Mortgage Program loans at competitive interest rates, providing annual savings to Maryland homebuyers. 

All bonds in the issuance were designated as social bonds, indicating that the bonds will raise funds for programs and projects that seek to achieve positive social outcomes. The use of the proceeds from the bond sale to finance mortgage loans for low- and moderate-income families meets sustainable development goals outlined by the International Capital Market Association.

“Homeownership is an important foundation for resilient, sustainable communities, providing opportunities for Maryland families to achieve economic independence and build generational wealth, opportunities that must be equitable and accessible for all,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “The resources for the Maryland Mortgage Program come primarily from the sale of these types of bonds, and supported with a small State budget appropriation for down payment and settlement expense assistance, making the American dream of owning a home affordable and attainable for thousands of low to moderate-income households annually at virtually no cost to Maryland’s taxpayers.”

Maryland Mortgage Program borrowers can receive additional down payment and closing cost assistance, helping to address one of the biggest barriers for many homebuyers. The program also routinely partners with local jurisdictions, combining state and local resources to further reduce costs and incentivize homeownership in targeted areas.

Empowered by a variety of successful products and consistent, effective marketing, the Maryland Mortgage Program has issued on average $1 billion in mortgage loans annually over the past four years. 

For more information, visit mmp.maryland.gov.

The County Administrator wishes to remind residents of changes to operating schedules for the month of December: 

Friday, Dec. 8

• The Department of Planning and Growth Management will close at 11:30 a.m.
• The Charles County Senior Centers will close at noon.

Thursday, Dec. 14

• The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center, the Pisgah Recycling Center, and the Piney Church Road Mulch Facility will close at 11 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 15

• The Charles County Treasurer’s Office (Waldorf and La Plata branches) closes at noon.

Thursday, Dec. 21

• The Economic Development Department will close at noon.

Friday, Dec. 22

• All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville are closed.
• All indoor pools, and all senior centers are closed.
• Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center is open for scheduled recreational activities and programs.

Saturday, Dec. 23

• The Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville is closed.
• The Charles County Landfill, the Piney Church Road Mulch Facility, and all recycling centers are closed.
• All indoor pools, Nanjemoy Community Center, all senior centers, and all school-based community centers are closed.
• Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center is open for scheduled recreational activities and programs.

Sunday, Dec. 24

• The Crain Memorial Welcome Center is closed.
• All indoor pools, Nanjemoy Community Center, all school-based community centers, Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center, and the Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center are closed.

Monday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day)

• All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville are closed.
• VanGO is not operating.
• The Crain Memorial Welcome Center is closed.
• The Charles County Landfill, the Piney Church Road Mulch Facility, and all recycling centers will be closed.
• Curbside collection of recycling and yard waste will be delayed one day this week. For example, Monday’s collection will occur on Tuesday.
• White Plains Golf Course, and White Plains Skatepark are closed.
• All indoor pools, Nanjemoy Community Center, all senior centers, all school-based community centers, Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center, Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center, and the Port Tobacco Recreation Center are closed.

Tuesday, Dec. 26

• All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville are closed.

• All indoor pools, Nanjemoy Community Center, all senior centers, and all school-based community centers are closed.
• Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center is closed.

Saturday, Dec. 30

• The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center, the Pisgah Recycling Center, and the Piney Church Road Mulch Facility will close at 1 p.m.
• All indoor pools, and all school-based community centers, are closed.

Operating status for other County affiliated agencies:

• Charles County Parks and Tourism Facilities: www.CharlesCountyParks.com/about-us/operating-status
• Charles County Public Library: www.ccplonline.org
• Charles County Public Schools: www.ccboe.com

• Charles County Health Department: www.CharlesCountyHealth.org

For questions about County Government holiday closures, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom@CharlesCountyMD.gov.  Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, Commissioners held a discussion with leaders from the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism regarding aquatics use of the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) swimming pool at the La Plata campus. Director Kelli Beavers and Deputy Director Sam Drury provided an overview of current aquatics facilities in Charles County, an assessment of future aquatics needs, and the costs associated with renovating and operating CSM’s swimming pool. The proposed use does not meet the community’s needs and the cost does not fit within the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget.

Staff proposed that the Commissioners consider during the FY25-FY29 CIP budget process for funding to be moved up to construct a multi-generational recreation facility that includes aquatics, with initial funding to be allocated in fiscal year 2025. Commissioners directed staff to prepare a letter to the state delegation summarizing the challenges associated with renovating and operating the CSM pool, and stating a preference for construction of a multi-generational recreational facility that includes aquatics into the project.

Briefings

• Planning and Growth Management staff provided a briefing to Commissioners on a zoning text amendment in the watershed conservation district zone for the addition of an independent living senior housing complex as a permitted use. Commissioners approved a request to introduce Bill 2023-13 and Zoning Text Amendment 22-73. and scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, January 9, 2023, at 6 p.m.
• Staff presented a draft bill that would clarify the definition of appointed positions in the Sheriff’s Office to exclude them from the merit system. A fiscal note from the Sheriff’s Office was provided to confirm that this change would have no impact on the budget or operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioners approved a request to introduce Bill 2023-14, and scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, January 9, 2023, at 6 p.m.
• Members of the Civitan club presented a briefing on their organization, which provides assistance to vulnerable populations in the community. They provided an overview of its history, its national support for individuals with developmental disabilities, and the local service projects they have hosted.

Public Hearings

Commissioners held a public hearing and voted to approve a zoning map amendment (Bill 2023-11) for Dash-In Food Stores, Inc., located at 3620 Mattawoman-Beantown Road in Waldorf. The amendment rezones 1.748 acres of a split zoned 3.02-acre property, identified as Parcel 50-R, from Rural Conservation (RC) to Community Commercial (CC) for zoning consistency on the entirety of the parcel.

Commissioners also held a public hearing on draft legislation (Bill 2023-12) for the removal of an elected county commissioner. The draft legislation requires a sustained finding, by a state or federal court, of workplace misconduct and a violation of the code of ethics. Prior to any vote for removal, a public hearing must be held on the matter. If there is a unanimous vote to remove by all the Commissioners who are not subject to the finding of workplace misconduct, it shall take effect immediately and be followed by the appointment by the Governor to fill the vacancy according to the local government article of the annotated code of Maryland. Commissioners voted 3-1 to keep the record open for 90 days, after which Commissioners will schedule a work session on the draft legislation. 

Approval Items
Commissioners approved:

• A budget amendment increase of $264,286 to set up an overtime budget in a special revenue fund for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to provide enhanced security at Charles County Public Schools. 
• Two Charles County Board of Education requests. An inter-category transfer of $605,000 to pay for various needs and a budget amendment increase of $22.4 million to fund open purchase orders from the previous fiscal year that will be paid in the current fiscal year.
• The allocation of $1,000 from the Community Support Fund to sponsor the 29^th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast.
• A letter of commitment to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and a letter of commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to support the Charles County Resilience Authority’s grant proposal to design a living shoreline at the County owned property that is being developed as Pope’s Creek Waterfront Park.
• A letter of commitment to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and a letter of commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to support the Charles County Resilience Authority’s grant proposal for the “Concrete to Green Stormwater Pocket Park Project” at the Elite Gymnastics Recreational Center.
• A letter of commitment to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and a letter of commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to support the Charles County Resilience Authority’s grant proposal to design green infrastructure stormwater drainage improvements for the East Waldorf Residential Neighborhood.

Action on Boards and Commissions

Commissioners took the following actions on appointments to Boards and Commissions:

• Reappointed Semia Hackett as a member to the Planning Commission
• Reappointed Marian Ashton and Zebenoise Knapp and appoint Kathryn Young, Eliecer Olivares, Jacqueline Marshall, and Tenisha Magee as members to the Board of Social Services
• Appointed Dennis Tomlinson as a Citizen Member to the Board of Fire and Rescue
• Appointed William Jackson as the retiree member to the Sheriff’s Office Retirement Plan Committee (SORP)
• Appointed Sarah Hazeltine as a member of Ethics Commission

Commissioners also took action on Commissioner Committee assignment for 2024, which can be viewed in the agenda packet.

Recognitions
Commissioners recognized employees who achieved milestones in years of service to the county and announced the Top Performer awards for the second and third quarter of 2023. You can view the photos of these recognitions here.

Viewing option of the meeting and the Commissioner Listening Session: Click Here

Next Commissioners Session: Dec. 5-6, 2023

Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has direct oversight for the Social Security Administration (SSA), joined his colleagues today in approving the nomination of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to be the next Social Security Commissioner. The Social Security Administration is headquartered in Woodlawn, Maryland.

“Martin O’Malley showed his strengths as a dedicated public servant and data-driven manager at his confirmation hearing. I am confident that he will lead the Social Security Administration with respect and support for the 66 million Americans who receive some benefit from SSA annually, as well as its strong union workforce. With today’s bipartisan committee vote, I am optimistic that we can have Martin on the job in Woodlawn swiftly.”

The SSA administers the Social Security programs (retirement and disability) and the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI – income support, not based on prior work experience, for low-income, elderly or disabled individuals). The agency has roughly 60,000 employees in Maryland and nationwide across the headquarters and 10 regional offices, six processing centers, 164 hearing offices and approximately 1,230 field offices.

Water monitoring data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Old Dominion University show that dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia were much better than average for May-October 2023.

The hypoxic water volume — waters with less than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/l) oxygen — averaged 0.52 cubic miles during May-October 2023, compared to the historical average (1985-2022) of 0.97 cubic miles. This year had the lowest average hypoxic volume since monitoring began 39 years ago.

“This year’s Chesapeake Bay dissolved oxygen conditions are the best on record, and it is encouraging news,” said Mark Trice, program chief of water quality informatics with Maryland DNR’s Resource Assessment Service. “These results illustrate that nutrient input reductions can produce a significant improvement for fish, crab and oyster habitats, and that we need to continue and advance our management efforts throughout the watershed.”

Dissolved oxygen was better than average in May through August, with early August having the lowest volume of hypoxia ever measured during that time period. Hypoxia remained into September with worse than average conditions of 0.84 cubic miles observed versus a September historical average of 0.45. No hypoxia was observed in October, even though Maryland’s cruise data was collected in the first week of the month.

Seasonal hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem can be forecasted based on freshwater flow into the Bay from January through May. Freshwater flow is an indicator of how much nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) runoff may be entering the Bay. However, conditions such as wind, temperature, and precipitation, can provide some influence over the variability of observed hypoxic volumes in the summer. 

Chesapeake Bay annual mean freshwater inflows, as estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), were near the historical lowest 25th percentile for the 2023 water year, which spans from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. Inflows were mostly below average January through June 2023, and above average July – September 2023. Summer (June – August 2023) precipitation data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA – NCEI) was near average in Maryland, while Pennsylvania experienced rainfall 3.4 inches above the 129-year state average, with most of the excess occurring in July and August to account for the higher summer inflows.

The NOAA-NCEI also reported that Maryland monthly average air temperatures were above average from June through September 2023 ranking as the 29th hottest in 129 years. Winds were near average during the summer with no major tropical storms or hurricanes. Warmer air leads to warmer Bay waters, which in turn hold less oxygen and support higher rates of oxygen consumption by microorganisms. These higher temperatures and lack of major wind events that aid mixing of oxygen into deeper waters, could have prevented even better dissolved oxygen conditions.

Maryland and Virginia combined results are presented for the mainstem Bay to be more comparable to the yearly seasonal forecast by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, USGS, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and University of Michigan.

The 2023 forecast, released in late June, predicted Chesapeake Bay mainstem hypoxic volume to be 33% lower than the 38-year average due to reduced riverine nutrient loading from January through May 2023. The decreased amount of nutrients entering the Bay can be attributed to lower than average spring precipitation, as well as nutrient management efforts. Maryland and Virginia’s 2023 monitoring results closely matched the forecast of better-than-average conditions. The monitoring and seasonal forecast results also closely matched the better-than-average conditions predicted from computer modeling conducted at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Crabs, fish, oysters, and other creatures in the Chesapeake Bay require oxygen to survive. Scientists and natural resource managers study the volume and duration of Bay hypoxia to determine possible impacts to bay life, and track improvements due to nutrient management efforts.

Each year, DNR computes hypoxia volumes from the water quality data collected by DNR and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Water quality data collection occurs year round, and is funded by these states and the Chesapeake Bay Program. Bay hypoxia reporting will resume in May 2023. Additional Maryland water quality data and information, including DNR’s hypoxic volume calculation methods, can be found at DNR’s Eyes on the Bay website.

Marylanders are invited to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Maryland Veterans Affairs Secretary George Owings on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. The celebration, open to the public, will be held at the American Legion Stallings-Williams Post 206, at 3330 Chesapeake Beach Road in Chesapeake Beach. Community members are invited to join either in person or watch the live stream at www.youtube.com/calvertcountygov/live to remember Owings's service to veterans and the community.

Owings, a lifelong resident of Calvert County, served as Secretary for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs from 2004-2007 and again from 2015-2023. He also represented District 29A and District 27B in the Maryland House of Delegates between 1988 and 2004.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.