Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Location: Town Hall Conference Room
Present: Chairperson Dr. Donna Flaggs; Donna Badgett; Marc Bramble; Mayor Gary Lucks; Edwin Ramos; Michelle Jackson
Absent: Kenny Gauen
Presiding Officer: Chairperson Dr. Donna Flaggs
- Call to Order
The meeting was called to order. - Approval of Previous Minutes
Members discussed access to the prior meeting minutes posted on the Town website. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion carried. - Property and Project Updates
Zeller Property – Foundation and Site Conditions
Mr. Zeller did not attend to present the requested plan for the next phase of work. Members noted that the front of the building has been enclosed, although unsafe areas and site debris remain. The next anticipated phase is shoring the foundation of Building 7.The Commission discussed whether drainage and foundation conditions may involve the Maryland State Highway Administration. Mr. Zeller had been expected to contact Mark Crumpton regarding the matter.
Action/Disposition: The Mayor will email Mr. Zeller on behalf of the Commission and its Chair, requesting that he attend the next meeting on the third Wednesday of the month and/or submit a written electronic plan before that meeting. Removal of debris and garbage will also be requested.
House of Hinges – Civil Action and Fines Town Attorney Zach Smith has initiated a civil action in Dorchester County against property owner Lowell Smith. The required filings are being submitted by mail, and Mr. Smith has been notified of the pending matter. Attorney Smith will provide an email update when the court responds. Members recognized that appeals may affect the schedule.
Fine letters and invoices have been sent, with certified mail used when necessary. Daily fines had reached $300 and were expected to increase to $400 for August. A separate notice and fine were issued concerning a hazardous hollow tree that may threaten power lines and pedestrians; delivery of the certified letter was confirmed. All correspondence is being copied to Town counsel and retained electronically.
Members discussed potential remote court participation, liens against the property, and collection of amounts owed upon a future sale.
Action/Disposition: Continue the legal process, monitor the court’s response, and issue and track all authorized fine notices. Attorney Smith will update the Commission by email.
The Buckland – Deed Transfer and Bank Coordination
Attorney Smith confirmed that the deed had not transferred as of the meeting date. Furniture had nevertheless been removed from the house, prompting questions about the listing agent’s authority to enter the property, remove contents, and retain a key before recordation of the deed.The Town has repeatedly provided lien information to representatives of Village Title and the bank. The bank indicated that payment of amounts owed would be made following closing. Members discussed making a confidential, general inquiry to the appropriate Maryland real estate licensing or professional authority to determine whether the reported conduct raises an ethical or licensing concern. No finding of misconduct was made by the Commission.
Following deed transfer, the proposed sequence is to clean the property, identify and store any items designated for the Town, and list the property for sale. Interest from prospective purchasers was reported, including Mr. Mumford and another potential buyer from Pennsylvania. A restoration package has been submitted to Valerie and is awaiting grant advertising.
Action/Disposition: Continue follow-up with Village Title and the bank regarding deed transfer and lien payment. Confirm the post-transfer cleanup, item-selection, and listing procedures. Obtain general guidance from the appropriate licensing or professional authority if needed. Arrange a tour or open house after the property is listed and invite Mr. Mumford.
CSS Properties – Garage Replacement
CSS Properties submitted a permit for replacement of the garage. The Commission reviewed garage-door design options and reached consensus in favor of two doors with high window lights, while retaining the existing center column. Members preferred this traditional treatment over all-glass doors for reasons of appearance, security, and compatibility with the historic district.The owner plans to renovate the main store building after the garage is completed so the structures have a consistent design.
Action/Disposition: Proceed with the selected design of two garage doors with high window lights and the existing center column retained.
7 Buckland – Pool Fence Permit
The Commission reviewed the permit for a treated-wood stockade fence around an approved pool at 7 Buckland for Jenny Bowen.Action/Disposition: The permit was signed and forwarded for continued processing.
- Infrastructure and Grant Updates
New Water Pump Station
The permit for the new water pump station at the Town Hall Water Building still requires the Historic District Commission’s signature. Construction is scheduled to begin during the week of August 24, 2026.The replacement building will be located farther from the museum, use historically appropriate siding, be painted white, and include an automatic emergency backup generator. The existing station will be removed after the new facility is operational.Action/Disposition: Obtain the Commission’s signature and complete permit processing before construction begins.
USDA Sewage Pump Station Grant
The Town is pursuing USDA assistance to replace its only sewage pump station, which is approximately 54 years old. The estimated project cost is $1.3 million to $1.5 million.The existing station has no backup system, replacement parts are unavailable, and its location near a drainage ditch leading to the Warwick River creates a serious environmental risk if the station fails.
Action/Disposition: Participate in the scheduled USDA conference call during the week of August 24, 2026, and continue development of the grant application.
- Emergency Preparedness
An emergency preparedness meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the East New Market Fire Hall to review Town and County emergency plans. North Dorchester High School was identified as the designated emergency shelter.Members raised concerns about the location, security, and emergency planning associated with the nearby propane storage facility. The facility’s emergency plan was reported to be unavailable. The Mayor proposed establishing an Emergency Planning Commission to meet annually and review current plans.
- Code Enforcement and Administration Harvey Street and Dawkins Property
- A certified letter was sent to the Baltimore owner of an overgrown Harvey Street property.
- Members recommended sending a formal letter to Scott requesting removal of an old trailer and cleanup of the associated house on Dawkins.
Action/Disposition: Monitor delivery and response concerning the Harvey Street property, and prepare the Dawkins cleanup letter. Administrative Systems and Permit Intake The ongoing QuickBooks conversion has delayed printing checks and processing water-bill payments. Members also discussed an unsigned building-permit intake sheet and recommended that an authorized Town official sign intake sheets going forward.
- Planning and Zoning
- Attorney Smith will prepare and present preliminary thoughts to Planning and Zoning concerning a possible moratorium on data-center development.
- The Town will engage the invited planning expert to begin updating the Comprehensive Plan.
- Other Business
- Members were informed that Mr. Raleigh Klein and his spouse are interred at a veterans cemetery.
- A member reported damage to a vintage iron gate by a Suburban Propane truck. Security-camera footage documented the incident, and the company agreed to pay the repair cost.
- The Mayor declined a suggestion to meet informally with the Buckland agent, explaining the need to avoid any appearance of impropriety and to comply with the mayoral code of ethics.
- A Christmas dinner for Town committees and guests will be held at the firehouse, catered by Johnny’s, and will include a Chinese gift exchange. Logistics remain to be finalized.
- Members reflected on the Commission’s commitment to transparency and ethical conduct and noted improvements in the Town’s appearance and community pride.
- Follow-Up Actions
- Mayor: Contact Mr. Zeller and request attendance and/or an electronic work plan before the next meeting.
- Attorney Smith: Report the Dorchester County court response in the House of Hinges matter and continue authorized legal action.
- Town staff: Continue certified fine notices to Lowell Smith and preserve all correspondence.
- Town staff: Send the Dawkins cleanup letter and monitor the Harvey Street certified notice.
- Commission/Town staff: Complete the water pump station permit signature.
- Town representatives: Participate in the USDA sewage pump station conference call during the week of August 24.
- Mayor/Town staff: Follow up with Village Title and the bank regarding the Buckland deed and lien payment.
- Town representatives: Confirm the Buckland cleanup, item-selection, listing, and future tour arrangements after deed transfer.
- Town representatives: Seek general guidance regarding the listing agent’s reported pre-transfer actions, if needed.
- CSS Properties: Use two garage doors with high window lights and retain the center column.
- Town officials and residents: Attend the August 25 emergency preparedness meeting.
- Mayor and Council: Establish an Emergency Planning Commission with an annual review schedule.
- Attorney Smith/Planning and Zoning: Develop preliminary data-center moratorium considerations.
- Town: Begin the Comprehensive Plan update with the invited expert.
- Organizers: Finalize Christmas dinner arrangements at the firehouse.
- Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned. The time of adjournment was not provided in the meeting notes.