Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Town Hall Conference Room
Members Present: Donna Flaggs, Marc Bramble, Kenny Gauen
Staff and Guests: Staff: Michelle Jackson, Edwin Ramos, Guest: Mr. Zeller, Csss Properties, James & Nancy Hoffman, Anola Barnes (Her son represented her), Rusty Blake
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at [insert time] by [insert name and title].
Approval of August Meeting Minutes
The Commission discussed the August meeting minutes. Several members stated that they had not reviewed the minutes previously posted on the Town website. The Commission also discussed the need for draft minutes to be carefully reviewed for accuracy before formal approval and publication.
The August meeting minutes were read aloud, and corrections were identified.
Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the August meeting minutes as corrected. The motion carried.
Going forward, draft minutes will be emailed to Commission members shortly after each meeting for review. The corrected draft will then be presented for formal approval at the next public meeting before being posted online.
Zeller Properties at 5 and 7 Academy Street
Mr. Lenny Zeller attended the meeting and apologized for missing the August meeting. He stated that he was unaware that he was expected to attend. The Commission explained that he had been asked during the July meeting to return with a plan for the properties.
5 Academy Street
Mr. Zeller reported that the front section of the building had been removed. The exposed portion was sealed with Tyvek and metal, and the interior was shored for stabilization. Mr. Zeller stated that he does not currently plan to perform additional work on this building.
The Commission noted that verbal approval had previously been given by the Mayor but emphasized that all future work must be clearly described and properly documented through the appropriate permit process.
The Commission determined that filling the ditch in front of 5 Academy Street would not require a permit.
7 Academy Street
The Commission discussed the deteriorating condition of the building, particularly the block foundation on the ditch side. Mr. Zeller requested permission to install temporary exterior bracing immediately to prevent further deterioration.
The Commission approved the installation of temporary supports without a permit, provided that the approval was documented in the meeting minutes.
Mr. Zeller agreed to:
- Obtain a contractor estimate for the foundation work.
- Contact his insurance company regarding possible water damage.
- Research foundation repair alternatives and associated costs.
- Attend the Commission meetings monthly to provide progress reports.
- Return to the October meeting with a definite plan and any required permit applications.
Mr. Zeller also discussed the possibility of constructing a reinforced concrete wall and installing a large drainage pipe over the adjoining ditch. He stated that he owns the ditch area. No final action was taken on that proposal.
Buckland Property
The Commission received an update on the Buckland property. The deed transfer remains delayed because of disagreements concerning the amounts owed against the property. Town liens were reported to total $14,549.83. Town staff and legal counsel are continuing to document and verify the charges.
The Commission discussed furniture and other contents that were removed from the house before the bank obtained legal ownership. It was reported that the real estate agent, John Carroll, removed two truckloads of items. The former owners, the Clines, were preservationists who had furnished the residence with period pieces, and the Town has photographs documenting some of the contents.
On August 24, 2026, the Commission sent an inquiry to the Maryland Realtors Legal Affairs Division seeking general guidance regarding a real estate licensee’s conduct under these circumstances. No response had been received as of the meeting date.
The Commission had also emailed Mr. Carroll requesting that the Town receive a right of first refusal to purchase historically significant items. No response has been received. Personal property, including quilts and a painting of the Cline family’s ancestral home, reportedly remained in the residence.
The Commission directed that the correspondence concerning access to the property and the right of first refusal be resent to Mr. Carroll by certified mail with a cover letter. A copy will also be provided to Town Attorney Zach Smith.
The Town will continue documenting the liens and coordinating with all involved parties.
House of the Hinges
The Commission received an update concerning the House of the Hinges, owned by Lowell Smith. Town Attorney Zach Smith has initiated civil action in Dorchester County.
Monthly fines were reported as follows:
- Previous authorized fines: $300 per day.
- August fines: expected to increase to $400 per day.
- September fines: expected to increase to $500 per day.
- Approximate total fines to date: $12,900.
A separate violation notice was issued concerning a hazardous tree on the property.
A court hearing is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., at 310 Gay Street, Cambridge, Maryland. Edwin Ramos, Attorney Zach Smith, and Mayor Gary Lucks plan to attend.
The Town will continue the legal process and the issuance and tracking of authorized fines.
Code Enforcement
Dockins Property
The Commission confirmed that the correct spelling of the property name is Dockins. A formal letter will be sent to Scott directing him to remove the old trailer and clean up the property.
CSS Properties and Dockins Market
The Commission approved a demolition permit for the partial demolition of the former Dockins Market storefront. The garage portion will remain. Plans for rebuilding the storefront have not yet been finalized.
The Commission also approved an amendment to Permit No. 2620 for the garage. The amendment changes the design from two garage doors to one 16-foot-wide door with eye-level tinted windows.
The Commission expressed interest in recreating the original Dockins Market sign, which was reportedly removed by the family.
4112 Harvey Street
A certified letter was sent to the Baltimore owner of the overgrown property at 4112 Harvey Street. No response had been received as of the meeting date.
Other Properties
BPG Inspections conducted inspections and reported the following violations:
- Smith Cottage: nine violations.
- Anderton Cottage, 22 Academy Street: 20 violations.
- Former Hummer residence, 3 Main Street, now owned by Morales: 18 violations.
Certified letters describing the violations were sent to the property owners. A second letter was sent to Mary Morales.
Once certified-mail delivery is confirmed, the applicable compliance period will begin. If the violations are not corrected, daily fines may be assessed and the matters may be referred to the Town Attorney for court action.
3 Permit Reviews
Csss Properties
The HDC Committee reviewed and approved of Partial demolition & Rebuild of Dockins Service Station.
113 Trinty Ct. Anola Barnes
The shed permit has been reviewed and approved. Consideration of the privacy-fence permit was postponed until the applicants submit a complete package that includes the proposed materials, photographs, and a site plan.
James & Nancy Hoffman
The Commission reviewed and approved a permit for white vinyl privacy fence for their property on 308 Edmondson Lane
Administrative Matters
QuickBooks problems have delayed check printing and bill processing.
The Commission recommended that an authorized Town official sign all permit intake sheets going forward to ensure that applications are properly received and documented.
Infrastructure and Planning
Water Pump Station
A permit for the new water pump station at the Town Hall water building requires an HDC signature. The proposed building is intended to be architecturally compatible with the historic district. The required signature will be completed.
Sewage Pump Station
The Town is seeking approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million in USDA funding to replace the Town’s 54-year-old sewage pump station. The existing station has no backup system and presents an environmental risk if it fails.
Comprehensive Plan and Data Centers
The Town plans to engage a planning professional to begin updating the Comprehensive Plan.
Attorney Zach Smith will prepare preliminary guidance concerning a possible moratorium on data-center development.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meets quarterly, with its next meeting anticipated in December. The meeting date will be confirmed.
Action Items
- Mr. Zeller will stabilize 7 Academy Street with temporary supports.
- Mr. Zeller will research foundation options and return in October with a repair plan and any required permit applications.
- Correspondence concerning the Buckland contents will be resent to John Carroll by certified mail.
- A copy of the Buckland correspondence will be provided to Attorney Zach Smith.
- Town representatives will attend the October 14 court hearing concerning the House of the Hinges.
- Staff will continue issuing and tracking authorized fines.
- A cleanup letter will be sent concerning the Dockins property.
- A formal letter will be sent regarding the dumpster violation.
- Staff will monitor certified-mail receipts and begin enforcement after the applicable compliance periods.
- Permit No. 2620 will be amended for the Dockins garage.
- The Dockins Market demolition permit will be processed.
- Anola Barnes will submit complete fence information for future review.
- The water pump station permit will be signed.
- The December Planning and Zoning meeting date will be confirmed.
- The Town will continue efforts to update the Comprehensive Plan.
- Attorney Zach Smith will prepare preliminary guidance regarding a possible data-center moratorium.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:08pm