Date: September 8, 2026
Location: East New Market Town Hall
Meeting began 5:52 p.m.
Presiding officer Mayor Gary R. Lucks
Council members Valencia Stagg, Vice Mayor Sam Yockey, Michael Sisson, and Rick Jones
Town staff Clerk Treasurer Michelle Jackson and Edwin Ramos
Mid Shore Behavioral Health Presentation
Anne Simpers presented information about Mid Shore Behavioral Health and the services it provides throughout the five Mid Shore counties. She noted that September is recognized as Recovery Month and Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. The Council discussed opportunities to partner with the organization on community events that promote awareness, education, and access to support services.
Decision: The Council agreed to coordinate with Leni to bring the Go Purple Together event to East New Market in 2027.
Approval of August Meeting Minutes
The Council reviewed the minutes of the August 2026 Town Council meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously by a vote of 5-0.
Building Permit Reviews
The Council reviewed the following permit matters:
- A demolition permit for the old Dockins property was awaiting the Mayor’s signature so cleanup could begin immediately.
- James and Nancy Hoffman submitted an application for a white vinyl privacy fence.
- Anola Barnes submitted an application for a storage shed and privacy fence.
Decision: The Hoffman and Barnes applications were forwarded to the Historic District Commission for final review at its September 16, 2026 meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Code Enforcement
Edwin Ramos reported on current code enforcement activity. Grass and trash violation notices were issued, including repeat notices for 52 Sugar Drive. Professional inspections were completed at 3 Main Street, 22 Academy Street, and 12 Main Street, and violation letters were mailed to the property owners.
Six properties within the Historic District have outstanding code violations. The affected owners will be required to appear before the Historic District Commission and present plans for completing the necessary repairs. The Council was also advised that a court hearing is scheduled for October 2026 regarding continuing violations at the House of Hinges property.
Infrastructure Projects and Grant Updates
The Mayor reported that a virtual meeting is being scheduled with the USDA grant writer and project engineer concerning a $30,000 grant application to evaluate replacement of the Town’s approximately 55-year-old sewer pump station. The full replacement project is estimated at approximately $1.5 million.
Construction of the new water pump station adjacent to the Trading Post Museum began on September 8, 2026. Completion is targeted for the end of 2026. The Town also identified a manhole at the old sewer pump station that must be replaced at a cost of $3,620.
The Heritage Board committee awarded $3,000 in mini-grants. Its next meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2026.
Comcast Wi Fi and Senior Apartment Audit
The Town is awaiting a proposal from Comcast for Wi Fi service at Town Hall, the train station, and Friendship Park. This service is also needed to support the planned museum walking tours.
The Town is awaiting guidance from the State of Maryland on whether the senior apartments may use a compilation engagement or must undergo a full audit. The Town will determine the next steps after the State issues its decision.
Friendship Park Paving and Property Cleanup
State action on the proposed paving of the Friendship Park walking path and parking lot is tentatively expected on October 7, 2026. If approval is received, the Town will prepare specifications, solicit bids, and seek to begin construction in November 2026.
The Town continues to press property owners to address severely overgrown vegetation, including the owner of the abandoned lot adjacent to the Dockins property.
Trading Post Museum Opening
The Trading Post Museum is now officially open and will operate on weekends from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Town is seeking additional artifacts that residents may be willing to loan so the museum can maintain a rotating collection. Town representatives also plan to meet with Dorchester County Tourism to discuss promotion of the museum and its walking tours.
Water and Sewer Billing and Collections
Approximately $120,000 in water and sewer charges is past due. The Town has begun mailing collection notices and will meet individually with account holders to establish structured payment plans where appropriate.
The Maryland Rural Water Association advised that water and sewer rates will need to increase by more than 40 percent. The Council also discussed continuing billing delays caused by integration problems between QuickBooks Online and the Town’s third-party meter-reading software. A software engineer was scheduled to work on the integration on September 9, 2026.
Billing schedule: July bills were expected to be released on September 9; August bills were expected in late September; and the October billing was expected by the second week of October 2026.
Veterans Hometown Heroes Banner Program
The Council discussed the logistical problems affecting the Hometown Heroes banner program, including the lack of volunteers to install banners and the dissolution of the regional group that had helped organize the program. Five paid or pending orders remain. Those orders will be completed using the Events Committee checking account.
Decision: By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Council discontinued the Hometown Heroes banner program after completion of the final five orders.
Planning and Zoning and Emergency Preparedness
A Planning and Zoning meeting was scheduled for September 14, 2026 with outside consultants who will assist the Town with its comprehensive plan update.
The Council received an emergency action plan for the bulk propane and petroleum facility near the firehouse. The facility has the capacity to hold approximately 360,000 gallons of propane. Following the success of the Town’s first emergency preparedness meeting, the Town intends to
make the meeting an annual event.
Citizen Concern Regarding a Curfew
A resident reported that teenagers had been creating disturbances and possibly damaging property after 11:00 p.m. and asked the Town to consider a curfew. The Council explained that the Town does not have its own police department and therefore does not have the personnel needed to enforce a curfew. Residents were encouraged to continue reporting incidents to the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.
The Town has applied for a $45,000 grant that could fund additional late-night patrol coverage by the Sheriff’s Office. The Town will monitor the application and consider alternatives if funding is not awarded.
Dorchester County Updates and Proposed Truck Bypass
Dorchester County Council President Lenny Peffer announced Dorchester Goes Purple and emergency medical services events scheduled for September 12, 2026. He also announced a County strategic planning meeting to be held at the East New Market Volunteer Fire Company on September 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
The Council discussed damage and safety concerns caused by 53-foot tractor-trailers traveling through Town. A proposed truck bypass route is included in the comprehensive planning discussion.
Decision: The Town will send a formal letter to the Maryland Secretary of Transportation strongly requesting that an East New Market truck bypass be included on the State’s transportation priority list.
Follow Up Actions
- Schedule a virtual meeting with the USDA grant writer and engineer regarding the $30,000 sewer pump station evaluation grant.
- Present the Hoffman and Barnes permit applications to the Historic District Commission on September 16 at 3:00 p.m.
- Prepare for the October court hearing regarding the House of Hinges violations.
- After anticipated State action on October 7, prepare park paving specifications, advertise for bids, and plan for possible November construction.
- Meet with Dorchester County Tourism regarding museum promotion, walking tours, and artifact loans.
- Continue collection notices and meetings with residents who need structured water and sewer payment plans.
- Complete the software integration work and issue delayed water and sewer bills according to the announced schedule.
- Complete the final five Hometown Heroes banner orders and then close the program
- Draft and send the truck bypass request to the Maryland Secretary of Transportation.
- Follow up on the Comcast proposal, the State decision on the senior apartment audit, and the $45,000 patrol grant application.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned following completion of the Council’s business. The adjournment time was not included in the meeting notes.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Jackson,
Clerk Treasurer
Mayor Gary Lucks
Town of East New Market