LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) convened their business meeting on June 3, 2025, addressing a range of issues from infrastructure and public health to community development and employee policies. The meeting, held at the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown, included a public hearing on road transfers, a health department briefing, and the approval of a future hearing for amendments to a major development plan.
The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by the approval of the consent agenda, which included quit claim deeds for surplus county property and appointments to the Maryland Fire Service Professional Qualifications Board. The commissioners then presented proclamations recognizing June as LGBTQIA Pride Month and National Homeownership Month, celebrating community diversity and housing achievements. They also honored James Emery with a commendation for his dedicated service upon his retirement.
A public hearing was held to discuss the proposed transfer of a portion of Camp Cosoma Road from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the county and a portion of Newtowne Neck Road from the county to DNR. This exchange aims to improve infrastructure management between state and county authorities. No public comments were received during the hearing, suggesting broad acceptance or limited public awareness of the proposal at this stage.
In their capacity as the Board of Health, the commissioners received a comprehensive briefing from Dr. Meena Brewster, the county health officer. Dr. Brewster provided updates on the health department’s website and discussed critical public health issues, including the presence of measles in St. Mary’s County, the risks associated with tick season, and Alpha Gal Syndrome, a tick-borne illness that can cause an allergy to red meat. She also outlined ongoing health initiatives aimed at improving community well-being. The commissioners approved updated environmental fees for services such as perc tests, plan reviews, and food licenses, which had been discussed during prior budget hearings. However, they rejected a resolution to automatically adjust these fees based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), opting for manual oversight of future increases. The briefing also addressed concerns about potential electricity shortages during the upcoming summer heat, a topic tied to broader discussions about Maryland’s power grid reliability.
The main agenda item was the approval of an evening public hearing scheduled for June 24, 2025, to consider amendments to the Steward’s Grant Planned Unit Development (PUD) plan. This significant development project aims to balance growth with community needs. The proposed changes include redesigning roads from multi-lane to two-lane configurations, reducing the number of development units from 1,122 to 1,084, increasing open green space, and ensuring adequate school capacity based on the developer’s proposed buildout schedule. These adjustments reflect efforts to align the project with sustainable growth and infrastructure capacity.
During County Administrator Time, the commissioners reviewed upcoming meeting agendas to ensure efficient planning. They approved a budget amendment to redirect $3,715 in excess revenues from the Commission for Women’s Annual Banquet to the Jane Hale Sypher Scholarship Fund at the College of Southern Maryland, supporting educational opportunities for local students. The commissioners also authorized a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for $45,872, with a required county match of $2,415, to fund professional environmental and engineering services for the Pavement Management Plan at the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. Additionally, they approved updates to the county’s Manual of Personnel Policies and Procedures, formalizing 8 hours of paid leave for employees to engage in community volunteering, a policy inspired by previous state initiatives. Minor revisions to the manual also reflect current practices, such as the adoption of online timekeeping systems.
In Commissioner Time, Eric Colvin shared reflections on recent high school graduations, expressing pride in the achievements of local students. He also acknowledged a near-tragedy at the Solomons’ Bridge, where quick intervention prevented a person in distress from jumping, highlighting the importance of community vigilance. Colvin praised the Fire, Rescue, and EMS Cadet Program for fostering future first responders and extended congratulations to Gerald Gardiner on his retirement from county government.
The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss legal advice and personnel matters, ensuring confidentiality for sensitive topics.
The next CSMC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 9 a.m., in the CSMC Meeting Room on the first floor of the Chesapeake Building at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via the county’s YouTube channel at StMarysCoGov. Decisions and related documents are available on the county’s website through BoardDocs.
Key Meeting Outcomes
| Agenda Item | Action Taken | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Road Transfers | Public hearing held | Transfer of Camp Cosoma Road to county, Newtowne Neck Road to DNR; no public comments. |
| Board of Health | Briefing received, fees approved | Updates on measles, ticks, Alpha Gal Syndrome; environmental fees updated, CPI linkage rejected. |
| Steward’s Grant PUD | Hearing scheduled | June 24, 2025, hearing to review road design, unit reduction, green space, and school capacity. |
| Budget Amendment | Approved | $3,715 from Commission for Women’s banquet to Jane Hale Sypher Scholarship Fund. |
| FAA Grant | Approved | $45,872 for airport pavement plan, with $2,415 county match. |
| Personnel Policies | Updated | Added 8 hours of paid volunteer leave; updated timekeeping practices. |
