LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved employment contracts for John B. Norris III as Director of Public Works & Transportation and Cynthia “Cindy” Greb as Director of Economic Development during their November 18, 2025, business meeting in the Chesapeake Building.
Commissioners opened the session with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the consent agenda and presented proclamations recognizing Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and the Great American Smokeout, an American Cancer Society initiative encouraging smokers to quit.
A public hearing on the 2025 update to the county’s Transportation Plan drew no speakers. The plan addresses long-term priorities for road improvements, traffic flow, and infrastructure through 2045.
The main agenda item involved approving a request for a public hearing on realigning the Preston Court/Morgan Road intersection. Originally approved in 2012 as a T-intersection, the developer constructed a curved road with a yield sign instead. Commissioners noted the current layout maintains traffic flow and safety, scheduling the hearing for December 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
During County Administrator time, commissioners reviewed upcoming agendas, noting no meeting the following week due to Thanksgiving. They approved:
- A memorandum of understanding and $35,000 revenue-only budget amendment with Health Management Associates Inc. for the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division, funding state program participation stipends.
- The FY2027 State Aid for Police Protection grant application for the Sheriff’s Office.
- Extending the Non-Profit Donation Program to supply disposed county computer equipment to St. Mary’s County Library for citizen distribution.
- The FY2027 Local Government Energy Management (L-GEM) grant application to the Maryland Energy Administration for $2,656,592, with a 10 percent county match. If awarded, funds would support energy audits, LED upgrades at Fifth District and Dorsey parks, roof-mounted solar at the Gymnastics Academy and Wicomico Shores Clubhouse, and bathroom facility hot water heater improvements.
- A resolution granting county employees additional leave on December 26, 2025, and January 2, 2026, or equivalent floating holidays, continuing a longstanding practice around Christmas and New Year’s.
Norris, former Calvert County Attorney and past St. Mary’s County Attorney, brings civil engineering and public-sector experience. Greb, with over 40 years in community development, land planning, and real estate, currently serves as executive director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and starts December 2, 2025.
In commissioner time, Eric Colvin discussed school redistricting, praised fall high school sports—including Leonardtown High School’s state championships in field hockey (3-1 over Severna Park) and boys soccer—and noted Commissioner President Randy Guy receiving the Maryland Association of Counties’ Marilyn J. Praisner Public Service Award for outstanding county leadership.
The meeting ended with a closed session on personnel, real property, and legal advice, followed by a 1:30 p.m. budget work session on capital improvement projects for FY2027.
St. Mary’s County government meetings occur Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in Leonardtown when scheduled, open to the public and streamed on Channel 95 or YouTube. Proclamations highlight community health and philanthropy initiatives. Transportation plan updates require public input under state mandates, guiding road funding and development reviews.
These actions support ongoing county operations, from safety enhancements to sustainable facilities and leadership transitions in a jurisdiction balancing growth with rural character.