St. Mary’s County commissioners finalized a new cable franchise agreement with Verizon and approved an ordinance governing how the county will distribute more than $1.5 million in state cannabis reinvestment funding during their July 21 business meeting, while sending a contested zoning proposal targeting gas stations, vape shops and dollar stores back to the Planning Commission for further review.
The board opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance before approving a consent agenda that included a letter of support for a Maryland Historical Trust maritime grant application from the Friends of St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums. If awarded, the grant would fund restoration of the Doris C, a historic Potomac River dory boat. Commissioners also presented a proclamation recognizing Jim Dicus, Jamie Thomas and Jeff Thomas for their leadership organizing the Run & Fun Walk for Hospice, and commendations to St. Mary’s County Library employees who volunteered to staff the Lexington Park Library as a cooling center on a scheduled holiday.
On the main agenda, commissioners formally approved the cable franchise agreement authorizing Verizon Maryland LLC to offer cable television service throughout most of St. Mary’s County, following a public hearing held July 14. Verizon has said in county filings that it already operates cable systems in more than 50 Maryland jurisdictions and has indicated that much of the infrastructure needed to launch service locally is already in place; the initial rollout is expected to be limited to the Lexington Park area and points south. The franchise agreement excludes the incorporated limits of the Town of Leonardtown and includes standard requirements such as government-access channels.
Commissioners split on a proposed set of zoning text amendments that would have created new conditional-use standards for small-box discount stores and vape shops while modifying existing standards for gas stations. Commission President Eric Colvin and Commissioner Alderson supported the changes, while other commissioners were opposed and Commissioner Ostrow asked for additional information before voting. The board ultimately voted to send the amendments back to the Planning Commission for further review rather than adopting or rejecting them outright, meaning the proposal will return to the commissioners at a later date following additional analysis.
Commissioners also approved an ordinance establishing the county’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which sets the framework for distributing state cannabis tax revenue to community organizations under Maryland’s 2023 Cannabis Reform Act. As of late May, St. Mary’s County had received just over $1.54 million in reinvestment funding from the state; the newly adopted ordinance clears the way for the county to begin accepting applications from nonprofits seeking to use the money for programs benefiting communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis enforcement.
During County Administrator Time, commissioners approved a $1,653,327 loan to the Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for a new Pierce Enforcer heavy-duty rescue squad vehicle, financed at a 0.5% interest rate through the county’s Fire & Rescue Revolving Loan Fund. Commissioners also approved several court-related grants, including $325,314 for the Adult Recovery Court and Family Recovery Court programs (with a $232,000 county match), a $33,138 MACRO Alternative Dispute Resolution Program grant requiring no county match, and $240,395.46 for the Circuit Court’s Family Services Program, also with no county match.
Commissioners approved the Sheriff’s Office’s application for a $100,000 fiscal 2027 Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant; if awarded, the funds would pay for an automated license plate reader on Route 5 near Mohawk Drive to monitor vehicles entering the county. The board also approved a Recreation and Parks Department reorganization intended to improve workflow — converting a Senior Groundskeeper position to Shop Foreman and a Fiscal Specialist IV role to Coordinator II — and authorized staff to obtain a second appraisal for property at the end of Bushwood Wharf Road, a potential Program Open Space acquisition that county officials say could improve public access to a nearby pier and boat ramp. No purchase decision has been made.
In two final actions, commissioners approved a budget amendment correcting the account charges tied to a previously approved workforce development study, and approved accepting $185,000 in grant funding for the Lexington Park Development District Implementation Plan, ratifying a contract with Clarion Associates — the same firm managing the county’s ongoing Comprehensive Plan 2050 update — to keep the time-sensitive grant funds from lapsing.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Sheriff’s Office’s new Support Services Facility, originally scheduled for the afternoon of July 21, was postponed due to forecasted inclement weather and has been rescheduled for Aug. 4 at 2 p.m.
Commissioners reconvened that evening for a public forum. There will be no commissioners’ meetings on Aug. 4 or Aug. 11; the board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown. Meetings are broadcast live on SMCG TV Channel 95 and streamed at youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov, with decisions and related documents posted under Board Documents on the county’s website.
