[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6696272,"mediaKeyId","2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c","parentId",2157009,"title","Caroline County commissioners review bills at General Assembly and direct staff positions on several measures","audioSeconds",1514,"startMs",4604000,"endMs",6118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c&start=4604&end=6118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c/thumbnail_4604000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6696272/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-commissioners-review-bills-at-General-Assembly-and-direct-staff-positions-on-several-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696272-fd0faa60fc36348fa058f67109cb2c3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146740&Signature=Ojkr2B4oAh7uPAJHTUthuE7ln1WOg81ItpMaYvmLkyrx2X3oANND8WDvOl5nBTJoEq-ouuVfC9yfmxSlBsheRa1W5UQlzyD9aJeJGBirzsULZ19-Q5uBr-WBRDoylEv1QOOcYEtC2RZlIBjjrOQnoInMQ7~lpda~EMmwmU2cUppr-CzZs3BTJt6H265GjH0896T6-Lb1W4Cn~R9oqvwn9ZJREaROgsxNuo35aEhzwYLYNGgAqhmVd0J1AQrg6hWylJ93PieN4rkog-baCSZnxkEiT3QK4lB0r~nUFiGBK97JWa9XJVgNhUku6Z5xFkEwJJhSwUk1QyOgGIkhHeet3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caroline","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioner Porter presented a legislative update to the Board on Jan. 28 that covered a package of bills the county and its partners are tracking in the Maryland General Assembly.

Key items discussed included:

- Senate Bill 292 (proposed change to primary/secondary traffic stops and admissibility of evidence). Sheriff Baker criticized the proposal, saying it would reclassify common equipment and registration offenses as secondary and could make evidence seized following a stop inadmissible in court. Commissioners directed staff to monitor the bill and consider opposition.

- Senate Bill 478 (solar energy generating stations). The bill would prohibit the Public Service Commission from approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a solar generating station without written approval from each county or municipality where the station would be sited. Commissioners indicated support for the bill (county has a moratorium on projects).

- House Bill 487 / Senate Bill 484 (rights of unhoused individuals). Commissioners said the draft would limit local authority to remove encampments and that the county should register strong opposition; they asked county attorneys and the legislative team to prepare an opposition letter.

- House Bill 647 (restrictive housing / shortening allowable time in restrictive housing). County staff reported MALF (Maryland Association of Local Federations / referenced organization) opposition and commissioners agreed to monitor and consider a county position.

- Delegate Grice’s draft: an amendment that would allow a county governing body to approve projects previously denied by the Maryland Historical Trust (example discussed: a West Denton property where a historic-trust review blocked a dredging permit because of a piece of wood in dredge spoil). Commissioners expressed interest in tracking this bill because it might give local governments a path to overrule or revisit state historic-review holds in site-specific cases.

Staff also briefed the board on other bills related to farm home processing revenue limits, retirement system transfers, transmission lines and conservation easements, and an open-space funding change being pursued at DNR. Commissioners asked staff and the county legislative team to prepare or track letters of support, opposition or information as appropriate and to continue discussion with the county’s legislative liaisons.

Why this matters: Several bills could alter county regulatory authority over development, law enforcement stops, encampments and conservation easements. Commissioners requested staff follow-up and directed the legislative team to prepare letters where positions were clear (support for solar CPCN local-approval bill; opposition to the unhoused-individuals bill), and to continue monitoring other measures.

Next steps: staff to draft letters of opposition/support as directed, coordinate with the county’s legislative liaisons and raise select items at the commissioners’ next meeting and subcommittee calls.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caroline - Caroline County Commissioners Meeting - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Porter briefed the board on a slate of bills pending in the Maryland General Assembly that may affect county authority over solar siting, traffic stops, encampments, historical-preservation review and corrections-related matters.","taxTitle","Caroline County, Maryland","taxId",61674,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696283,"Caroline County staff propose moving State Homeland Security Grant purchases in-house to improve accountability",531,3481000,4012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c&start=3481&end=4012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c/thumbnail_3481000.jpg","/articles/6696283/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-staff-propose-moving-State-Homeland-Security-Grant-purchases-in-house-to-improve-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696283-534603d0df0d740f8e03a3dbe22bd721/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146740&Signature=kf8rOp9touBoM48aRi-CJDnvWGrDxGwBTAoqqfd8BYCT7bQN9sinlP5yOUz4Fk5RirtBxFkuBs6OZjxjXP-lXuAc-FXvFUF1N1gWB0ey2g-GxQDep9yAEO9MBFm6kwCAJ5cG8XRo3Ob4HUBx3niGzlx22H0oMlo~ktloLEHpWJufGoYduuvHLQEAvkbXqBhddfyqqeARYMD1cLCqWJ9zb~0~OBnlalMVT8PSUSNxmYvtjJ3wTNWCVZdwd9pKNdnec2RxvtEDRSnKxi13XINKV1I6KsoAK2jvukUR2yHaonwleceuTD7B~-0txmCIWMiiCBfEFEl4-N~wYxAH3~wOzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Administrator Daniel Fox and Mark Sheridan, director of the Department of Emergency Services (DES), briefed commissioners on Jan. 28 on a proposed change to how the county administers State Homeland Security Grant Program funds that flow to local law enforcement and municipal agencies.

Sheridan and county staff said the current formula disburses small fixed amounts (roughly $6,000 per jurisdiction in recent years) directly to agencies, producing purchases that are often idiosyncratic and difficult for county staff to track during state audits. “We are still required to report on their spending,” Sheridan said, noting the state audits require asset inventories with serial numbers and receipts.

The county proposal is to have DES accept applications from local agencies, review and award projects centrally, and conduct purchases and inventorying on behalf of subrecipients. That model would: centralize procurement, tag equipment for audits, reduce staff time spent chasing receipts and improve consistency with state and federal reporting requirements. Sheridan and staff recommended a small review committee to evaluate applications and forward recommendations to the commissioners for final approval.

Commissioners expressed support for the approach and discussed committee makeup and decision authority. Commissioner Kenneth (first name not specified in the transcript) said he would like the review committee’s recommendations to come to the board for ultimate approval; others suggested a committee including finance, sheriff’s office representation, and possibly a commissioner. Sheriff Baker and other participants emphasized that the county remains responsible for equipment purchased with grant funds and said tighter oversight could reduce audit risk.

Outcome at the meeting: staff reported a consensus to roll out the DES-administered application model for the current grant year, work with legal on agreements with subrecipients, form a small review committee and submit committee recommendations to the commissioners for final award decisions. Commissioners asked that the staff present alternative options considered and the applications the committee received when forwarding recommendations for approval.

Why this matters: SHSGP funds are federal/state homeland-security dollars that require detailed inventory and reporting. Centralizing purchases can reduce audit risk and administrative burden but will change how municipalities and small agencies access funding for equipment and training.

Next steps: staff to finalize an agreement with subrecipients (with county legal), stand up a small review committee, accept applications for the current grant cycle and present committee recommendations and alternative options to the commissioners for final approval.","County emergency services and administration proposed shifting management of the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) from an entitlement-style allocation to a competitive application process administered by the county’s Department of Emergency Services to improve inventory tracking, audit readiness and centralized purchasing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696286,"Police Accountability Board presents 2024 annual report to Caroline County commissioners",211,3169000,3380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c&start=3169&end=3380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c/thumbnail_3169000.jpg","/articles/6696286/Caroline-County/Maryland/Police-Accountability-Board-presents-2024-annual-report-to-Caroline-County-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696286-c5026a937fbb5b379e668154e22643d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146740&Signature=ET6SaliM8qdEiLQ65yPheYwfhenkV0sxALNJfHYxr5mW9XOjO55s6b9UJKQWb25eNjizxY8toe~wXHx-eA0g1RFw6YS0APnD5vbzfkSaXpXE0Z1lKS2nGDOF8oC8-yLE8PkGtETlTcQgBg68QtSfL0BfNnmiyJPcfTgFUXpl6MDI4x2zHhqk~qyVx7jOBOH7G1mvZUlInAdN7uoiUfwUu5cSp27k4WQcRflC9Y6QjEgueXp-sHtzlc3XAKmQtv4D~cExbdnG1~zUKIK86N0F-EIId~xPIbMzislQXoh1T4i3EHWGdEdKVBlzPICNaMhEd3-RN37rU0qU4grz9YLL3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Bartlett, chairman of the Police Accountability Board, presented the board’s 2024 annual report to the Caroline County commissioners on Jan. 28 and said the report had been submitted to the county before Dec. 31, 2024.

Bartlett said the report collates activity between the ACC and PAB and lists calls for service and complaint activity across local law enforcement agencies. He reported that the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office logged more than 25,000 calls for service during the reporting period and that the ACC
authorized or investigated six complaints against the agency; those complaints were reported as either unfounded or exonerated and were forwarded to the PAB, Bartlett said. He also said the town of Denton reported roughly 11,000 calls for service with zero complaints in the same period, per the report.

Bartlett told commissioners that the PAB and ACC received a state grant of about $153,000 to support accountability-related expenses including security, software and body-worn cameras. “The grant money that we received was a 153,000 plus,” Bartlett said.

Commissioners thanked board members for their work and Bartlett said printed copies of the report were available for members of the public.

Why this matters: The PAB and ACC function under state law to review complaints and oversee accountability-related processes. The report provides an overview of call and complaint activity, and the grant-funded purchases noted in the report reflect county-level investment in public-safety technology and oversight.

What the meeting recorded: the board presented the report; commissioners expressed appreciation; there was no vote or county action recorded on the report during the meeting.","The Police Accountability Board (PAB) and Administrative Complaint Committee (ACC) delivered their 2024 annual report, summarizing calls for service, complaint outcomes and grant-funded expenditures including public-safety technology purchases.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696291,"Caroline County historical society urges county help to open Winchester Mill site to visitors",1144,306000,1450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c&start=306&end=1450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c/thumbnail_306000.jpg","/articles/6696291/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-historical-society-urges-county-help-to-open-Winchester-Mill-site-to-visitors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696291-ee979e4f316f787d5635da1f83ed82eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146740&Signature=caz1vhS373jS6q9ht95VH26m4CZrb--ecxF91buq-v1tUsI5fl7irUPFLFPRRiKZDB1YqYYWIcn-vfj8yU8p3Pb28MUXiLCGiyJQWoUqWY0z35E94GMuhZRA0d4ICw1yJdwNX24k2UwJh6UV7y0pz3Vg7GHY1nzInn3HQBdUzbpL2d0CTVM6K16mPNx1w4Sas~bH0444IhpIp8zY1lNveHxfU0Qxfnqmdo5w5iElWGNcu93SVrGe-mbD9NIhyhDEIzOpunmPmtruTCGmxZA~J7mcw8fmJ~RB5A23iiIpilImleIIJ75n76Vd2G7a78bDrvCIQmCjvrvAZPNUELL3Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mickey McRae, representing the Caroline County Historical Society, told the Caroline County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 that the society wants to work with the county to make the Winchester Mill property — roughly 14 acres — more accessible to visitors and school groups.

McRae said the restored mill and related properties around Preston contain documented Underground Railroad sites, including the Leverton dwelling, and that modest investments — such as moving a fence to permit parking, signage, charging stations and an organized donation program — could increase visitation without altering farmland or infrastructure. “We have the ability there to interpret our county,” McRae said, and suggested a $5–$10 daily donation meter or bus-group donations to create a small trust for repairs and maintenance.

The society described practical needs and existing assets: a parking area west of the mill that could hold a touring bus, a soft kayak launch, picnic tables and artifacts already on hand for interpretation. McRae said the society has materials and prefabricated building components for work on the Medford dwelling and that earlier bond-bill funding will be paid as reimbursements, not up-front. “The windows, all the appointments for that building had already been fabricated. They’re in the building and I’ve got the siding,” McRae said, describing a pay-as-you-go approach while waiting for state reimbursement.

Resident and longtime Preston farmer David Eugene “Jean” Harris, who spoke after McRae, urged restoration of the Winchester Mill pond as a potential recharge and firefighting resource and as a historic landscape feature. Harris said the original pond breach followed a late-winter thaw and heavy rain in 1979 and argued the pond could serve multiple community uses if restored, while acknowledging environmental permits and federal involvement could be required.

Commissioners thanked the speakers and said staff would follow up individually with Parks & Recreation, planning and economic development staff. Commissioner Larry Ford praised McRae’s volunteer work and the county’s existing partnerships with local museums; the board indicated interest in continuing discussions with the Historical Society but did not commit to specific funding at the meeting.

Why this matters: Caroline County’s southern corridor around Preston includes several documented Underground Railroad sites and small local museums that preservationists say can support modest tourism and education without large infrastructure projects. The society framed its request around maintenance funding, visitor interpretation and structured agritourism rather than commercial development.

Next steps noted at the meeting: staff follow-up with Parks & Recreation and Economic Development; possible further discussion of parking and signage; continued use of volunteer and foundation funds (Leverton Hubbard Foundation) to seed maintenance resources.

","Preservationists with the Caroline County Historical Society asked commissioners to partner on modest improvements at Winchester Mill and nearby historical sites to boost tourism, protect resources tied to the Underground Railroad and create a small, sustainable revenue stream for maintenance.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6696276,"Commissioners say operating-cost estimates needed before approving regional detention center partnership",2092,5976000,8068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c&start=5976&end=8068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2157009-7ab0fe270a1e9a08ab430ce44565a91c/thumbnail_5976000.jpg","/articles/6696276/Caroline-County/Maryland/Commissioners-say-operating-cost-estimates-needed-before-approving-regional-detention-center-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6696276-107dda6ff22374f87f886999878bd04d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146740&Signature=RQ-Iv97iwhQTz52H3QGui3Vt05FrjUrmSbkfVYxrKoCjq6EsH~bHwLJrffG3ZHwBCT0nIF7kJhKGKGkPYk4K4eQh0hCylVLA2bCuDBFbII9GOe3dn74TkGAeetUPzWl~04vt4k7q-GU7gIxJN2SWZlIhwb7IXFSg69wbohkRN1VYXsHdjB17T2t5qo0PBymoRnZJOrHl4UYVdEUf~sClh5XS3kFvRdyEuCG69bD7Z4myzPBbCKNpXbtW6U1DyCEJsmVGs4uH3A13viTscVpWQN5ImpDHuZuiFtPqafC6-3XlWpo6yAmW3amXZkG5NznjUxesyv8D8tVfRBhnqE6Xaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caroline County commissioners and staff discussed a proposed regional detention center with representatives from Queen Anne’s County during the Jan. 28 meeting and asked for more detailed operating-cost information before making a commitment.

County staff said capital costs for a new facility have been shared by Queen Anne’s County, but commissioners emphasized the decision depends on long-term operating costs: staffing, medical services and food services were repeatedly identified as the three largest uncertain items. Commissioner Kathleen (last name not specified in the transcript) suggested independent review of operating projections while other commissioners asked county staff — who have municipal budgeting experience — to assemble an operational estimate based on proposed staffing rosters, current contract rates and comparable facilities.

County staff outlined a model for assessing operations: take Queen Anne’s proposed staffing roster and pay scale as a baseline, estimate medical and dietary costs using current county contracts and comparable jurisdictions, and identify contingency items (transportation, treatment plant, overtime exposure). Commissioners and staff agreed no affirmative decision would be made until those operating numbers were available for review.

Why this matters: A regional detention center involves a long-term operational commitment and recurring costs that would replace or augment current county corrections expenses. Commissioners said capital participation alone (county share of construction) is not sufficient to inform a policy decision without reliable projections of annual operating expenditures.

Next steps recorded: staff to request itemized operating estimates from Queen Anne’s County (personnel counts and pay scales, proposed medical and dietary models); county staff offered to build a county-side operating estimate and, if needed, seek outside assistance to validate assumptions. No vote or agreement to join was taken at the meeting.","Caroline County commissioners said they cannot decide on joining a proposed regional detention center with Queen Anne’s and Kent counties until they receive clearer, long-term operating cost estimates covering personnel, medical and food services and other recurring expenses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Caroline County commissioners review bills at General Assembly and direct staff positions on several measures

Caroline County staff propose moving State Homeland Security Grant purchases in-house to improve accountability

Police Accountability Board presents 2024 annual report to Caroline County commissioners

Caroline County historical society urges county help to open Winchester Mill site to visitors

Commissioners say operating-cost estimates needed before approving regional detention center partnership