[{"_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",6653122,"mediaKeyId","2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e","parentId",2485477,"title","Caroline County reviews draft Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee ordinance","audioSeconds",1111,"startMs",1055000,"endMs",2166000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e&start=1055&end=2166","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e/thumbnail_1055000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653122/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-reviews-draft-Police-Accountability-Board-and-Administrative-Charging-Committee-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653122-1c2237f3a68568e38cd2e127bec3604a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109768&Signature=UcAwb1MZ6NLq0q5j-kwIHqFVV-sOg0ist8I~hOiC5Jr1NShqncTqYot13q1ZnjYoBa0Nyp-rxJJ71ANyzy-Tui3DS3L-G9a8vbVUvkMnNurcrBLDsbEu6bOwtXdOLLYpBYV-lGEm1nqDohZOZuO-Bd69~BVJwtq9fzI~e~Rf5WApC4kzgLny8zhJ6SlEAiQolhZR-XGFZ~SjDlzmogR6J7dOkEtqKgtmVKc9geKXtVm17-n~NzA1NAcVk8~QGVn24ZgzzIZAiIjRsNtzEgVMkUOZE4RiEZuKNWhlzuvJkszWk9qQxgJGIYiYLmxP4l3Bjju2mjW2UUUlWTTU~k7-wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Caroline","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Caroline County commissioners held a legislative-workshop discussion on March 4 about a draft ordinance to formally establish a Police Accountability Board (PAB) and an Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) under state law enacted in 2021.

Stuart Barrow, county attorney, and outside counsel who has advised the PAB and ACC described the draft as a refinement of earlier county resolutions and said it reflects months of input from the sheriff’s office, municipal chiefs and board administrators. The draft would reduce the joint board composition to seven members total, with a five-member PAB and a five-member ACC, and three PAB members serving on the ACC, with two outside members on each panel.

Barrow said the ordinance introduces an attendance standard that would automatically remove members who miss more than 25% of meetings in a rolling 12-month period; that change is a policy recommendation rather than a state mandate. Sheriff Baker and Chief Bacorn (municipal chief) both participated in the discussion; the sheriff told commissioners he opposed mandatory term limits and recommended grandfathering existing members who belong to law‑enforcement organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Commissioners and staff discussed training requirements, cost implications and how confidentiality breaches would be handled. Staff recommended revising draft language so allegations of confidentiality violations would be presented to the commissioners for determination of investigation and potential removal; commissioners agreed to add language that the board may refer such complaints to the county for investigation and final disposition.

On overlapping jurisdiction, Chief Bacorn and other municipal leaders asked that the county circulate the draft to the three municipal police departments and allow them an opportunity to comment before official introduction. Commissioners agreed to circulate the draft to the municipal agencies and to return to workshop if municipalities propose substantial comments.

Participants also queried recordkeeping and expungement. The sheriff explained internal administrative complaint files are retained at the sheriff’s office for background checks and that a pending state bill would allow expungement of administrative findings that are unfounded or exonerated after three years; county counsel said current state law constrains expungement and the county will watch pending legislation.

No formal ordinance vote occurred at the workshop; the board directed staff and county counsel to make the discussed edits, remove term‑limit language, and circulate the draft to municipal police departments for review prior to formal introduction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caroline - Caroline County Commissioners Meeting - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Caroline County commissioners held a workshop March 4 to review a draft ordinance establishing a Police Accountability Board (PAB) and Administrative Charging Committee (ACC) under the 2021 state law, focusing on membership, attendance, term limits, confidentiality and municipal coordination.","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},6653126,"Caroline County proclaims March 2025 Endometriosis Awareness Month",348,336000,684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e&start=336&end=684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e/thumbnail_336000.jpg","/articles/6653126/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-proclaims-March-2025-Endometriosis-Awareness-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653126-eed70b6c40985aab76d104f94c658dc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109768&Signature=WPpxVaTXdfXBUqnWw1gZa~QP4IOka9YyCYHQXMf5GhUK47DOD0tkozVKacWaIdyV9U7moxUkPJv87BlbcR2ZlzRHmzbnO9w9Ake1OPp1jYf8PnH8WOLlEGwB4LSHngk2hivunp6rrG2sWtsbTUg0axW334HbbQ9GWOnNXJhlR68MyVWnC4lIguUknOgDZflAvP4HbJzRZKlJQ1Zq5CSg1FHUWY8QGcKqSc5xhCG5dXzp157PNSXHx2iK1msgr9y2rxu-ak~jxGLyhxGK4oRJvAnWGTFbN7jKWcGd0VFqmp5GNknPjz2kb~ckaxn29EBhlZL6UeOq6WuAq2gjib~d2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caroline County commissioners on March 4 issued a proclamation declaring March 2025 Endometriosis Awareness Month and heard remarks from Shannon Hanawold, founder of Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore.

Hanawold told the board she started the local support group after family members experienced similar symptoms and lengthy delays to diagnosis. She said endometriosis often takes about 10 years to diagnose, cannot be detected by ultrasound or CT and is confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. Hanawold described chronic pain, fatigue, infertility and associated autoimmune conditions and said she has undergone 19 surgeries for the disease.

“Endometriosis doesn’t just affect the person that has it. It affects everyone that cares about them,” Hanawold said, urging residents to mark Endo Day on March 7 by wearing yellow or displaying a yellow ribbon.

Commissioners signed the proclamation presented by Bartz and said the county has supported the recognition in prior years. The proclamation text in the meeting packet cites global and U.S. estimates and local support organizations, and was signed by J. Travis Breeding (president), Larry C. Porter (vice president) and Norman F. Marshall (commissioner). The board took no additional policy action during the presentation.

The proclamation notes an estimated 200,000,000 people worldwide are affected and states about one in 10 women have endometriosis; it also states there is no known cure and that diagnosis relies on laparoscopic surgery. The county packet identifies local support as Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore and references national advocacy groups.","Caroline County commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as Endometriosis Awareness Month and heard testimony from a local advocate about diagnosis delays, treatment burdens and community support needs.",{"_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},6653107,"Votes at a glance: Chesapeake College funding request approved; Sharp Road Park MOU extended; consent agenda adopted",397,5679000,6076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e&start=5679&end=6076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e/thumbnail_5679000.jpg","/articles/6653107/Caroline-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Chesapeake-College-funding-request-approved-Sharp-Road-Park-MOU-extended-consent-agenda-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653107-0d69b55c883168e81852e7ce7275d0ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109768&Signature=PZki32yKPitmvpHBnXTsUqCsxXppEC9JY6gJHpEjPEzKKNv8-gpBG7NoiPEf3QCCd1WkMgWhg8lofOsIdHiVYWSpvk~UOVeV52raAzwfNp~bgN1juO4Cpe9iSxrGrGDpatRuXEWDZ69GT-GyRIKAxiDhgHDWkotnH8am25mVFK6dXy44CHL~u5sIzq9P9OlWZiLbOeZ2ZwWsPdfZYkyKI8iLrnMdFlSRXqxzvmtRHN~ggGtCR~QE0wQXKElH4mndLefLx5hdtO~go9z1U3Tqnl3Jfc3oRZX0ElM3aT44tasW2fx6VvsL-9tZyc7suJG9ut-b3EF~YdOOvPGx2fHvrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caroline County Board of Commissioners recorded the following formal actions on March 4, 2025.

Chesapeake College — use of fund balance for 10‑year facilities master plan
Motion: \"I move we approve the use of fund balance for this project.\" (motion and second recorded in transcript)
Outcome: Approved. Commissioners approved a use‑of‑fund‑balance request to supply the remainder of a contract for a college 10‑year facilities master plan; the college sought $167,550 in additional funding and proposed combining that with $75,000 already in its FY2025 capital budget to complete a roughly $250,000 contract. Two commissioners opposed the motion; the meeting transcript records a majority approval with two dissenting commissioners.
Notes: Staff memo indicates the plan is required for submission to the Maryland Higher Education Commission and that Chesapeake sought proposals; the recommended award was to Design Collective (Baltimore) and the proposed schedule spans about 10 months. The college had previously produced an internal plan in 2016; the current document is an updated external consultant plan.

Sharp Road Park memorandum of understanding (MOU)
- Addition to agenda: Commissioners voted to add approval of an agreement with the Town of Denton extending the MOU for Sharp Road Park to the action agenda. Motion and second were recorded and the item was added.
- MOU extension approval: Motion to approve the extension of the term of the memorandum of understanding for Sharp Road Park and send it to Denton for execution. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
Notes: The existing MOU dated March 19, 2024, was set to expire March 19, 2025; the extension continues the agreement for one additional year or until closing.

Consent agenda
Motion: Commissioners moved and seconded approval of the consent agenda, which included routine items and an extension of an existing grass‑cutting contract. Outcome: Consent agenda approved by voice vote; no opposition recorded in the transcript.

Votes summary (tallies inferred from transcript)
- Chesapeake College use of fund balance: approved; tally inferred 3 yes, 2 no (two commissioners stated they opposed).
- Sharp Road Park MOU (addition and extension): both motions approved by voice vote (unanimous on the record).
- Consent agenda: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).","At the March 4 meeting commissioners approved the use of Chesapeake College fund balance to complete a 10‑year facilities master plan, extended a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Denton for Sharp Road Park, and approved the consent agenda.",{"_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},6653112,"Caroline County commissioners report from Annapolis: solar preemption bill risks local zoning authority, officials say",1448,4151000,5599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e&start=4151&end=5599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e/thumbnail_4151000.jpg","/articles/6653112/Caroline-County/Maryland/Caroline-County-commissioners-report-from-Annapolis-solar-preemption-bill-risks-local-zoning-authority-officials-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653112-bf8f226023a2499f9f206cba75182f98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109768&Signature=mUq6dbGJ1V03sOY51eMRBqtXJuI9cS4KrSGerb5pXI038HZdvcwQ3Lfd9L4fadrNWGJxGX1GrGaRvCvDWUw1tL1O5cNH2CeDEjj8USgvCkJUuCAYuL90Pj5wVS5fUEfQOx~gbIBKaXvUL-nCnMC885tkDBWm2~HdhLYWtVAokaDLFWCBELtq7w~HPWmkbuAfc1VnDFPcaM87~mHDeM22K53kNkxnxPvlXz5fw5vR1qkBJWfZ~uDY8o4b~ozgehWRlLJgRwkg2fsZQAedjwlW8rtPkebgrlMS5T-MhVbg3ch~yPmPeYBgPCZv3J2x8bNkYbM4-7oH9mDR1qH8kaP2Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Larry C. Porter and other county officials reported on March 4 that they testified in Annapolis on bills that would preempt local siting authority for utility‑scale solar projects and address taxation and decommissioning. Porter said the pair of bills discussed were House Bill 1036 and Senate Bill 931.

Porter and other speakers described a contentious hearing where county representatives, farmers and local officials urged the General Assembly not to strip counties of siting authority. County testimony emphasized that Caroline County had previously adopted a 2017 solar ordinance and set acreage limits after stakeholder workshops, and asked the legislature to carve out counties that have been collaborative. Speakers said the bill sponsor characterized some counties as effectively zoning solar out, and that the state’s approach aims to create a uniform framework.

Commissioners said they expected to secure some concessions on taxation and decommissioning — possibly adjustments to decommissioning bond or tax treatment — but that the siting authority is the most likely item to be taken away. Several commissioners predicted the bill will pass in some form and that the Eastern Shore could see increased solar siting activity if federal subsidies and state policy align.

Commissioners noted broader fiscal pressures in Annapolis, including a multibillion‑dollar budget gap and pending changes to state funding formulas for education and open‑space programs, and said county budgets will feel pressure if the state shifts costs to local governments. The board urged vigilance and said it will continue to monitor proposed amendments from the Maryland Association of Counties and to advocate for local input into siting and tax provisions.

No county position vote was taken at the meeting; commissioners described next steps as monitoring amendments and staying engaged with the legislature.","Commissioners who testified in Annapolis described a state bill that would preempt local siting authority for utility-scale solar and expressed concern it could override counties that have adopted cooperative local policies. They said taxation and decommissioning remain under negotiation, but siting preemption appears likely.",{"_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},6653117,"Commissioners review emergency cannabis zoning language, ask for mapped setbacks",735,3165000,3900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e&start=3165&end=3900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2485477-1401cfa63e841883d1239d0851d6b22e/thumbnail_3165000.jpg","/articles/6653117/Caroline-County/Maryland/Commissioners-review-emergency-cannabis-zoning-language-ask-for-mapped-setbacks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653117-6b8d9e56ee9ed73557773cc9b6d8aacc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771109768&Signature=o6aKKT3v9VDbM9FyssqSqSBR~jSmAbrC3v-OXAhx3ZuKXJjtgX2K-scBYYofJWfR9zmLLjpGI6fZybe9WJtiqR5pFu7ybUage07FnsPi6vTVR2oTjdO0TY2lyMH0e-fxxvWVx3lcnqty6rg4Rp-AjhLTI4TcPMCRMv251c4B1FCORF8MpVaBLkfQ5W~oV6e9b8FkGHjhwYiQKksTOJDZyvYESm5CFCvnk5zzVSDz7lAtgfkRD29xce1whfz-x3e3tV-upvbqrQWCjrDP3fkCGMVGuyrSMy37vqplcDhmlBlloXVhOb05XI2NszGFGLM5A~zOpQx-eZqMeeezaBC6pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caroline County planning staff and commissioners discussed an emergency zoning amendment on March 4 to add rules for state‑licensed cannabis facilities — dispensaries, growers and processors — and to set local setbacks consistent with state limitations.

Planner Crystal (last name not recorded in the public transcript) described the draft attachments to the Caroline County Table of Use Regulations. Dispensaries would be regulated like small- and large-scale retail under existing commercial categories; state law limits local setbacks for dispensaries to 500 feet from schools, child‑care centers, playgrounds, recreational centers, libraries, public parks and churches and requires a minimum separation of 1,000 feet between dispensaries in some state language. The county’s draft adopts those state setback standards for dispensaries.

For growers and processors the draft proposes allowing those uses in the I‑2 Industrial District with supplementary regulations that include a 1,200‑foot buffer from schools, religious facilities, public or nonprofit parks, playgrounds, civic centers, libraries and registered day‑care facilities, and a 600‑foot buffer from residential zoning districts. Crystal said the 1,200‑foot and 600‑foot buffers are the local limits available under state code for those classifications.

Commissioners asked staff to prepare a visual map that color‑codes potential allowable areas and setback buffers to help applicants and the public visualize where each classification could operate. Staff said they would work with GIS staff (Megan) to produce the map for a future workshop.

Staff also noted that processing of an application would consider only facilities and uses that existed at the time an application was filed; subsequent establishment of a school, church or park would not defeat an already‑filed application. Commissioners and staff discussed permitting pathways: dispensaries above 3,000 square feet would be permitted in C‑1 and C‑2 commercial districts by site plan (C‑2) or special‑use exception (C‑1), and appeals would go to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Crystal said one state dispensary had been issued for the region and was located in the town of Federalsburg (referred to as \"Fettlesburg\" in the transcript).

No formal ordinance vote was taken at the workshop; staff will draft a map and return with a visual overlay and the suggested ordinance text for formal introduction.","County planning staff presented an emergency amendment to the zoning ordinance to add use classifications and setbacks for state‑licensed cannabis dispensaries, growers and processors; commissioners asked staff to create a map showing allowable locations before formal introduction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Caroline County reviews draft Police Accountability Board and Administrative Charging Committee ordinance

Caroline County proclaims March 2025 Endometriosis Awareness Month

Votes at a glance: Chesapeake College funding request approved; Sharp Road Park MOU extended; consent agenda adopted

Caroline County commissioners report from Annapolis: solar preemption bill risks local zoning authority, officials say

Commissioners review emergency cannabis zoning language, ask for mapped setbacks