The Caroline County Commissioners on Oct. 21 approved multiple routine and project items, including a county courthouse monument request, acceptance of dredge spoils from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a housekeeping change to the Parks Advisory Board terms, and the 2026 meeting schedule.

Votes at a glance
- Monument request: Commissioners authorized the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 29 (Denton) to proceed with a proposed polished black granite monument to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The organization’s representative, Fortie Brown, proposed a roughly 44-inch polished black granite marker with colored-etching of a flag and the Sons insignia and asked to place it on the courthouse green; commissioners approved the request and directed county staff to provide possible locations and coordinate placement. The motion to authorize the Sons to proceed passed (chair announced, “The ayes have it”).

- Dredge spoils (Chop Tank Marina / Watts Creek): The board authorized the county’s receipt of up to 2,000 cubic yards of dredge spoils from DNR’s Martin Neck State Park channel-dredging project and approved DNR preparing the county’s disposal site entry road and restoring the site afterward. Jamie Beechey, director of Caroline Recreation and Parks, said DNR funding covered 100% of the cost to remove spoils. Commissioners voted to accept the material; the motion passed.

- Parks Advisory Board resolution (2025-033): Commissioners adopted a resolution to amend Parks Advisory Board terms to remove a one-year probationary period after two terms, allowing more flexibility for reappointment in a county volunteer environment where recruitment is difficult. The motion passed.

- 2026 meeting schedule: Commissioners adopted the proposed 2026 meeting calendar with daytime meetings and agreed to consider evening meetings on a case-by-case basis when requested; the motion passed.

Public hearings held (no public testimony recorded)
- Legislative Bill 2025-012: A public hearing was held on updated solar-energy regulations to conform county code to the state Renewable Energy Certainty Act (SB 931 / HB 1036). The hearing was opened and closed with no registered public testimony.

- Legislative Bill 2025-013: A public hearing was held on amendments to Section 175-29 (wastewater treatment facilities) that would remove certain ownership and shared-facility restrictions for non-accessory wastewater treatment facilities in the rural zoning district. The hearing was opened and closed with no registered public testimony.

Process notes and follow-up
- Location and coordination: For the Sons of the American Legion monument, commissioners asked staff to propose potential locations and confirmed the county’s Parks & Recreation staff would coordinate placement and maintenance.
- Dredge disposal: Jamie Beechey told the board DNR was to prepare the disposal site and leave it in the condition found after spoils placement; DNR funded site preparation and spoil removal.

Ending: Commissioners closed the consent and legislative items and moved to closed session on several legal, property and security matters.