Commissioners authorize two SMECO easements for clubhouse service upgrade and Route 5 utility relocation

The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners on May 20 approved two Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) easement agreements designed to support utility upgrades.

County staff and SMECO representatives described the first agreement as a standard easement to relocate and upgrade electrical service at the clubhouse at Wicomico Shores Golf (clubhouse project), increasing service from single‑phase to three‑phase to support the new clubhouse. County counsel Liz Pasarelli characterized the document as routine and asked SMECO representatives to answer technical questions for the board.

The second agreement revises an earlier April 15 authorization and authorizes a 10‑foot right of way and a special 20‑foot easement for a pole to run a new underground/overhead distribution line along the northbound side of Maryland Route 5 from Maple Road to Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown. County staff said engineering located the underground line to minimize later moves if the State Highway Administration widens the road, though they noted there is no definitive SHA widening plan and large‑scale road work could require relocation.

Commissioners moved and approved both easements by voice vote. The board directed staff to finalize documents and authorized the commission president to sign. County engineers said the underground installation should reduce future conflicts with sidewalk or roadway expansions but acknowledged the potential need to adjust the line depending on the scope of any future SHA project.

The board did not set special conditions beyond the standard easement provisions; SMECO will coordinate line location and installation with county engineering and any affected property owners.