Author Archives: Alison Kennedy
CAN Community Meeting with Glenn Steckman 05/28/26
CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
May 28, 2026 6:00 PM
Board Members Present: Chuck McFadden, Sharon Smith, Judd Vickers, Mary Ellen Jesien, Sheila Jones, Chuck Fadely, Amy Craig, Alison Kennedy
Board Members Absent: Andre Duerinckx, Roman Jesien, Lashon Foster
Attendance: 32 people were in attendance. No press was at this meeting.
Introduction
The meeting began with introductions by everyone in the room.
Chuck McFadden, President of CAN, spoke about reviewing the city budget this year with City Finance Director, Perry Peregoy. He commented that it was the most sophisticated budget he had seen executed by the city over the last 20 years. The finance staff is composed of six people and they do a great job.
Presentation
Glenn Steckman started the conversation talking about the new budget for FY2027.
- The city budget requires input from many finance commissioners.
- Cambridge has a lot of needs.
- Maintenance Fund (MF), that was established last year, has $550,000 in it.
- The MF is for the city to handle things that breakdown unexpectedly. Also, to provide monies set aside for city salaries.
- City has limited ability to float bonds as a means to pay for large city expenditures.
- The city is still paying for the Public Safety Building that has affected other city projects.
- There will be no property tax increase this year. There may be a decrease.
- The city has hired a company to do a study on salaries for city staff.
- Cambridge city staff members were being paid at a lower rate than surrounding municipalities.
- The city has a sidewalk program that is budgeted for $700,000.
- The city is responsible for 4 miles of sidewalks. The city does not want anyone to fall.
Projects
Trenton Street Pumping Station
- Handles most of the city’s wastewater.
- Can handle 6 million gallons of wastewater. Right now it handles 1.5 – 2 million gallons on a regular basis.
- Is 98 years old and past its useful life.
- Trenton St Pump Station is being replaced
- Breaking ground in mid June 2026
- It will take 15 months to complete
- Will handle 8 million gallons of wastewater
Interceptor
- A grant application has been submitted to help offset costs for this $3.2M project estimate.
New City Positions
- Economic Development Director
- Will coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street
- Property Registration and Inspections
- Will hire 2 people
- Salaries will be paid by the fees taken in for this program
City Budget Facts
- The police department makes up 46% of the budget
- Property tax makes up 49% of the budget
- Revenue sources
- Grants
- Bank Sweep Accounts on interest
- The city is working closely with the County to share resources
- County buys gas wholesale to run vehicles – city looking to share that resource
- $40,000 – $55,000 goes to non-profits
- Runs internship program for youth – city partners with others
- Skate Park is coming to Cannery Park
- Dog Park at Cannery Park is open
- City is going out to bid on a 5 year contract for trash pick-up (instead of a 3 year contract)
- The local management of Chesapeake Waste is not reliable and there are many continuing complaints and high employee turnover.
The program ended with a Question and Answer session.
Police Advisory Board Report 4/22/26
CAN REPORT ON 4/22/26
POLICE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Report by Amy J. Craig, CAN Board Member
2026 1st Quarter Report
https://www.choosecambridge.com/159/Police-Department
Meeting Summary: I attended the April 22, 2026, Police Advisory Board Meeting held at the City Council Chambers. The meeting began with Chief Todd and Mayor Lajan Cephas welcoming everyone. Also in attendance were Council President Sputty Cephas, City Manager Glenn Steckman, Lt. Greg McCray, Capt. Shawn Henson, Capt. Antwon Patton, Tyzan Meekins (remote), Mike Stewart, Shantay Nelson, Talibah Chikwendu, Bob Rowe.
Chief Todd reported on the 2026 1st Quarter Report (January-March). A copy of which is attached. Some highlights were that there was one non-fatal young adult shooting; surveillance operations for drugs and prostitution; the shot spotter alerts had decreased from the previous quarter; three drone operations where large drugs and three-gun crimes had been observed. Homelessness is still an issue. Mental health calls for service with referrals to mental health care. CID investigations have improved from January to March. Traffic stops have increased because of increase in complaints. There are new traffic/speed monitors that are moved to neighborhood streets in response to complaints. Bob Rowe found discrepancies in narrative vs numbers. The Chief indicated that he would relay discrepancies to Sgt. Chris Flynn and changes would be made if necessary.
There has been an increase in unsanctioned events/parties. The police have become aware of the events from social media monitoring and reports. Most of the invitations are AI generated and therefore unable to track the initiator/host. The police are partnering with City Staff for plan of action to make residents and public safe. Captains and Lieutenants are always on call if things get out of control. Arrests have been made, including a 16 yo that had a warrant from Delaware. Some of the participants that were arrested were not from Cambridge. The police are working with the City Managers/Council to possibly come up with an ordinance to control these events. There has been interagency cooperation with the Mid Shore Crime Information Center and the MSP because most of the pops ups that are held in Cambridge are organized in Hurlock and Delaware. The pop-up events are usually in apartment complexes so now property managers are being notified so that they can address and be accountable. Public works have helped with setting up blockades, taping off areas and signage. Regulations within park areas are also being reviewed to possibly shorten park hours.
There are 176 surveillance cameras in the City and LDRs are alerting patrol cars. More cameras will be installed this summer. Two cameras were destroyed in Cornish Park with 2 arrests made and the cameras have been replaced. These problems are nationwide.
Capt. Henson – CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies): working on internal policies to be compliant. 190 separate standards have been standardized. There have been four rewrites, and five new policies have been added. There have been 2 visits to other accredited agencies. The internal evidence handling is big issue that needs to be addressed. Training requirements are being implemented. New evidence tracking system with bar codes will assist. A public link to the handbook has been suspended because they realized that sensitive policies were available for the public to read.
Lt. McCrae reported on bike safety items. Attached is a flyer that will be used for public education. Chief Todd also did a facebook bike safety video. A month of public campaign will be conducted. Will quantify on how many were given flyers were given out. Insurance does not cover if an accident occurs. If such an accident with bike or scooter occurs, then it is handled as a civil matter. There are seven certified bike officers. There will also be school outreach. No bicycle should be on any sidewalk. There are plans to increase bike lane within the city.
High in Plain Sight events are scheduled. See attached flyer. June 16th from 6-7:15 pm at CSDHS for adults only; Professional Staff Presentation June 17th from 9-12 p at CSDHS. Focus is on OPIOD use.
SANTE Co-Responder Mobile Crisis Response Pilot Program: Flyer attached. The program is to assist with mental health issues in the City. The Chief has done a letter of commitment to bring the program to Cambridge. A social worker is present 5 days a week. A timeline for the program is being developed. Sue Radcliffe, LCSW-C, will assist the assigned social worker. The funding is in place. Sante desperately wants calls for help and to be able to assist the department. A meeting with the current Sheriff for collaboration is being sought.
Capt. Patton reported on community events. Flag Football: a grant has been received from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention. The funds were used to buy equipment, gun violence control and Swat Team equipment. A warrant apprehension grant was used to by ballistic shields and vests. Cameras: 7 new poles and 4 cameras per pole either are or will be installed. They will be added to high crime with elderly populated areas. Community policing project in collaboration with Chesapeake College for “cooking with a cop” a New Beginnings on Wednesday nights. They will be cooking ethnic food to include Hispanic and Pakistani.
Flag Football: Opening Day is May 2nd with 430 youth enrolled. They will play on Saturdays for 6 weeks at the Parks & Recs fields off Linden Avenue. Next year the plan is to do a Fall Under the Lights Program to expand their experiences.
There will also be tickets for 250 senior citizens to attend Shorebirds games. The tickets are in a sky box suite with food. There will also be a game in the picnic area with 100 tickets.
Mace’s Land Middle School/New Life Christ Church Passport to Manhood Program. There are 20 enrolled and will be working on a weekly basis on basic life skills (i.e. How to wash clothes, etiquette, tie a tie, and manhood lessons. One police officer will be assigned to 2 attendees.
Senior and Law Enforcement Program: will meet Tuesday and Thursdays for a summer walking program.
Dads on the Dock in partnership with R&D Boat Supply: will allow children to fish at Long Wharf with an adult.
Senior Citizen Appreciation Day will be held in late June.
Special Olympic Campaign Fundraiser: opportunity to buy Special Olympics Torch Run T-Shirts. June 5th with be “Cops on the Roof” at Chick Fil A.
Peace Rally: doing yoga with children at Sandy Hill Elementary School with the police. There will be 2 more sessions during the summer.
Officers are volunteering on their off times for community-oriented policing.
Council President Sputty Cephas told of a recent experience he had while traveling to Fells Point in Baltimore City. City employees that had City Department identification where in the area and engagement with the community.
Bob Rowe asked about ICE engagement in the city. The Chief responded that CPD is here to protect and serve citizens and is not allowing any other agencies to be treated differently. If criminal activity occurs there will be a full investigation.
Included in this quarter’s report is information on K9 use/search. Mike Stewart felt that posture has changed over the last 10 years and asked for data for that time frame. The Chief suggested that he reach out to Sgt. Flynn.
The meeting adjourned at 1:20 pm.
CAN Community Meeting 05/28/26
Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN), invites the community ….
Thursday, May 28, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Library Meeting Room – 303 Gay Street, Cambridge. MD
Guest Speaker – Glenn Steckman, City Manager
Some Topics Discussed:
Budget 2027
Current City Projects
New city staff positions
Financial Standing of the City
Bring your questions and come join us!
Free and open to all!
Week in Cambridge April 10, 2026
WEEK IN CAMBRIDGE
Friday, April 10, 2026
Just Some Notes
Citizens Academy
The City of Cambridge is hosting a Citizens Academy. This course is designed to teach interested citizens how the Cambridge
government is structured and works. The goals are to encourage active citizenship and develop civic ambassadors for the city.
Over the four-session course, scheduled for Tuesdays from April 28 – May 19, participants will learn about: How the City is Led and Supported; Protecting Lives and Maintaining Infrastructure; Planning, Permits and Code Enforcement – Shaping our City; and Fostering Growth and Stability. Each session, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, will include instruction, a tour, and a panel discussion with related city staff and elected officials. After completing all four sessions of the Academy, participants will be acknowledged during a regular council meeting with a certificate.
You must apply to be considered for participation. Please use the QR code to apply or pick up an application in the lobby at City Hall.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY
The Cambridge City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 13 in council chambers on Gay Street. Please remember the doors do not open to the public until 5:55 pm.
MRPA Golf Tournament
The Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) invites local golfers, recreation professionals, exhibitors, and sponsors to its 2026 Annual Golf Tournament. The event takes place Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the River Marsh Golf Course at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort in Cambridge, Maryland. The tournament is open to the general public. For more information or to register, visit mdrpa.org/golf-tournament-2026.
Land Bank Authority of Cambridge is Recruiting Board Members
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If you are interested in serving on the Land Bank Authority of Cambridge Board of Directors, applications are being accepted until Thursday, April 16, 2026. Visit choosecambridge.com/ 601/Land-Bank-Authority-Board for more information and the application.
Keeping Cambridge Clean
Cleanliness, especially our yards and streets, is about more than how it looks. Trash and debris all over attracts vermin, which can bring disease to our environment. It can also lead to unwanted items in the storm drains, which can negatively impact the work and play in our adjacent waterways.
There are a few, relatively simple things you can do to minimize these risks. Please consider adding these steps to your routines around your home.
Bag all trash
Putting small, or even larger, pieces of loose trash in the garbage bins can increase the debris on the ground in the neighborhood.
When the garbage bins are dumped into the truck, loose pieces can escape the process and end up blowing around, onto lawns, against curbs, or into the storm drains. Taking a moment to put the stray trash you pick up from your lawn or pull from the car into a bag before putting it in your garbage bin goes a long way to eliminating this issue in your neighborhood.
All trash goes in the garbage bin
All the trash to be picked up on your collection day must be inside the garbage bin. Trash, even if bagged, that is not in the bin, will not be picked up. Please do not leave bags or boxes of trash, or that are the trash, beside the garbage bin. If will be left on the curb and could then make more debris as it is vulnerable to being broken open in a variety of ways and scattered. Also, boxes are to be broken down in placed in the garbage bin.
Don’t overstuf f the garbage bin
It is okay to fill the garbage bin to the top, but the lid should be able to close. If you find that one bin is not enough for the twice a week trash collection, please contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 410-228-1955 to request an additional bin. Please note, there is an additional monthly charge for the additional bin.
If you need a replacement bin because yours is broken, please call DPW and they will arrange the exchange.
These simple steps will help keep the city clean for us all.
Remember:
- The deadline for filing Federal and State income tax returns or requests for extensions is Wednesday, April 15,
- Deadline for Land Bank Authority of Cambridge board of directors applications is Thursday, April 16, 2026. Visit com/601/Land-Bank-Authority-Board to apply.
- City Manager’s Open Office Hours will be from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Please come in the front doors at City Hall and follow the signs to Steckman’s office.
- Deadline to apply for the Citizens Academy is Tuesday, April 21, 2029. Visit com/602/Citizens Academy.com to apply.
- Spring Clean-up Bonus Week is April 13 – 16, 2026. If you have non-automotive on construction debris you would like picked up, contact the Department of Public Works at 410-228-1955 arrange pick-up.
Use the QR code to sign up to receive this newsletter and other press releases and information from the city of Cambridge into your email inbox.
The Week in Cambridge is broadcast by Radio Chesapeake on Fridays, during Morning Edition with Shane Walker (5-9 am) and during Mid-Shore Midday on WHCP 91.7 FM during the noon hour and on WFHW 90.3 FM during the 1 pm hour.
CAN Board Minutes 03/26/26
Affordable Housing Meeting 03/10/26
CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
March 10, 2026 6:00 PM
Board Members Present: Chuck McFadden, Judd Vickers, Alison Kennedy, Andre Duerinckx, Amy Craig, Chuck Fadely
Board Members Absent: Roman Jesien, Mary Ellen Jesien, LaShon Foster, Sheila Jones
Attendance: 42 attendees, 7 new members added to CAN
Press: WMDT
Introduction
Chuck McFadden, President of CAN, welcomed community members. Amy Craig introduced the speakers, Ed Crosby and Doris Mason from the City Housing Department and JoAnn Hansen, Jenny Schmidt, Jennifer Shorter and Kate Gibson from Habitat for Humanity.
Presentation
Housing accessibility is a hot button issue all over the state of Maryland and the same is true within the City of Cambridge. The affordable housing meeting, hosted by the Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN), saw a packed room with residents hoping to hear about creative ways to expand housing in Cambridge and how to get residents to house within the city.
Representatives said one of the strategies they are turning to increase housing is to revitalize distressed homes by using a combination of financial literacy education and lessons in home maintenance. For residents, some said these kinds of conversations empower them with knowledge and help foster community.
“It brings people together and just things that you probably would never hear about that were giving, getting information and you can make decisions, you can ask questions and just kind of look at volunteering opportunities and that kind of thing,” Cambridge resident Beth Kline said. Kline is retired and edits CAN’s newsletter and has lived inn Cambridge for over 20 years.
One of the biggest concerns from leaders and residents alike was how to use housing and economic development as a means of getting more people to stay in Cambridge. One of Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s main points was to try to bring in more educators to live in the city, allowing them to become more integrated in the community. CAN President Charles McFadden said housing will increase with good paying jobs.
“Our biggest problem is that our average income is $48,000 a year,” he said. “Average income in the state is like $96,000, we’re almost half. So, we need jobs.”
McFadden stressed that it will also take revamping the city’s education system and having highly trained and skilled people to revitalize the city’s job market.
Habitat for Humanity Choptank will host a financial literacy workshop on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m.
Notes taken by A. Kennedy, Secretary of CAN
Response to Draft of City Comprehensive Plan 2026
City Council Meeting Notes from March 2, 2026
Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods Response to Ordinances 1262 and 1265
Ordinances 1262 and 1265
Vacant Properties Registration and Fines
Sharon Smith, Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods
City Council is undertaking a program to determine the number of vacant properties within the corporate limits through Ordinance 1262 – Vacant Commercial Properties and Ordinance 1265 – Vacant Residential Properties and return them to productive use. The two ordinances share common language, so they are addressed in this one communique.
The intent of Council is clear and laudable, get people living and working in Cambridge. However, there are already sufficient municipal powers within Code Enforcement and Land Bank to address the issue of vacant and poorly maintained residential properties. The proposed ordinance defines a cumbersome new bureaucratic process that will burden all concerned and require considerable effort by City employees. In addition to creating a new registry probably containing information that is in, or should be in Code Enforcement files, new forms and signs created, multiple notifications to owners by the city may be required along with lien filings and potentially multiple $500 and $1000 fines for residential violations that can be imposed arbitrarily without owner notification or delay. Fines for commercial violations are $250 and $500. There is no stated delay between levying fines, so owners can be fined each and every day, as the ordinance currently reads “Every day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense and shall be subject to a separate fine without further action required by the city. Any owner of a vacant storefront who shall fail to register the same as required by this article shall be liable for said fine without notice.”
Nowhere in these ordinances does it clearly state that properties that are not returned to use are subject to fines after one year. Only re-registration is clearly required. And no action, except for registration and sign posting, is clearly required within the first year that these ordinances are enacted. Code enforcement can be a much faster remedy.
Also, the owner must post a sign on the property and re-register the property annually or within 15 days (the time limit is not specified for storefronts) if registration information changes. The proposed ordinance also does not appear to exempt registering weekend residential properties, many which are lovingly restored by part-time owners. Rental properties are also not exempt and already have a registration requirement. Even vacant properties exempted in the ordinance are required to register.
The ordinances name lists of documents that can be used to prove either “vacancy” or “occupancy.” However, who gets to choose which one(s) apply? I own a property on High Street for which I pay water and sewage, gas, and electric: is it “occupied” or “vacant?”
The city is clearly using the stick versus the carrot to cause compliance to these ordinances. Some carrots might also encourage positive results, such as one year of city real estate tax forbearance after properties are improved.
Should Council choose to pass both ordinances, some bureaucratic bumble is not clearly defined. For example, does an owner of a vacant storefront with vacant apartments above have to register and report on both residential and commercial registries?
Three conditions may allow a property to be exempt, including “structures under active construction or renovation, with valid permits issued by the City “. The city does not currently require owners of occupied properties to obtain permits for cosmetic or minor improvements, so this would create a disparity between how vacant properties’ and occupied properties’ improvements are handled and a huge burden on the permitting and inspection process. There are a multitude of improvements that a property owner can undertake that do not and should not require city permits. For example, painting the interior and exterior, installing new carpeting/flooring, swapping out appliances, making minor repairs, installing exterior shutters, landscaping, etc. A lone property owner, working part-time, on his/her own could certainly require more than a year to effect these improvements. Again, this is a bureaucratic burden on the city and the owner.
Under these ordinances all vacant property owners are required to register, but given that some/many may live outside of the area, and the city is not required to initially notify property owners about these new ordinances, how will they know? The ordinances further state “if the city… determines that an unregistered vacant residential/commercial property exists, they shall issue a notice directing the owner to register.” This creates an uneven situation where some owners are notified, and some are not. If these ordinances are modified to require the City to notify the vacant property owners, 500 – 1,000 property’s titles will have to be researched.
Again, this proposed legislation imposes a burden on all concerned. The only net benefit for expending all these resources is that the City will have a list that it does not currently have.
Given the amount of bureaucracy created, the cost to property owners, the existing municipal powers to cite and fine, it is questionable that the residential registry is even needed. At the very least, CAN suggests tabling proposed Ordinance 1265 for one year. This will allow the city to use its resources to implement and adjust the process with the commercial ordinance and learn from that experience. Meanwhile the effectiveness of code enforcement needs to improve and the land bank needs to begin functioning.
Thank you for considering our comments about this important legislation.
Respectfully,
Sharon Smith
CAN Board of Directors