Category Archives: General News

CWDI Board Meeting 08/10/26

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CWDI Meeting Notes – September 10, 2026, submitted by Sharon Smith, CAN

CWDI held its monthly Board of Directors meeting in Council Chambers at 4pm. The meeting was very brief.
The meeting was attended by board members Angie Hengst (Chair), Tim Crosby, Michael Wiersinski (new member?), Gaver Nichols, Al Hughes, and Carol Baker. Also, Jerry Jones, county manager, and Tracy Wolf via Zoom.
The original Port Transfer Agreement is being amended to recognize the use of a marketing firm, MacKenzie. The agreement with the hotelier, Pinnacle, is progressing and dare I say, is getting closer to being finalized.
A meeting was held with the state DNR regarding the fishing pier. Money has been approved by the state to demolish the old pier and design the new pier. It is a state project, which will require an agreement on maintenance and upkeep once built. No time line was given.
A “really good meeting” was held with Partners recently.
To deal with the high cost of infrastructure for the site, the costs will be broken down project by project to allow a more pay-as-you-go approach.
A review of the current financial statements reveals that net income stands at $-115K, reportedly due to a planned sale of land that did not happen. Once again, CWDI is over budget for legal services supplied by Miles & Stockbridge. I pointed that out at a board meeting a few months back and suggested CWDI find a less expensive firm.
The board approved a motion to obtain fractional CFO services from Sailey Partners, LLC to fill the void left by Frank Narr’s departure.
The board approved a grant submittal to MD Department of Housing and Community Development for $2.4 million to extend sidewalk lighting and planter boxes.
During public Q & A, I raised a question discussed online; rather than residential development did the board ever consider an entertainment venue? The Freeman Arts Pavilion (open-air) Selbyville, DE, seats 4000 guests, occupies 5.3 acres and reportedly creates $25 million in economic value every year. This would also be of wonderful value to local residents who have had to endure the extremely long development time for Cambridge Harbor to come to fruition. Mr. Crosby replied that the land designated as “public space” could be used for entertainment, but less than 5.3 acres, and Freeman is a non-profit and pays no real estate taxes. Ms. Hengst assured me that MacKenzie would be made aware of our receptiveness to this use.

CAN Community Meeting with Glenn Steckman 05/28/26

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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.