Category Archives: News

General Top category

Unofficial Notes on CWDI Board Meeting – JAN 15, 2025 – 4 PM

Posted on by

Unofficial Notes on CWDI Board Meeting
JANUARY 15, 2025, 4:00 PM
DORCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Attendees: Angi Hengst, President; Frank Narr, Treasurer; Natalie Chabot, City Appointee; Michael J Frenz, State Appointee; Tim Crosby, County Appointee; Gaver Nichols, City Appointee (virtual); Glenn Steckmann, City Manager; Jerry Jones, Dorchester County Manager; Lajan Cephas, Mayor (audience); Sputty Cephas, Ward 4 Commissioner (audience)

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL & CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM

Ms. Hengst affirmed that a quorum was reached after roll call.

II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion raised to approve Agenda and seconded. Approved by all board members present 8-0.

 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

November 20, 2024 – Regular Meeting

Motion raised to approve November Regular Meeting Minutes and seconded. Approved by all board members present 8-0.

 IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.OCC: Angie Hengst

  1. Promenade Groundbreaking – December 19, 2024
    • Hengst talked about the groundbreaking ceremony for the Promenade on the waterfront that occurred in December 2024.
    • Encouraged citizens to view the progress that has already been completed.
    • Hengst emphasized CWDI’s community-first approach to developing Cambridge Harbor by securing permanent, public access along the waterfront.
  1. 2025 planning for public information session(s)
    • There was a discussion of having a public information session in the near future.
    • No date has been set when this will occur.
    • Tim Cosby referred to the survey that was taken by Cambridge residents in 2022. He emphasized the importance of outreach to the community.
  1. Possible community events
    • Hengst said the waterfront property is available for community events if anyone wishes to schedule something in that space.
    • Anyone interested in scheduling an event should contact CWDI.
    • CWDI will be planning a community event sometime in the future.

  B. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Frank Narr

  1. YTD November Financial Statements
    • Sale of land to Yacht Maintenance brought in much needed revenue.
    • Yacht Maintenance needs another 1.5 acres. Possibly more income for CWDI in 2025.
    • City had promised more ARPA funds to CWDI. Mr. Narr said it was $200,000. He asked Glenn Steckmann if the money would be forthcoming and how much it would be. Mr. Steckmann said he had wanted to bring a check to the meeting but the financial director is out ill. He did not state what the ARPA sum was going to be.
    • FYI – Will be available on Cambridge Harbor website. In the future
  1. December Expenditures Report to City/County Work
    • Ongoing design work done by Lew Oliver Inc on infrastructure and other details.
    • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is still on the table
    • FYI – Will be available on Cambridge Harbor website in the future.
  1. Payment to General Contractor – Promenade
    • Contractor has not been paid for any work done on Promenade as yet.
  1. 2025 Operating Budget Draft
    • Looking for monetary assistance from the city or the county, if possible.
    • Will be able to cover costs for the next month.
    • FYI – Will be available on Cambridge Harbor website in the future.
  1. 2024 Financial Audit & Form 990 Preparation
    • Coming up soon
  1. 2025 Authorized Check Signers
    • Check signers will be Angie Hengst, Frank Narr or Natalie Chabot.

C. PLANNING COMMITTEE: Frank Narr

  1. Promenade Update
    • Work continues on the Promenade.
  1. Planning & Zoning Work Session Meeting 01/15/25

NOTE: Refer to townhall streams for recording of this meeting. In addition,  official minutes have been posted on choosecambridge.com

    • CWDI shared the “Horizontal Infrastructure” of the Cambridge Harbor site (parking/roads/streetscape).
    • “Underground utilities” and “above ground” streets, parking, sidewalks, and the layout of boat ramp (etc.) were included.
    • Members of CWDI in attendance at P & Z meeting
    • Presented by Frank Narr, CWDI Planning Committee Chair; joined by Design Team:
      • Ed Johnson, Network Realty Partners. Development consultants since CWDI inception.
      • Ian Lockwood, Livable Transportation Engineer with Toole Design (joined virtually)
      • Ken Usap, Principal/Engineer with Morris & Richie Associates. He has institutional knowledge of this site and has been with project for quite a long time.
  1. Lew Oliver Design Meetings
    • The infrastructure design phase continues with Lew Oliver, Inc.

D. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Angie Hengst

  1. Shay Resignation
    • Hengst read Shay Lewis-Sisco’s resignation letter. Ms. Lewis-Sisco is now the Ward 2 Commissioner on the City Council and will no longer serve on the CWDI board.
  1. Election of New Officers (Board Action Required)
    • Hengst agreed to extend her position of President for another year.
    • Frank Narr will continue as Treasurer.
    • Natalie Chabot will now include duties as Secretary.

 Motion raised to approve New Officers and seconded. Approved by all     board members present 8-0.

  1. Committee Assignments/RMM Board Appointment
    • Hengst stated the assignments of board members to the various CWDI committees.
    • Hengst said that if City Manager and Dorchester County Manager would like to join a committee they would be welcome to do so.
  1. Bylaw Revisions
    • The City Council voted on the bylaw revisions for the CWDI Charter. Changes were approved in a city council work session in November 2024.
    • CWDI has accepted these changes and they are being made to the Charter.
  1. Proposed Board Meeting Schedule
    • Wednesday, March 19 @4pm
    • Wednesday, May 21 @4pm
    • Wednesday, July 16 @4pm
    • Wednesday, September 10 @4:30pm
    • Wednesday, November 12 @4:30pm

V. PUBLIC COMMENT

Alison Kennedy

    • Question: Is Lew Oliver the “Master Developer”? Answer: No. This is the design phase. The project is not ready for development. Question: Why is Lew Oliver doing the infrastructure? Isn’t this the job of the “Master Developer”?
    • Answer: It can be but it doesn’t have to be.
    • Question: Is Lew Oliver following the BCT Concept Design?
    • Answer:
    • Question: In the financial documents stating upcoming operational costs; CWDI has $148,000 for projects. CWDI asked the city and county for monetary help. Is CWDI taking into consideration the owed ARPA funds?
    • Answer: No because the ARPA figure is an unknown. Looking for any financial help the city/county can provide.
    • Comment: The 2022 survey that CWDI conducted through BCT Design asked about “condos” on the waterfront. The people that took the survey were not in favor of condos at the waterfront at all. However, they were okay with apartments above shops/stores/restaurants at the waterfront.

David Stevens

    • Commented that he resided in Easton for several years and now lives in Cambridge. He has seen the positive benefits of the Avalon Theatre on the community of Easton. He would like to see a similar establishment at the waterfront in Cambridge.
    • Stevens is fully in favor of putting the YMCA at the waterfront.

New Cambridge Resident 

    • Newly retired and new to Cambridge. She is out seeing what is happening in the city. She is retired from the Environmental Protection Agency. She is in favor of CWDI being environmentally conscious with all aspects of the project, including green products for building.

Mill St Resident

    • Previous work in city planning on the East and West coasts. Stated that attempts to plan the waterfront without first observing how the waterfront is now used, will not work.
    • Mill St resident has observed that the playground and picnic area next to the Sailwinds building is well used. She suggested that perhaps a coffee cart should be placed down at the site for the families that use the playground.
    • This could then be extended to having food trucks available in the same area.
    • One successful addition would lead to more ideas and would progress organically from the first addition of the coffee cart.

Alison Kennedy 

    • Building on the previous comment, there are numerous new and exciting temporary art installations that could enhance the waterfront area and attract people.
    • Drone Light Shows – there are shows that “tell a story”. Cambridge could do a story in the sky about Harriet Tubman or the Life of a Waterman.
    • Art installations that go into the water – Hong Kong Harbor currently has 2 large inflatable yellow Rubber Duckies anchored there to “make people happy”.
    • These shows could be seen from the bridge and could celebrate things that are uniquely Cambridge.
    • Pleasing to children and adults.

Lajan Cephas

    • Remembers a carnival that used to come to Cambridge when she was a child.

Sputty Cephas

    • Liked the comments that welcomed all residents to the waterfront to enjoy it.
    • Past conversations about the waterfront have catered to a certain group of people.
    • He likes the idea of food trucks offering different types of food in the waterfront area.

VI. NEW BUSINESS / BOARD MEMBER OPEN COMMENTS

No new business

VII. ADJOURN 5:30 PM

Notes taken by CAN member, Alison Kennedy

Photo by Kim Miller – Cambridge Creek

CAN Public Meeting Jan 30th @ 6 PM Dorchester County Historical Society 1003 Greenway Dr.

Posted on by

Join Us

We are excited to announce that Chief Justin Todd of the Cambridge Police will be joining us as a guest speaker at the CAN Public Meeting on Jan 30th at 6pm to discuss the 2024 crime statistics and the new initiatives put in place this past year.
Mark your calendars and don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Chief Todd!

Enjoy some croissants with toppings to celebrate National Croissant Day!

The meeting will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person (links below):
https://www.youtube.com/@whcpstudio4716
https://www.facebook.com/WHCPRadio/videos

Join CAN for FREE at https://CambridgeCAN.org

CAN Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting – 17Dec2024

Posted on by

Present: George Pfeffer, President; Mike Detmer, Vice President; Rob Kramer; William Nichols; Ricky Travers; Jerry Jones, County Manager; Charles MacLeod, County Attorney; Irene Barnes, Administrative Specialist

The Open Session of the meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM followed by the invocation and pledge.

Two additions and one deletion from the agenda were approved.

Financial report: General Fund has $35,554,XXX on hand. Mr. Pfeffer reported on the closed session summary. The consent agenda was approved.

Legislative Session:

  1. Rural Event Venue – Guest Cottage Text Amendment was approved
  2. Introduction – Abolishing Board of Electrical Examiners was approved. Public meeting to be scheduled.
  3. Introduction – Burial Sites Reservation Repeal was introduced.

Mr. Kramer presented a commendation for Dalton Robinson, police officer.

Joe Candella, Board President; Eric Johnson, Executive Director; and Lei Ellingson, Deputy Director gave a presentation of VAMSA, Veteran & Military Support Alliance. VAMSA provides resources and support to veterans and military in Dorchester County through a partnership with For All Seasons. VAMSA has its 501(c)(3) since 2023. All services are offered free of charge.

FY2026 Rural Legacy Application (P&Z) was approved.

The Ethics Commission Board appointment was approved. Two additions to agenda were approved; one requests a letter of support

Council comments: Mr. Nichols thanked the many people who helped his grandson who lost everything in a fire. Mr. Kramer & Mr. Travers wished us all a Merry Christmas. Mr. Detmer congratulated Mr. Pfeffer on his election to Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) leadership and noted that state mandates for education and energy goals were problematic.

Public comments: Dorothy Sandinsky had comments about VAMSA, burial sites, and solar.

The meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM.

Minutes submitted by Richard Bearman.

CAN Unofficial Notes on City Council Meeting – Monday, December 9, 2024

Posted on by

CAN Unofficial Notes on City Council Meeting
Monday, December 9, 2024 @ 6:00 PM
Commission Chambers – 305 Gay Street Cambridge, MD 21613

Attendance: All ward commissioners are present. Mayor Rideout is not present. President and Ward 2 commissioner Lajan Cephas conducts the meetin

1.Agenda: Commission to approve or amend agenda as presented.

Motion raised to approve Agenda and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

Presentations from the Approved Guests: None

Consent Agenda:
2. Meeting Minutes, November 25, 2024, Regular Session
3. Doug Kyle from Blue Ruin will hold “New Year’s Eve Party” on Tuesday December 31, 2024, from noon to 2am at 322 Gay Street. Please see application for additional details.
Motion raised to approve Consent Agenda and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

Ordinances for First Reading: None

Ordinances for Second Reading
4. ORDINANCE NO. 1242 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND TO AMEND CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ABOLISHING THE CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MARINE FACILITIES COMMITTEE, AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE; PROVIDING THAT THE TITLE OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED A FAIR SUMMARY AND GENERALLY RELATING TO COMMITTEES OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

a. Second Reading motion raised to open public hearing and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.
b. Public Hearing
• Charles McFadden opposes closing the Marina Facilities Committee. Putting the Marina under the Engineering Dept will lower the focus on the marina. Engineering Dept has so many projects going on. Afraid that Marina Project will be overlooked.

Marina needs:

o 3 Docks replaced at a cost of $1mm each
o Resize some slips
o Change 2 docks to floating docks
o Needs to hook up with the shoreline resiliency project
o Replace decking
o Fix electrical outlets
o Wave action reduction

  • Raising the rates to help pay for the updates needed
  • This project is going to have to be self-financed because no money is coming by way of city funds. This funding will have to come from the slip holders, and they will have to be sold on the project. That is not what the engineering department does. Suggest that 2 members from the Yacht Club,
  • 2 members from the city marina be maintained on the committee along with Scott Fitzhugh.

 Cheryl Hannan responded that the Marina Facilities committee is archaic in the city code and that’s why they wanted to abolish it. The committee that oversees the things that Mr. McFadden was talking about is the Ad Hoc Committee (not the Marina Facilities committee). The Ad Hoc committee is still relevant and should be working.
 Mr. McFadden responded back that the Ad Hoc committee was not currently meeting. However, CAN would be glad to support the Ad Hoc committee.

Motion raised to close public hearing and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

Motion raised to approve abolishing Citizen’s Advisory Committee and Human Relations Committee and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

Discussion
Brian Roche, Ward 5 – Sympathetic to the things that Mr. McFadden was talking about. There needs to be a mechanism in place to attend to the Marina and for the people who use the Marina. The Ad Hoc committee is not part of the city charter but people who have something to say will certainly be heard and listened to.
Mr. McFadden – He can say that CAN will support the Marina Ad Hoc Committee but he needs to know that when he comes to the city council for help, he will be supported by the commissioners.
Laurel Atkiss, Ward 1 – Reiterated that the Marina Facilities Committee is a non-working committee and not the Ad Hoc committee that is still in place and needs to be activated again and functional.
Sputty Cephas, Ward 4 – The Marina Facilities committee has not been staffed since the 70s?
Cheryl Hannan replied that it has not.
Lajan Cephas, Ward 2 – Asked the city manager to see what needs to be done to get the Ad Hoc committee reengaged. Someone will reach out to Mr. McFadden when the Ad Hoc committee is reactivated.

Motion raised to approve abolishing Marine Facilities Committee and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

5. ORDINANCE NO. 1243 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND TO AMEND § 4.2.3(D)(10) OF THE CITY’S UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE (“UDC”) FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING THAT SMALL-SCALE AND COMMUNITY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS MAY BE LOCATED ON MOSTLY WOODED LOTS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS; PROVIDING THAT THE TITLE OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED . A FAIR SUMMARY AND GENERALLY RELATING TO ZONING IN THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

a. Second Reading

b. PowerPoint Presentation from Director of Planning, Brian Herrmann
 The City’s Planning Commission passed this staff-initiated text amendment (7-0) at their November 6th meeting. The proposal impacts Small-scale Solar Energy Systems and Community Solar Energy Systems. Medium-scale Solar Energy Systems and Large-scale Solar Energy Systems are not impacted.
 As proposed, a Small-scale Solar Energy System and a Community Solar Energy System may be located on a mostly wooded lot if the proposal complies with the stricter of either the City’s Forest Conservation Ordinance or the Model Forest Conservation Ordinance (COMAR), and the total area to be cleared does not exceed 10 acres.
 A Small-scale Solar Energy System is located on the owner’s property, utilizes less than (1) acre of land, is often installed on the rooftop of one’s home, and has a rooftop generating capacity of less than two hundred Kilowatts.
o Essentially, the small-scale system is geared toward occupants of single-family homes that want solar as an energy option.
 A Community Solar Energy System is an “offsite” system that provides power to (and may be owned by) the residents of the community. In the State of Maryland 30 to 40% of the output of such a system must serve low to moderate income residents.
o The system is ideal for those who might want to install Small-scale Solar on their parcel, but due to roof constraints, the fact that they do not own the property, or other financial considerations are unable to do so.
o Each kilowatt hour of electricity produced in a community solar system results in a net metering credit that is roughly the same as the value of a retail cost of a kilowatt hour of electricity. (E.g. If a net metering credit has a value of $ .15, a community solar subscriber might receive the net metering credit at a discount cost of $ .135. This would be a savings to the subscriber.

Subscribers are typically:
 Renters
 Those individuals without a sunny roof or sun access on their property.
 Those who can’t afford the upfront cost of installing a small-scale solar system.
 In addition, the City’s Unified Development Code (UDC) states, “only 350 acres within the City’s incorporated limits may be approved for Medium-Scale Solar Energy Systems, Large-Scale Solar Energy Systems, or Community Solar Energy Systems.” Currently, two projects are in the final stages of the development review process. If constructed, nearly 325 of the original 350 acres (mentioned above) will have been utilized. As a result, only 25 acres will remain for future solar fields in the City of Cambridge.
 The medium scale and large-scale solar projects are not addressed at all in this ordinance.

Questions
Brian Roche, Ward 5 – Why was community solar part of the 350 acres in the ordinance? Remove community solar from the ordinance.
Brian Hermann – Not sure why community solar was included in the 350 acres. He was not here at the time the solar legislation was formed. You can have a significant community solar system on 20 acres or more. The original legislation was probably concerned about the acreage.
Brian Roche, Ward 5 – He would not want to see limitations put on solar energy for townhomes, low-income households using community solar. This would be restricted by the 350-acre ruling. Seems foolish to put limits on community solar. Is there conflict with state laws?
Brian Hermann – If the city wanted to amend the 350 acres in the ordinance, they certainly could do that. The amendment proposed now is related to this point but is more concerned with allowing community and small solar projects on a wooded lot.
Brian Roche, Ward 5 – Can’t the reference to the community solar being part of the 350 acres be stricken from the ordinance? I would not like to think that our proposals for housing and land banking would not be eligible for community solar because of the 350-acre restriction in the ordinance. I would hate to think that a low-income housing project or historical district project could not set aside a parcel of land within their property lines for solar because of the 350-acre limit in the ordinance.
Brian Hermann – Understood. The 350-acre limit could be removed or changed in the ordinance. So in addition to the amendment proposal we bring to you tonight, you would like to see the reference to community solar within the 350-acre limit removed.
Brian Roache, Ward 5 – Yes
City Attorney – The change that is being proposed [by Brian Roche] goes beyond the scope of amendment to the ordinance brought by the Planning Commission. The text amendment removing the community solar projects from the 350-acre limit needs to be addressed separately.
Lajan Cephas, Ward 2 – The text amendment that Brian Roche is proposing requires another discussion after the Planning Commission discusses themselves.
Brian Roache, Ward 5 – I would like to know what the other commissioners think of this. Why can’t the community solar be removed from the 350-acre limit now and we can vote on that amendment too?
City Attorney – Because the change you are proposing is substantive. This ordinance is a zoning ordinance governed by state laws. That is why the Planning Commission must discuss again, have a public hearing and make a recommendation.
Brian Roche, Ward 5 – Could there be a conflict with state laws? They are very strict about solar projects.
City Attorney – Not the text amendments that we are proposing. State laws are more concerned with regulatory rules and practices (such as a Certification of Public Convenience or Necessity (CPCN) which supersedes local zoning. The Egypt Road project needed a CPCN and their project has abided by local zoning. There is not always a hurdle to overcome between state laws and local laws.
Brian Roache, Ward 5 – I just want to make sure there are no limits on community solar in Cambridge.
Laurel Atkiss, Ward 1 – [To Brian Roache] The text change you are recommending will not be forgotten. The text amendment will be voted on when it goes through the necessary process.
Lajan Cephas, Ward 2 – Yes. You [Brian Roche] were voted back to the city council so you will be voting on it.

Motion raised to approve opening public hearing and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

c. Public Hearing
Tony Coppersmith from Easton, MD. He represents a company that is doing a community solar project on Leonard’s Lane. This text amendment is important to them because it will have a direct bearing on the Leonard’s Lane project which is ready to go forward. We respectfully would like the city council to adopt this text amendment tonight.

Motion raised to approve closing public hearing and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

d. Council Action
Discussion – Sputty Cephas, Ward

Motion raised to approve text amendment change [approved by Planning Commission] and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

Old Business
6. Honorary Street Name for Mrs. Shirley Jackson.
 Ms. Jackson named to the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2021 and received the prestigious GERI award.
 The Maryland Senior Citizen Hall of Fame serves to recognize, acknowledge, and honor the volunteer civic and humanitarian accomplishments and achievements of individual Maryland senior citizens.

a. Council Agenda Report from Director of Public Services, Wayne Suggs
Brandon Hesson talked about this because Mr Suggs was not present.

Questions
Jamison Harrington, Ward 3 –
Sputty Cephas, Ward 4 – The correct name is Shirley S. Jackson.

New Business – none

Meetings
Motion raised to approve all meetings and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

Public Comment
 Charles McFadden – Thanked commission for last 4 years. Thinks that Cannery Park will be the commission’s legacy.

Department/Division Head Reports –
No comments from Fire Chief, Finance, Police, Engineering

City Manager Comments
7. Administrative Report from City Manager, Glenn Steckman from December 6, 2024
 Vacancy on CWDI for city member. Wants resumes from interested people
 Mayoral swearing in ceremony on January 13, 2025

Commissioners’ Comments
Lajan Cephas, Ward 2 – thanked Jamison Harrington and Laurel Atkiss- gave them key to the city Laurel Atkiss, Ward 1 – honor and privilege to serve on the city council
Jamison Harrington, Ward 3- thanked everyone
Sputty Cephas, Ward 4 – thanked Laurel and Jamison for their service
Brian Roche, Ward 5 – thanked Laurel and Jamison for their service

Motion raised to approve adjournment and seconded. Approved by all commissioners 5-0.

City council meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM

Notes taken by Alison Kennedy, CAN member

 

CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES – 5Dec2024

Posted on by

CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
December 5, 2024, 6PM-8PM

Board Members Present:  Chuck McFadden (President), Roman Jesien (Vice President, Kim Miller (Interim Secretary), Sharon Smith, Judd Vickers, Andre Duerinckx

Board Members Absent:  Dave Thatcher (Treasurer), Tom Puglisi, Mary Ellen Jesien, Brad Rice

Live Stream Recording: https://www.facebook.com/WHCPRadio/videos/1259475525267014

1.  Opening Comments: Chuck McFadden (President) – Topics: 1) Nominations for Board 2) Facilitation on important issues in Cambridge and what should CAN focus on in 2025. Chuck discussed past CAN work:

  • Ongoing Unofficial Communications of City and County meetings: council, zoning, etc.
  • Code enforcement awareness
  • CWDI review of strategy, finances, minutes, discussions with CWDI  and Y leadership. Created Y-Survey and presentation to Council, YMCA and CWDI in 2024.
  •  Cannery Park – support of bike path, park – plans. Helping to connect people to discuss how to maintain and create awareness for the park.  Friends of Cannery Park need your support.
  • Shore line resiliency project updates
  • Ongoing discussions with council members, city leaders and administrators:  Administrative Building, Train Garden, Hearn Building, Police force- resourcing/crime, Fire Equipment, Marina, Downtown development
  • Schools: education curriculum improvement awareness- new superintendent presentation/discussion

2.  Code enforcement: Judd discussed examples of code enforcement issues within Cambridge.

3.  Chuck talked about how CAN brings issues to City Council.

4.  Facilitation Exercise: Participants placed a single response on a post it note. Multiple responses were allowed. Like responses were categorized/combined. Categories were reviewed. Categories were prioritized by participants (3 votes allowed for each participant).

  • Twenty (20) ‘in person’ participants for Question 1: What do you think is the most important issue within Cambridge?
  • Responses by Priority:
  1. CWDI accountability & transparency. (17/20)
  2. Managing growth, marketing and revitalization of city. (13/20)
  3. Code enforcement of laws and regulations. Property upkeep. Street Parking. Historic Comm. Permits. Mismanagement of state funded homes. (11/20)
  4.  Education/curriculum (4/20)
  5. Sea Level Rise (Sewer project, Resiliency project)  (3/20)
  6. Racism (1/20)
  7. Citizen/community involvement with government (1/20)
  8. Cannery Park (1/20)
  9. High Tax rate assessment given services provided  (1/20)
  10. Crime (1/20)
  • Twenty-two (22) ‘in person’ participants for Question 2: What do you think CAN should focus on in 2025?
  • Responses by Priority:
  1. Maintain pressure on CWDI and Cambridge Govt. to ensure forward appropriate progress. (19/22)
  2. Continue to attend city and county meetings. Track City initiatives. Take unofficial minutes. Ask questions. Encourage transparency on issues and budgets. Bring community issues to the council as needed. Speak Truth to Power.  (17/22)
  3. Code Enforcement – make the council aware of issues (see also above). (14/22)
  4. Community involvement/ outreach/ clean-up projects. Helping people in need to attempt to improve the overall quality of life in Cambridge. Connecting people to educational, social services, art/cultural resources, etc. (14/22)
  5. Communicate to the Cambridge thru Community emails, Facebook sites US Mail, Next Door: newsletters, unofficial meeting minutes, news articles, announcements/updates. Hold public meetings. Maintain CAN website (https://cambridgecan.org/) and CAN Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cambridgeassociationofneighborhoods). Expand membership from 1100 members and find ways to engage potential members from other wards. (9/22)
  6. Downtown Development (including parking) (8/22)
  7. Police force (more officers/support) (6/22)
  8.  Mill Street School Development (4/22)
  9. Cannery Park & additional dog parks (4/22)

5.  Nominations:

  • Tom Puglisi- stepping down as secretary due to relocation.
  • Nomination of Kim Miller to Secretary (acting as interim secretary now). Renewal of Sharon Smith, Andre Duerinckx, Roman Jesien. All 4 nominations were accepted at the meeting.
  • Two additional board members can be added.

6.    Questions/Comments from the audience.

  • How does CAN get information to and from ALL communities?  We do our best to advertise meetings on Facebook, Next Door, email, CAN website, post flyers in laundromats, post office, and library. Our website and Facebook pages have a “Contact Us” page and Facebook Administrators receive and review questions/concerns as needed.
  • What are the mounds of dirt? Promenade (possibly) – will inquire.
  •  Suggestions/discussions:  Music venues. Survey on CWDI.

Chuck McFadden thanked the audience for participating in the meeting and we all enjoyed holiday desserts.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Minutes submitted by Kim Miller, CAN Interim Secretary

CAN Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting – 19Nov2024

Posted on by

CAN Unofficial Notes Dorchester County Council Meeting
November 19, 2024

Present: R. Travers, M. Detmer, L. Pfeffer (chair), R. Kramer.  Absent: W. Nichols
Call to order 6:07pm.

Items: Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda: Additions (1). Deletions (0.)
Finance report [$35,903,914.85 cash on hand General Fund].

Consent agenda:
1. Commendation to Audrey Wanax, HS student, for requesting a crosswalk at North Dorchester HS.
2. Legislative session – Proposal to allow rural event venue passed. Schedule public hearing. Mr. Travers discussed art license and venue license will be necessary -passed.

Action Items:
1. DCHD Connect – MD Home Stretch difficult to serve – a grant to provide enhanced broadband to homes and businesses that are set back from the road @ $8K: passed
2. Tower license renewal Greenbriar Road; originally approved 1995, renewed twice, most recently 2012; renewed
3. Architecture Commission appointees – approve all; passed
4. FY2025 Project Open Space: put pickleball courts on tennis courts (2 for 1); passed
5. FY2025 Operating grant agreement with Delmarva Community Services; MTA grant – there’s a local match built into budget; approved
6. Traffic Safety Commission – Mr. Detmer presents:
a. Guard rail requested; approved
b. Special needs child sign; approved
7. Two final (inaudible) funding requests ;passed

Council comments:
Mr. Tavers reported getting complaints from Hambrooks area re: flooding
Mr. Detmer spoke approvingly about tournaments coming to Cambridge; continued concerns about doing solar correctly; notes CPD officer killed 20 years ago

Public comment:
Q: Can we have a speed camera at NDHS?
A: There is a speed camera trailer which perhaps can be scheduled.

Adjourn: 6:50pm
Notes compiled by D. Bearman

Planning Commission Notes – 12/4/2024

Posted on by

Planning Commission Notes – 12/4/2024 – Submitted by Judd Vickers

New Business:
PZT 24-0016 24-O-16 – Zaxby’s Restaurant on US50:
The Planning Commission reviewed a concept site plan for a proposed Zaxby’s Restaurant. Zaxby’s is a chicken focused restaurant chain newly expanding into Maryland and Cambridge would be one of the earlier locations. The restaurant is proposed for 2721 Ocean Gateway, which will redevelop the long-abandoned site of the old Amoco gas station next to the Peking House. The Planning Commission provided valuable feedback to the developer to improve pedestrian safety and ensure the architecture and site plan is a better fit for our community. Many national franchise chains provide several architectural options to adapt to communities, Zaxby’s seems limited with these options.

PZT 24-0003 24-O-03 – Text amendment related height in industrial zones:
Planning Commission recommended a text amendment be forwarded to City Council that would provide for raising the 50 foot height limit to 70 feet in the industrial zone as it relates to warehousing, salvage, manufacturing and other uses. Currently, 70 feet is the new standard in most communities, largely due to manufacturing needs and newer types of fire suppression requirements that can take additional space. This change would assist/encourage a new business currently seeking real estate in the Technology Park. The Planning Commission asked for modifications related to language ensuring newer buildings shall focus on a visual form to fit in with surrounding buildings. An additional modification is being made to improve language related to explosive and toxic uses, allowing those only within entirely contained indoor areas completely compliant with all State/Federal/Fire/Safety regulations.

Discussion:
Discussion related to rules and procedures was deferred.

The meeting can be viewed on Town Hall Streams.