Kent County Commissioners approve $550,000 Millington property purchase; zoning board to weigh two wireless tower requests this week
The Kent County Commissioners approved a $550,000 property purchase at 373 Cypress Street for the Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant on July 7, along with a slate of public safety contracts and grant acceptances. All items passed 7-2.
County Commissioners — July 7
The Commissioners approved eight consent items and acted on several infrastructure and public safety matters, each by a 7-2 vote.
Key decisions included:
- **Resolution 2026-15**: Purchase of property at 373 Cypress Street for $550,000.00, with general fund money designated for the acquisition.
- **Law enforcement radios**: Approval of a Motorola Solutions quote for fifty portable radios and equipment.
- **Detention center contracts**: A five-year food services contract with Trinity Services Group, Inc. and an updated Master Services Agreement with Pay Tel Communications.
- **Overdose response grant**: Acceptance of a $224,520.75 grant from the Maryland Office of Overdose Response.
- **Housing donation**: A $16,200.00 donation to Kent Attainable Housing.
- **Older adults plan**: Approval of the Supporting Older Adults with Resources Annual Plan.
- **Personnel**: A conditional employment offer for a Child Development Specialist vacancy.
- **Legislation introduced**: Code Home Rule Bill 3-2026, set for public hearing.
Economic & Tourism Development Commission — July 8
The commission's agenda included a presentation by Chestertown Town Manager Dr. Chad P. Rooney on town initiatives and consideration of June 10 meeting minutes. A future August agenda item is scheduled: Victor Sensenig of Washington College will present updates on major college projects. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published.
County Commissioners — July 14
The Commissioners' agenda called for review of a FY2027 Recidivism Reduction Project grant agreement, a change order request for the FY2026 Dixie Land Energy contract, and a hiring request for two Correctional Officer I positions at the Kent County Detention Center. The agenda also listed a public hearing notice for the Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission tied to Code Home Rule 3-2026, plus ARPA and contingency fund reports dated June 23, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published.
Local Management Board — July 16
The Kent County Local Management Board was scheduled to approve a scope revision for the CRRF Judy Center Grant and May meeting minutes. The director's update was set to cover a Student Housing Action Team RFP, KNOCK! Action Planning, a training, and a staff position. Discussion items included the status of small rolling grants under CRRF, new state guidance for CRRF, and an updated eligibility map and proposal for the ENOUGH Partnership. Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
Board of Zoning Appeals — Monday, July 20: The board will consider two Special Exception requests for personal wireless facility towers. Application 26-04 covers a tower on Morgnec Road in Kennedyville (Map 30, Parcel 5), requested by Towerco/Stephen and Mary Etta Stoltzfus. Application 26-27 covers a tower at 13265 Augustine Herman Highway in Galena, requested by the Town of Galena.
County Commissioners — Tuesday, July 21: The agenda includes renewal of a Microsoft Volume Licensing Agreement, a FY2027 vehicle order, and award of a tipping-fees contract for Rock Hall dredging. The Board will hold a public hearing on the Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission. Department updates cover open-space program funding, an emergency-management grant award, and a recommendation to select a consultant for the Kent County Housing Study. ARPA and contingency fund reports are also scheduled.