EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
Table of Contents
Mayor’s Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Employee Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 East End Planning Kickoff Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Skatepark Concrete Pouring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 EPD Honor Guard Training Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Public Works Crab Feast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Public Works Visits the LAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Easton Airport Groundbreaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Easton Utilities Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Halloween Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Human Resources/Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Recipe: Gameday Kebabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Cover Photo by Greg Webb, Parks and Recreation Groundskeeper
PHOTO CONTEST!
Submit your photo and win a
$25 gift card!
Submit your best photo to gmueller@eastonmd. gov for a chance to win a $25 gift card. The winning photo each month will be featured on the next cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter. Please submit high quality jpg, png, or tiff files, no later than the 15th of each month. Employees can submit multiple photos. Only 1 photo/winner will be chosen per month. Photos do not need to be of the Town of Easton, but photos featuring the Town will be given some priority in the voting process.
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
HAPPY NOVEMBER!
As the autumn leaves fall and the air turns crisper, we turn the page to November, a month that symbolizes both change and gratitude. It’s a great time to reflect on our accomplishments and a time to express my gratitude for the dedication and hardwork of every member of our team. Your dedication and hard work on the bond projects highlight the tremendous skills and visioning you have and reinforced my belief in teamwork. I hope you celebrate this milestone and see the impact these park projects have on our community. I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter which is filled with exciting updates happening around the departments. Thank you for all that you do. Your efforts and dedication help make Easton such a great place! Wishing you all a wonderful November! Warmest regards,
Employee Spotlight
Megan
TIM TARRANT | BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Meet Tim Tarrant! Tim Works with the Town of Easton as a Service Technician on our Buildings and Facilities team. Tim is responsible for a long list of duties related to maintenance and upkeep on all Town buildings and properties. Tim grew up in Baltimore, but moved to Easton when he was 6. Tim now lives in Trappe with his wife, and has two grown children.
Click HERE to see Tim’s video interview!
In his free time, Tim likes to relax, work on home projects, and play the guitar. He has played guitar for over twenty years and currently serves as the service guitarist for Anchor Church in Easton where he worships.
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Planning & Zoning
BUILDING TOGETHER Easton hosts East End Small Area Plan kickoff event
On Thursday, October 5, the Easton Department of Planning and Zoning held a public kick-off meeting and workshop to start the process of developing the East End Small Area Plan. The free event took place at the Waterfowl Building on Harrison Street, and lasted about 2 hours.
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The event featured guest facilitator James Rojas. Rojas is the founder of Place It!, a design and participation-based urban planning practice that features an innovative public engagement and community-visioning method that uses art-making as its medium.
NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
Place It! has facilitated over four hundred workshops around the world. Rojas has collaborated with municipalities, non-profits, community groups, educational institutions, and museums, to engage, educate, and empower the public on transportation, design, landscaping, housing, open space, and neighborhood change. Rojas is also the co-author of Dream Play Build: Hands-on Community Engagement for Enduring Space and Places, out now on Island Press.
their own structures and municipalities. After the attendees made their model villages, Rojas and Planning and Zoning Director Miguel Salinas went from table to table interviewing people about their creations, and revealing common themes that people like to see in the places they live. Arts, music, walkable spaces, playgrounds, education, and nature all were common topics amongst the miniature community designers.
Salinas and the Planning and Zoning team were Rojas incorporated lots of hands-on activities for all happy with the event. Salinas said, “It was a those in attendance, using toys, figurines, and great success. We had a nice turnout that met our arts & crafts materials to have participants build expectations and people were active and engaged.
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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“
People were active and engaged. It was nice to
see them all use their creativity to show what they like to see in their neighborhoods. Planning and Zoning Director Miguel Salinas
It was nice to see them all use their creativity to show what they like to see in their neighborhoods. We’ll get to the issues later, but this event was helpful to showcase the positive attributes that make great communities.” The project is a follow-up to the Town’s existing East End Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, approved in September 1997. The Small Area Plan will update the existing plan to reflect the area’s current needs, assets, and opportunities. Planning in the East End includes three primary areas of focus; the Dover Road Corridor, the legacy industrial areas associated with the former railroad, and the site of the current Talbot County Health Department, which is scheduled to relocate to a different site in the near future. When completed, the Small Area Plan will identify strategies to further facilitate the Dover Road Corridor as an inviting and vibrant location that establishes the area as a neighborhood and community destination. Strategies will also identify redevelopment opportunities of legacy industrial properties associated with the Rails to Trails that will complement the neighborhood’s diverse population of citizens. A final draft of the Small Area Plan is expected by March of 2024. After the success of this event, the Planning and Zoning team is looking forward to scheduling future events to get more feedback, and they are also working hard on a website to provide a public feedback portal where residents can make suggestions and mark feedback on an interactive map. The web page is slated to launch this month, so stay tuned for more news there!
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
Click to see the concrete being poured for the Skatepark
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Easton Police Department
WITH HONOR Easton Police Department hosts their 21st annual Honor Guard Training Conference
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
Click to see our behind the scenes video of the training!
Easton Police Department held its 21st annual Honor Guard Training Conference from October 11-13 at the Calhoon MEBA Engineering School campus. The training conference teaches emergency services teams, first responders, and government agencies (local, state, and federal) how to perform traditional honor guard disciplines such as flag folding, casket carrying, casket watch, marching, color guard, rifle handling, and rifle volleys.
EPD HONOR GUARD HISTORY
The Easton Police Department’s Honor Guard Unit was formed in 1998 under the direction of the Chief of Police. The unit was formed with 6 members who volunteered their time to the Unit. At the present time the Unit consists of 10 dedicated officers who continue to volunteer their services.
This training prepares these agencies for events such as funerals, parades, and public ceremonies. To kick off the event, speeches were given by Police Chief Alan Lowrey and Mayor Megan Cook. Mayor
The Honor Guard Unit has attended funeral services for fallen officers in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. Members of the Unit have participated in both the Candlelight Vigil and Peace Officers Memorial Services held annually in Washington D.C., as well as Maryland Fallen Hero’s services held annually in Baltimore Maryland. The Unit also participates in local parades, Veteran Services, and various civic and department events. In addition, the Unit has participated in funeral services of dignitaries and retired officers. The Unit conducts ceremonial training on a monthly basis and its members have attended training conducted by other ceremonial guard units as a way to hone and increase their skills.
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Megan Cook Said “Ceremonial training such as this will help keep your teams prepared for the most solemn events and ceremonies that may come your way. While it is paramount to be able to give anyone lost in the line of duty a meaningful and consummate farewell, it is also important to publicly represent your agencies with the respect and dignity they deserve.” EPD Honor Guard Commander Lt. Tim Larrimore and Team Leader Sgt. Megan Coxon then addressed the attendees and sent them out to their respective stations to begin training. Over the next two days they trained various disciplines over 4 stations: Color Guard, Rifles, Funeral Activities, and Flag Folding. Following training on the second day, the groups all got together to enjoy some camaraderie as well as some of our local food with a crab feast/ cookout. The cookout is an essential part of bringing these teams together each year. EPD Honor Guard Commander Lt. Tim Larrimore said, “It’s an opportunity to come participate in the brotherhood that is the first responder world. They get to know each other ourside of the classroom. You see a lot of bonds form, and a lot of these students will exchange information and continue to communicate for several years beyond this. They build friendships.” On Friday, the third and final day, all agencies came together in full dress for a mock funeral complete with casket, hearse, and ceremony to put all of their learned skills together in an impressive display.
EPD HONOR GUARD UNIT
Lt. Tim Larrimore - Team Commander Sgt. Megan Coxon - Team Leader Cpl. Joey Schniault Cpl. Ashley Bayne Pfc. Chris Westerfield Pfc. Norm Sova Pfc. Cody Bland Pfc. Nick Everngam Ptl. Mark Schinault Ptl. Blair Barstar Ptl. Cory Schuch
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Cumberland Police Department Frederick County (MD) Fire & Rescue Greenbelt Police Department La Plata Police Department, MD The City of Takoma Park Police Department Maryland Transportation Authority Police United States Mint Police The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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“
We have an awesome group of guys and gals here...they go above and beyond, paving the way forward with improvements and new projects. Thank you to
each and every one of our Public Works employees, I hope you enjoyed the crabs!
Mayor Megan Cook
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
Public Works
CLAWS
AND A L L
Public Works team enjoys employee appreciation crab feast
The Public Works Employee Appreciation Mayor Megan Cook lauded the PubCrab Feast on October 12 saw lots of smiling lic Works team, “We have an awesome faces and full stomachs! group of guys and gals here. Not only do they stay on top of our day to day mainPublic Works employees (and retirees) came tenance and upkeep, but they go above out to enjoy crabs, fried chicken, cold drinks, and beyond, paving the way forward with and desserts underneath the shade of the improvements and new projects around winter storage building. The good weather our community. Thank you to each and and good food were both well deserved for every one of our Public Works employees, this hard working crew. I hope you enjoyed the crabs!”
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Public Works
Click to see video of the demonstration!
ALL SMILES
Public Works leaders give demonstration at the Lab Child Care Center
On October 11 our Public Works leaders Mike Dick- You could even see delight on several of the staff erson and Barry Slaughter went out to both locations members’ faces. of The Lab Child Care Center in Easton to show the kids what our sanitation trucks can do! Mayor Megan Cook and Town Manager Don Richardson also came out to the display to watch and to Barry hopped into one of the sanitation trucks and briefly meet with the Lab Child Care Center’s staff. picked up and dumped a stage can in the parking lot right in front of the children. Public Works Superintendent Mike Dickerson knew the display would be a hit. Dickerson said, “It’s great Despite having to stay behind a fence for safety rea- to see these kids so happy when our trucks pull up. I sons, the kids were beyond excited to see the demon- know some of them wave to our guys when they are stration clapping, smiling, and cheering at the truck. working, and that makes their day too.”
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
“
It’s great to see these kids so happy when our
trucks pull up. I know some of them wave to our guys when they are working, and that makes their day too. Public Works Superintendent Mike Dickerson
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Easton Airport
TAKING FLIGHT
Town Officials attend the groundbreaking for Airfield Modernization Project at Easton Airport Story and photos courtesy of Sarah Kilmon, Talbout County Government With the sun shining and a fall breeze, the energy on the airfield was electric as the long-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the Airfield Modernization Project got underway on Friday morning, October 13th.
his team and his predecessors have given to reach this point.
In the early 2000s, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updated their design standards for all the airports in the nation. The primary As the shovels hit the dirt, the joyous atti- goals were to increase safety, decrease delays, tude of Micah Risher, Easton Airport Man- comply with federal environmental standards, ager, could have made it easy to forget the and encourage innovative technologies that protremendous effort, time, and resource that mote safety, capacity, and efficiency.
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
From left to right: David Montgomery, Easton Town Council, Megan Cook, Easton Town Mayor, Lynn Mielke, Talbot County Council, Chuck Callahan, Talbot County Council President, Mike Henry, former Easton Airport Manager, Micah Risher, Easton Airport Manager, Frank Gunsallus, Town Council President, Dave Stepp, Talbot County Council, Jack Petite, President Airport Advisory Board
The Environmental Assessment (EA) was finalized in September 29, 2018, and was the final pivotal document required to receive federal support. With the assistance of the FAA Airport Improvement Program, FAA grants will fund 90% of the total cost, while the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) will fund 5%; Easton Airport will pay the remaining 5%. The Over the next few years, options were vetted with total program cost is approximately $52 million community involvement and periods of public over the next 6 to 8 years. comment. It was eventually decided that the best solution was to add additional length to the pri- “With Technology Park growing and the new mary runway and then demolish the northern University of Maryland Medical System Regional portion of the runway. Medical Center scheduled to be built close by, The largest impact to Easton Airport was the need to increase the size of the Runway Safety Area (RSA) to ensure 1,000 feet existed at both ends of the primary runway, Runway 4/22. The interim solution, enacted via waiver with the FAA in 2008, was to restrict Runway 4/22 to 4,775 feet; however, the Airport needed a long-term solution.
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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this project will allow the Airport to continue to be a central hub for healthcare and commerce access in the area,” stated Risher. “Making sure the Airport is effective, safe, and up to current FAA standards is extremely important for the County’s continued growth.” Shovels in the ground represent a very important milestone: the shift from planning to construction. Over the next 6 to 8 years, roughly 80% of the airfield will be reconstructed, and will include the demolition of the Talbot County Business Center (the former Black and Decker building), and the shift of the existing Runway 4/22 1,900 feet southwest of its current position. The groundbreaking ceremony was held right outside the Airport terminal, as business continued as usual behind the podium. The ceremony stopped briefly as a jet roared to life, getting ready for takeoff.
“
It symbolizes our town’s forwardthinking vision – a future where we prioritize safety, resilience, and growth. A future where Easton stands as a beacon of cutting-edge infrastructure, harmonizing our cherished history with the demands of tomorrow.... Here’s to new beginnings and safe landings! Council President Frank Gunsallus
“Bringing commerce to Talbot County right before our eyes,” pointed out Risher. “I always joke that people are tired of hearing me talk about the Airport,” said Risher. “But you have to allow me one more joke before we grab the shovels… today, as we transition to the construction phase, we break ground to improve the most important road in Talbot County: the runway at Easton Airport!” The Airport brings in $50 million in business revenue annually and is an important component of the economic viability for the county and surrounding area. Easton Town Council President Frank Gunsallus added, “This project represents more than just a structural transformation. It symbolizes our town’s forward-thinking vision – a future where we prioritize safety, resilience, and growth. A future where Easton stands as a beacon of cutting-edge infrastructure, harmonizing our cherished history with the demands of tomorrow.”
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
THIS PAGE: Micah Risher, Easton Airport Manager, offers words of thanks to all the partners involved in the project, as Town and County Council Members and the Mayor look on. OPPOSITE PAGE: Town Council President Frank Gunsallus addresses the crowd at the Easton Airport groundbreaking.
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Easton Utilities
IN SERVICE Easton Utilities Announces Career Milestones
Easton Utilities recently celebrated significant service anniversaries achieved by ten employees. “We are so proud of our retention and attribute it to being a mission-driven organization with clear core values exemplified by all of our employees,” says Vicki L. Petro, Vice President of Human Resources for Easton Utilities. “We appreciate these individuals for their contributions to our company, our customers and our community over the years.” 40 YEARS Hugh E. Grunden, P.E., President & CEO 30 YEARS Tom Murphy, Journeyman Lineman Vicki Petro, Vice President of Human Resources
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20 YEARS Michele Bradley, General Accountant Clerk II Leah Copper, Billing Analyst Robby Elben, Tech Support Team Lead Keith Gullion, Network Operations Technician III
20 YEARS cont. Richard Hutchison, Superintendent Power Plant Mechanical Maintenance Barry Sabo, Customer Service Representative II 10 YEARS Carol Trice, Software Engineer I
NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
Halloween
NO TRICKS, JUST TREATS! The sweetest staff in Town got in the Holiday spirit and dressed as M&M’s this Halloween. Back Row (Left to Right): Renee Pierce, Jill Sherwood, Samantha Smith, Kathy Ruf. Middle Row (Left to Right): Carol Callahan, Carolinne Kahane, Shelby Ruf, Bev Williamson. Front Row (Left to Right): Dawn Hutchison, Tracy Lednum, Joanne Drummer, Savannah Morrow.
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Communications/PR
WE HAVE A
WINNER! Congratulations to Administrative Specialist Savannah Morrow for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest! Savannah won a $25 gift card to Agave for her submission that landed on the October cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter. Thank you for your photos, and well done, Savannah! You could be the next winner by submitting your potential cover photos to gmueller@ eastonmd.gov. If your submission is chosen, you too will win a $25 gift card!
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NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON
Employee Benefits
Human Resources Birthdays NOVEMBER
Kevin Hackett Joanne Drummer Dorothy Stichberry Bert Murphy Ashley Bayne Cory Schuch Brian Doyle Christopher Doyle Gregory Wright Ronald Dixon
Anniversaries NOVEMBER
Mark Hrobar - 32 years Jacqueline Garvey - 23 years Norman Sova - 7 years Nicholas Everngam - 4 years Christopher Doyle - 3 years Shelby Ruf - 3 years Colin Jones - 6 years John Tripp - 1 year Justin Conaway - 5 years David Wroten - 11 years
EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2023
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Recipe
GAMEDAY GOURMET
KIELBASA AND VEGGIE KEBABS Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4
4 wooden skewers 1 red onion 2 bell peppers 2 ears of corn, cut crosswise into 2-inch rounds 1 package Coleman Natural Polish Kielbasa, sliced thick 12 whole mushrooms 12 cherry tomatoes Soak skewers in water 30 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat grill to 300 F. Cut red onion, peppers and corn into bite-sized chunks. Alternate placing kielbasa slices, onion, peppers, corn, mushrooms and tomatoes on skewers. Grill, rotating every few minutes until veggies are tender, about 20 minutes.
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Elevate Your Tailgate with Easyto-Make Kebabs
(Family Features) Concoct a winning game plan, gather the parking lot games and call the biggest fans you know — it’s tailgating season. This year, before you root on your favorite team, make sure your pregame party matches the intensity of the fourth quarter with recipes that really fire up the crowd. For a pregame meal that gives diehards the energy they’ll need to stay on their feet, turn to easy-to-prepare Kielbasa and Veggie Kebabs. This tailgate-friendly recipe relies on smoked pork sausage that’s blended with flavorful spices, naturally cured with cultured celery powder and sea salt then slow-smoked for rich flavor. Even if your favorite team can’t get the job done, this recipe is sure to make your gameday memorable one way or another. Visit ColemanNatural.com to find more easy-to-prepare tailgate recipes.
NOVEMBER 2023 | THE TOWN OF EASTON