EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 2024
Cover Photo by Lorraine Gould, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUMMER SHINE
Happy August everyone! It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through the summer already. I hope you’ve been enjoying the longer, sunny days of summer.
July was Parks and Recreation month and all month we’ve shined a spotlight on the incredible efforts of our Parks and Rec. team. Their commitment to enhancing our town’s park spaces is deeply appreciated, and we’re grateful for their hard work.
We were very happy to hear the announcement of the approval to build the new hospital on the northern edge of town! This significant milestone promises to ensure that our community continues to receive the high-quality healthcare it deserves.
Congratulations to Kody Cario on his promotion to Director of Engineering. His dedication and hard work have made a difference in our community! Thank you to the entire team that keeps Easton the beautiful town it is.
Megan
Click HERE to see Rick’s video interview!
Employee Spotlight
RICK FARR | CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
Meet Rick Farr! Rick is the Chief Human Resource Officer for the Town of Easton. Rick started working with us about 2 and a half years ago.
Rick is responsible for all things Human Resources: Hiring processes, evaluating candidates, payroll, benefits, following federal compliance laws, and making sure our employees have the tools and the means they need to do their jobs.
Rick lives in Ocean Pines and spends most of his free time out on his boat navigating the waters between Ocean City and Assateague Island. When he is not out on his boat, you might find Rick taking care of the many tropical plants he keeps at home!
AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Easton launches new interactive traffic data dashboard
The Town of Easton is proud to announce the launch of the Easton Interactive Traffic Dashboard (EITD), a new webbased interface that allows easy access to traffic data from local law enforcement agencies, including citations and crashes, from 2018 to the present. The Easton Interactive Traffic Dashboard is live now and is available to the public for use on the Easton Police Department website at https:// eastonmd.gov/196/Police.
The EITD is a free, user-friendly interface that utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to give quick, sortable data on all types of traffic incidents from local law
enforcement agencies. Information can easily be sourced by type (speeding, impaired, bicycle, etc.), location, date range, and even by agency (Easton Police Department, Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police).
Once parameters are selected, the data is shown in very easy to read breakouts with accompanying charts and graphs for reference. From this data page, parameters can be further adjusted to narrow in results or to display a different data set.
The crash data for the EITD is sourced from the Maryland State Police Automated Crash Reporting System,
which utilizes the Maryland Crash Data Tool for the years 2018-2023 and the Maryland Crash Data Dashboard for the years 2024-present.
The dashboard was created not only as a tool for residents and employees, but as a significant addition to the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) currently being developed for the Town of Easton.
The SHSP follows the MDOT’s “Zero Deaths Maryland” initiative, aiming to put strategy in place to improve traffic safety with the ultimate goal of reaching zero traffic fatalities. Easton’s SHSP is being helmed by Ron Engle, whose experience spans eight years in Virginia law enforcement (including three years as a State Trooper), 32 years with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and eight years served as a Council Member for the Town of Easton.
Engle has been working closely with Mayor Megan Cook and Easton Chief of Police Alan Lowrey on the creation of the SHSP. Lowrey said, “From my experience in law enforcement and municipal government, I know that how the Town envisions people safely traveling in our town, should drive the Town’s decisions in many other areas. We need a strategic transportation plan to identify our goals and help us make consistent decisions for Easton.”
Lowrey continued, “Ron Engle and I have shared roots as law enforcement officers in Virginia and with his work at NHTSA, so I knew he would be a valuable asset to the police department and town for making this plan a reality. In Easton, as in other communities, vehicle crashes are one of the most likely ways community members may suffer serious injury. The aim of this plan is to take a comprehensive approach to mitigating that.”
BOTTOM: Ron Engle addresses the Council as Sean Lynn and Matthew Lewis look on.
OPPOSITE: A screenshot of the new Easton Interactive Traffic Dashboard.
TOP: From left to right, Washington College GIS Program Manager Sean Lynn, Ron Engle, and Washington College GIS Program team member Matthew Lewis.
Washington College GIS Program Manager
Sean Lynn demos the new dashboard at the Town Council meeting on July 15. Click on the image to see the presentation.
Once finalized, the plan will go to the Easton Town Council for approval. If approved, it will result in the creation of a supporting resolution. This new resolution will be included in the finalized plan which will serve to provide important insight on how to create safer roadways for our Town. Additionally, once approved this plan will open up new avenues for state and federal grants to achieve those goals.
Engle has been impressed by the dashboard and sees it as a strong complement to the developing SHSP. Engle said, “The Dashboard is a spectacular new tool that provides instant information to officials who are trying to identify traffic crash patterns within their
community and enables them to create strategies to eliminate them.”
The dashboard was created for the Town of Easton by the Washington College GIS Program in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.
A live demonstration of the dashboard was recorded at the Easton Town Council meeting on Monday, July 15, at 5:30p.m. It can be streamed on the Town of Easton’s website at https://eastonmd.portal.civicclerk.com/ event/667/media, scroll forward to the 19:30 (19 minutes, 30 seconds) mark to see it.
A STEP FORWARD
Kody Cario promoted to Director of Engineering
The Town of Easton is proud to announce that Kody Cario has been promoted to the role of Director of Engineering. Cario moves into this new position after serving with the Town of Easton as the Project Manager since 2019. “I am looking forward to new opportunities to help provide Easton’s residents with improved services and amenities in my new role,” said Cario.
As Director of Engineering, Cario will manage the Engineering Department and will continue to work directly for the Town Engineer, Rick Van Emburgh, as well as with the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments.
In addition to managing Engineering Department Capital Projects, Cario will manage the Engineering Department staff which is responsible for Private Development Plan Review, Grading Permit and Right-Of-Way Permit Application review and approval, Private Development Inspection, the MS4 Pro-
gram, and other Town infrastructure related work.
Town Engineer Rick Van Emburgh is thrilled to see his longtime colleague Cario take on this new position. Van Emburgh remarked, “It’s been great working with Kody these last few years as he successfully managed numerous important capital projects like Rails to Trails, the Easton Dog Park, and the Skate Park to name a few. Kody works extremely hard for our community, and Easton is a better place because of his hard work.”
Prior to working as the Project Manager for Easton, Cario held several roles managing construction projects in the private sector. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Allegheny College, and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Ecology from Slippery Rock University. Cario is certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and is a Professional Wetland Scientist. He currently lives in Easton with his wife, Leslie, and son, Ryder.
A NEW HOME
Talbot County Health Dept. makes move to new location
The Talbot County Health Department is pleased to announce they have completed their move to a new, expanded facility at 510 Cadmus Lane, Easton, MD 21601. The relocation occured on July 22, 2024, marking a significant upgrade in the Department’s ability to serve the community.
To facilitate the move, the Department was closed to the public on July 18th and 19th. Services resumed in full at the new location on Monday, July 22nd.
The new 38,000-square-foot building represents a major investment in public health infrastructure for
News in Easton
Talbot County. Designed to meet the growing needs of the Talbot County, the facility provides several key improvements:
• Increased number of consultation rooms to reduce wait times
• Large, modernized laboratory spaces to enhance screening and testing capabilities
• Dedicated emergency operations center for improved crisis response
• Enhanced public accessibility, including increased parking and direct access to the Rails to Trails walking path
“The new health department building will allow us the physical space to better achieve our mission of promoting and protecting the health of all in Talbot County,” said Dr. Maria Maguire, Talbot County Health Officer. “We are excited to be able to offer our services — including cancer screening, preventive immunizations, and health counseling -- to the community in such a modern and spacious facility.”
The Department encourages residents to take note of the new address. All services will be available at the new location starting July 22nd.
For more information about the move or Department services, please visit www.TalbotHealth.org or call 410-819-5600.
CREATIVE APPROACH
Easton EDC hires new Marketing and Events Manager
Easton Economic Development Corporation (Easton EDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Maglio as the Marketing & Events Manager for the Easton EDC. This position will combine the marketing and communication goals of the economic development organization that serves the greater Easton area as well as tourism under the Discover Easton brand. Maglio will also help coordinate local events and festivals.
Maglio is a born and raised Marylander with a fifteen-year history of serving small towns in Delaware and Maryland with award-winning design and marketing strategies, dedicating his work to helping small communities grow and find success. He has created advertising and marketing for Kent Narrows Tourism, Dorchester Economic Development, Sussex County Tourism, and many others across Maryland.
Maglio launched two successful regional magazines: Delaware Seaside Bride and Bay to the Beach. He has also helped organize and promote the Dover Comic Con.
Maglio’s newspaper background has given him a deep love of small, local communities and businesses. When asked about his new role, Maglio said, “I just want to keep supporting the communities I love through my expertise and skill set. I’m excited that through the Easton EDC, I’ll be able to devote myself completely to that one goal, that one mission, which has always been my North Star throughout my career.”
Maglio enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children when he’s not working. His hobbies include fitness, illustration, and tabletop games.
WHAT A MONTH!
Easton recognizes Parks and Rec team for National Parks and Recreation Month
This July, the Town of Easton celebrated National Parks and Recreation Month, showcasing how our Town is stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient because of our parks and recreation. Throughout the month we ackowledged our staff and facilities through interviews, graphics, and videos that showcased what our Town has to offer.
NRPA and Easton joined to show support for parks and recreation to share how it has fostered belonging, as well as why
their local parks and recreation professionals are important to them, on social media with #WhereYouBelong.
On the following pages you can see some examples of employee interviews and parks videos that were featured on our pages throughout the month.
To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit nrpa. org/July.
Click an image to see the park’s corresponding video.
Clockwise from top-left: Rails to Trails, Moton Park, Easton Point Park, and Idlewild Park.
FINAL HURDLE
Final Regulatory Hurdle Passed for UM Shore Regional Medical Center Project
Today, the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) approved the rate application request from University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), for the new Shore Regional Medical Center in Easton. HSCRC’s approval helps offset interest and depreciation for the construction of the new facility and represents the final step needed for site preparation work to begin at 10000 Longwoods Road later this month.
“We are incredibly excited and grateful for what this new hospital means for residents of the region,” said Ken Kozel, UM SRH President and CEO. “This marks the largest healthcare project in the history of UM SRH and one of the largest projects ever for the Mid-Shore region.”
“This is a historic day for healthcare delivery and improving rural health care on the Eastern Shore,” said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and CEO of UMMS. “UMMS and UM SRH have been at the forefront of pro -
viding health care access points with over $150 million invested during the last decade across the Mid-Shore’s five counties, The new regional medical center in Easton will serve as a health care hub to meet the needs of residents across the region.”
Late in 2023, the Easton Planning Commission approved sketch plans for the new hospital and within the past year, UM SRH received approval for the project’s Certificate of Need (CON) and approvals from the UM SRH board and the UMMS board. “The HSCRC’s rate approval is the last part of the regulatory approval process, and we are thrilled that our vision of expanding access to high-quality care in a modern facility is now coming to fruition,” Kozel added.
The next phase of the project involves several pre-construction activities, including working with the Maryland State Highway Administration to relocate Route 662, site preparation that will include the arrival of heavy equipment to level and grade the field, and other approvals for the 230+ acre site.
Groundbreaking for the new UM Shore Regional Medical Center is anticipated in the summer of 2025, with construction of the hospital anticipated to be completed at the end of summer 2028. The $540 million estimated cost of the project will be covered by bonds and cash flow, state funding, public and private philanthropy, and federal grants.
“In our enthusiasm for achieving this latest milestone, we are eternally grateful for the longstanding support and engagement of our state and county elected officials, UMMS board members and executive leadership, the UM Memorial Hospital Foundation board, and our partners in the project -- Covalus, HKS, Whiting-Turner, the legal team from GEJ, and the many UM SRH team members involved in the regulatory applications and the design and pre-construction phases,” said Kozel. “This has been and will continue to be a strong collaboration between health care professionals, government and civic leaders and the stakeholders throughout our five coun -
ties for whom access to quality health care in our region is an important priority.”
““We are incredibly excited and grateful for what this new hospital means for residents of the region... This marks the largest healthcare project in the history of UM SRH and one of the largest projects ever for the Mid-Shore region
Ken Kozel, President and CEO - UM SRH
The UM Shore Regional Medical Center in Easton will replace the existing hospital in downtown Easton, which is outdated and obsolete, with the majority of the hospital constructed between 1955 and 1975. Additionally, its location in a residential neighborhood bordering the town’s Historic District prevents expansion and creates access issues for patients and staff. The hospital campus will reside on 230-plus acres off Longwoods Road near the intersection of U.S. Route 50, adjacent to the Talbot County Community Center. Approximately 3.5 miles from the current hospital, this location will offer greater visibility, and easier and safer access for ambulance and helicopter transport as well as ample parking for patients, staff and visitors.
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Congratulations to Matt Cordrey from Public Works for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!
Matt now has a $25 gift card to Chic Fil-A for his submission that landed on the July cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter.
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!
NEWLY APPOINTED
Ed Forte sworn in as new Supervisor of Elections
Congratulations to Ed Forte on being appointed to Supervisor of Elections! Forte was sworn in to his position by Mayor Megan Cook at the town council meeting on July 1.
He has previous experience as an Election Technician on the Talbot County Board of Elections, and has held multiple positions in public office including serving as Mayor of the Borough Haddon Heights, NJ. Forte currently serves as a member of Easton Volunteer Fire Dept. MD.
Forte’s appointment fills a vacancy left by Carlene Pheonix’s retirement in February. Pheonix served as the Town of Easton Supervisor of Elections for the last 21 years.
Employee Benefits
Human Resources
Birthdays
AUGUST
Marwin Lewis
Daniel Reading
Sierra Clem
Christopher Mueller
Cordero Proctor
Christopher Westerfield
Beverly Williamson
Allen Orrison
Mary Moyer
Barry Slaughter
Gregory Webb
Mark Schinault
Stacy Woodard-Slaughter
Timothy Lyons
Jill Garvey
Anniversaries
AUGUST
Michael Dickerson - 39 years
William Willis - 25 years
Dorothy Stichberry - 24 years
Andre Magee - 19 years
Gregory Webb - 18 years
Donald Richardson - 17 years
Renee Pierce - 16 years
James Rodgers - 15 years
Allen Orrison - 15 years
Marvin Jenkins - 14 years
Glenn Towers - 12 years
Timothy Streckfus - 11 years
Vincent Barnett - 10 years
Beverly Williamson - 9 years
Cody Gaertner - 5 years
Samuel Pearson - 5 years
Matthew Cordrey - 5 years
Jacob Towers - 4 years
Joshua Maxwell - 3 years
Samantha Smith - 2 years
Dorothy Meekins - 22 years
Recipe
SWEET DREAMS
Bring a Chill to Summer with Cool, Creamy Cheesecake
(Family Features) When it’s hot but you crave something sweet, turn to a delicious dessert that’s cool and creamy. French Style Cheesecake with Vanilla Wafer Crust offers the best of both worlds as a fresh, no-bake,
refrigerated favorite you can top with chocolate, fruit or vanilla wafer crumbs.
Find more summer dessert ideas at Culinary.net.
DREAMY FRENCH STYLE CHEESECAKE WITH VANILLA WAFER CRUST
Total time: 25 minutes, plus 3 hours chilled Servings: 8
Crust: 2 cups vanilla wafers, crushed 1 stick butter, melted 1/4 cup brown sugar
Whipped Cream: 1 cup heavy cream 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla
Cheesecake: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup powdered sugar
To make crust: Mix crushed vanilla wafers, melted butter and sugar; press into pie pan or individual pudding cups.
To make whipped cream: In large bowl, using electric mixer, mix heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until thickened into whipped cream.
To make cheesecake: Add softened cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar to whipped cream bowl. Using electric mixer, mix until smooth. Pour over vanilla wafer crust and chill 3 hours.