Easton Employee Newsletter - July 2023

Cover Photo by Alan Lowrey,

HAPPY SUMMER!

I hope each of you are enjoying the sunshine, and embracing the longer days. Summer is one of my favorite seasons, not just because it’s so warm out, but it’s a time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the outdoors. July is National Parks and Recreation Month. Did you know the town has over 360 acres of parkland, and that doesn’t even include our rail to trails?! Thank you Nick for that fun fact. At Monday’s Council meeting Lorraine was presented a proclamation in recognition of the roles our parks play in the Town. We’re so fortunate to have so many parks, each with a different allure. Thank you to Lorraine and the Parks and Rec Department for keeping our parks beautiful places for everyone to enjoy.

I also want to thank everyone, and there were a lot involved, who helped get the tax bills out this past week. It was a true team effort to get them printed, stuffed and mailed out to our citizens. Thank you!

We welcomed two new officers to the Police Department in June. If you see Officers Reading and Woodard please extend a warm welcome.

Thank you, everyone, for the important role you each play in making Easton such a beautiful place. You each play an integral role in our town’s success.

Warmest regards,

Megan

Employee Spotlight

TONY NAGLE | IT NETWORK SPECIALIST

Meet Tony Nagle! Tony works on the IT team as a Network Specialist for the Town of Easton . Tony helps our IT team keep our networks up and running, as well as keeping important data such as finances and criminal records safely protected.

Tony grew up in Frederick, MD and attended Salisbury University where he fell in love with the Eastern Shore. Tony loves spending time viewing the scenic shorelines of the Eastern Shore, especially the Tred Avon River.

In his free time, Tony enjoys golfing and painting landscapes. Tony currently lives in Hurlock and will be moving to St. Michael’s with his new wife, Angie.

NEW TO THE

Town of Easton, EVFD, acquire two new fire trucks

On Tuesday, June 27, Town of Easton officials and leadership from Easton Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) traveled to the Sutphen Corporation plant in Lake Ariel, PA to inspect, purchase, and bring home two brand new fire trucks.

The two trucks, Engine 63 and Engine 67, were

custom built from the ground up to EVFD’s desired specifications. Engine 63 is a 2023 Sutphen Monarch 1,000 gallon pumper designed to respond in Town hydrant areas.

Engine 67 is a 2023 Sutphen Monarch 2,000 gallon pumper. It has an extra axle and holds

THE FLEET

EVFD

an additional 1,000 gallons of water so that it can respond to non-hydrant spots in more rural areas.

Both trucks feature multiple easy-access hose connections, and custom dimensions designed specifically so that the engines can operate on

From left to right: Easton Town Manager Don Richardson, EVFD members Adam Mayock, Jeff Meintzer, Solomon James, Chris Hash, Sutphen Employees Adam Bassney, Rich Miller, Jakob Gordon, EVFD Assistant Chief JR Dobson, Lawver Fire employee John Lawver, EVFD Chief Sonny Jones Jr., EVFD President Rick Stacey, Easton Mayor Megan Cook, and Lawver Fire employee David Chaires stand in front of Engine 63 and Engine 37 at the Sutphen Plant in Lake Ariel, PA.

tight streets and alleys that may be hard to access around Town.

EVFD Apparatus Chairman Jeff Meintzer said, “Being able to deploy hoses and things rapidly is important, seconds count in the fire industry.” Meintzer added “It’s very firefighter friendly…These trucks can turn tighter, there’s several features and little touches added that make the whole process a lot easier for us.”

These trucks will be the 4th and 5th engines in the EVFD’s stable, and they are replacing two units that are over 20 years old.

“We are very grateful to the Town of Easton for their help in acquiring these trucks. “The Town staff has been fantastic through this whole arrangement.” Meintzer added.

Mayor Megan Cook remarked, “The Easton Volunteer Fire Department is a huge asset to our residents. These new trucks have state of the art equipment that will allow them to more effectively do their jobs, and to be safer while doing it.”

Mayor Cook continued, “They mean everything to us. You really have to respect the men and women who give up their family time and their safety to keep our community safe.”

While the trucks were outfitted with up to date safety equipment and technological features, the aesthetics held true to the classic look of a historic Easton fire engine.

“We love it, it’s beautiful! If nothing else, it’s a beautiful truck,” Meinzter said. “When you put things on paper, that’s one thing, but when you actually get to see it in real life and it turns out just how you intended, that’s the icing on the cake.”

(EVFD) mean everything to us . You really have to respect the men and women who give up their family time and their safety to keep our community safe.

Mayor Megan Cook

Police Department

STARTING STRONG

Easton Police Department welcomes two new officers

On Friday, June 16, 2023, Easton Police Department welcomed two new officers to the force: Officer Daniel Reading and Officer Colin Woodard. Officers Reading and Woodard graduated from Wor-Wic Community College’s Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy after six months of training, and were sworn in by Mayor Megan Cook the night prior to their commencement ceremony, held at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD.

Officer Reading was elected as class leader during the academy, and was also awarded

for expert marksmanship with a pistol, and outstanding physical fitness at the commencement ceremony.

Now that the officers have taken their oath of office, they must successfully complete a three-month Field Training program to satisfy the requirements for full certification as a Maryland law enforcement officer.

The Easton Police Department is excited to have both Officer Reading and Officer Woodard join our team!

Easton

Parks and Recreation

CELEBRATE!

Easton enjoys Parks and Recreation Month this July

Since 1985, July has been celebrated as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the essential and powerful role local park and recreation professionals — such as our staff at Town of Easton — play in building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities all across the country.

This July, we will celebrate the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our communities.

In Easton, we will celebrate Park and Recreation Month by spreading awareness on our social media channels. Each week, in association with Discover Easton and Talbot County, we will be highlighting each of our Town’s major park attractions, as well as recognizing each of our Parks and Recreation employees.

Additionally, Friday, July 21 is National Parks and Recreation Professionals day, and we will recognize our Parks and Recreation team with a small luncheon.

“July is the perfect time to share how our park and recreation professionals in Easton contribute to the overall health, well-being and growth of our community,” said Communications Specialist Greg Mueller. “We encourage everyone in Town to come celebrate the beauty and the power of parks and recreation with us this July.”

NRPA encourages everyone who supports parks and recreation to share how it has impacted their lives with the hashtag #wherecommunitygrows. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org/July.

Learn about Easton’s exciting Park and Recreation department by visiting our website at https://eastonmd.gov/174/Parks-Recreation .

Buildings & Facilities

LITTLE LIBRARY

Here we have a quick look at the handiwork of Mike Thume. At the request of Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Gould, Mike began construction on a “Little Library” for public use in Moton Park.

As always, Mike did phenomenal work on the project and added a little of his own per-

sonal flair (see the chimney).

The structure is available for any residents or passers by who would like to donate a book by leaving it inside, or for them to take and read something donated. It has already seen plenty of use in just a few weeks since its installation! Great work Mike!

TOWN OF EASTON EMPLOYEES

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA

On July 1, 2023 a new state law legalizes, with restrictions, the possession, use, and cultivation of recreational marijuana and marijuana products for persons 21 years of age or older. The passage does not change The Town of Easton’s policies and prohibitions surrounding marijuana. Importantly, we will continue to prohibit employees from working while under the influence of marijuana and from using or possessing marijuana in the workplace.

Likewise, we will continue to prohibit the transfer, transportation, or sale, of marijuana in the workplace. The safety and well-being of our employees and the community should be at the forefront of everything we do here at The Town of Easton. All policies and procedures currently in effect for drug and alcohol testing, as well as all policies and procedures to be followed in the event an employee tests positive for marijuana, remain fully in effect.

Employees who test positive for marijuana on any Employer drug test are subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A positive test for any prohibited substance (regardless of when actually ingested) constitutes a violation of our Policy. Our Policy applies to all employees of Town of Easton, including employees who may be certified to use medical marijuana pursuant to State law.

Reporting for work under the influence of marijuana or testing positive for marijuana on a drug test conducted pursuant to our Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, regardless of whether or not the employee is a certified medical marijuana user.

For any questions about the policy, please contact HR at rfarr@eastonmd.gov

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations to Kathy Ruf for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest! Kathy won a $25 gift card to Headwaters Grille for her submission that landed on the June cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter.

Thank you for your photos, and well done Kathy!

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!

SPOTTED AROUND TOWN

Former Mayor Willey’s parting gift from Public Works was spotted hanging from his new mailbox setup. Photo courtesy of Susan Filbird.

Employee Benefits

Human Resources

Birthdays

JULY

William Willis

Timothy Streckfus

Colin Woodard

Elmer Davis

Tyrone Pinder

Tracy Lednum ARE

Anniversaries

JULY

Patrick Sally - 22 Years

Carol Callahan - 19 Years

Trevor Newcomb - 16 Years

Robert Haase - 8 Years

Sierra Clem - 6 Years

Jefferson Heckler - 6 Years

Elmer Davis -3 Years

Spiced Pork Ribs

Total time: 3 hours, 10 minutes

Servings: 6

2 racks (about 4 pounds) baby back 1/4 cup TajÌn Cl·sÌco Seasoning 1/4 cup TajÌn Mild Hot Sauce, plus additional for serving, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar lime wedges, for serving mashed potatoes or steamed rice, for serving (optional)

Rub ribs with seasoning. Marinate least 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 300 F. Combine sauce, oil and brown sugar; brush both rib racks.

Line baking sheet with double layer aluminum foil with enough overhang wrap foil around ribs.

Lay ribs, bone side down, on foil-lined baking sheet. Wrap foil around ribs seal. Place on baking sheet.

Fill large baking dish or roasting with 2 inches of boiling water. Place lower oven rack to keep ribs moist they bake. Place ribs on middle oven rack.

Bake 2 1/2-3 hours, or until meat tender and just starting to fall off

Preheat broiler. Unwrap ribs and on foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 4-6 minutes on middle oven rack, or lightly charred and caramelized.

Serve with lime wedges and additional hot sauce.

Serve with mashed potatoes or steamed white rice, if desired.

Ribs

back ribs plus potatoes (optional) Marinate at refrigerator. hot brush over layer of overhang to foil-lined ribs and pan

Place on moist as oven is off bone.

place 4-6 until additional steamed

HEAT IT UP

Dial Up Flavor With These Summer Favorites

(Family Features) Turn up the heat this summer and spice your way to delicious warm-weather recipes by using subtle ingredients that bring out bold flavors in your favorite foods. Adding a taste-enhancing option to your repertoire - TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Sauce - can make your summer get-togethers the talk of the neighborhood.

Cool off while enjoying mildly spicy dishes. Made with 100% natural chiles, lime juice, sea salt and a hint of apricot, TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Sauce offers a unique sweet-and-spicy flavor without too much heat. Perfect for drizzling over fresh fruits and veggies like mango, pineapple, watermelon and more, it’s also commonly used to bring fruity, subtle spice to a wide variety of recipes including beverages and snacks, like smoothies, mangonadas, ice pops and cold drinks.

For example, in this Savory Mango Chamoy Daiquiri, the apricots create a fruity, tangy flavor that’s a nice, refreshing twist on a traditional drink.

Bringing a touch of heat to summer cookouts can be a breeze with mild hot sauces added to dishes like these Spiced Pork Ribs, which can be created start-to-finish

in the oven or taken outside to sear on the grill. Just a handful of ingredients are required to season the ribs to spicy perfection before wrapping them in foil and letting your oven do the work.

The key ingredient for the right touch of subtle heat without being overwhelming is TajÌn Mild Hot Sauce, a unique, flavorful addition to your cabinet that pairs well with savory snacks like tortilla chips, chicken wings, pizza and even micheladas. The lime is what makes it different from other hot sauces.

Made with 100% natural mild chiles, lime juice and sea salt without added sugars or coloring, it can be enjoyed by the whole family as a versatile way to enhance favorite foods with a mild but wild flavor.

Both recipes can be easily enhanced with a simple concept: just pair TajÌn Cl·sico seasoning with either or both of the sauces to create unique flavor combinations, a tasty “mix it” tactic to add to your warm-weather menu and make it uniquely yours.

Find more recipes that crank up the heat this summer by visiting TajÌn.com/us.

Rib Rub Rack

COOL IT DOWN

Savory Mango Chamoy

Daquiri

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2

RIM GLASS:

2 tablespoons TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce

2 tablespoons TajÌn Cl·sico Seasoning

DRINK:

4 tablespoons TajÌn Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce, divided 1 cup frozen mango cubes, plus additional for garnish, divided 1/3 cup natural syrup

3 ice cubes

1/3 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon TajÌn Cl·sico Seasoning, for garnish

To rim glass: Rim glass in chamoy hot sauce then seasoning.

To make drink: Blend 3 tablespoons chamoy hot sauce, mango cubes, syrup, ice cubes and orange juice.

In glass, pour remaining chamoy hot sauce.

To serve, garnish with additional mango cubes and sprinkle with seasoning.

Source: TajÌn