Cover Photo by Kathy Ruf, Town Clerk
FALLING INTO PLACE
September is upon us! While the days are still warm, a hint of change is in the air as we delve into the latter parts of the year.
Last month saw all kinds of exciting projects and accomplishments take place. We celebrated National Night out with the Easton Police Department at Moton Park, we enjoyed a visit from Jake Day (Maryland Secretary of Housing & Community Development), and we saw significant portions of our North/South Rail Trail get repaved for maintenance and upkeep.
While we had lots to celebrate from this past month, we also took time to mourn the passing away of a friend and former colleague at the police department, Retired 1st. Sgt. Gordon Lee. His unexpected death was truly sad news for us all, and our hearts go out to all of his family, friends, and coworkers who are still grieving his loss.
As we move forward into this special time of year, please keep up the good work and momentum that we are building together. As the seasons change, we too can continue to grow and bring progress and positive transformations across this wonderful Town. Fall in!
Click HERE to see Tyrone’s video interview!
Employee Spotlight
TYRONE PERRY | TREE MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST
Meet Tyrone Perry! Tyrone works as a Tree Maintenance Specialist for the Town of Easton’s Public Works Department. Tyrone started working with us about 2 years ago.
Tyrone is responsible for all things tree-related around the Town. He trims branches, removes obstructions, cuts down dead trees, and prunes dead branches to preserve trees all around Easton. Whenever trees are damaged or fallen, his team is usually first on the scene.
Tyrone lives in Easton and enjoys spending any free time he has with his family. They enjoy time together by going to the beach, playing video games, and traveling together when possible.
Megan
Easton Police Department
COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER
Easton Police Department hosts National Night Out 2024 at Moton Park
The Easton Police Department hosted another very successful National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. There was good attendance and fun had by all. We would like to thank all those who came out and participated in the event; without the communities support this event wouldn’t be what it is today.
A special thank you to Jason’s Computer Service for their generous donation which allowed Kona Ice to be a part of this year’s event. We’d also like to thank BJ’s Wholesale Club for their donation of water and snacks and Grand Rental for the table and chairs.
Thank you to Reverend Demetrius Price, Pastor at Union Baptist Church for the message he delivered to all those in attendance.
We’d also like to thank the following organizations who come out every year to be a part of our annual National Night Out:
Maryland State Police
Talbot County Sheriff’s Office
Maryland Natural Resource Police
Talbot County Parks and Recreation
VFW Post 5118
Talbot Goes Purple
Chesapeake Multicultural Resources
Mid-Shore Behavioral Health
Talbot Humane
Comptroller of Maryland’s Office
Neighborhood Service Center
Talbot County Department of Social Services
Talbot County Health Department
Talbot County States Attorney’s Office
Easton Utilities
Union Baptist Church
Boy Scout Pack 190
Fire Marshal’s Office Grace Street
Appleseed Books
Shore Legal Access
Chesapeake Voyagers
Parole and Probation
Critchlow Adkins
Easton Church of Christ
Talbot County Free Library
Maryland Vehicle Administration
Kona Ice
Phillips Wharf – Fishmobile
Designs by Nana Poppins
We’d also like to say a special thank you to the staff of the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department. Each year these individuals come out and assist us with getting vendors set up, vehicles parked, setting up tables and chairs as well as keeping the park presentable. Their assistance is greatly appreciated. Another huge thank you goes out to the Easton Volunteer Fire Department who comes out every year and cooks for the event.
Affordable Housing Task Force
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
Secretary Jake Day comes to Easton to address the Attainable Housing Task Force
Jake Day, Maryland Secretary of Housing & Community Development, came out to the Attainable Housing Task Force Meeting held on Thursday, August 8, in the Easton Town Council Chambers.
Secretary Day gave a short presentation and spoke to our task force members about the importance of finding and creating attainable housing, as well as discussing potential solutions and success stories from around the state and country.
Secretary Day engaged in some spirited conversation with the task force, thanked them for their dedication to solving this crisis, and also provided encouragement that the state would be more proactive in this area. Secretary Day said, “Our goal is to set Maryland on a growth trajectory to achieve housing affordability.”
To see video of the event, you can watch on our Agendas and Minutes page here: https://eastonmd.portal.civicclerk. com/event/883/media
Urban3 Founder Joe Minicozzi provides an alternate look at land-use planning Planning & Zoning
A DIFFERENT LOOK
On Thursday, August 22, the Planning and Zoning department hosted a special presentation on land-use planning from Urban 3 Founder Joe Minnicozzi. The event was well attended and sparked some lively discussion and thoughtful questions from the audience.
Urban3, a unique economic consulting firm, was hired by The Town of Easton Department of Planning and Zoning to conduct revenue modeling of Easton on a value per acre basis
based on existing land use typologies of commercial, residential, and mixed-use development. Urban3 then models the potential revenue implications of various development scenarios based on these typologies and their densities.
Their work resulted from comparing the economic productivity of varying property types within the Town of Easton, compared to Talbot County and the region, and also included an evaluation of the economic potency of Easton’s downtown.
Urban3’s 2D and 3D visualizations of this analysis gave the community a simple, data-driven understanding of the revenue impacts of development.
Town of Easton Planning and Zoning Director Miguel Salinas said, “This analysis will be very useful in Easton comprehensive planning efforts as it models the potential revenue capture of conceptual development scenarios to determine future optimal growth and redevelopment scenarios. The analysis can also help us to achieve targeted densities and public revenue impacts.”
Urban3’s approach to land use planning includes consideration of the impact of smarter growth and better planning on land value economics and revenue generation which can then be compared to the cost of services. You can read more about Urban3, the services they provide, and case studies of projects they have completed at www.urbanthree.com.
To see a video recording of the event, please visit: https:// eastonmd.portal.civicclerk.com/event/928/media
REPAVING RAILS TO TRAILS
On August 19 and 20, the Town of Easton Engineering team executed a paving project across three sections of Easton’s Rails to Trails system along the North/ South Trail. Over the course of those two days, the original asphault was removed, tack was laid down, and new asphault was spread and shaped into place.
David A. Bramble Inc. was contracted to handle the paving, and Kody Cario and Aaron Sadberry were both on site throughout the process to make sure that things progressed “smoothly.” The finished product turned out great, and as you can see in the clickable video, these portions of the trail are as good as new. Great job by the Engineering team on handling this project and for their role in keeping our wonderful amenties in good working order.
TRAILS
Click here to see video of the paving in action.
Easton Police Department
NOT FORGOTTEN
Easton Police Department honors memory of Retired 1st Sgt. Gordon F. Lee
It was a sad occasion to announce the passing away of Retired 1st/Sergeant Gordon F. Lee who left us on Monday, August 19, 2024 due to natural causes.
After an honorable service with the United States Marine Corps, Gordon Lee was hired by the Easton Police Department on January 3, 2001. There he had a very rewarding career that ultimately touched the lives of many people; coworkers, fellow officers and community members. Not only did he work the road in the Patrol Division, he performed other critical roles.
It wasn’t long before the police department recognized that Gordon possessed the natural qualities of a leader. Soon after his promotion to Corporal and as a current K9 Handler himself, he was appointed as Supervisor of the K9 Unit. He remained a K9 Handler for approximately 7 years. As a Marine, honoring our nation’s fallen heroes was also important to Gordon, as he was a former member of our own department’s honor guard. How-
ever, Gordon was best known as an instructor and member of the department’s Critical Response Unit (SWAT).
Gordon spent 18-years as a member of the CRU ending his tenure as Team Leader. During this time, he was instrumental in ensuring that operations were completed safely. Operations that included high-risk searches, apprehensions of fortified individuals and many other tactical operations that placed him (and his fellow team) between the most dangerous and the innocent.
Gordon was also a teacher, serving as a Maryland Certified Instructor in both academics and firearms for 17 years. He cherished his time in the classroom and firing range, sharing his knowledge in true “Gordon Lee” fashion. In 2016, Gordon was recognized by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission as Instructor of the Year. Upon his retirement, 1st/Sergeant Gordon Lee was serving as the department’s Training Coordinator. There he was instrumental in overseeing the department’s first Citizens Police Academy.
Throughout Gordon’s years of service, he was also a recipient of 20 awards. These include: Chief’s Award, 4-Commander’s Awards, Exceptional Service, Lifesaving, 2-Commend-
“Although Gordon’s resume illustrates many certifications, training, and skills, it was the friends he forged along the way that stands out the most. Deputy Chief Greg Wright
able Service awards, and a Bronze Star for his involvement in safely disarming a shooter suspect from a crowded area.
Although Gordon’s resume illustrates many certifications, training, and skills, it was the friends he forged along the way that stands out the most.
On behalf of all current and former employees of the Easton Police Department; Gordon, you will be missed. Your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
1st Sergeant Gordon F. Lee smiles while teaching his Community Police Academy class about vehicle search procedures.
Congratulations to Lorraine Gould, Director of Parks and Recreation for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!
Lorraine now has a $25 gift card to Ganders Car Wash for her submission that landed on the August 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!
Human Resources
Birthdays
SEPTEMBER
Thomas Diem
Robert Haase
Aaron Sadberry
Glenn Towers
Andre Magee
David Montgomery
John Greene
Blair Barstar
Tony Nagle
Anniversaries
SEPTEMBER
Gregory Wright - 37 years
Marwin Lewis - 24 years
Stacy Woodard-Slaughter - 24 years
Michael Epstein - 17 years
Jacquelene Naylor - 14 years
Ashley Bayne - 13 years
Dawn Hutchison - 8 years
Drequan Stevens - 3 years
Detraie Lake - 3 years
Autumn Hayden - 1 year
Rashida Johnson - 1 year
CRISPY BLACKENED SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN
1 whole chicken
1 cup melted butter or ghee
2 tablespoons heat-and-sweet seasoning
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder salt, to taste pepper, to taste
Heat grill to 375-400 F.
Use kitchen shears or knife to remove backbone from chicken to lay flat. Remove rib cage, if desired, or push flat with hands.
Mix butter, heat-and-sweet seasoning and garlic powder. Using meat injector, inject mixture into chicken. Rub remaining buttered seasoning over chicken and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Place spatchcock chicken breast-side up over indirect heat and cook 35-40 minutes.
When internal temperature reaches 145 F, flip chicken breast-side down over direct heat 5 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
KICKIN’ CHICKEN
Crispy Grilled Chicken with a Spicy Kick
(Family Features) Those first school bells may be ringing, but they don’t have to signal the end of grilling season. This Blackened Spatchcock Chicken keeps the meat moist, tender and tasty with crispy skin and a spicy seasoning to keep your summer spirit alive.
Once you have your chicken cooked, you can serve with some potato salad, baked beans, some fresh greens, and a ice cold lemonade for the perfect summer sendoff.
Visit Culinary.net to find more recipes that keep your grill lit all year long.