Easton Employee Newsletter - September 2023

Cover Photo by Tim Tarrant,

AND JUST LIKE THAT...

I can’t believe how quickly the summer has gone. Soon, our warm summer days will turn to crisp fall days! I’m not yet ready to embrace the change in temperature.

I hope you’ve seen all of the exciting projects that are happening all around town. Our Engineering, Public Works and Parks and Rec departments have all been busy on all the 2020 bond projects. Getting these projects across the finish line is a true team effort and I know many of our other departments have been working hard helping make each one a success.

Thank you to each and every one of you who have played a role. These projects have a direct impact on our town and citizens and continue to make Easton a great place to live.

As we move forward, let’s continue to support each other and collaborate effectively. Together, we’re shaping our community and making a significant impact that we all can be proud of.

Warmest regards,

Megan

Employee Spotlight

DANIEL FARMER | BULK TRUCK OPERATOR

Meet Daniel Farmer! Daniel works with our Public Works team as a Bulk Truck Operator. Daniel expertly operates the large crane arm on the back of the Bulk Truck to pick up large amounts of brush, as well as other large refuse such as furniture, appliances, heavy branches and more!

Daniel grew up in Northwest Washinton DC, and has worked with our Public Works Department for over 17 years.

In his free time Daniel enjoys spending time exploring Easton, walking through Idlewild Park, and attending events with his girlfriend. He also enjoys spending time cutting loose by racing go karts and axe-throwing!

PROJECT-ING THE FUTURE

Easton Engineering and Public Works teams close in on several Bond projects ahead of October deadline

As October nears and the deadline for 7 million in bond dollars acquired in 2020 approaches, Town of Easton Engineer Rick Van Emburgh and his team are hard at work making sure that the related projects meet their target dates.

With the help of our Public Works team, Parks and Recreation, and some outside contractors they are on

track to hit their October deadline!

Of the many projects, we wanted to highlight a few that are most interesting to the Town on a day-to-day basis: The Dog Park off of Brewer’s Lane, the undergrounding of wires along Port Street, and a new and improved skate park at the North Easton Sports Complex. Let’s take a look!

Click here to watch Town Engineer Rick Van Emburgh talk with the Talbot Spy about the various bond projects.

BREWERS LANE DOG PARK

One of the most exciting projects in line is a Dog Park being constucted off of Brewers Lane near the Farmer’s Market.

The Dog Park will offer approximately 11,500 sq feet of synthetuc turf for our four-legged friends to run and play.

It will split into two spaces, one for big dogs and one for small dogs to help ensure that smaller dogs are able to safely (and confidently) play too.

Additional amenities include watering stations, drinking fountains, benches, trash/recycling receptacles, and parking.

In addition to the play areas, a public restroom facility is also being built as a relief station for the owners.

Our teams anticipate this project will be completed by the end of October.

PORT ST . POWER & TELEPHONE LINE UNDERGROUNDING

This project will see all of the telephone and power lines along Port Street placed underground so that the supporting utility poles can be removed. Phase 1 of this project will see 1250 linear feet of lines transferred underground.

This will add a significant amount of extra space along the sides of the roads to open up space for a future rail trail, improve reliability in inclement weather, and will greatly add to the visual character of the area!

SKATE PARK AT NORTH EASTON SPORTS COMPLEX

This new and improved skate park is also underway, to be located in the backlot of North Easton Sports Complex.

It is thrilling to bring back a recreational space where our youths (and adults!) can experience a safe and exciting place to skateboard, bike, and rollerblade.

In addition to the normal ramps and rails that skaters love, we will also have a full pump-track loop adjacent to the park for all to ride and enjoy.

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Patrolman Grgeory Hall comes back to EPD after 14 years

Easton Police Department is delighted to welcome Patrolman Gregory Hall back to our team. Hall graduated from Comparative Compliance Certification on August 4 and was sworn into service by Mayor Megan Cook at the Town Council Meeting on August 7.

1st Sergeant Pat Sally welcomed Patrolman Hall back by pinning his badge on after Hall took his oath. Patrolman Hall previously worked for Easton Police Department from 2001-2009 before moving to Pennsylvania

where he continued to work in law enforcement while taking care of his mother.

Hall said, “When I had the opportunity [to come back] I jumped on it. I love the people and I love the area, so it was a no-brainer for me.” Following his statements each Council member and the mayor shook his hand and welcomed him to the force.

Welcome, Patrolman Hall. We are excited to have you back on board!

Click the photo above to see the swearing in of Patrolman Gregory Hall. Skip ahead to 14:50 (fourteen minutes, fifty seconds) or click on the bookmark located to the right of the video player.

Easton Police

When I had the opportunity [to come back] I jumped on it. I love the people and I love the area .

Patrolman Gregory Hall

BARK IN THE SADDLE

Easton Police Dept. Introduces New K-9 Unit

Easton Police Department is excited to introduce our neweet K-9 member to the force: Waylon.

Waylon is the only drug detecting dog currently serving in Easton. He is two years old.

“He is young and very energetic,” said Chief Alan Lowrey.

Partrolman Nick Lange is responsible for handling Waylon and has had the dog since he was around a year and a half old.

A special thanks to the Bryan Brothers Foundation who have funded 3 of EPD’s K-9 units, including Waylon!

Welcome Waylon, we are happy to have you on the team!

CAST YOUR VOTE

A Town of Easton Special Election for Council President will be held on Tuesday, 9/12/23 at the Easton Fire House on 315 Leonard Rieck Drive.

For more information about the election process, please see our election information page here: https://eastonmd.gov/598/Special-Election

And for more information on the election candidates, please see Discover Easton’s election coverage here: https://discovereaston.com/2023-easton-election-2/

Discover Easton

FALL EVENTS

Presenting the Discover Easton 2023 family-friendly event schedule

2023 SUMMER OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS

Families are invited to come early, bring a picnic, and enjoy a free art project sponsored by The 911 Day of Service Project/Americorps. Please note: Movies begin around 8:00 PM (when it is fully dark outside)

September 1 “Soul” - Idlewild Park

September 15 - “The Emperor’s New Groove” Hispanic Heritage night (Movie will be in Spanish)Thompson Park

October 6 - “The Nightmare Before Christmas’Academy Art Museum

discovereaston.com/easton-community-movie-nights

SEPTEMBER 11 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

Everyone is welcome to attend our annual recognition

of those lost on 9/11/01 and the first responders that are always committed to our safety each day. Patriotic songs, speeches, and art on display will illustrate our 2023 theme, We are One: Community Supporting Community.

September 11, 9:00 AM - Service Memorial, Corner of Dover and West Street.

https://discovereaston.com/weareone

AVALON JAZZ EXPERIENCE

The best of Jazz, all in one theatre! Three days of amazing performances.

September 1-3, Avalon Theatre

https://discovereaston.com/avalon-jazz-experience

FALL KICK OFF

Giant pumpkins will decorate the downtown streets

at this festive annual event. Events around town will celebrate the theme “Fall into Chesapeake!”

October 6 & 7, Downtown Easton

https://discovereaston.com/fallkickoff/

WATERFOWL FESTIVAL

The premier outdoor arts and outdoors festival features art exhibitions, carving, dock dog competition, indoor and outdoor markets featuring an array of merchandise for outdoor activities. Music, food trucks, and more create excitement during this annual three-day event.

November 9-11, Multiple Easton locations

Tickets on sale now. https://waterfowlfestival.org/

SHOP SMALL SATURDAY

Get prepared for the holiday season with our annual merchant event downtown!

November 25, Downtown Easton

Event details can be found on the website: www.discovereaston.com/events

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Congratulations to Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Gould for winning the Employee Newsletter Cover Photo Contest!

Lorraine won a $25 gift card to The Ivy for her submission that landed on the August cover of the Town of Easton Employee Newsletter.

Thank you for your photos, and well done Lorraine!

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!

9

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Join us in our annual recognition of those lost on 9/11/01 and the first responders that are always committed to our safety each day.

Patriotic songs, speeches, and artwork displays will illustrate our 2023 theme, We are One: Community Supporting Community.

WHEN: September 11, 9:00 AM WHERE: Service Memorial, Corner of Dover and West Street.

In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be held indoors at the meeting room in the Talbot County Free Library.

To learn more about the event and the Community Supporting Community Project, please visit: https://discovereaston.com/weareone

Employee Benefits

Human Resources

Birthdays

SEPTEMBER

David Montgomery

Thomas Diem

Robert Haase

Aaron Sadberry

Glenn Towers

David Ramey

Andre Magee

John Greene

Blair Barstar

Anthony Nagle

Anniversaries

SEPTEMBER

Dawn Hutchison - 7 years

Gregory Wright, - 36 years

Ashley Bayne - 12 years

Stacy Woodard-Slaughter - 23 years

Jeremy Wojcio - 1 year

Marwin Lewis - 23 years

Michael Epstein - 16 years

Detraie Lake - 2 years

Drequan Stevens - 2 years

NUTTY BUDDY

Cool Off with a Sweet, Frozen Treat

(Family Features) When the sun is shining and you need to beat the heat, cool down with a little shade and a nutty, frozen treat. This kid-favorite is a childhood classic you can customize with favorite toppings, too.

Made with the protein power of peanuts, these Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches are easy to prepare on hot days that call for a cold dessert.

Just bake chocolate chip cookies, spread them with peanut butter, add a scoop of ice

cream and roll in chopped peanuts, chocolate chips or toasted coconut for a sweet bite of perfection.

With approximately 4,000 active peanut farmers, it’s likely your peanuts came from Georgia, which produces 52% of the country’s supply.

Visit GAPeanuts.com for more delicious dessert ideas.

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO!

PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Recipe courtesy of Peanut Butter Lovers and the Georgia Peanut Commission

Yields 12 Sandwiches

24 fresh baked chocolate chip cookies (about 3 inches in diameter), cooled

1 1/2 cups creamy or crunchy peanut butter

1 1/2 quarts vanilla ice cream, slightly softened chopped peanuts, for topping mini chocolate chips, for topping toasted coconut, for topping (optional)

On 12 cookies, top sides down, spread layer of peanut butter. Add one scoop of ice cream to each. Create sandwiches by topping with remaining cookies.

Roll edges of ice cream in chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips or toasted coconut, if desired. Place on baking sheet in freezer and freeze until firm.

Serve slightly frozen.