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January 21, 2026

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

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With Science Funding Tight, Horn Point Researchers Look Beyond the Lab

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Anji Cooper, a PhD candidate at Horn Point, with sediment samples she analyzes as part of her research on living shorelines.

As federal and state budgets tighten and research dollars grow harder to secure, young scientists are increasingly forced to think beyond traditional academic careers.

At the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, a new group of early-career researchers is doing just that through an entrepreneurial fellowship that helps open options and an alternative path forward.

Five Horn Point scientists are part of the 2026 class of the Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneurs Fellowship Program, a seven-month training initiative that teaches scientists how to translate research into real-world applications and, in some cases, viable businesses.

The fellowship comes at a moment when funding uncertainty has become a defining feature of scientific careers, particularly for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers navigating a highly competitive job market. While many still aspire to academic positions, fewer faculty openings, tighter grant funding and shifts in government priorities have made that path less predictable.

“Scientists are realizing they need more than just research skills,” said Dr. Nina Lamba, director of the fellowship program. “They need to understand how ideas move from the lab into practice, whether that is through industry, startups, or other applied work.”

The Ratcliffe fellowship, founded in 2014 and supported by the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, is open to trainee scientists across UMCES. Of the nine fellows selected this year, five are based at Horn Point: Anji Cooper, Christine Knauss, Yumeng Pang, Limin Sun and Le Zhang.

Over the seven months, participants meet monthly to learn business planning, marketing, communication and intellectual property fundamentals. Sessions are co-taught by professionals from the business sector, exposing scientists to perspectives rarely emphasized in graduate training.

From left, REEF Fellows Anji Cooper, Limin Sun, Christine Knauss, Le Zhang and Yumeng Pang with REEF Director Dr. Nina Lamba.

For Cooper, a Ph.D. student studying living shorelines on the Eastern Shore, the fellowship reflects a broader shift in how young scientists think about their futures.   

“Ten years ago, getting a Ph.D. usually meant you were staying in academia,” Cooper said. “That is not necessarily the case anymore. People want options.” 

She said she wants to keep her options open because of “how uncertain the environmental field is right now,” adding that environmental jobs are increasingly competitive and unstable. 

“A lot of environmental jobs are coming and going,” she said. “Our lab has gotten hit with funding cuts. A lot of government jobs in the environmental field have gone away, so I just want to be open to any avenue.”

Cooper’s research focuses on how living shorelines evolve over time and how sediment movement affects their long-term success. Living shorelines, which use marsh plants and natural materials instead of seawalls to combat erosion, are now the preferred shoreline protection method in Maryland. Yet Cooper said scientists still know relatively little about how these projects perform years after installation.

While her dissertation remains rooted in environmental science, Cooper is using the fellowship to develop a separate business idea centered on glass recycling and reuse in construction materials. 

“Most of the glass people think they are recycling ends up in landfills,” she said. “Glass can be reused indefinitely, but the economics are not there yet. That is the problem I want to work on.”

Other Horn Point fellows are pursuing business ideas more directly tied to their research. Knauss, a postdoctoral researcher, is developing new technologies to more efficiently identify microplastics. 

Pang, Maryland Sea Grant’s aquaculture outreach specialist, works closely with oyster farmers to apply scientific findings to improve productivity. While exploring exploring applications related to coastal resilience and ocean biogeochemistry, the fellowship is providing her a critical wider focus. 

“REEF programs open my eyes to a world where we can transfer our research into application and make real impacts on human society,” she said. “It helps us to get connected with resources from business and industry perspectives and provides new insights for tech and social issues.” 

Horn Point Director Mike Sieracki agreed the fellowship reflects changing realities for scientists entering the workforce. “They will learn how the business side of environmental science works,” Sieracki said. “That knowledge is becoming increasingly important.”

Those realities are underscored by recent funding shifts affecting Horn Point and federal science agencies more broadly. The laboratory recently lost nearly half of its National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for oyster hatchery operations, a cut that threatens production tied to Chesapeake Bay restoration and regional aquaculture. 

Last week, Congress moved to restore funding for major U.S. science agencies, passing a spending bill that rejects proposed cuts and signals continued legislative support for research, even as uncertainty remains about long-term stability and priorities. Together, the competing signals underscore an uneven and unpredictable funding environment that young scientists must navigate.

Past fellowship participants have launched businesses and gone on to careers in industry, and policy, as well as academia. Organizers say the goal is not to push scientists away from research but to broaden their sense of what is possible.

For Cooper, that flexibility matters. “Science teaches you problem solving, leadership and communication, but we are not always taught how transferable those skills are,” she said. “Programs like this help make that connection.”

The Ratcliffe Environmental Entrepreneurs Fellowship Program is supported by the Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation.

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Cambridge Honors Elks, Ironman

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The Cambridge City Council honored two civic organizations for their long-standing contributions to the community during its regular meeting on Monday, presenting citations and keys to the city.

The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World Lodge No. 223 was recognized first for its decades of service in Cambridge and Dorchester County. Commission President Sputty Cephas presided over the presentation of a citation and the key to the city at the Jan. 12 meeting.

The citation, read by Cephas, praised the lodge’s dedication and community impact, noting its “tireless efforts, integrity, and generosity” and stating that the organization has enriched lives and strengthened bonds of friendship throughout the city.

The Rev. Dr. William Wallace, exalted ruler of Dorchester Lodge 223, thanked the council for the honor and emphasized that the Elks’ work would not have been possible without the support of the Progressive of Dorchester Temple No. 224. Wallace acknowledged the organization and its leader, Daughter Ruler Sharon Chester, for their partnership and commitment to community service.

Later in the meeting, the council recognized the Eagleman and Ironman triathlon organizations for bringing years of positive attention and economic activity to Cambridge. Cephas read a citation highlighting the races’ international reach and their lasting impact on the community.

Commissioner Brian Roche presented a key to the city to representatives of the organization in attendance. An Ironman representative noted that Ironman is in its 12th year in Cambridge and Eagleman in its 30th year, crediting the city and its residents for creating a welcoming environment that keeps athletes returning year after year.

She said the city’s and community’s support has been essential to the success of the events and described Cambridge as an ideal location for hosting the races.

 

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Reported ICE Sighting Sparks Police Concern

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Concerned about a troubling lack of communication between federal immigration authorities and local police, the Dorchester County Police Accountability Board opened its first meeting of 2026 by questioning law enforcement leaders about how unannounced ICE operations could endanger public safety.

Board Chair Paul Riordan called the afternoon meeting on January 12 to order and immediately departed from the prepared agenda to engage directly with law enforcement leaders in attendance.

“I’m going to go out of order on the agenda today and open with discussions with all law enforcement agencies,” Riordan said, inviting officers to introduce themselves before beginning the dialogue.

Participants at the meeting included Lieutenant Greg McRae of the City of Cambridge Police Department, Major Jeff Biscatt of the Hurlock Police Department, and Major John Stichberry of the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.

Riordan asked whether the agencies had any concerns they wished to convey to the board for possible relay to the Dorchester County Council, then raised reports he said had been shared with him by residents following recent national attention on immigration enforcement, including events in Minneapolis.

Residents told Riordan they believed they saw ICE activity near Taqueria Floritas on Race Street in Cambridge, a report that local police said they could not confirm.

“Somebody said they saw somebody out by Las Floritas, which is the Goose Creek area,” he said, referring to the alleged ICE activity in Cambridge.

McRae told the board that Cambridge police are typically not notified when ICE operates in the area.

“We usually hear about it after the fact,” McRae said. “We don’t participate, we’re not aware. We hear about it just like everybody else pretty much through Facebook.”

Riordan expressed concern that the lack of notification could create public safety risks if ICE activity draws large crowds or protests.

“With what’s going on nationally, it looks like things can get out of hand quickly,” he said. “If we’re not being notified of their activity, how are we going to respond?”

McRae said the department has experience handling protests, including demonstrations along Route 50, but noted that immigration enforcement presents different challenges. He said demonstrations on city property require permits and that police focus on maintaining order and vigilance.

Board member Derek Griffin sharply criticized the apparent lack of coordination between federal and local agencies.

“It’s inconceivable to me that the local police departments are not notified when ICE comes here,” he said. “That’s just not the way you run operations. Sheriff’s Department, Hurlock, City Police – all need to be notified that you have a law enforcement agency in your area of operation. That just sounds like common sense to me.”

 When asked directly whether Cambridge police would assist ICE if agents were operating locally, McRae said they would not.

“We’re actually forbidden by state law to basically assist,” he said.

That statement prompted further debate, with James questioning how local agencies could be restricted from assisting federal law enforcement officers and arguing that the policy creates practical complications.

Stichberry offered additional context from the Sheriff’s Office perspective.

“At the state and local level, communication is excellent,” he said, citing coordination among the Sheriff’s Office, Cambridge police, and the Maryland State Police. “But whenever the feds get involved, they don’t communicate. We really don’t know when they’re around or what they’re doing.”

Stichberry said local agencies do not assist ICE because they are not asked to, but emphasized they would not interfere with federal operations.

“They’re law enforcement,” he said. “We’re not going to do anything to prohibit them from doing their job.”

Board members pressed the issue with a hypothetical scenario involving ICE agents confronted by a hostile crowd. McRae said local police would intervene to stop violence but would not assist with immigration arrests.

“If that’s an assault that occurs in my presence, yes, we’re going to keep the peace,” he said. “As far as helping them make an arrest, that’s not going to happen.”

Members agreed that the role of local police is to protect people, property, and public safety, not to enforce federal immigration law.

Riordan praised local agencies for their performance in 2025, noting that the complaints reviewed by the board were largely minor.

“That was really gratifying to see,” he said.

James echoed that assessment, citing positive ride-alongs with each department and praising the cooperative working relationship between the board and local law enforcement.

The meeting later moved on to routine business, including the unanimous approval of the minutes from the October and December 2025 meetings and the re-election of Derek Griffin as vice chair for a one-year term.

 

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Consultant Outlines Land Bank Plan for Cambridge

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City commissioners heard a detailed update on plans to launch a municipal land bank to return vacant and underutilized properties to productive use across Cambridge.

Brian White of eProperty/Innovations LLC, a national land bank consultant working with city staff, delivered a presentation during a regular meeting of the Cambridge City Commission on Jan. 12, along with a staff report from Housing Programs Manager Ed Crosby.

White described the proposed land bank as an independent nonprofit organization that would work closely with the city to acquire, stabilize, and transfer distressed properties to responsible developers.

“Despite the name, the land bank is not like a savings bank where you deposit properties and let them sit for a long period of time,” White told commissioners. “It’s really designed as an intermediary . . .  acquiring parcels, getting them stabilized, then conveying them back out to responsible developers who can put them to productive reuse.”

Crosby told the commissioners that groundwork for the land bank has been underway for months, including the development of a housing-priority dashboard map to classify and rank properties based on redevelopment potential.

The firm has developed a method for identifying and assessing potential land-bank inventory among target properties valued at $30,000 or less, Crosby said. It has also provided the city with a best practices analysis of land banks nationwide to identify models that have successfully returned properties to productive use.

White said much of the work to date has focused on defining both the problem the land bank is meant to address and the realistic tools available to the city.

“During these last several months, we have been helping [Cambridge] understand what the issues are, the statutory opportunities the city might have available to it, and the market-based realities we should be cognizant of,” White said.

He said most distressed properties in Cambridge are privately owned, not city-owned, and that acquiring them can be legally and financially complex, despite the common perception that blighted or distressed properties are the city’s responsibility.  The challenge, he said, is identifying legal ways that the city or its partners can access the properties.

These may include targeted tax-sale purchases, property donations, and transfers resulting from code enforcement actions; adding the land bank would not displace residents or compete with active private development.

Under the recommended model, the land bank would operate independently with its own board of directors, while coordinating closely with the city through a memorandum of understanding, which he called a “middle ground.” 

White said community engagement will be central as the process moves forward, with public meetings planned as early as February.

“City staff are committed to ensuring that the land bank progresses in a realistic way and that the community is sufficiently informed about what the land bank can and cannot do,” Crosby said earlier in the presentation. “Resident input will inform how the land bank operates.”

White cautioned commissioners against assuming the land bank would be financially self-sustaining, which in his experience has never been the case, suggesting the bank in Cambridge would depend on public support “in some way, shape, or form.”  

A proposed timeline presented Monday suggests appointing an initial board of directors early this year, finalizing a memorandum of understanding by late spring, and having the land bank operational by late summer or early fall.

Several commissioners expressed support for the concept, citing the city’s large number of vacant and underutilized properties.

Ward 1 Commissioner Brett Summers said vacant and underutilized properties remain a “scourge” of Cambridge and argued the city needs to implement the idea quickly. Summers said he wanted the City Commission “on the record” supporting a goal of an operational land bank by September. A clear target date, he said, would help ensure the effort moves forward after years of discussion.

No formal action was taken on Monday, as the item was listed for informational purposes only. City officials said further discussion will be needed on staffing, funding, and coordination with Dorchester County before the land bank is formally launched.

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After Years of Delays, Hearn Building Project Advancing

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Developer Chase Powell testifies before the City Commissioners on January 12, 2026, stating “Can’t we just work together to make this happen”?

 After years of delays and uncertainty surrounding the long-running redevelopment effort for the deteriorating Hearn has reached a turning point following approval from state historic officials, developer Chase Powell told the Cambridge City Commissioners Monday evening.

Powell said the Maryland Historic Trust and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development finalized an agreement in late October allowing unsafe portions of the Hearn building and the adjacent 505 Race St. structure to be demolished, while requiring preservation of the historic front facade and documentation of the site.

The approval follows a year-and-a-half-long review process triggered after the city’s Historic Preservation Commission directed the developer to seek state concurrence before proceeding with major demolition. Powell said that the process is now complete.

After laying out that timeline, Powell turned to the rationale for the plan, noting that the decision to pursue partial demolition was driven by extensive structural and soil analyses showing that the existing buildings cannot safely support the proposed workforce housing development without extraordinary intervention.

“It can’t actually stand on its own,” Powell said if the Hearn building, which remains propped up by concrete supports and temporary bracing.

Powell, of Green Street Housing, said a final memorandum of agreement with the Maryland Historic Trust and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development was issued Oct. 29, 2025. 

The agreement outlines the conditions under which the Hearn building and the adjacent 505 Race St. structure may be taken down, including documentation and preservation requirements tied to the site’s historic status.

The current proposal calls for workforce housing and ground-floor commercial space across parcels at 505, 507, and 509 Race St. Under the concept, the facade of the former Herbert Hearn Hardware Co. would be preserved, while the remainder of the structure and the neighboring 505 building would be demolished and rebuilt to match the historic streetscape.

Powell emphasized that the shift away from full preservation was driven by years of structural deterioration and engineering findings.

 Inside, Powell described the building as little more than a shell. “We are talking about the bones, right?” he said, adding that water intrusion and long-term exposure to the elements have compromised framing, floors, and foundations.

According to Powell, soil tests and structural reviews showed that the site’s bearing capacity is far below what is required for a multi-family building without extensive intervention.

“You’ve got dirt that cannot support a multi-family use without either really radical interventions for structural engineering or what we are proposing, which is to just demolish everything, come in with new soils, come in with new pilings, and build a totally new building,” he said.

Powell acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, noting that his own family history is tied to the property.

“I’m not a fan of tearing down historic buildings that my great-grandfather owned,” he said, referring to Ralph Foxwell, who operated a furniture business in the Hearn building for decades. “But logically speaking, it doesn’t make sense for it to stay up.”

Commissioners questioned how the proposed workforce housing would affect downtown Cambridge, particularly concerns about concentrating poverty.

Ward 3 Commissioner Frank Stout said he supports quality housing but cautioned against repeating past mistakes, given the dire need for low income housing in the city.  “We have endured the ramifications of concentrated poverty,” he said, adding that the city has struggled to manage the housing situation effectively.

Powell responded by drawing a distinction between subsidized housing and projects financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

“This project has a financing subsidy by way of the tax credits,” he said. “But the residents have to pay their rent every month.”

He said tenants would typically earn between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income and would qualify once at move-in. Units would include in-unit washers and dryers, modern appliances, and energy-efficient construction.

 Ward 2 Commissioner Shay Lewis-Sisco aid the presentation helped clarify years of discussion around the site and emphasized the importance of transparency.

“Sharing this information definitely allows for the public to engage,” she said, adding that additional public meetings outside regular Monday night council sessions would help reach more residents.

Ward 1 Commissioner Brett Summers asked whether the City Commissioners would have a final vote on the project. Powell said the approval process runs through the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission.

“Currently, the process doesn’t include coming back for a final sign-off by city council,” he said, though he stressed that he was appearing before commissioners “in good faith” to seek input.

Powell said Green Street is under contract to purchase the property and intends to continue refining the design before returning to the preservation and planning boards.

“Can we just work together to make this thing happen?” he asked. “I think this could be a really special thing, but we have to get there.”

 

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CWDI looks to 2026: Cambridge Harbor poised to ‘Reset the Region’

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As the new year begins, Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. (CWDI) is accelerating efforts to revive the long-stalled Cambridge Harbor project, with a commercial broker now engaged to market developable parcels and momentum building toward a boutique hotel as the project’s anchor.

Board President Angie Hengst and Chief Administrative Officer Tracy Ward, who joined in November 2025, say the volunteer-led organization has turned a corner after years of delays, litigation, and transparency concerns.

“We’re at that tipping point where we’re really moving forward,” Hengst said in a recent Spy Interview. “We feel right now we’re at that tipping point where we’re really moving forward.”

The 31-acre waterfront site along the Choptank River aims to blend public amenities with mixed-use development: a central park, enhanced beach and promenade (now open with benches, tables, and paths), walkable streets, a hotel, restaurants, and residential/commercial parcels. The plan adheres to new urbanist principles, emphasizing accessibility and community use.

A key step: CWDI sought proposals for a commercial broker in September 2025, with the offering memorandum slated for early 2026. Hengst called it “transformative” for a volunteer board lacking large-scale development expertise.

“We’re really excited to bring our broker on board,” she said. “They know exactly who the players are. They know who to talk to. They know how to frame the project in such a way that it’ll attract developers much more than we could ever do on our own.”

With 30 years of experience in economic development, including leading Easton’s waterfront master plan, brings financing expertise crucial for infrastructure funding, including tax increment financing (TIF).

“Infrastructure is the stuff mostly below the ground. . .  .  It’s very expensive,” Ward said. “We’re really going to need to navigate some extensive fundraising strategies and partner with the city, in partnership with the state and the county.”

TIF timing depends on developer feedback and is likely to advance in the first quarter of 2026, though the hotel must be under construction first. Negotiations with a prospective hotelier continue, with hopes for a deal that could see the boutique property open by early 2029.

The site plan is expected to remain consistent with the board’s original ideas, with minor refinements from professionals, Ward and Hengst agreed. 

“We don’t see the site design or ideas changing that drastically,” Hengst said. “That basic layout, we would like to stay the same. . . We still want it to be a new urbanist design. We still want it to be a walkable community.”

Addressing past criticisms, including a 2024 city lawsuit resolved in August, Hengst acknowledged transparency issues stemmed from the board’s learning curve.

“Yes, the community definitely felt there was a lack of transparency in the past,” she acknowledged. Improvements include monthly board meetings broadcast on town hall streams, quarterly partner updates, and direct outreach: “If you have a question . . . we’re happy to respond.”

Completed public elements, such as the newly-illuminated promenade, demonstrate a commitment to accessibility. “The promenade is complete,” Hengst said. “It’s open for use for the community. . . Nothing that is built on this site [will ever]  close off the community to their access to the waterfront.”

Ward painted an ambitious vision for the project’s impact, calling it “an incredibly important parcel, not only, again, to Cambridge, but to the region, to really a reset for the region.”

She elaborated: “This project, given that it’s so visible and it’s absolutely exquisite location on the Choptank, really has potentially . . .  a regional draw and from a tourism perspective, it’ll put Cambridge on the map. . . . It will build on [nearby] Hyatt’s success.  It’s an area that will provide recreation. . . . And so these assets that are here already in Cambridge are going to be enhanced.”

With the broker process underway and public amenities drawing visitors, CWDI hopes 2026 brings visible progress and renewed excitement.

“I am excited about the future of CWDI,” Hengst said. “There’s a lot of really great things coming up in the next year that’ll even excite and invigorate the community even more.”

For updates, visit cambridgeharbor.org or contact CWDI directly.

The video is approximately 16 minutes.  It was produced by P. Ryan Anthony 

 

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Council Roundup: A Disc Golf Course for Egypt Park

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Dorchester County is seeking bids to install a new 18-hole disc golf course at Egypt Park in Cambridge, a project officials say would expand year-round recreation at one of the county’s busiest parks.

The County Council on Tuesday approved a request from the Department of Recreation and Parks to advertise a request for proposals for the course installation. The county will solicit proposals from qualified vendors to provide the labor, materials, equipment, and expertise needed to build the course. Bids are due Jan. 30.

Played by throwing flying discs into metal baskets, disc golf has grown in popularity across Maryland and the region in recent years. County officials said the sport can draw casual players and organized leagues and may attract visitors who travel to play multiple courses.

The county has not announced a projected completion date or cost estimate. Those details will depend on the proposals received.

AED purchases and outdoor cabinets approved

The Council also approved two purchases to expand access to automated external defibrillators at parks and athletic complexes.

In the first action, the council approved a bid award to purchase outdoor wall and tower cabinets for six AED units, selecting the second-lowest bidder for $26,400. Staff said the recommended proposal was chosen for universal compatibility, smart monitoring technology, flexible power and connectivity, and superior warranty and support services.

The cabinets will support AED installations at the Truitt Athletic Complex, the Fourth Street Athletic Complex, and Price Rock Park, according to staff remarks. One unit initially planned for those sites was later moved to Salem.

In the second action, the Council approved the purchase of six LifePak CR2 AEDs through a state contract, with the devices supplied by Stryker for $8,500.

Both purchases will be funded through the North Dorchester Health Services Fund, which staff said was transferred to the county in September 2025.

“Be so proud of something we’ll hope we never need, but that insurance policy will be there,” Council Vice President Tom Detmer said, thanking staff and volunteers involved.

Rails-to-Trails project moves forward 

The council approved advertising a request for proposals for the Cambridge Rails-to-Trails project from Washington Street to Woods Road, with a bid deadline of Feb. 11.

Council members also voted to accept a Green Space Equity Program grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to support the project. Staff said the grant requires no local match and has a four-year performance period.

Strategic plan public hearings set for late January

County Manager Jerry Jones reminded residents that the county will hold three public hearings on its strategic planning process later this month and said surveys will also be released soon.

The meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 26, at the Church Creek Fire Company; Jan. 27, at the East New Market Fire Company; and Jan. 28, at the public library in Cambridge.

Jones said the county will publicize the dates and encouraged broad participation.

Budget transparency initiative 

Jones said the county is developing a public-facing budget book to make it easier for residents to track county finances and year-to-year budget changes. He said the finance director and staff are working on the project and will build on it over time as part of the county’s budget process.

Property transfer for emergency communications

The Council voted to proceed with an agreement to transfer real property from the Dorchester County Board of Education so the county can acquire 1101 Maces Lane in Cambridge for public safety communications infrastructure, including a communications tower.

Thanks from the Hurlock mayor  

Hurlock Mayor Earl Murphy thanked the council for assistance during a major water main break earlier in the day, saying the county notification system was used to alert residents and travelers, helping the town respond quickly.

Murphy also thanked the county for help addressing recycling issues involving Republic Services, noting that some recycling bins remain in disrepair and asking officials to consider additional bin placements as the town works to improve the recycling site.

He said he looks forward to continued collaboration between the town and the county.

 

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Dorchester Council Prioritizes Staff Retention in Budget Planning

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Dorchester County Council members said Tuesday that improving employee pay and benefits will be their top priority as the county begins planning its fiscal 2027 budget, warning that low compensation levels are driving staffing losses across county government.

During a discussion of next year’s budget goals and priorities, council members and the county manager cited recent pay comparisons that placed Dorchester near the bottom of the state in multiple categories. Several council members said the county cannot maintain services without recruiting and retaining workers.

“Salaries are going to be the biggest thing we’ve got right now,” District 3 Council Member Ricky C. Travers said, noting that Dorchester is “one or two from the bottom” in statewide comparisons.

County leaders also tied the issue to broader uncertainty coming from Annapolis, saying the state’s projected deficit and commitments such as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future could lead to cuts or cost shifts that fall on counties. Those unknowns could limit what Dorchester can do in the short term, but they emphasized that compensation must remain central to the county’s planning, they said.

Speaking remotely due to illness, Council President George L. “Lenny” Pfeffer Jr. said the county must prioritize its workforce before purchasing hardware. “We can buy the best dump trucks, we can buy the best equipment, but we have to take care of the people that we have working for us,” he said.

The Council referenced efforts to improve retirement benefits for certain employee groups, including work to place emergency medical services employees and corrections officers into better retirement systems, which they said should be part of a broader push to strengthen compensation and support the workforce.

County Manager Jerry Jones informed the Council that the 2026 second-quarter budget review and departmental submissions for next year will begin Thursday, and asked members to outline their vision for goals and priorities before the county moves into the most intensive phase of budget discussions.

Council members also highlighted infrastructure and drainage as key priorities, reflecting persistent concerns about flooding and long-term maintenance needs. Still, the county should remain proactive and not abandon its long-term goals despite the challenges, members said, citing continued development of parks and the county airport, as well as broader infrastructure improvements.

“We are asking you to punch above our weight,” Council Vice President Michael W. Detmer (District 5) said, telling staff that the Council is working to find ways to make that effort “worth your while more appropriately.”

Jones also announced the county is working on a public-facing budget book intended to help residents better understand the county’s finances and how spending changes from year to year. Staff are developing the format and beginning to populate it, to build on it in future budget cycles, so the public can more easily track what the county is “cooking within our budget world from a year-to-year basis,” he said.

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CPD Works Toward CALEA Accreditation

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The Cambridge Police Department has entered a national accreditation process through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, a step Chief Justin Todd said is intended to strengthen departmental policies and align operations with nationally recognized best practices.

The department registered with CALEA and has been engaged in the accreditation process since July, officials said.

CALEA was founded in 1979 as a joint project of four major law enforcement organizations: the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.

To earn accreditation, a public safety agency must demonstrate compliance with CALEA standards, which include 185 benchmarks covering areas such as policy development, accountability, training, community engagement and operational readiness.

“These standards are considered foundational for contemporary law enforcement agencies,” CALEA says in its literature, adding that accredited agencies are prepared to manage issues related to life, health and safety and to maintain sound personnel practices.

Accreditation is a five-stage process that can take months or longer to complete. Todd said the Cambridge Police Department is currently in the self-assessment phase, where policies and practices are reviewed and evaluated in detail.

“This includes, but is not limited to recruitment, candidate selection, training, codes of conduct, discipline, complaints, internal affairs, grievances, working conditions and fiscal responsibility,” Todd said.

The review also includes procedures related to operational readiness, communication, goals and objectives, weapons training, use-of-force reporting, and the department’s policies regarding employee rights, limits of authority and ethical standards, according to the department.

As part of the process, the department is submitting policies and documentation to CALEA for review. After that phase is completed, Todd said CALEA will schedule an on-site assessment.

“Once that is complete, which takes a good amount of time, they will schedule us for an on-site assessment,” Todd said. “They come to the police department, inspect all areas, interview officers, and make sure we are abiding by all regulations.”

If the department earns accreditation, it must be renewed every four years, requiring continued compliance and updated documentation. Todd said the renewal requirement helps ensure standards remain consistent and are passed on to new personnel.

CALEA accreditation is held by several law enforcement agencies in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, including the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Bowie Police Department, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, University of Maryland Police Department and Montgomery County. Accredited agencies in Delaware and Virginia include the Dover Police Department, Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police Department, Wilmington Police Department, Virginia State Police and Virginia Beach Police Department, along with sheriff’s offices in Loudoun County and Frederick County.

Todd said the Cambridge Police Department is aiming to complete the process and seek accreditation within the next year.

“We are hopeful we will be ready to go up for accreditation by this time next year at their annual conference,” he said.

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ESLC Protects 170-Acre Dorchester Farm with New WILD Grant

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A Dorchester County family farm near Vienna has gained permanent protection from future housing subdivisions, warehouses, and commercial sprawl thanks to a pair of federal programs that conservation leaders hope will safeguard more of the Eastern Shore’s rural landscape.

Late last year, the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) completed a conservation easement on the 170 acres of farmland and woodland owned by the Sellers family near the Nanticoke River. The agreement ensures the property will remain open to farming and wildlife while permanently blocking most types of development.

This project marks the first on the Eastern Shore to use funding from the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense program, known as Chesapeake WILD. To complete the easement, ESLC paired those dollars with money from the U.S. Navy’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program, or REPI.

Steve Kline, ESLC’s president and chief executive officer, said the two programs working together show a powerful new way to keep large blocks of land from being paved over.

“We’re trying to protect the property in perpetuity,” Kline said. “That means protecting its agricultural viability and its open space viability forever.”

A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a landowner and a land trust. The owner gives up the right to build houses, stores, or factories on the property. Farming, hunting, and other traditional rural activities can continue. The restrictions stay with the land’s deed, no matter who owns it in the future.

“There’s a lot of belief in the public out there that somehow people can buy themselves out of these easements or that if somebody changes their mind later on, all they have to do is write a check and the easement goes away,” Kline said. “That is not how these easements work.”

The Sellers property includes productive crop fields and forested areas that provide homes for wildlife and links to thousands of surrounding acres already under protection, creating larger stretches of open land that help animals move and keep local creeks and rivers cleaner.

Located near the Nanticoke River and along Chicone Creek, the property includes 135 acres of productive agricultural fields and 35 acres of forested habitat. Reggie III, who lives on and actively farms the land, is already part of the ownership chain, helping ensure multigenerational stewardship.

For the Sellers family, the decision goes beyond finances. “You’ve got to love the land,” Kathy Sellers said. “Selling for development might offer quicker profits, but preserving this heritage feels far more valuable in the long term.”

Chesapeake WILD grants come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are awarded competitively through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Projects must show substantial benefits for habitat, water quality, and wildlife movement, especially as sea levels rise.

“The WILD money is a little different because you have to compete for it,” Kline said. “Winning this grant gives the conservancy a proven track record that could open doors to more funding for future projects across the Shore.

The REPI program works differently. The Navy and other branches of the military use it to prevent dense development near bases and training areas. In this region, open land helps protect flight paths around Patuxent River Naval Air Station. In Dorchester, those military needs closely align with local goals of saving farms and wetlands. Kline said the Navy has been an “excellent partner.”

ESLC sees consistent development pressure on the Eastern Shore. Encroachment of traditional housing remains a concern near major roads, but new threats include large warehouses, shopping centers, and utility-scale solar farms.

Maryland has set ambitious goals for renewable energy. Big solar projects can cover hundreds of acres of farmland under panels for 25 years or more.

“When they come, they take farms out of production,” Kline said. Once the leases end, he added, the land often does not return to the same kind of farming.

These changes can break up open spaces, harm soil, and add more runoff into waterways. Conservation easements offer a direct way for willing landowners to stop that on their property.

The larger mission, Kline said, is to preserve what makes the Eastern Shore special for future generations.

“When you think about what you love about the Eastern Shore, everybody you talk to is going to talk about the way it feels to live here,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to protect.”

Public benefits flowing from protected land include continued bucolic scenes along rural roads, habitat for wildlife, and healthier, less polluted creeks and rivers.  

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