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Throughout the past two years, solar energy has been a major topic of discussion on the Eastern Shore. The Star Democrat reports the conversation was raised again at the Caroline County Commissioners’ bi-weekly meeting Tuesday, where the commissioners dissected a proposed legislative bill on solar. The solar energy ordnance would bring the county in compliance with state law. The bill focuses on maintaining accessory solar, which is residential solar that is generating power for a property’s electrical use.

The first round of interviews for Chestertown’s next town manager is expected to wrap up mid-week. The Evening Enterprise reports the successful candidate will succeed Larry DiRe, whose last day on the job was Aug. 1. In all, seven applicants from a pool of 40-plus gained an interview, either in person or via the Zoom video conference platform. According to town officials, three applicants were interviewed Friday, Aug. 15; two more were interviewed Monday, Aug. 18; and the final two will be interviewed tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 20).
Three finalists will be brought back for a second interview.

Easterseals Camp Fairlee marked a major milestone recently with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new accessible pool and aquatic center, a transformative addition to the camp that serves children and adults with disabilities across the region. Kent County News reports the event brought together campers, staff, donors, legislators, board and community members to celebrate the opening of the new aquatic facility — designed to offer safe, inclusive and joyful recreation for individuals of all abilities.

Working to balance the FY25 budget in preparation of the district’s upcoming financial audit, the Queen Anne’s County Public Schools Board of Education approved a transfer of funds within the FY25 budget Aug. 6.The Bay Times and Record Observer reports each year the finance department goes through the previous year closeout to ensure dollar amounts in each of the categories are balanced, and the district overspent on three categories during previous Fiscal Year 2025: special education, health and human services and operations, according to Finance Director Rob Watkins.

After uproar from food truck owners and residents, the Easton Town Council is considering changes to its restrictions on food trucks. The Star Democrat reports on Monday, the council discussed potentially revising a 2011 ordinance that limits food trucks to only operating during special events like festivals.
All five council members acknowledged they must keep in mind the town’s existing restaurants when making any relaxations to food truck rules. In the last two weeks, pushback against Easton’s food truck rules has been widespread online. A petition garnered over 3,000 signatures.

The Queen Anne’s County Planning Commission denied the construction of a 1,507 square foot Dunkin’ Donuts drive thru and online order only location at 100 Olde Point Village in Chester , stating it will substantially increase traffic hazards or safety concerns due to traffic generated by “its use, the location or layout”. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports the applicant 100 Olde Point, LLC was proposing to combine three deeded parcels to construct a 1,507 square foot location and the planning commission last approved the project’s concept plan in December, with the applicant requesting an amended parking reduction of 19 spaces and Minor Site Plan approval.

Dr. Bryan Matthews ’75 has been appointed as Interim President of Washington College. After graduating and working in a number of positions outside the school, e returned to Washington College in 1994 as Director of Athletics, and over the following two decades, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Vice President for Administrative Services, Assistant to the President for Special Projects, and Interim Vice President for Student Affairs (2004–2006). His tenure officially begins Tuesday.

The newly formed Citizens Connect will host its first meeting Monday, Aug. 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 914 Gateway Drive in Chestertown. The Evening Enterprise reports the topic will be whether Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge can survive federal budget cuts. The speakers will be Bill Burton and Bonnie Ford, president and vice president, respectively, of Friends of Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge
The public is invited.

Kent County Public Library invites residents to participate in One Maryland One Book, a Maryland Humanities program that brings together diverse communities across the state through shared reading experiences. Myeasternshoremd.com reports the 2025 selection is “Kin: Rooted in Hope” by Carole Boston Weatherford, which chronicles their family’s history from their earliest enslaved ancestors to the founding of Maryland, featuring the Chesapeake Bay, plantation life, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
Starting Aug. 18, free copies will be available at all Kent County Public Library locations on a first-come, first-served basis.

A zoning bill for cannabis facilities in Talbot County failed to pass Tuesday after months of consideration, sending the County Council back to square one. The Star Democrat reports since recreational cannabis was legalized in Maryland in 2023, local jurisdictions have been tasked with creating zoning regulations for different types of cannabis operations. Talbot County planners have worked nearly a year on drafting a cannabis processing and growing bill, outlining rules on setbacks from homes, odor mitigation and more.
On Tuesday, council members voted down two proposed amendments to the cannabis bill and, eventually, the bill itself.