The Pocomoke City Mayor and Council met Monday evening for a full agenda covering community events, a new housing proposal, infrastructure updates, and concerns over property maintenance and code enforcement. Due to a technical issue, the livestream’s audio was unavailable for the beginning of the meeting, and items 1 through 5, including the call to order, presentations, and early business, were not captured.
Boat Docking Weekend Expands into Festival Format
Council unanimously approved alcohol permits for this year’s boat docking event, now set for a full weekend: August 15 through 17. While Saturday remains the main competition day, organizers from Dockside and longtime promoter Mike Shannon are working with the city to expand activities into Friday and Sunday.
Mayor Todd Nock proposed forming a temporary planning committee to help coordinate the expanded programming. Councilmembers expressed support for creating a more family-friendly, community-focused weekend, reminiscent of the defunct Cypress Festival. Nock clarified that the Cypress Festival, organized by the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce, has been inactive for nine years and was never a city-run event.
Proposed 15-Unit Apartment Complex: Cypress Grove
Representatives from Miles & Maine, a property group led by Jermaine Xavier and Harold White, presented their plans to redevelop the former Sharp Energy site on Old Virginia Road. Their proposal, titled Cypress Grove, would create a three-story, 15-unit market-rate apartment complex adjacent to townhomes they already own and operate.
Architect Keith Iott of Iott Architecture & Engineering explained the site’s challenges and rationale for seeking a zoning change from Business to a Planned Residential Development (PRD). A sidewalk connection, shared access driveway, and small recreation area are included in the site plan. Iott noted the location’s walkability, adjacency to the high school, and existing infrastructure as advantages.
Xavier and White emphasized their investment in Pocomoke and a long-term vision for responsible, well-managed housing. “We’re not the slumlord types,” Xavier said. “We work. We fix it.” A public hearing on the zoning request is tentatively set for July 17.
Sludge Removal Contract Approved
Council approved a $45,200 bid from Miller’s Land Services, Inc. for annual sludge removal at the city’s wastewater treatment facility. This year’s cost is up from last year’s $39,000 contract. Councilmember Holland abstained from the vote due to a relationship with the bidder.
Mayor: Pocomoke Must Clean Up
Mayor Nock delivered a forceful message about the city’s appearance, citing porch freezers, unpainted wood siding, and faded shutters as visible signs of neglect. He praised current code enforcement staff but suggested the need for additional personnel.
“It makes no sense. This town does not look welcoming,” he said. “Who the hell is going to come here with a town that looks like that? Nobody.”
He went on to call out residents for a lack of pride in their homes: “You get online and you post about how things could be this and how things should be that, but you won’t take care of your properties.”
Beautification Committee Brings Energy and Ideas
The city’s Beautification Committee, recently reactivated, shared ideas for community enhancements. Former Councilmember Esther Troast proposed lining Market Street with American flags and introducing a banner program to honor local veterans. The committee also called on downtown businesses to assist with simple upkeep, such as watering city-planted flowers.
“This room is a representation of the work that goes into Pocomoke City,” Nock said, commending the group’s initiative and encouraging broader community participation.
Infrastructure Projects Underway
Deputy City Manager Brandy Matthews reported about the CIPP lining project, funded by over $2.13 million in grant funding for water system improvements. Work will begin July 14 on Front Street and move westward, with completion expected in November. Contractors have been advised to accommodate existing community events such as Fourth Fridays and the Fall Festival.
Matthews also reported:
- Sidewalks at the community garden are now complete and accessible.
- Buffer clearing at the fairgrounds has been completed and will be seeded shortly.
- Sidewalk damage from water meter upgrades is being surveyed and will be repaired in the coming weeks.
Additionally, the city is evaluating whether it can operate youth sports leagues directly, citing low overhead costs and community need. Nock said the city’s goal is not to raise children, but to reestablish community respect — and that youth programming could be part of that solution.
Community Feedback
During public comment:
- Mike Shannon suggested holding bulk trash pickup twice monthly during the summer and urged immediate attention to dock repairs before the boat docking event.
- Jermaine Xavier asked for the city to coordinate sidewalk repairs near the proposed Cypress Grove site, where a previous utility repair had left broken concrete.
- Beautification Committee members expressed optimism about upcoming projects and called on residents and business owners to do their part.
Looking Ahead
Pocomoke’s summer schedule is full: the expanded boat docking weekend in August, ongoing youth programs, and The Great Pocomoke Fair, which will again feature the Mayor’s Hobby Horse Race.
