The Pocomoke City Mayor and Council will meet Monday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with an agenda that includes a public hearing on the City’s litter and solid waste ordinance, discussion of a recently resolved lawsuit involving the City and James Reese, consideration of the sale of more than 12 acres of industrial park property to Hardwire, Inc., and approval of several upcoming community events.
Several agenda items involve matters that have generated public interest in recent months, including a zoning decision related to a proposed cannabis dispensary and the resolution of a contract dispute between the City and local property owner James Reese.
Public Hearing on Litter and Solid Waste Ordinance
Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the second reading of Ordinance 2026-O-12, which would amend portions of the City’s code governing littering and solid waste disposal. The ordinance received its first reading during the June meeting and now returns for final consideration.
Council to Discuss Cannabis Dispensary Distance Waiver
Council is also scheduled to discuss the recent approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals of a distance waiver requested for a proposed cannabis dispensary.
The waiver allows the proposed dispensary to locate within the otherwise required separation distance from a place of worship. During the Board of Zoning Appeals proceedings, the applicant argued that the Maryland Cannabis Administration’s regulations and recent state law changes supported the request. The Board ultimately approved the waiver, allowing the project to move forward.
Monday’s agenda lists the matter as a discussion item only. No additional details regarding potential Council action are included on the published agenda.
Discussion Scheduled on Recently Resolved Lawsuit with James Reese
One of the more notable items on Monday’s agenda is a discussion regarding the “Satisfaction of Resettlement” of Case No. C-23-CV-25-000269, a breach of contract lawsuit filed by James Reese against the City of Pocomoke.
According to Maryland Judiciary records, Reese filed the lawsuit on September 23, 2025, alleging breach of contract against Pocomoke City. The case progressed through discovery and scheduling over the following months, including settlement conferences and multiple trial dates before ultimately being resolved prior to trial.
Court records show:
- The case was filed as a Contract – Breach action.
- Settlement conferences were scheduled during the litigation.
- A jury trial was originally scheduled for July 2026 before later being postponed until November 2026.
- On July 16, 2026, the parties filed a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice, closing the case before trial.
The court docket does not disclose the terms of any settlement agreement, and the agenda does not provide additional details regarding what will be discussed Monday.
Sale of Three Industrial Park Parcels to Hardwire
Immediately following the settlement discussion, Council is scheduled to consider approval of the sale of three industrial park parcels identified as Tax IDs:
- 01-033220
- 01-033239
- 01-040871
to Hardwire, Inc.
Property records show all three parcels are currently owned by James Reese and are located along Pocomoke Beltway Road within the Pocomoke City Industrial Park. The parcels consist of:
- Parcel 1A – 5.18 acres
- Parcel 1B – 3.00 acres
- Parcel 1C – 4.00 acres
Together, the three parcels total approximately 12.18 acres. County assessment records indicate the land remains vacant with no improvements currently assessed on any of the properties.
The assessment records also show all three parcels were conveyed to James Reese by Pocomoke City in March 2023.
Because the proposed property sale immediately follows discussion of the recently resolved lawsuit on the agenda, the sequence may attract public attention. However, the published agenda and court records do not state whether the proposed sale is connected to the settlement agreement, and no settlement documents have been released publicly. As a result, any relationship between the two agenda items has not been confirmed.
Community Events and Special Permits
Council is also scheduled to consider approval for several upcoming events, including:
- Mar-Va Theater Performing Arts Center performance featuring Lure and Old State Line on August 14.
- Great Pocomoke Fair events from August 1–8.
- Dark Royalty Bike Show on August 29.
- Demolition Derby on September 19.
- Book Bag Fest on August 1.
- Pocomoke Boat Docking Event on August 15.
Council will also consider several one-day alcohol permit requests associated with upcoming community events and private celebrations.
Closed Session Planned
Following the public meeting, Council is scheduled to enter closed session under Maryland General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(4) to consider “a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State.” The agenda does not identify the business or project that will be discussed during the closed session.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 20, in the Council Chambers at Pocomoke City Hall, 101 Clarke Avenue. Residents may attend the meeting in person.
