Pocomoke City’s September 21 Mayor and Council meeting covered a range of local issues, from a newly approved moratorium on data centers and concerns about the fairgrounds to Winter Quarters infrastructure problems, downtown Christmas decorations, and a potential spring festival.
Mayor Todd Nock also addressed the city’s efforts to get answers from the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding the fairgrounds violation, criticizing the department’s lack of response to elected officials.
Council Advances Proposal for 17 Apartments on Sixth Street
The Pocomoke City Mayor and Council approved a petition to advance a zoning map amendment for a proposed 17-unit rental development at 17, 19 and 21 Sixth Street, near the Pocomoke Car Wash. The project, presented by Jonathan Guy, would provide one-bedroom apartments of approximately 625 square feet under a proposed Planned Residential Development (PRD) designation.
Guy said the development would address a shortage of smaller housing options for adults in the community.
“In Pocomoke, we simply don’t have it,” Guy told the council, explaining that some households have multiple generations living together because residents have limited housing alternatives locally and may need to look to Salisbury, Berlin or Dover.
The apartments would be rentals rather than individually sold units. Guy said financing had not been finalized but could involve low-income housing tax credits or a subsidized housing program. He identified approximately 60% of area median income as a potential target. Plans also include a community center, central laundry facilities, outdoor community space and, potentially, monthly activities for residents.
Mayor Todd J. Nock praised the proposal and connected it to the challenges facing older residents on fixed incomes.
“We want to keep our elderly in our community,” Nock said, adding that he wanted older residents to be able to remain in Pocomoke rather than move elsewhere.
The council’s vote advances the zoning request to the Planning and Zoning Commission; it does not constitute final approval of the development.
Council Approves Temporary Data Center Moratorium
Council approved Resolution 2027-R1 on September 21, establishing a temporary moratorium on data center development while the city studies the potential impacts and considers zoning regulations for the industry.
During the public hearing, the resolution cited concerns about the potential effects of data centers on public welfare, the environment, energy use and land use. It also referenced a state-commissioned study of the environmental, energy and economic impacts of data center development in Maryland.
Mayor Todd J. Nock made a point of clarifying that the moratorium was not prompted by a specific data center proposal before the city.
“I just like to go on record and say no one has approached [the city] about a data center. The city of Pocomoke City has not been approached about a data center,” Nock said before the vote.
The resolution defines a data center separately from a server room, which is used by an individual business, school or organization. The distinction was raised during public comment, when resident Ben Jelly expressed concern that the definition could inadvertently affect people operating servers at home.
In response, Mayor Nock pointed to the resolution’s language distinguishing data centers from server rooms, explaining that residents could continue to maintain home server rooms without a permit for that use.
The moratorium temporarily pauses the acceptance, processing, review and approval of certain subdivision and detailed site plan applications proposing data center uses. It is set to remain in effect until the earlier of one year after adoption or the effective date of city legislation addressing the placement, construction and operation of data centers.
The council approved the resolution following the public hearing. The measure establishes time for the city to study the issue and develop regulations.
Council Recognizes Bowling Day and Police Chief’s Retirement
The meeting included two proclamations recognizing community milestones and public service.
The council proclaimed September 26 as Pocomoke City Bowling Day, recognizing 40 years of youth bowling at Eastern Shore Lanes. An alumni event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on that day. Two local youth bowlers were also recognized for qualifying for national competition.
The council also recognized the retirement of Police Chief Arthur R. Hancock. Hancock served the city for 13 years, including five years as police chief. His last day was August 31, with retirement effective September 1.
Mayor Nock announced that three candidates were scheduled to be interviewed on September 23 for the next police chief.
Benjamin Jelly was also sworn in to serve on the city’s Beautification Commission.
Fair Board Member Raises Concerns Over Fairgrounds Dispute
Stephanie DuBrel, a Pocomoke Fair Board member and harness horse chairperson, addressed the Mayor and Council on September 21, raising concerns about the handling of recent environmental issues at the fairgrounds and the cancellation of scheduled events.
DuBrel said the Fair Committee had completed the required paperwork and followed instructions not to use the arena, yet several events were canceled. She said the situation had cost the fairgrounds two major sources of revenue and left vendors and event organizers hesitant to work with the committee in the future.
“It does not feel as if we’re supported. It feels like everything is a fight,” DuBrel told the council.
Mayor Todd J. Nock pushed back against the suggestion that the city had not supported the Fair Committee. He said the environmental violation involved work undertaken without Mayor and Council approval, and he pointed to the city’s financial contributions and efforts to help the fairgrounds.
During a discussion about the environmental matter, Nock clarified that he had been referring to mitigation expenses rather than a fine. He said the city had paid between $40,000 and $50,000 for mitigation.
“What I said was the city had paid for mitigation between 40 and $50,000 in mitigation,” Nock said.
Nock also cited the city’s financial support for the fair itself. When he asked DuBrel whether the committee had lacked the money to pay for the fair rides, she confirmed that it had. Nock then asked who had paid for the rides, and DuBrel responded, “The city did.”
Nock said the city had offered to help the committee and had discussed concerns about the length of the fair, including suggesting that the eight-day event be scaled back to three or four days. He rejected the notion that city officials were against the fairgrounds, stating, “None of us sitting here are against the fairgrounds.”
The discussion also addressed whether events had been canceled by the city or by the organizers. Nock said the city had not canceled an event scheduled for September 26 and argued that the committee had canceled it before the city received further guidance from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). DuBrel countered that organizers could not reasonably put the event together with only five days remaining and said deposits had already been lost.
Nock said the environmental matter remained unresolved with MDE, although the city had completed its own work. “It is now in the hands of our engineers who will be in contact with MDE to get it settled once and for all,” he said.
Councilman C. L. Marshall acknowledged that the loss of events affected the broader community, noting that the activities would have been valuable to residents who planned to attend. When asked what she wanted from the city, DuBrel said she wanted a stronger public statement confirming that the fairgrounds was open.
Marshall responded that the fairgrounds was open and expressed interest in eventually leasing the property to the Fair Committee, potentially transferring responsibility for maintenance, insurance and other operating costs to the committee.
“I would like to see it off the city’s plate and the fairgrounds responsible for the cutting of the grass, the maintenance, the insurance and everything else,” Marshall said. He also expressed a willingness to work toward transferring responsibility for the property to the committee when it was ready.
Winter Quarters Resident Raises Infrastructure Concerns
Dale Krantz, a Winter Quarters resident, asked the Mayor and Council to address late-night traffic near the former maintenance shed, water quality problems, deteriorating docks and vehicles blocking the boat ramp.
Krantz said traffic regularly passes behind his home late at night and suggested renewed police attention to the area. He also questioned why the neighborhood’s water recirculator does not run continuously, describing significant rust buildup in household filters.
“I get about a month out of three water filters, and it’s nasty,” Krantz said.
Mayor Todd J. Nock asked Krantz to leave his contact information with City Clerk Lacey Merritt and said staff would investigate the water issue the following morning. A council member also suggested that extending the water line toward Lowe’s could address the problem.
Krantz also expressed concern about the condition of the docks, saying deteriorating boards could pose a safety risk to children. Nock responded, “The dock is definitely getting fixed,” noting that city officials had inspected it.
Finally, Krantz said vehicles had blocked the boat ramp on three occasions during the summer, preventing his family from launching or retrieving their boat. He requested painted parking lines to keep the ramp clear.
City Manager Provides Project and Event Updates
City Manager Brandy Matthews provided updates on several city projects and upcoming meetings.
Bridge Closure and City Property Repairs
The bridge closure has been rescheduled for September 28. The closure is expected to last more than 60 days, although the completion date remained to be confirmed, in part because of scheduling considerations surrounding the Christmas parade.
Repairs to the floor and bar area at the city-owned restaurant at 2 Riverside Drive are scheduled to begin September 28.
Mayor’s Safe Path Initiative
The second phase of the Mayor’s Safe Path Initiative is planned for November. Snow Hill, Payne Ave., Dorchester, and Somerset Avenue in the Heights are to be addressed.
Upcoming Meetings
Matthews reviewed the following scheduled meetings:
- Planning and Zoning Commission: September 23.
- Special Mayor and Council meeting: September 28, including a public hearing and vote on the accessory dwelling unit ordinance identified as 2027-01.
- Regular work session: September 28, following the special meeting.
- Next regular Mayor and Council meeting: October 5.
- Board of Zoning Appeals: October 7, pending applications.
Downtown Christmas Decorations, Spring Festival and Train Club
Mayor Todd J. Nock said the Downtown Pocomoke Association discussed a community Christmas project that would place decorated trees on the city’s two vacant downtown lots. The association is inviting local organizations, businesses, churches, families and other community members to participate by decorating a tree.
Nock also discussed the possibility of holding a community festival in April, acknowledging that the event would require substantial sponsorship. He referenced the Cypress Festival by name, while noting that organizers were still exploring ideas and had not established final plans. Nock said Events, Facilities and Engagement Coordinator Michael Shannon would present additional ideas when they were ready.
The mayor also highlighted a recent visit to the Pocomoke Model Train Club at the train station, encouraging residents to visit and see its displays. Nock said the experience had sparked his own interest in model trains and the detailed cityscapes built by club members.
Council Member Requests Better Communication on Video Project
Council Member Michael Hall raised concerns about communication with council members regarding a city video project reportedly costing $17,000.
The mayor responded that the project had been intended for inclusion on the agenda and said there had been no intent to keep council members out of the loop.
Nock Criticizes MDE’s Communication Over Fairgrounds Violation
In his closing remarks, Mayor Todd J. Nock returned to the dispute involving the Pocomoke City fairgrounds and a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) violation notice received by the city.
Nock said the city received the notice on September 7, concerning a violation dated August 31, and that he and other elected officials, along with city staff, had spent weeks trying to contact MDE for clarification.
Nock said he received an email from MDE at 5:48 a.m. on the day of the meeting explaining why the department had not responded to his outreach.
“The reason why they were not responding to me and C.L. was because we are elected officials and the Maryland Department of the Environment has been told that they cannot respond to elected officials,” Nock said.
He added that city staff had also contacted MDE without receiving a response. Nock expressed frustration with the lack of communication, saying the city had been left with unanswered questions about the violation and the circumstances surrounding it.
Nock said the underlying issue had been remediated days after the city received notification, rather than requiring the full two-week period during which activities were paused. He thanked city staff members who worked on the matter and reiterated his desire to see the fairgrounds restored and improved.
“If the fairgrounds needs help, the city is here to help them. The city is here to work with them,” Nock said, urging everyone involved to work collectively while following applicable rules and regulations.
