LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County convened their regular business meeting on April 29, 2025, in the Chesapeake Building, addressing zoning changes, road maintenance transfers, a college update, and community proclamations. The session, following a joint meeting with Naval Air Station Patuxent River, included a public hearing and was broadcast live, with recordings available on demand.
The meeting began at 9 a.m. at 41770 Baldridge Street with an invocation and pledge, followed by unanimous approval of the consent agenda, covering routine items like meeting minutes and contracts. The commissioners issued proclamations for Law Day, Hurricane Preparedness Week, Maryland Flood Awareness Month, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Commissioner Mike Alderson, presenting the Hurricane Preparedness Week proclamation, said, “We urge residents to prepare for hurricane season starting June 1st. These declarations emphasized legal education, disaster readiness, flood prevention, and road safety.
A public hearing addressed ZONE24-0040, a proposal to rezone 20698 Goddard Road in Great Mills to Mixed-Use Medium-Intensity (MXM) for residential, commercial, and institutional development. One speaker opposed the change, citing traffic concerns. Commissioner Mike Hewitt stated, “This hearing allows us to hear all perspectives on the Goddard Road rezoning”. The hearing will guide the commissioners’ zoning decision in Great Mills, a growing area.
Dr. Tuajuanda Jordan, President of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, presented a State of the College update, highlighting enrollment stability and campus initiatives. Jordan, retiring in June 2025, was honored for her leadership. Commissioner Eric Colvin noted, “Dr. Jordan will be retiring at the end of June, and we wished her well and thanked her for her service. Yesterday St. Mary’s College announced that the next college president will be Dr. Rhonda Phillips, and we wish her well in her new position!” Jordan said, “Our enrollment remains steady, and we’re proud of our role in the community”. The college, serving about 1,500 students, named Dr. Rhonda Phillips as its next president.
The main agenda item approved a public hearing for June 3, 2025, to discuss partial road transfers with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The county would assume a portion of Camp Cosoma Road, while transferring a segment of Newtowne Neck Road to the state. Colvin explained, “This will allow for easier and more effective road maintenance.” Commissioner Randy Guy said, “These transfers will improve road upkeep efficiency”. The proposal aims to streamline maintenance for rural roads.
During County Administrator Time, County Administrator David Weiskopf reviewed future meeting agendas, including budget discussions. The commissioners adopted a No Parking Resolution for Willows Road at Lancaster Park to address event-related congestion. Weiskopf stated, “This resolution ensures safety at Lancaster Park”. Colvin shared community updates, saying, “During Commissioner Time I spoke about the record attendance at the COSMIC Symphony concert on Sunday, the community outreach at the Budget Public Hearing, the great work done by Christmas in April St. Mary’s over the weekend, and the loss of Guy Leonard, the reporter from the St. Mary’s County Times Newspaper.” He added, “The COSMIC Symphony had over 500 attendees, a fantastic turnout”.
The meeting, broadcast on Channel 95, is accessible on-demand. Documents, including zoning and road transfer details, are available via BoardDocs. Residents can engage with upcoming hearings. The next meeting is set for May 6, 2025, at 9 a.m., with a Budget Work Session at 1:30 p.m.
