Scouting America Troop #461 Provides Audience for Preston Commissioners’ Workshop

PRESTON – Scouting America Troop #461 filled the usually sparsely attended Preston Commissioners’ workshop on Monday, August 26, to learn more about municipal government.

As part of learning about what it takes to be a good citizen, the Troop had to take a field trip of sorts to a local government meeting. While Preston’s Commission President, Savannah Winston, explained that there wouldn’t be any official votes because it was a workshop, the Commissioners were happy to field questions from the Troop leaders and explained their positions to the students. At the meeting, the Troop heard the Commission discuss an upcoming Memory Walk for those who have passed from addiction, the successful first town bulk-trash day, and the future of Preston’s park maintenance.

Jessica Tuel, Local Addiction Authority for the Caroline County Health Department, presented plans for a Memory Walk in honor of those who have been lost to substance use. Families are invited to bring photos of their loved ones to display during the event and join others in walking together as a show of remembrance and solidarity. This year’s walk will take place at James Wright Memorial Park in Preston on Saturday, September 20.

Caroline County began holding the walk in 2022 after local farmer and philanthropist Amy Cawley was inspired by a memorial walk in another Eastern Shore county. Since then, the location has rotated to different towns across Caroline, but Tuel explained that the long-term mission has always been to establish a permanent site for the walk and a permanent memorial where families can come whenever they wish.

Tuel said Preston was chosen because she believed the commissioners and the broader community would be open to the idea of a permanent memorial. “It was part of our group’s decision this year, because we felt that Preston would be open to it – the leadership as well as the community,” she explained. “Unfortunately, in Caroline County, our highest overdose numbers are tied between three towns, and that is Denton, Federalsburg, and Preston. So unfortunately, Preston has come up the ranks. We just felt like maybe this is the town that we would have our permanent site.” Tuel also reported that the county recorded 18 fatal overdoses in 2023 and four in 2022. “Still too many,” she said, “but we’re trying to trend down.”The commissioners said they were open to hearing a more detailed proposal for a permanent memorial and they could go from there.

The commissioners also reflected on the town’s first bulk-trash collection day, which took place on August 10 during the Summerdaze event. After weeks of discussion and planning, the town hired Bigg Tyme Trash to handle the collection. Town Manager Amber Korell said the effort was “really well attended.” Commissioner Scott Messick noted that the dumpsters were “pretty full.”

One resident in attendance at the workshop praised the bulk trash day, saying, “That was one of the nicest things Preston did…it was wonderful. Thank you.” Commissioners agreed that the event was a success and should continue, though they will need to sort out details such as whether it should be held once or multiple times a year, whether residents should eventually pay a fee, and what costs the town would incur. Korell said that the town has not yet received the invoice from Bigg Tyme Trash to determine the final expense.

Talk of future projects continued with a discussion on road and sidewalk maintenance. Railroad Avenue, which has long been the subject of debate between Preston and the State Highway Administration over who should be responsible for its upkeep, was recently cleared of overgrown vegetation by state contractors. However, the state has since asked Preston to take over maintaining the stretch of road. Commissioners discussed possibilities such as contracting their own maintenance, but Korell said the state has indicated that they are not willing to provide any financial support to offset what would be a new expense for the town.

Korell also presented options for rehabbing the walking trail at James Wright Memorial Park, which was built about 20 years ago and has since become uneven due to tree roots, posing a tripping hazard. Commissioner Messick supported seeking grant funding to replace the current surface with a more durable, permeable trail material. “The only way to do it once and be done is to use a different product, which is, of course, more expensive at first, but then you never have to do it again,” Messick said. Korell said she would work on an application for funding in fiscal year 2028.

Finally, Korell described potential sidewalk projects to improve connectivity throughout town. “We haven't put in a sidewalk in a couple years, and we have money in paintings and sidewalks, so we should put a sidewalk somewhere,” she said. One option would add a path from the playground pavilion at James Wright Memorial Park to the meditation area. She also suggested extending sidewalks to connect neighborhoods more directly to Main Street. For example, adding a sidewalk along Fooks Avenue would give families safe access to existing sidewalks, which could then connect them to town. Extending the sidewalk along Wright Street to Chambers Street would also link the water tower plant area directly into downtown. “These are the kinds of connections that make it safer and easier for families to walk in town,” Korell said.

The commissioners indicated they were open to considering these projects.

The commissioners closed the meeting by providing their reasoning for joining the Preston Town Commission to the Scouts of Troop #461. Commissioner Dan Mulford said, “It is great, you know…I try to do what I can for Preston and the community.” Messick added, “I came here because this is my town. I love it. It's always been my town, since I was born.” Winston, who is now in her third year as president, said, “I love to serve. It’s been wonderful to serve as President.” Commissioner Janice Isenberg explained, “I got involved because I decided it was time to do my civic duty, and I think that's why we're all here, because we do love this town, and we wanted to see good things for the town.” Commissioner Steve Hildenbrand, who previously served on Planning and Zoning for 13 years, gave his perspective on the importance of listening to different views: “I like it because the people are great. A lot of times I don’t agree, but that’s what it’s all about. It’s not a bad thing. It’s a good thing. It’s because, you know, I might see things one way, but you see something else, and maybe I didn’t see that.”