A message from Commission President John Pepe as delivered at the June 23, 2020 Commissioners Meeting:
This is usually the week of June that the Commissioners and Administration attend three days of seminars and group discussions with other Towns and small cities in Maryland at the Maryland Municipal League Conference. As with many planned events of this type, this one was modified to be an on-line conference with none of the personal interaction we get from face to face dialog.
On-line conferences have become the norm for us all, but we all long to get back to the days of face to face discussions. The same is true of our bi-monthly Commission meetings. It is important that we hear from you, the citizens, be it to criticize or commend our decisions. I for one look forward to having open meetings at the Town Hall. Until then, we will continue to do the business of the Town through on-line meetings and keep you all informed. Please be patient with us, especially your Town Manager who has worked tirelessly throughout this Pandemic.
Speaking as one Commissioner, I would like to thank the citizens of Oxford for their patience and calm demeanor as we continue to open the Town after almost four months of having been through a series of quarantines and stay at home orders, and restrictions placed on our businesses, that have affected us all to some degree.
I do not believe that any of us would have thought that this Covid -19 virus would have kept us from enjoying the many attributes of our Town, for so long a period of time.
These changes in our daily routines and the constant uncertainty that we all feel, have left us wondering if we will ever get back normal, the good old days of five months ago. The short answer is hopefully yes, we will, if we continue to pay attention.
It is a tribute to all, our citizens, business owners, Town Manager and most importantly our Town employees who have worked tirelessly in the background, that we have up to this point pretty much skirted the effects of the virus, due to your vigilance and selflessness in your daily actions.
Please know that any decisions that have been made during the ongoing pandemic regarding Town activities, were made with only one thing in mind, That is the safety of our Town and its citizens.
Thank you and stay safe.
For the latest information regarding the COVID-19 for the Town of Oxford and Talbot County: Corona Virus News
Please note the Oxford Election for one Commissioner has been postponed until September 15, 2020.
Information regarding Public Hearings can be found at the bottom of this page.
Recent Information concerning ongoing efforts to build resilience for Oxford can be found here: Oxford Shoreline Improvements
Information regarding Oxford’s Economic Development efforts can be found here: Oxford Economic Development
The latest news:
6/16/20 Today’s good news – Talbot County has had 7 straight days of no new COVID 19 positive cases and non-symptomatic testing continues to be available to the general public by appointment with the Talbot County Health Department. The Talbot County Health Officer is still cautioning all to continue to practice Social Distancing of 6’ and continued use of masks is recommended when 6’ of Social Distancing is not possible.
Within Oxford, masks or face coverings are required inside all business establishments and outside businesses where 6′ of social distance is not possible. Face coverings are not required when ‘seated’ at a table for dining purposes. Oxfordians have been very vigilant in this effort and the Commissioners appreciate everyone’s consideration for their neighbor and patience throughout this pandemic, and are asking everyone to continue with the same thoughtfulness as we enter into the summer season.
With the continued decline in COVID cases, Oxford’s continued incremental reopening of recreational facilities will include the reopening of the rest of the Strand Beach this week. Although this area is outside, it is still necessary to follow the State and CDC recommended guidelines. Social Distancing of 6’ between non-family members is necessary for your health and the health of others when utilizing the beach areas. Please be considerate of others. If you are sick, please stay home. Please also remember vehicles cannot ‘stop, stand, or park’ at any time on the Strand Road – visitors must go to the parking lot to unload and walk to the beach area. This is a narrow road and for the safety of all it is necessary to enforce this regulation.
All recreational areas are open with guidelines and occupancy limits posted. Please abide by the posted signage.
6/12/20 Summer continues with good news. With Covid 19 positive numbers down the Governor has lifted the restriction on indoor dinning. Restaurants may now open at 50% capacity, when they are ready, although many will choose to continue outside dining and takeout for those who wish to be cautious. Within Oxford, masks or face coverings are still required inside all business establishments and outside businesses where 6′ of social distance is not possible. Face coverings are not required when ‘seated’ at a table for dining purposes. The 10 person limit has been lifted, but large gatherings and large indoor venues are still discouraged. Most recreational facilities in Oxford have been opened, with guidelines and occupancy limits posted. Social Distancing is required in all areas and carrying of personal supplies of hand sanitizer and bottled water is recommended.
The Oxford Bellevue Ferry has opened for the season, face coverings and social distancing of 6′ (except for family members) are required.
The Oxford Strand Beach remains closed to wading, sunbathing and fishing, as the narrow strip of beach is too small to provide sufficient social distancing once a crowd has gathered on it.
Please continue to follow the recommended guidelines for the benefit of yourself, those close to you and your neighbors. We can only continue our successful efforts during this very trying time with everyone’s continued vigilance.
6/6/2020 The warm weather is finally here and the State of Maryland has moved completely into Stage Two of its Roadmap to Recovery, which for Oxford has not changed very much. This is just a reminder that Social Distancing is still the best way to protect ourselves at this time. The Governor’s Orders still prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people, along with indoor recreation and dining. Masks are required inside Oxford businesses and also areas outside of our businesses when 6′ of social distancing is not possible.
The good news is we have Oxford Restaurants offering outdoor seating, along with continuing to offer carry out, our small shops have opened cautiously, activities at marinas are picking up and ice cream is being served!
The sad news is that there will not be a Fireworks celebration this year.
5/23/2020 As we begin our Memorial Day weekend let us continue to follow the precautions we have all learned over the last two months while outside enjoying our families and this beautiful weather. Below is the posted open/closed information. Please abide by the requirement to wear MASKS within all our local businesses and outside these businesses if 6′ of social distancing is not possible.
Please keep those whom this holiday memorializes in your heart and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.
OPEN and available for use with restrictions:
Tennis Courts are open for Tennis and Pickleball – please follow posted guidelines for these sports
Dog Park is open for use, please follow posted guidelines
Town Park and Causeway Park are open for fresh air and exercise – please practice social distancing of 6’ – and although having lunch at a table or bench is permissible, gathering and picnicking is prohibited, no tents, chairs, blankets, etc., and please dispose of trash upon finishing your meal in one of the provided trash cans.
Contracted Portable Toilets are available through out town – please practice personal hygiene when using them
These facilities remain CLOSED:
Town Strand Beaches and Beach Park areas – The Town cannot ensure proper physical distancing along these narrow strips of sand and grass. To protect the public health, welfare, and safety, they will remain closed until further notice.No access to these areas is permitted.
Town Playground Equipment and Basketball Courts – The CDC has recommended against use of the facilities due to the inability to ensure physical distancing and a sanitary environment.
MASKS are REQUIRED
Inside all Businesses ~ Outside Businesses when within 6’ of others
· Please carry your own hand sanitizer or wipes
· Practice Social Distancing of 6’ in all public areas
· Gatherings and Picnicking is prohibited in all areas
· Groups of 10 or more – prohibited in all public areas
5/15/20 As many already know, the Governor is lifting his Stay at Home order at 5 pm today and reminding everyone that we are now in a Safer at Home phase.
We want to remind our residents and visitors, this does not mean that any of us are now safer, the virus is as much, if not more, of a threat now. What is different is that we are all know more! We know the importance of Social Distancing and that wearing Masks works best if we all do it to protect each other, and especially, washing our hands before and after touching any surface is important!
And yes we are all still Safer at Home!!
What has changed in Oxford? Tennis Courts have opened and now included Pickleball nets and the Dog Park is open. Please follow the posted regulations, continue to practice social distancing and abide by the posted capacity for these areas.
Portable Toilets are also open. Please remember to carry your hand sanitizer and your personal mask with you whenever you are in public so that you are prepared and can protect yourself and your neighbors. Carrying your own drinking water is also a good idea as the days get warmer.
Town Park and Causeway Park continue to be available for outdoor exercise and fresh air, but picnics and gatherings are still not permitted.
Water fountains, playground equipment and the basketball courts remain closed per CDC recommendations as are the Strand Beach and Park areas. These beach and park areas are not large enough to accommodate visitors, while also allowing for Social Distancing of 6’ and groups of 10 or less.
New businesses with soft re-openings this weekend include The Treasurer Chest and Mystery Loves Company. These ladies will be providing their own requirements based on the Governor’s orders and guidance and will be posting the information on their doors. Please help them with a successful opening that keeps both you and them safe and comfortable in our new normal.
Our local restaurants continue to offer takeout of food and beverages as permitted by the Governor’s Orders. Doc’s has joined Robert Morris Inn, Latitude 38 and the Oxford Market in providing to go food for takeout/curbside pick up. And the Scottish Creamery and the Oxford Social will be serving their famous treats for takeout also!! Please assist these businesses, by practicing social distancing, wearing masks when picking up food and leaving the premises immediately and before consumption, in order for them to remain compliant.
The restrictions on recreational boating were lifted previously, but the operations and accessibility to private Marinas is at their discretion, as they continue to access the safest operations for their facilities.
All Town Buildings remain closed to the public, although staff has and will continued to operate behind the scenes, as we work on providing the level of service Oxfordians are accustomed to. Town Meetings will remain virtual in the foreseeable future and agendas and call in information will continue to be posted on the Town Bulletin Board and on the Town Calendar found at Oxfordmd.net.
Should you wear a mask in public? Although not a requirement while walking outside, it is when approaching or entering retail and food establishments, and is highly recommended anytime you must be within 6’ of another person. If you are vulnerable, it is recommended that you limit your contact with anyone outside your immediate family and wear a mask when you are outside of the safety and comfort of your home.
Everyone Stay Safe, Stay Aware and Stay Calm, we will get through this together.
TOWN OF OXFORD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Please take notice that the COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD will conduct a public hearing at their regular VIRTUAL meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. on the following Ordinance.
ORDINANCE 2003 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD AMENDING GENERAL AND ENTERPRISE BUDGET ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE 1906 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2019 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 TO ADJUST CERTAIN LINE ITEMS AND TO RE-APPROPRIATE CERTAIN FUNDS.
Ordinances are posted online. All interested persons are invited to join by audio or video and to comment upon the proposed ordinance. Call in information is posted on the Town calendar prior to the meeting: www.oxfordmd.net. Comments can also be emailed to oxfordclerk@goeaston.net.
By Authority: Commissioners of Oxford, 101 Market Street, Oxford Maryland
TOWN OF OXFORD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Please take notice that the COMMISSIONERS OF OXFORD will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. on the following Ordinance:
ORDINANCE 2002 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD ADOPTING A GENERAL/ENTERPRISE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2020 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2021, AND ESTABLISHING A TAX RATE OF $ .3047 PER $100 OF ASSESSED REAL PROPERTY VALUE
The Ordinance is posted online. All interested persons are invited to participate and comment upon the proposed Ordinance. It is anticipated that the public hearing will be held by video and/or conference call. Instructions for how to access the hearing will be posted at www.oxfordmd.net prior to the meeting. Questions and comments prior to the meeting can be directed to oxfordclerk@goeaston.net.–>
All interested persons are invited to attend and to comment upon the proposed ordinance.
By Authority: Commissioners of Oxford, 101 Market Street, Oxford Maryland.
TOWN OF OXFORD
REQUEST FOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
The Town of Oxford, Maryland (the “Town”) is requesting proposals from qualified and interested persons, for the purchase, design, and redevelopment of a building owned by the Town, commonly known as the “Mews”, which is located on certain real property at 105 South Morris Street, Oxford, Maryland and is identified on Talbot County Tax Map 400, as parcel 523. Centrally located within the Oxford’s Historic District, it is one of the few multiuse commercial properties located along Morris Street, directly across from the Town Park. The Town is seeking proposals for the purchase, design, and redevelopment of the Mews for uses consistent with the goals and objectives of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and other planning documents to ensure the continued viability of this Historic Commercial area.
A complete description of the project and scope of work is set forth in the bid package, which may be requested from the Town Office by email to oxfordclerk@goeaston.net. Sealed proposals will be accepted no later than 4:00 pm on February 7, 2020 February 28, 2020, at the Oxford Town Office, 101 Market Street, Oxford, Maryland 21654 and including a digital copy by email to oxfordclerk@goeaston.net. Interested bidders are encouraged to attend a pre-bid meeting and site visit on January 10, 2020, at 1:00 pm at the Oxford Town Office. All inquiries, site visits, questions, etc. concerning the proposal shall be forwarded by email to oxfordclerk@goeaston.net.
The Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any requirements and to accept all or part of any proposal considered to be in the best interest of the Town. The Town of Oxford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination based on age, race, sex, handicap or national origin is expressly prohibited.
Commissioners of Oxford ~ PO Box 339, Oxford MD 21654 ~ 410-476-5122
ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Town of Oxford is pleased to have available this year’s annual drinking water report. This report is designed to inform you of the quality of water and services that the town delivers to you every day.
If you live in Oxford’s service area, but do not receive a water bill, please pick up a copy of this 2019 drinking water quality report at the Oxford Town Office or download here.
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Complete copies of all ordinances, meeting minutes, maps, and other town records download hereare maintained in the Oxford Town Office. This website, and the partial records shown on this website, are provided as a convenience only. This website is not a repository of official public records of the Town of Oxford.
