10/07/2026
Yesterday’s Worcester County Commissioners meeting, October 6, 2026 covered a substantial amount of information, including the proposed cable landing at the Ocean City Airport, infrastructure improvements, and the county’s comprehensive plan. I want to share the key discussions and decisions with our community.
We began at 9 a.m. with our regularly scheduled closed session. I hope to see clear language addressing nondisclosure agreements before our next meeting.
The open session began at 10 a.m., with a strong turnout from constituents across several northern districts. Approximately 35 residents attended in opposition to the proposed airport cable landing, and eight residents spoke about their concerns. Those concerns included drilling beneath Assateague Island, overdevelopment along our coastline, rights-of-way, and ownership and responsibility for underground infrastructure. Senator Mary Beth Carozza was the only speaker during public comment who offered a favorable perspective on the proposal.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with no items pulled for separate discussion.
Maryland Broadband Cooperative and AWS
The presentation from Maryland Broadband Cooperative generated the longest discussion of the meeting. Representatives described how partnering with Amazon Web Services on its transatlantic Fastnet cable system could benefit Worcester County.
I asked numerous questions about contractual obligations, Maryland Broadband’s financial capacity and assets, the potential for future data centers and additional cable landings, and responsibility for underground infrastructure.
In my view, the responses did not adequately resolve these questions. Several fundamental issues appeared to remain unaddressed despite the organizations having jointly applied for a text amendment to allow this operation at the Ocean City Airport. These are matters that deserve clear answers before the county considers moving forward.
The evening before, approximately 80 concerned residents attended our community discussion at the Ocean City Golf Club to express opposition to the partnership and project. I share many of their concerns, and I appreciate the eight residents who also brought their perspectives to Tuesday’s meeting.
The presentation ultimately left us with more questions than answers, which I anticipated. I invited Maryland Broadband’s CEO to participate in a public meeting with AWS, similar to the previous public meeting involving Globalinx. The CEO agreed.
I have also asked staff to invite jurisdictions along the proposed fiber cable route and notify neighboring counties, including Sussex and Accomack. If the proposal does not proceed here, other jurisdictions could potentially be considered for a landing site. Regional participation and awareness are important as this discussion continues.
Infrastructure and pedestrian safety
Several routine infrastructure items, including wastewater tank cleaning in Ocean Pines and a force main pump upgrade, received unanimous approval.
One particularly exciting decision was Item 32: awarding the design work for a pedestrian path along Route 611, from Route 50 to just north of Frontier Town. This project has been years in the making and addresses a significant safety concern.
My hope is that it will support future connections toward the parks and South Point area, as well as sidewalks along the Keyser Point Road and Golf Course Road corridors. All commissioners were in favor with Jimmy Bunting abstaining from the vote.
Ocean Pines Bay Restoration Fee
Item 34 included discussion of using Ocean Pines sewer reserves to cover the Bay Restoration Fee. The county’s enterprise fund controller expressed concern about drawing down those reserves.
The Ocean Pines treatment plant did not meet the requirements for a fee waiver, and concerns were raised about its ability to qualify in future years. The Ocean Pines sewer advisory committee recommended using reserve funds, and the commissioners voted to honor that request.
Rezoning and the comprehensive plan
Item 38, Rezoning Case 452, concerned a request to change an agricultural parcel across from the airport to C-1 commercial zoning. The applicant’s attorney withdrew the item from the agenda, so no public hearing took place.
Item 39 was the public hearing on the county’s comprehensive plan. No residents spoke in support of or opposition to the plan.
The Planning Commission and county staff put considerable work into this document, and I believe they did a very good job. It provides a roadmap for future growth, identifies the challenges associated with planned growth areas, and addresses the significant challenges of development outside those areas. It will help guide decisions by the commissioners for years to come.
The meeting adjourned shortly after noon. I am attaching the meeting video so you can watch the discussions and hear the questions and responses firsthand.
Thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, and continues to stay engaged. Your participation matters, and I will continue asking questions and advocating for clear answers on decisions that could shape Worcester County’s future.
— Commissioner Eric Fiori
