Residents voice support for projects at CIP public hearing

SALISBURY, Md. – A public hearing for Wicomico County’s FY26-FY30 Capital Improvement Plan was held Wednesday evening.

“We would like to see it developed eventually into a park. It’s a very important ecological area.” Charles Stegman was one of a number of Wicomico County residents who spoke at the hearing, voicing support for the development of a park off of Connelly Mill Road. Stegman and others hope to see the county prioritizing it moving forward. “I think it remains to be seen. I appreciated that there [was] a huge turnout tonight.”

The FY26-FY30 CIP has the development of a plan for the area scheduled for 2030. Until then, the county will continue excavating dirt from the property for use at the landfill.

“From now until then, we do have some work to do to try to figure out exactly what could be there and, you know, get some public input and still continually talk to the community,” said County Executive Julie Giordano.

Community members also vocally supported the construction of a new Fruitland Primary School, even in the face of new financial challenges. “This next year, our share from the county level was [$8.3 million]. The state’s portion was over $20 million. And unfortunately, the state does not have that money to give us,” Giordano said.

On the back of public support for continued funding of the project, Giordano remains confident they will find a way to make it work: “We are looking at various different resources. Look, we’ve already made a big investment in this, and I feel safe to say that Fruitland primary is not it is not going to be taken off. So we are going to continue working on that.”