Sharpsburg Mayor Clarifies Stance on Easements, Examination of MET Shows Possible Lack of Local Representation

Mayor Weaver of Sharpsburg has formally addressed remarks made at a prior county meeting, clarifying that the Town of Sharpsburg has no intention of pursuing legal action against Green Hill Farm. During a September 23, 2025, meeting of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, Mayor Weaver had alluded to potential legal action concerning the enforcement of existing easements, which led to speculation about a lawsuit against Green Hill Farm. However, Mayor Weaver stated in a subsequent meeting on September 29, 2025, that his earlier comments were misinterpreted.

“The Town of Sharpsburg does not have any intensions of suing Greenhill Farms,” stated Weaver, “and a careful examination of all PIA requests will show that there were no discussions of such a law suit among any council members, staff or legal counsel prior to the commissioners meeting.”

Instead, the town’s focus has been on understanding how conservation easements factor into the county’s zoning decisions. During the county meeting, when asked about the role of these easements, Jill Baker reportedly described them as a “legal contract between the property owner and the Maryland Environmental Trust.” Mayor Weaver indicated that this explanation led him to realize that any potential issues concerning easements would likely fall under the purview of the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET).

Weaver also stated that there is a perceived need for careful oversight of the MET’s stewardship program to ensure adherence to the specific terms of each conservation easement. He raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the process, and encouraged residents to inquire about how landowner requests are handled, whether the conservation easement agreements or separate trust documentation outline the request and approval procedures, and what standards guide these decision-making processes. The extent of discretion afforded by the statutes that establish and govern MET is also a subject of interest.

Mayor Weaver also took the opportunity to address a personal note, dispelling any notion that his concerns were rooted in opposition to female-led businesses. He highlighted his wife’s 40-year ownership and operation of her own business with his full support. Furthermore, he pointed out that out of ten businesses in Sharpsburg, seven are owned and operated by women, underscoring the active participation of women in the local business community.

While tensions were high at the meeting, it ultimately seemed to prove constructive, with a consensus seeming to be reached among those in attendance that the real issues at the heart of the matter are not the activities of Green Hill Farm, but transparency and lack of local input regarding the Maryland Environmental Trust. And further research shows that local input may be a significant issue.

And examining MET’s current board of trustees, the Mayor’s concerns regarding oversight of MET, at least when it comes to preserving local interests in Washington County, are not unfounded. According to their website, MET is governed by a 19-member Board of Trustees with 16 Trustees as volunteer citizens “representing diverse areas of the State.” However, currently available documentation regarding MET board trustees, officers, or staff members does not show clear representation for Western Maryland, including Washington, Garrett, Allegany, or Frederick Counties. While one trustee, Megan Benjamin, previously served as the Western Region Planner at MET for 12 years (a role that may have encompassed these counties), her current professional role and location cited in the trustee bios are with Baltimore County.

Among the members of MET trustees is Major Gary S. Burnett, the MET Chair, who began his career in Harford County and now serves on boards representing Cecil County, Howard County, Snow Hill, and Northeast areas, while also recently accepting a position in Montgomery Parks. Another trustee, Diana Edensword Conway, is a 30-year resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, lives in Potomac, and has focused her activism on western Montgomery County issues. Some trustees also engage regionally: Mark L. Hoffman works on legislative action for the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, Toby Lloyd spends time on his family’s farm in Pennsylvania, and Craig Highfield leads a team for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay located in state offices across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

But woefully missing from any of the MET bios is any current representation for Western Maryland.

The MET Board of Trustees plays a critical oversight role, responsible for evaluating and deciding upon requests from landowners that could significantly change or affect the conservation features of properties under easement. These easements often require landowners to get advance notification or written approval before undertaking certain projects. Activities that fall under this requirement include building new structures, altering existing ones, dividing the property, changing how the land is used (like converting forests to farms), placing other legal claims on the land, or harvesting timber. Landowners are therefore required to consult with MET’s stewardship staff when planning any such modifications to ensure compliance.

Meeting agendas and minutes for the board are available on their website. Further examination of MET and their processes will be covered in a future article. A request for comment regarding Western Maryland representation was sent to MET and a response is hopefully forthcoming.

A copy of the Mayor’s full statement on the matter is attached.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from a press release.

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