Lusby: Vera’s Owners Fight To Reopen As Wastewater Dispute Heads To Court

LUSBY, Md. — The owners of Vera’s Crab House are taking their fight to reopen the restaurant to court and state lawmakers. With a court hearing set for Aug. 26, they are also pushing for legislation that could help them avoid installing a wastewater system they say could cost up to $1 million.

Owners Lisa DelRicco and Steve Stanley addressed a crowd of supporters during an Aug. 21 press conference at the restaurant, formerly known as Vera’s White Sands Beach Club. The business received its liquor license in May but has remained closed while its use and occupancy approval and wastewater requirements remain unresolved.

Stanley said the restaurant is being required to install a sewage treatment system that owners and supporters estimate would cost between $800,000 and $1 million, an expense he said the seasonal business cannot afford.

“I don’t care how many crab cakes or beers y’all drink,” Stanley said. “There’s not a million dollars’ worth of anything that we can put together to pay for this thing.”

Stanley maintained that the property’s existing system has not leaked or experienced a sewage failure. He said the owners installed new plumbing, bathrooms and 6,000 gallons of holding capacity after purchasing the property in 2006, connecting those improvements to the existing drain field.

The owners’ account differs from the explanation provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

In a statement provided to The BayNet before the press conference, MDE called it a “long-standing legal matter” involving environmental and public health protections. The agency said the Calvert County Circuit Court has ordered the restaurant to install a new sewage treatment and disposal system.

According to MDE, the owners must apply for construction permits for a system they previously proposed. Once those permits are approved, the agency said, Calvert County can authorize the restaurant to open.

MDE also said Vera’s current reliance on holding tanks is illegal, alleging that the tanks are not watertight, lack required alarm systems and do not meet other state safety standards.

“Operating with the current system threatens the environment and public health in Calvert County,” MDE said.

Stanley disputed that characterization, saying the owners regularly pump and maintain the tanks.

“We’ve always pumped and cleaned and made sure, as you can see, this place is immaculate, and we take pride in it,” Stanley said.

In the statement, MDE said state law requires the use of a safer, approved disposal system when one is available. The agency is seeking another court order establishing a firm deadline for installation of the required system, with a hearing scheduled for Aug. 26.

Attorney Steve Preller, who represents the owners, said several legal proceedings are pending. He limited his comments to allegations made in those cases, citing restrictions on discussing the merits of ongoing litigation.

Preller said the Calvert County Health Department had approved the restaurant’s use and occupancy permit before withdrawing the approval after consulting with MDE. He argued that the agencies relied on a regulation that does not apply to Vera’s because there has been no new construction or recent alteration at the restaurant.

The regulation, COMAR 26.04.02.03F, generally prohibits a county from issuing a building or use permit for new construction or an alteration served by an on-site sewage system until the approving authority issues the necessary permits or certifies the existing system as adequate.

“I don’t see any recent alteration or construction,” Preller said.

Preller also said the owners believe the withdrawal of the occupancy approval violated an existing court order. He said they have filed claims against the Calvert County Health Department, MDE On-Site Systems Division Chief Matt Cumers and health department employees. The claims remain pending and have not been adjudicated.

“We will ultimately have our day in court, but in the meantime, we need to get open,” Preller said. “Court proceedings take a long period of time.”

Alongside the legal effort, supporters said they plan to pursue state legislation that could allow certain established businesses to continue operating with holding tanks rather than install new treatment systems.

Joe Gaskin, who helped organize the press conference, described the legal and legislative efforts as separate paths toward the same goal. He said Del. Jeffrie Long Jr., a Democrat representing District 27B, was expected to work on the proposal and that Del. Mark Fisher, a Republican representing District 27C, had expressed support. Neither lawmaker spoke at the press conference, and no legislation has been introduced.

No sitting member of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners spoke at the event. Gaskin said he was told the commissioners could not attend because of scheduling conflicts.

Steve Jones, an unaffiliated candidate for Calvert County commissioner at large, was later called to the podium and pledged his support for the restaurant. Jones is listed as an active candidate and qualified for the ballot through the petition process.

“This is a staple in Calvert County,” Jones said. “I’ve been coming here my whole life. I’ll do whatever I can do to support the restaurant and any restaurant in Calvert County.”

DelRicco became emotional while thanking those who attended and describing what the continued closure has meant to the owners.

“We put our blood, sweat and tears into this business,” DelRicco said. “For us to be shut down and not be able to serve you guys, it’s beyond anything in my heart.”

The press conference ended without indication of an opening date. The owners said they will continue pursuing legal, legislative and public support while the dispute remains unresolved.

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