Cecil County Month in Review - January 2007
Commissioners' and County Administrator's Office
The Commissioners attended the Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference, January 3 - 5 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Dorchester County. The Commissioners joined their counterparts from across the State in educational sessions on a variety of issues facing many counties today.
The Commissioners attended the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast at Bentley's Restaurant on January 11th. Each Commissioner presented their outlook for the county followed by a question and answer session.
On January 30th, the Board attended a meet and greet luncheon with the Board of Realtors at Bentley's Restaurant. Each Commissioner presented their outlook for the county followed by a question and answer session.
New County Government Building - Construction continued on the new County Government Building in the Upper Chesapeake Corporate Center on Route 40. The 83,103 square foot, two-story building, is being constructed in the incorporated town limits of Elkton on an approximate 11.3 acre parcel. The following county departments/offices will be located in the new building: County Commissioners, Administrator, Budget Manager, Human Resources, Permits and Inspections, Electrical Board, Public Works, Planning and Zoning, Parks and Recreation, Election Board, Liquor Board, Maintenance, Senior Services and Community Transit (including Senior Center), Purchasing, Treasurer, Information Technology, Economic Development, Housing, and Extension Office. This project will enable county government to provide our citizens improved accessibility to comprehensive county services, while providing the Circuit Court system much needed additional space for expansion and parking at the Courthouse.
Capital Facilities Administration
The Board of County Commissioners was briefed on water and sewer initiatives in the designated growth areas, and received the Cecil County Tributary Strategy Implementation Committee draft report.
The entrance way, drilling and development, and step drawdown tests were completed for the Elk Neck Peninsula Test Well #1.
The re-bidding of Carpenters Point Sanitary Sewer Phase II was completed; began evaluation of Stewart Associates proposal for Charlestown's Route 7 pump Station Resolution; evaluated Sandy Cove proposal to replace their private WWTP rather than connect with County's system for nutrient offset; and began collaboration with SCD to evaluate areas of the county most suitable for land application of treated wastewater.
Emergency Services
Department of Emergency Services Director Frank Muller recently assumed the post of President of the Maryland Emergency Management Association. Muller was elected by the Association members at their annual meeting on January 24, 2007 held at Rocky Gap State Park.
The association is a statewide organization comprised of emergency management representatives from the State's 23 counties, Annapolis, Baltimore and Ocean City. The group of almost 100 members meets bi-annually; however, collaborate throughout the year through their five regional sub-groups to address issues related to emergency preparedness and response to protect lives and property in the State of Maryland.
Department of Emergency Services in cooperation with the Cecil Count Firemen's Association's Chief's Committee, Homeland Response Committee, and local industry will conduct an emergency response exercise in March 17, 2007.
The exercise is designed to provide emergency responders to demonstrate their response roles through the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Fire, EMS, HazMat and local law enforcement agencies will be tasked with various scenarios throughout the day which will offer them the opportunity to employ interoperable communications, chemical detection, and personal protective equipment.
The full-scale exercise will also include casualties that will be used by Union Hospital and Health Department staffs to evaluate their plans to handle patient surge and threats to public health respectively. All agencies with a role in the county's Emergency Response Plan are invited to participate and many have played an active role in the design of the exercise.
Volunteers are being sought through various businesses and community organizations to serve as mock victims. An after-action report will identify all participant and support agencies. For more information, please contact Ms. Amy Lepore, Emergency Planner for the Department of Emergency Services.
Parks and Recreation Department
New trip schedules are available on the web site www.ccgov.org
Regional Park Site - work is continuing with the Department of Natural Resources and Trust for Public Land regarding appraisals for proposed regional park sites.
Public Works Department
- Development Services Division received 90 submittals of various types for plans review in the month of January 2007; that represents a 24% decrease over January 2006.
- Major DPW-related contract awards: None.
Solid Waste Division Updates
- Effective January 1, 2007, Cecil County Government offices implemented single stream recycling programs. This has reduced by an estimated 75% the volume of waste from the County Courthouse which is disposed of in the County landfill; the balance is recycled.
- Solid Waste Management Division has implemented a system of checking receipts at the homeowners' drop off area at the Cecil County Central Landfill. The purpose of the checks is to ensure that customers are paying the proper fees for the type of materials being disposed of and to ensure that recyclables are being placed in the proper containers.
- January 16, 2007: Staff members from Solid Waste Management Division met with officials from the Maryland Department of the Environment to review the County's recycling and source reduction programs.
- January 31, 2007: Completion of Stemmers Run Transfer Station upgrade project.
Roads Division Updates
- Construction is complete on the project to build additional truck and equipment storage sheds for Roads Division at the Roads Division headquarters facility at the Cecil County Central Landfill.
- Employee Recognition - Ryan Sudler and Peter Schmidt were promoted to Operator Trainee within Roads Division.
Senior Services and Community Transit
Rally - On January 23rd, a small group of seniors and staff attended the annual Senior Legislative Rally in Annapolis, Maryland.
Senior Buddies Program - Senior Buddies connects volunteer senior adults with local elementary schools for classroom help, mentors, and providing wonderful intergenerational activity, which benefits everyone involved. Call the Senior Center for more information at 410.996.5295.
|
