MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 4, 2001
The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administration Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, September 4, 2001. The following members of the Board were present:
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
constituting a full board.
The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
- MINUTES – AUGUST 21, 2001 -
The minutes of the August 21, 2001 Commissioners meeting and the August 21, 2001 Rezoning Hearing were approved as written.
- COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS -
Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended an Eagle Scout Honor Ceremony on Sunday at Rogers Tavern in Perryville. She commented on the outstanding dedication and work it takes for a youth to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Commissioner Hepbron reported that the county received an excellent bond rating. He also visited several schools.
President Bolender made no comments.
- BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT -
Dr. Bailey stated that thirteen county beaches received permits from the health department. During July, ten beaches were temporarily closed to high levels of bacteria in the water. The department is using a new indicator, which is more consistent to test for unsafe bacteria for humans. Forty-eight birds were tested for the West Nile Virus, and all were found negative. Positive test results have been found in surrounding counties. The flu vaccine will not be available until the beginning of November, and the first supply will be limited. The department will provide a questionnaire to determine those at high risk, which will receive the initial supply of the vaccine.
- PROCLAMATION 9-1-1 EMERGENCY NUMBER DAY -
The Board proclaimed a 9-1-1 Emergency Number Day in support of Emergency Management Services.
- PROCLAMATION BLAZERS OF CECIL COUNTY -
The Board proclaimed the achievements of the Blazers of Cecil County for their outstanding performance in the National Championship Tournament.
- ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AWARD FOR CECIL COUNTY -
This item was postponed until later in the meeting.
- PUBLIC COMMENT -
Mr. Carabetta requested a response from the Department of Public Works regarding an issue he had presented to the Director. President Bolender responded that Director Carter would contact him.
Mr. Roland Wills stated that he felt the Commissioners should complain to the Cecil Whig about not finding room to run the meeting agenda in the paper. He commented about lack of communication between departments and board members, forest retention areas, critical root zone locations, and his plans to remove trees from his property.
Mr. Vance Fields stated that he received information regarding a video entitled, ”World Change Today”, pertaining to partnerships with corporations to improve the environment that he felt the Commissioners should consider purchasing. President Bolender requested that he forward the information to Paul Gilbert.
- APPOINTMENTS –
Motion made by Hepbron, seconded by Kilby, and unanimously carried to appoint Mr. Nicholas Ricciuti to the Board of Trustees of Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center to fill the term of Barbara Gilden, who resigned from the Board. Term to expire on September 5, 2004.
Motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Mr. Harland Graef to the Susquehanna Workforce Network for a two-year term. Term to expire on June 30, 2003.
PERSONNEL ITEMS
Ms. Donna Nichols, Director of Human Resources, presented the personnel items. Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations:
1) Robert J. Hines, DOH: 08-13/01, Laborer, Solid Waste Division, resigned
8/17/01.
2) Judy M. Murphy, DOH: 01/27/99, Homemaker/Shopping Associate,
Department of Aging, LDW: 0/8/10/01.
3) Bradford S. Shockley, DOH: 01/1/00, Plans Reviewer, Planning & Zoning
Office, LDW: 09/06/01.
Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following Promotions/Transfers/Reclassifications:
1) Promote James K. Mullen from Facilities Management Lead Mechanic at
$35,333.25 (grade 8) to Facilities Manager at $39,998 (grade 11)
2) Lateral Transfer of Donald R. Crawford from Roads Division Laborer to Solid
Waste Division Laborer, same salary of $18,075 (grade 3), effective 09/04/01.
Upon recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron, and unanimously carried to provide a lump sum payment of $300 for Rose A. Walstrum for her FY02 increase.
- APPLICATION TO THE MD DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT –
Economic Development Director Paul Gilbert stated that the Commissioners had previously approved by resolution for Economic Development to require a loan for construction of the Perryville Industrial Road from Route 40 to the open industrial areas located on Route 7. This loan application for 1.3 million dollars will establish a Tax Increment Financing District, which will provide additional tax revenue for the Town of Perryville and the County based on the tax increase from the assessment on improvements made to the property. He continued explaining the loan payment and share of debt service that will be paid by the County and the Town of Perryville. The loan rate is 3% for a twenty-year period. This plan proposes that the development of the industrial property will pay for the access road. He explained the projected growth and new real property tax revenue for the county.
Motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the application to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development for $1,300,000 Loan to construct the Perryville Industrial Road.
- LEASE AGREEMENT – VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY #1 OF CHESAPEAKE CITY -
County Administrator Wein requested that this item be tabled pending receiving additional information from the fire company.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, to table the lease agreement until the September 18, 2001 Commissioners Meeting.
- RESOLUTION FOR CARPENTER’S POINT –
Public Works Director Carter stated that this Resolution would permit the President of the Board of County Commissioners to sign approximately forty easements for various properties for the Carpenter’s Point project. This Resolution will keep the project moving through the process.
Motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Resolution Authorizing President of the Board to Sign Easement for Carpenter’s Point.
- BUDGET AMENDMENTS NUMBER 32-35 –
Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 32 through 35. A copy of the Budget Amendments is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AWARD FOR CECIL COUNTY -
Andrea Bennett and Victoria Binetti from the Environmental Protection Agency presented the Planning and Zoning Director Eric Sennstrom with the first Environmental Protection Agency, Region III Source Water Protection Award for the Cecil County Wellhead Protection Program. Also in attendance for the presentation were: John Grace, Robert Summers, and Norman Lazarus from the Maryland Department of the Environment, Mark Eisner from Advance Land and Water, and Tony DiGiacomo, Principal Planner for the Office of Planning and Zoning.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron, and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator
APPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President