MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOVEMBER 6, 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, November 6, 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 - OCTOBER 16, 2001; OCTOBER 23, 2001; and OCTOBER 30, 2001
The minutes of the October 16, 2001 Commissioners meeting; October 23, 2001 Rezoning for Town & Country Mobil Home Park, Inc.; and the October 30, 2001 Public Hearing on Cecil County Airpark were approved as written.
- PL113LIC HEARING - Small Cities Community Development Block
Grant Application
Mr. Roy Clough, Economic Development, presented this application. The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant is a federally sponsored program designed to assist units of general local government with activities directed toward neighborhood and housing revitalization, economic development and improved community facilities and services. The proposed project would assist with the land acquisition costs for IKEA furniture distributor on Firestone Road in Perryville, Maryland. The funding is available provided fifty-one percent of the jobs available are for low to moderate income. The business would provide approximately three hundred jobs for Cecil County residents. The land includes a bay parcel that IKEA will donate to an environmental agency to preserve this area in its' natural state.
- PUBLIC COMMENT
Suzanne Doordan, Executive Director Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber supports this application and welcomes the job opportunity it will provide residents of the county.
DISCUSSION:
Paul Gilbert, Economic Development Director, stated that the application allows for a disturbance of eight thousand square feet of wetlands on the property, and there is enough area left for mitigation. An access road would be built to the site deterring traffic from going through the Town of Perryville and using Route 7. There are no residential houses located on the access road, and the majority of truck traffic will occur during the night. He stated that IKEA would work through a local hiring agency to offer jobs to Cecil County residents. Discussion ensued regarding the addition of new traffic lights on Route 40.
Upon recommendation by Director Gilbert, motion made by Kilby, seconded by
Hepbron, and unanimously carried to execute the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Application/Resolution. A copy of the Resolution is
attached.
- PUBLIC HEARING
- Ordinance - Proposed Rules, Regulations, and Fees for the Division
of Solid Waste, Cecil County Department of Public Works.
Matt Carter, Public Works Director, stated that the proposed ordinance reflects significant changes to tipping fees; waste collected, and transfer station use. He explained the changes to the fee structure proposed in the ordinance. Discussion ensued regarding requirements for a landfill permit, enterprise fund, self-supporting landfill fee structure for operation, and successful recycling program.
- PUBLIC COMMENT
Ron Derrunler stated that he has no problem with the proposed fee
structure; however, he disagrees with the fee for a three-inch diameter limb. He suggested the diameter be increased to five inches. He disagrees with out of state vehicles being permitted to use the landfill.
Director Carter stated that a landfill permit is available for someone
who owns property in Cecil County. Joe Carabetta questioned the regulations for the Woodlawn landfill.
Director Carter outlined the regulations and limitations for operations at transfer stations. The department will review the regulations regarding taking appliances and the impact to the current situation.
Dwight Thomey, County Attorney, stated that there is a provision in
the ordinance to permit an increase in items accepted at the transfer stations;
however, the county would need to apply for a Maryland Department of the Environment permit.
Discussion ensued regarding the towns receiving a refuse rebate, and
creating a more aggressive county wide recycling program. Mr. Carabetta stated the he feels the fee for recyclable items will deter recycling efforts.
Discussion ensued regarding the collection of tires at the landfill. Seth Barchowsky stated that he has a concern regarding the charge for recyclables at
the landfill. He feels residents pay enough in taxes to cover fee. The increased fee would increase dumping along the road to the transfer station. He feels
industrial users should recycle also.
Carl Walbeck stated that he is against the additional fee for
residents and fears it will reverse use of landfill. He feels this will increase trash dumped along the road, which will increase road clean up costs. Cynthia Rossetti stated that she agreed with the comments made by Mr. Walbeck.
Joe Gilbert stated that he feels the county has a poor attitude toward
recycling. He questioned the size of tires that will be accepted at the landfill. He operates a school bus business that uses twenty-four inch tires that cannot be disposed of in the landfill. He complained that he is always charged a different fee each time he uses the landfill depending on who is working at the time. He is also against the proposed recycling fee. Ed Dietrich stated that he is also opposed to the proposed recycling fee because it would discourage recycling in the county. He suggested that the transfer stations accept appliances on a limited basis.
President Bolender commented that the Commissioners would look into
finding a solution for accepting appliances and yard waste at the transfer
stations.
Discussion ensued regarding the anticipated revenue from the recycling
fee. ACTION: President Bolender stated that the vote on the proposed ordinance would be postponed until the next Commissioners meeting on November 20, 2001 at North East Town Hall in order to review the fee schedule for residents.
- COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended a BEPAK meeting in
Rising Sun, the Veteran Center Dedication ceremony, and the dedication of Bainbridge Elementary School. She also attended a conference for FORVM for Rural Maryland, which is a group that advocates rural issues at the state level. State representatives also attended the two-day conference. She encouraged everyone to attend the Girls Conference at Cecil Community College.
Commissioner Hepbron reported that he attended the Veteran Center Dedication ceremony and the Union Hospital fundraiser.
President Bolender reported that he also attended the Union Hospital fundraiser, which has received contributions and pledges of 1.2 million dollars for the new breast cancer center. He attended the Elkton Alliance Strategic Planning meeting and construction has started on Main Street. At the MACO retreat, he was informed that the Governor of Maryland has stated that there will be no new funding for education from the state.
- BOARD OF HEALTH
Dr. Virginia Bailey reported that the Alcohol and Drug program is being utilized in Rising Sun, the administration building has a security guard, bereavement courses are being offered through community health services, and there has been a large increase in the number of participants in the family planning program. She discussed the anthrax information sheet that provides a special telephone number to call regarding suspicious mail or packages. There
have been no positive results from anthrax investigations. She discussed the procedure followed for testing for anthrax. The flu vaccine will not be available until December.
- PUBLIC COMMENT
Joe Carabetta questioned the availability of minutes on the web site, funding committed for Carpenters Point, and government saving money for the future.
The minutes are available on the county web site and funding will not be available for future projects, not projects already approved.
Rebecca Demmler stated that the meeting agenda was not published in the Cecil Whig, and the dirt pile has not been removed by Montgomery Brothers after approximately one year.
The reporter from the Whig stated that the agenda would be published regularly in the paper. Mr. Wein advised that Montgomery Brothers have applied for a grading pen-nit to remove the dirt pile.
David Reed, Vice-President of the Cecil County Farm Museum Organization, stated that they are interested in the Fair Hill Rural Legacy property. Their organization received non-profit status, and is currently seeking a location in the county for a farm museum. The organization promotes education and preservation of our agricultural heritage. They feel a farm museum would be an asset to the county as a tourist attraction.
Jerry England, a member of the organization, agreed with Mr. Reed, and reiterated their interest in locating in the Fair Hill Rural Legacy area. Cynthia Rossetti stated that Soil Conservation is also interested in the Fair Hill Rural Legacy property. This group can show present and future best
agricultural farming practices and promotes agriculture in the county.
- APPOINTMENTS
Commission on Aging: Motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron,and unanimously carried to appoint Jacqueline Pugh and Cindy Brown to the Commission on Aging. Susquehanna Workforce Network: Motion made by Hepbron, seconded by Kilby, and unanimously carried to appoint Gary Sawyer, Ann Hill, and Betty Moore to the Susquehanna Workforce Network for three-year terms. Mechanical Code Board: Motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Larry Crouse to the Mechanical Code Board for a five-year term.
Bid 02-18 - Office Supplies for the Cecil County Government awarded
to Corporate Express.
Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by
Hepbron, seconded by Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept Bid 02-18.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 54-65 -
Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by
Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to
approve Budget Amendment Nos. 54-65, A copy of the Budget Amendments is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Kilby, seconded by Hepbron, and unanimously carried
to adjourn the meeting.
Alfred Wein Jr. APPROVED:
County Administrator Nelson K. Bolender, President