The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the North East Town Hall, North East, Maryland, on Tuesday, November 20, 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 – NOV. 13, 2001 –
The minutes of November 13, 2001, were approved as presented.
- PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECT – CONRAD & DOMMEL ACQUISITION –
A public hearing was held on a Program Open Space application for Conrad and Dommel Acquisition. LOCATION: Town of Port Deposit, Main Street, Port Deposit, MD 21904.
Mr. Ed Slicer, Parks and Recreation Manager, advised that the request is for an additional $600.00 from Program Open Space funds to pay for one-half of the cost of the property survey.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the application.
- PROGRAM OPEN SPACE PROJECT – ELK LANDING ACQ. III –
A public hearing was held on a Program Open Space application for Elk Landing Acquisition III. LOCATION: 590 Landing Lane, Elkton, MD 21921.
Mr. Ed Slicer stated this is the third installment of $68,000 for the acquisition of the Elk Landing property in the Town of Elkton. He advised that he spoke with Ms. Jeanne Minner, Director of Planning for Elkton, and that they are pursuing repairs to the residence and are close to the match to renovate the heating and ventilation system. A number of activities have been planned such as storytelling and musical events, as well as Defender’s Day events.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the application.
- AGRICULTURAL PRES. DISTRICT – HURTT –
A public hearing was held on the application of Woodland and Joan Ann Hurtt to establish an Agricultural Preservation District on the West side of Route 213, North of Mill Lane, Earleville, Maryland 21919. Tax map: 57, Parcel: (4) (Part of four): Acreage: 180.5 acres, 1st Election District. PROPERTY OWNER: Woodland and Joan Ann Hurtt. PRESENTLY ZONED: Southern Agricultural Residential (SAR).
Ms. Sandra Edwards, of the Office of Planning and Zoning, advised that the application meets the minimum eligibility criteria and the 50-acre minimum requirement. Eighty percent of the soils are in Groups I-III. Ms. Edwards stated the property lies outside of the ten-year water and sewerage service district. Mr. and Mrs. Hurtt are withholding 30 acres.
Both the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board and the Planning Commission recommend approval of the application.
Ms. Edwards advised that this is the 24th District application sent to the State this year on 2,468 acres and is a record for a 12-month period.
Mr. Joe Carabetta, who is a member of the Cecil Land Trust, spoke in favor of the application.
Mr. Carl Walbeck, who is a member of the Planning Commission, stated the Commission supports the application. He complimented Ms. Edwards on the outstanding job she has done on developing these prospects.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to recommend to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation that the application of Woodland and Joan Ann Hurtt for an Agricultural Preservation District be approved.
- PUBLIC HEARING – NOMINATION FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION –
A public hearing was held on the following: NOMINATION FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION – APPLICANT: Ronald and Audrey Edwards FOR: Establishing a historic structure designation. PROPERTY LOCATION: Thomas Richards House, 1702 Colora Rd., Rising Sun, MD TAX MAP: 9 PARCEL: 118 ELECTION DISTRICT: 6 PROPERTY OWNER: Ronald and Audrey Edwards PRESENTLY ZONED: Northern Agricultural Residential (NAR).
Mr. Eric Sennstrom, Director of Planning and Zoning, advised that this is the first application concerning a historic preservation designation of property in the County. He stated in October, 2000, the Board approved a historic district amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that created a Historic District Commission and the opportunity for people to nominate their properties as historic sites or districts.
Mr. Sennstrom stated a property owner has voluntarily nominated their property for dedication of a historic site. That is the Thomas Richards House, which is an example of a turn of the century farmhouse in the County. It has attributes of an architectural structure that was being built in the County at that time. Mr. Sennstrom advised that Thomas Richards was a distinguished citizen of the County. He was a County Commissioner in the early part of the 19th century.
Both the Historic District Commission and the Planning Commission recommend approval of the designation.
Mr. Sennstrom stated some of the property around the house is being included to ensure the historical integrity of the site.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the historic designation of the Thomas Richards House.
- COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS –
President Bolender reported that he went to Annapolis last week to attend the Maryland’s Most Beautiful Person ceremony accompanying Mr. Bob Schick, North East, who was Cecil’s Most Beautiful.
Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended the Soil Conservation banquet this past week and that a slide was shown of their activities for the past year.
She advised that she attended a meeting of the Rising Sun Development Corporation on November 17. The committee is working to fill some of the storefronts that are empty in Rising Sun and will be involved in a streetscape project.
- TREAS. REPORT –
Ms. Pamela Howard, Treasurer, presented the monthly Treasurer’s report as of October 31, 2001. A copy of the report is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- PERSONNEL ITEMS –
Ms. Donna Nichols, Director of Human Resources, presented the personnel items. Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of H. David Holding, Temporary Seasonal Worker in Roads, effective October 19, 2001.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to appoint Vernon D. Tome as Plans Reviewer in the Department of Public Works, $32,000 (Grade 8); also, to appoint Ralph Newton as part-time Security Guard, Facilities Management, $8.69/hour (Grade 3).
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:
Promote Jeffrey K. Coale to Superintendent of Water & Wastewater Facilities, $54,104.77 (Grade 11), effective November 5, 2001;
Reclassify Mark A. Woodhull to Senior Plans Review, Public Works Dept., $32,821.15 (Grade 9), effective November 5, 2001;
Transfer Alan Salisbury from Parts Clerk at Central Garage to Laborer, Roads District 3, with no change in salary. Mr. Salisbury will be required to obtain CDL within six months of appointment.
Reclassify Norman J. Bannon IV from Laborer at $18,075 to Equipment Operator Trainee at $18,617.25 (Grade 3) for obtaining CDL, effective November 19, 2001.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adopt an additional holiday for 2001, December 24, and to adopt the holiday schedule for 2002.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Mr. Donald Stoltz inquired about the status of the Carpenter’s Point sewerage project, and Mr. Dwight Thomey, County Attorney, responded by stating he is having a meeting tomorrow relative to contacting parties to obtain easements that are necessary for the project.
Mr. Matt Carter, Director of Public Works, stated he has met with the Design Engineer for the project. He is expecting the final wetland permits from the State.
Mr. Brian Frymiare expressed concern about the tolls on I-95 and Route 40 bridges being increased 100%. He feels this is adversely affecting the County.
President Bolender told Mr. Frymiare that this was done by the State Highway Administration.
Commissioner Kilby advised that she did send them a letter stating it would be more sensible to increase across the board at all toll facilities and not just target Cecil County.
Mr. Joe Carabetta advised of some properties that were listed in the wrong order on some letters that were sent to people relative to the Carpenter’s Point sewerage project.
Mr. Carabetta inquired about a disagreement with MDE concerning the stormwater management regulations. President Bolender stated the County has included a grandfather clause in the Stormwater Management Plan, and MDE has advised they will not honor the grandfather clause for people who have already had plans approved.
Mr. Carabetta requested that the Board ask the Public Service Commission to review water rates.
Mr. Carl Walbeck stated he was present to comment on the proposed increase in fees at the landfill with the concern that the back roads will be covered with trash. He advised of an article in today’s News Journal about trash on the back roads in Sussex County.
- APPOINTMENTS – CECIL MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons as members of the Cecil Mental Health Partnerships:
Jane Kahn, 150 E. Main St., Apt. 306, Elkton, MD 21921 – To fill the unexpired term of Martin Gibbs, said term expiring July 1, 2003.
Dr. Richard Bayer, Upper Shore Counseling & Support Services, 200 Booth Street, Elkton, MD 21921 – Reappointed for a three-year term to expire June 30, 2004.
Renna Van Oot, Family Services of Cecil Co., 718 North Bridge St., Elkton, MD 21921 – Reappointed for a three-year term to expire June 30, 2004.
David Mahaney, Housing & Community Development, 105 Brown’s Court, Elkton, MD 21921 – Reappointed for a three-year term to expire June 30, 2004.
- RULES & REGULATIONS – SOLID WASTE –
Mr. Matt Carter, Director of Public Works, presented revisions to the proposed Rules and Regulations for the Solid Waste Division subsequent to the public hearing of November 6.
Relative to tires greater than 22˝ inches, they will be accepted at the landfill if they are quartered. Also, vehicles that contain targeted recyclables only (no solid waste) will be permitted to off load at no charge. To qualify, refuse must be free of all recyclable materials and enclosed in clear trash bags. Containers of recycled materials must be easily inspected.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the revised Rules and Regulations. A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 66-68 –
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 66-68. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adjourn.