The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session in Courtroom 3 at the County Office Building, Elkton, Maryland, on Tuesday, February 23, 1999. The following members of the Board were present:

Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis E. Kilby, Commissioner
Harry A. Hepbron, 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 – FEB. 16, 1999 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of February 16, 1999, as presented.

- AG. PRES. DIST. – FREEMAN –

A public hearing was held on the application of James and Ann Freeman to establish Agricultural Preservation Districts at 91 Freeman Circle, Port Deposit, Maryland, off of Hopewell Road in the Sixth Election District. The application is for 104.4 acres, 104.09 acres, and 30 acres. The present zoning is Northern Agricultural Residential.

Ms. Sandra Edwards, of the Office of Planning and Zoning, advised that her office received three applications to establish Agricultural Preservation Districts from James and Ann Freeman. They own two separate tax parcels, and they split the two parcels into three Districts. The first is 104.4 acres and represents Tax Parcel 17 in its entirety. The 104.09 acres is part of Parcel 16. The 30 acres is part of Parcel 16. Ms. Edwards explained that the reason they split Parcel 16 into two Districts is that an adjoining property owner is interested in purchasing property.

The current farming operation is corn and alfalfa, and the owners have some horses. Ms. Edwards stated the properties qualify in terms of soil criteria. The 30 acres qualifies in size contingent upon the 104.09 acres being approved. The properties are not located in the ten-year water and sewerage plan.

Ms. Edwards advised that both the Planning Commission and the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board recommend approval of the applications.

Mr. Joe Carabetta spoke in favor of the applications. Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to recommend to the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation that the applications of James and Ann Freeman for Agricultural Preservation Districts be approved.

- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

Commissioner Kilby reported that she attended winter meetings of the farm community at the Fair grounds.

Commissioner Kilby also advised that the Board took a walking tour of Winding Brook to determine what needs to be done to correct their problems.

She stated the Tourism Office had the kick-off for the British Invasions that will be happening on Labor Day.

Commissioner Kilby reported that she went to the Perryville Middle School to participate in the Choices Program.

President Bolender stated he found the visit to Winding Brook to be very interesting, and hopefully the Board will be able to assist in improving the neighborhood.

- REPORT – DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERV. –

Mr. Nicholas Ricciuti, Director of the Department of Social Services, appeared to report on the activities of his office. He advised that the Department of Social Services is both a State and County agency. They identify absent parents and work with the courts and the police to ensure that child support is paid. Mr. Ricciuti stated they are collecting money on almost 5,000 cases. They collect $9 million a year in child support and have an unemployment program to obtain jobs for absent parents.

Mr. Ricciuti advised that they identify people who are eligible for food stamps and help people get jobs. In 1995 they had 2500 cases in the County, and as of January, 1999, they have 459 cases. Welfare has been reduced by 76.7%. Mr. Ricciuti indicated that people can only be on welfare for two years. In this fiscal year, they have helped over 165 people get jobs.

The Department of Social Services also helps with medical assistance and food stamps. Mr. Ricciuti explained that they are also children's protective services. They are investigating 137 child protective and adult protective services this month. They also have foster parents and adoption cases.

Mr. Ricciuti advised that they also have a Help Center and Domestic Violence Center. They can service up to 22 victims at the Domestic Violence Center. At the Help Center, donations are taken to assist people at Christmas. About 2,000 toys were distributed this past year. Approximately $14,000 was received in donations. The Help Center averages 150 requests a month for food assistance.

Mr. Ricciuti advised that their operating budget is about $5.9 million. They were able to obtain $1.2 million in grants from federal and state sources. Last year, the economic impact of the Department was $60 million.

Mr. Ricciuti indicated that they hope to build an advocacy center and a boys and girls club. They are partnering with Cecil Community College and the schools to help people look for jobs. The Department will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Education for better coordination on child abuse.

- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that next week's meeting will be at the Rising Sun Library at 7:00 p.m.

- PUBLIC COMMENT –

Mr. Ron Demmler inquired about a bill in the amount of $387.00 for a magazine subscription.

Mr. Joe Carabetta referred to Aberdeen Proving Ground's prescribed burning plan. There will be an initial study to determine if anything is dangerous, and there will be an environmental impact statement.

Mr. Carabetta suggested that the Board review the proposed Board of Education budget in regard to a 10% increase in County funds.

He also inquired about the amendment to the Agricultural Land Tax Credit Ordinance, and Mr. Wein responded by saying that it merely clarifies that it takes effect in the next tax year.

Ms. Diane Carabetta asked for an update on the work that Angie Barnett is doing in regard to drug awareness. Ms. Barnett responded by saying that she has interviewed all towns except for North East. Cecilton is concerned about the open air drug market. Port Deposit and Rising Sun are concerned about heroin use, and the other areas are concerned with recreational use.

Ms. Carabetta inquired as to the feeling of the Board in regard to a 5% raise for Sheriff's Department employees and about benefits. President Bolender stated the Board has not looked at individual budgets yet. He advised that there is a bill in the legislature which would allow the County's to join an enhanced plan to improve benefits.

Ms. Gail Evans asked if the County and/or Board of Education has a procedure for bomb scares. Mr. Al Wein advised that the County does have a procedure, and President Bolender described the procedure for the Board of Education and told Ms. Evans that she should contact the Superintendent of Schools regarding the matter.

Ms. Evans stated she objects to the five-minute time limit for public comment.

Ms. Evans asked about the cost of moving the Office of Economic Development to Cecil Community College and was advised that there would only be a cost for basic office supplies.

- PERSONNEL ITEMS –

Ms. Linda Anguish, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to appoint Ruth A. Horn as Office Services Assistant in the Department of Aging at an hourly rate of $8.35.

- PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS –

Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, appeared before the Board and presented the following items:

1) Public Works Agreement between this Board and 8-D Land Co., L.L.C. pertaining to 831.30' of Longview Drive in the subdivision known as Sandalwood in the Sixth Election District of Cecil County;

2) Agreement between this Board and Chesapeake Storage, LLC pertaining to installation of a single utility line crossing Maryland 213;

3) Deed with Cecil County Land Corporation to accept Oldfield Acres Drive in Oldfield Acres into the County road system.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the above described items.

- AMENDMENT TO AG. LAND TAX CREDIT ORD. –

Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, presented an Ordinance amending the one that was adopted on September 8, 1998, concerning the Agricultural Land Tax Credit. It corrects an error with the original Ordinance and makes it effective with the tax year commencing July 1, 1999.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Ordinance. A copy is incorporated as a part of these minutes.

- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 102-109 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 102-109. 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.

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator

APPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President