Cecil County
Home MenuJanuary 19, 2000
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 - January 4, 2000 -
The minutes of January 4, 2000 were approved as written.
- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS -
Commissioner Harry Hepbron had no comment.
Commissioner Phyllis Kilby commended the Third (3rd) District road crew for their hard work and dedication as recently acknowledged by a constituent in a letter to the Commissioners.
President Bolender reported the Commissioners attended the Martin Luther King celebration at the Wrights AME church. The event was successful and the Commissioners truly appreciated the invitation and the opportunity to participate.
- TREASURER'S REPORT -
Ms. Pamela Howard, Treasurer, appeared and presented the Treasurer's report dated December 31, 1999. A copy of the report is incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- PRESENTATION - CECIL'S PROMISE
Ms. Amy Chaplin provided a briefing the Board of County Commissioners on the new program, Cecil's Promise. The local program is primarily funded through AmeriCorp, which is part of the national Promise Fellow program spearheaded by General Colin Powell. Locally, Ms. Chaplin is provided in-kind office space by the Cecil's Partnership for Children, Youth and Families. The goals of the program are to identify all youth-serving programs, develop and implement volunteer recruitment strategies to increase volunteerism in youth serving programs, and to link children with age appropriate services, particularly those focusing on after-school hours. An anticipated year-end project is to promote a countywide service project for Make-A-Difference Day in October.
- ADMINISTRATOR'S ITEMS -
Mr. Alfred Wein, County Administrator, reported that the next Board of County Commissioners' meeting will be held February 1, 2000, 7:00 p.m., Courtroom 1 of the County Office Building in Elkton. At that meeting, the Commissioners will also be acting as the Board of Health.
- PUBLIC COMMENT -
Mr. Ken Alexander commented on behalf of Old Dominion and Reliant Energy. Old Dominion filed on December 20th with the Maryland Public Service Commission for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct a generating facility in Cecil County. Old Dominion issued a request for proposals in September in an effort to identify cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives for power. After extensive evaluation, no other viable alternatives to the power plant were identified and the Old Dominion Board voted to move forward with the Cecil County presentation. A prehearing conference is set for Monday, January 24, 2000, 1:00 p.m. in Baltimore. There will be additional hearings for public comments which will be posted in the local newspapers.
Mr. Bill Crouch, a representative of Old Dominion, reported on the service water to be used at the proposed power plant. Previous discussions have focused on using the affluent discharge from the Rising Sun waste water treatment plant. A second option for a primary source of water is the ground run-off from the 90 acres of property currently under option for purchase by Old Dominion. The run-off could be captured, directed to a holding pond for the sediment to solidify, and then stored in an eight (8) million gallon tank for storage. Other potential sources of water are from a Pennsylvania quarry and test wells. Mr. Crouch reiterated copies of the application and supplements are located in all county libraries.
Mr. Gene Fisseler presented information on Reliant Energy. Reliant is an international company that is partnering with Old Dominion to construct the proposed power plant. He believes the county will receive many tax benefits as a result of this construction with little strain on existing county services and infrastructure.
Mr. Ed Ellison expressed his concern for the plight of the dairy farmers. Referencing an article in the local newspaper, Mr. Ellison described the low price of dairy milk and the lack of federal assistance since Maryland has not been able to become a member of the North East Compact. Mr. Ellison also wanted to heighten the community's awareness of the decline of dairy farmers who are now selling their agricultural land to developers and challenged the Commissioners to develop ideas that might be of assistance to the local diary farmers.
Mr. John Frost expressed his opposition to the construction of a power plant within the community. His concern focused on the decline of the American farmer and the inability of farms to sustain themselves for future generations. Mr. Frost encouraged constituents to write letters to the political officials to stop the power plant construction.
Mr. Joe Carabetta addressed the Board of Commissioners. He began by asking for an update on the dirt pile in Rising Sun. Mr. Fred Orr, Acting Director of the Department of Public Works responded that the developer has not agreed to doing the borings for a soil study.
Mr. Carabetta stated he appreciated the Cecil County Sheriff's Office's efforts for trash clean up throughout the county, particularly in the Carpenter's Point area. Mr. Carabetta challenged the county to implement a county-wide clean up campaign.
Mr. Carabetta expressed his concerns about the proposed power plant operating during peak times, especially in extreme weather conditions in which ozone actions days occur.
Mr. Douglas R. Johnson provided a statement in support of the proposed county excise tax with certain limitations. Mr. Johnson stated that the excise tax should be charged upon the recording of all new lots of record; eliminate some regulations for new developments/housing that may be regarded as additional costs; and, reinforce agriculture education.
Ms. Maria Mastrippolito spoke, as the secretary of the Rock Spring Community Alliance regarding the proposed power plant. RSCA has submitted a motion to intervene as an interested party. She asked Old Dominion to address a secondary water source plan, particularly in the event of a drought. She encouraged the group to consider a location that is in a brown field that is not near trails, historical sites, and that will not change the rural integrity of the area.
Mr. Jack Peterson commented on the need to review and modify the current property tax assessment process for the elderly. Specifically, he is asking for consideration of an assessment freeze at the age of 65 to eliminate an increase in taxes in the senior years. Mr. Dwight Thomey, the county attorney, responded to Mr. Peterson that there are tax credits available for senior citizens who meet income guidelines.
Mr. Bob Hamilton expressed his opposition to the proposed power plant. He believes that the creation of the power plant creates a precedence for future industry development, destroying the rural landscape and integrity of the community. He encouraged the Commissioners to vote to intervene in the power plant proposal.
Mrs. Versie Hamilton shared her opposition to the proposed power plant based upon her medical condition as an asthmatic. She stated that it was her information that the power plant would need to buy "credits" from the state's regulatory agency on air pollution. In her opinion, if the plant is buying credits, then there will obviously be an increase in air pollution which could possibly have a detrimental effect on asthmatics and individuals with allergies.
- 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 accept the resignations of Robert L. Pruitt, date of hire, August 25, 1998 as Senior Accountant in the Finance Office at a salary of $36,341.76 (grade 10), and, Mr. Rodney Hamm, date of hire, June 10, 1998 as a temporary seasonal worker at $7.50 per hour (grade 2). Mr. Hamm's last day of work is January 10, 2000.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Phyllis Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously passed to approve the promotion of Paul R. King. Mr. King was hired January 13, 1995 as a van driver for the Department of Aging at an annual salary of $18,062.72 (grade 3) and will be promoted to a Maintenance Worker at an annual salary of $20,717.00 (grade 4).
Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to process a $1,500 salary increase for Lisa Iman, Senior Accountant, Finance Office. The salary increase is to compensate for assuming supervisory responsibilities.
- BOARD APPOINTMENTS - CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL
President Bolender provided an overview of the Citizen's Review Panel. Through the enactment of Chapters 355 and 356 of the Acts of 1999, Family Law, the local Board of County Commissioners is authorized to create a citizen review panel to provide oversight of state and local agencies that protect children from abuse and neglect. The Board of Commissioners made the following appointments to the Cecil County Citizen Review Panel:
Phillip Bathon, 75 Riverside Drive, Elkton, MD 21921
Dr. Wayne Carmean, 24 School House Lane, North East, MD 21901
Diana Detwiler, 205 Atlanta Court, Elkton, MD 21921
Jerry Kunkle, 331 Lums Road, North East, MD 21901
Charles Martucci, 539 Biddle Street, Chesapeake City, MD 21915
Doris Murray, 3 Chestnut Drive, Elkton, MD 21921
Rev. John S. Scott, Jr., 611 Louisa Lane, Charlestown, MD 21914
Honorable Kenneth Wilcox, 269 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921
As the state has yet to define the protocols for the Citizen Review Panel, no term limits are yet established. Membership will be evaluated in two years or until state protocols are established. President Bolender thanked all members for volunteering to serve on this committee.
- AGREEMENT - ASSIGNING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FOREST CONSERVATION ACT
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, presented the Agreement between the Town of North East, The Board of County Commissioners and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of assigning the Town's obligation's under the Forest Conservation Act to Cecil. The Agreement provides the stipulations and mutual promises between all parties to ensure compliance with the local forest conservation program.
Motion was made by Commissioner Harry Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Phyllis Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the Agreement.
- ROAD NAMING – WALKER DRIVE
Mr. Bard Shockley of the Office of Planning and Zoning, presented a request from Mr. Scott Walker to name a private road. The proposed road name is Walker Drive and is located off of Goosemar Road Extension in the Fifth Election District. Upon review of road names through the Office of Planning and Zoning and Emergency Services, no other name was found in the county the same as or similar to the requested road name and the Office of Planning and Zoning supports the request. Commissioner Phyllis Kilby inquired as to whether there were any other lot owners on this road who may have a concern. Mr. Shockley responded that there are two additional lots on this road and Mr. Walker currently owns both lots.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the naming of a private road, Walker Drive.
- POLICE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT - CECIL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE TOWN OF ELKTON
Mr. Al Wein presented an agreement between the Cecil County Sheriff's Office and the Town of Elkton. The purpose of the agreement is to establish policies that allow officers of each agency to serve as law enforcement officials within each other's jurisdiction for emergency law enforcement procedures and under certain and limited circumstances. Mr. Wein reported that the agreement had been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney, Mr. Dwight Thomey.
Commissioner Kilby inquired as to whether this type of agreement was done with other jurisdictions, and she was informed that other towns, such as Rising Sun did have such agreements.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the Police Mutual Aid Agreement.
- PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT – THOMASVILLE
President Bolender asked the Commissioners to defer review of this agreement until the February 1, 2000 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Commissioner Kilby made a motion, Commissioner Hepbron seconded the motion, and it was unanimously passed to defer any action on this item until the next meeting.
- BRIEFING ON LANDFILL GAS ODORS -
Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works appeared before the Board and provided the following update on the landfill gas odors. In order to monitor the degree of hydrogen sulfide emissions, the Department of Public Works has purchased two remote battery operated monitors. The monitors provide hourly readings over several days and will be placed in two locations off the landfill site.
A decision has been made to place five flares in the vents in Cell 4. Residents are using the evening phone service when odors are detected in homes and DPW volunteers are going out in the evening and taking indoor readings. The highest reading outside the home taken at one of these evening calls was 41 parts per billion. The Department would like to acknowledge the extra efforts of the employee volunteers who are answering the evening service calls.
- RESOLUTION – STOP SIGN – HANCE POINT ROAD
Mr. Fred Orr presented a resolution to the Commissioners to place a stop sign entering Hance Point Road behind Weaver's Plum Creek Market. Upon recommendation from the Roads Superintendent, the sign has already been installed.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve the resolution.
- PERPETUAL ROAD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT - TELEGRAPH ROAD -
Mr. Fred Orr presented two Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreements between this Board, John D. Green, the owner of 5671 Telegraph Road, Elkton, Maryland, and David Eric Green and Steven Michael Green, the grantees.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously passed to accept the two Perpetual Road Maintenance Agreements.
- PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT - WHITAKER WOODS PHASE II -
Mr. Fred Orr presented a Public Works Agreement between this Board and Lambdin Development L.L.C. for Sanitary Sewer for a County System for Whitaker Woods; Phase II located on the southwest side of Red Toad Road, North of Route 40, in the Fifth Election District.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously passed to accept the Public Works Agreement.
- RESOLUTION – POSTED SPEED LIMIT SIGN – OLDFIELD POINT ROAD
Mr. Fred Orr presented a Resolution to reduce the posted speed limit to 30 miles per hour on Oldfield Point Road from Racine School Road to Breon Lane.
Motion was made b Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve the resolution.
- RESOLUTION - MARYLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Mr. Orr presented a Resolution for the Board's consideration to authorize the submittal of an application for Community Development Block Grant funds in an amount not to exceed $696,000. The funds would be used to the proposed Carpenters Point sewer project.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the resolution. All three Commissioners commended the Department of Public Works in their efforts to identify grant resources to provide assistance to the Carpenter's Point project.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. . Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to adjourn.
Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator
APPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President