The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administration Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, MD on Tuesday, September 3, 2002.  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 27, 2002

-  INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Commissioner Kilby reported that the Primary election is September 10, 2002 and she urged everyone to get out and vote in honor of the September 11, 2001 victims.  The Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway reception is scheduled for September 24, 2002 at the Donaldson Brown Center.

Commissioner Hepbron reported that it is very important for everyone to get out and vote because it is your right as an American citizen.

Commissioner Bolender reported that he agrees with the other Commissioner’s comments, and voiced the need to continue conserving water.

-  BOARD OF HEALTH

Doctor Virginia Bailey discussed the Bathing Beach Sampling Program conducted throughout the summer concerning bacteriological standards for public bathing beaches.  She reported that bacteria content in water is a concern for parents with children.  Two birds, one in Elkton and one in Rising Sun, tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

-  DROUGHT UPDATE

Emergency Management Director Frank Muller stated that the county is still under emergency status for water conservation.  The county received over two inches of rain; however, we are still approximately twelve inches below normal water levels.  The state will update ground water levels at a meeting scheduled for September 4, 2002. 

He continued by outlining the three phases for the draft Water Plan for the county.  The department has received reports of spot well failures; however, there is no funding available to assist private property owners with new wells.  The Department of Agriculture has a well assistance program for farm properties.  EMS is developing a plan to meet drinking water needs for families waiting for a new well to be drilled.  A meeting was held with the local municipalities to discuss the concept plan, and the idea is being discussed at several town meetings this evening. 

On recommendation by Director Muller, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously approved to adopt the Cecil County Water Plan concept pending working out the details and specifics of the plan with the towns.

-  HOMLAND EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMITTEE UPDATE

Director Frank Muller reviewed the progress that has been made by the Emergency Response Committee pertaining to resource preparedness to respond to a security issue.  The Committee has discussed a single overall emergency plan for the county, information sharing among agencies, cross training personnel, risk analysis, hazard identification, communication response, development of training standards, equipment resources, etc.  

Sheriff Kennedy stated that the Committee has been in the process of identifying county needs and feels the Commissioners’ will be challenged to set priorities concerning safety and security issues in order to address those needs. 

Director Muller stated that the county has applied for a six million dollar grant through the federal government to address security issues; however, Congress has not approved funding for the program.  If funding is approved, forty-six percent of the money will go directly to local government and not be dispersed through the state.

-  PUBLIC COMMENT

Flo Rittenhouse requested information on the Carpenter’s Point sewer system.

Dwight Thomey, County Counsel, responded that all of the easements have been secured except two; the deeds for the both pumping stations still need some title work; and the bid package is not complete and has not been advertised pending the final two easements.  The Commissioners have tried to keep the acquisition costs down for the easements in order to keep user fees lower; however, this has led to a few tough negotiations for easement rights. 

Commissioner Bolender stated that the Commissioners’ are very anxious to get started as soon as possible, and everyone is doing their best to complete the project.  

Mr. Harry Deaner presented the Commissioners with newspaper articles regarding Slicers Mill Road, and a petition with over one hundred signatures requesting road repairs and maintenance.  He stated that property owners want the trees cut, and the road needs to be widened along the Rudolph property for safety reasons.  He feels David Rudolph (Maryland State Delegate) has used his power and authority to stop the project. 

Discussion ensued regarding utility easements and permission from property owners to cut the trees.

Dwight Thomey stated that on older roads throughout the county, no utility easements exist that permits the county to cut back trees without permission from the owner. 

Mr. Deaner continued stated that due to the trees and high embankment along the Rudolph property no school bus is permitted on the road.  The road is only fourteen feet wide in one area and rocks continually fall across the road from the steep embankment causing accidents.  Cars have hit many of the trees along the road.

Commissioner Bolender stated that the Public Works Department would review the road widening issues and contact property owners regarding cutting the trees.

Gilberta Deaner stated that on the curve area of Slicers Mill Road where there is no centerline, which has caused some problems with passing cars.

Mr. Ed Cairns stated that he feels the recent issue with the decision to postpone board and committee appointments until after the election has created its own controversy.  He stated verbatim a section of the Zoning Ordinance that he feels the decision to postpone appointments to the Planning Commission has violated.

-  PERSONNEL ITEMS

On recommendation by Director Donna Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations:

Hazardous Materials Technicians:  Catherine Farrell, Neil Huss, and Norman Bannon.

On recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the following appointments:

Diane Croom, part-time Long Term Care Specialist, Dept. of Aging;

Anne Bennethum, Case Work Associate, Dept. of Aging;

Lynda Lieske, Office Services Specialist, Soil Conservation District;

Margaret Hoffman, Office Services Assistant, Soil Conservation District;

John A. Yedinak, Resource Inspector I, Dept. of  Public Works;

Aaron Karmes, on-call Paramedic, Emergency Management Services;

Kathryn Parsio, part-time contractual Office Assistant II, Social Services.

On recommendation by Director Nichols, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to accept the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:

William E. McMahon, Jr., transfer from Stormwater Management Inspector to Roads & Utility Inspector;

Jeffrey P. Roberts transfer/promote from Equipment Operator II in Roads to Road & Utility Inspector in Public Works;

Tracey Thomas promote from Resource Inspector I to Resource Inspector II in Public Works.

-  AWARD CONTRACT, BID 03-12

On recommendation by County Administrator Al Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to award contract, bid 03-12 for the Pine Hills WTP building.

-  ADOPTION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROCEDURAL MANUAL

On recommendation by County Administrator Al Wein, motion made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to formally adopt the Capital Improvement Program Procedural Manual, which will provide organizational guidelines, a CIP ranking system, proposal deadlines, outline for debt limitations, etc. 

County Administrator Wein stated that the tentative adoption date for the Capital Improvement Program is December 3, 2002.

-  BUDGET AMENDMENTS

Upon recommendation by County Administrator Wein, motion made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 28 through 30.  A copy of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.

-  ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned.