The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at the Perryville Town Hall, Perryville, MD.  The following members of the Board were present:

Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis Kilby, Vice President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
William C. Manlove, Commissioner
Mark H. Guns, 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.

The minutes from the December 2, 2003 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.

The minutes from the December 2, 2003 Board of Health of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.

-  COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS –

President Bolender – commented about the MACO Winter Conference that he and his fellow Commissioner’s recently attended.  He also spoke of the property the County recently donated to Habitat for Humanity.  The organization will be constructing a house that will be donated to an eligible Cecil County family.

Vice President Kilby – encouraged anyone with knowledge of a family who may qualify for the Habitat for Humanity Project to please contact that agency.  She also spoke of the 4-H Dinner and Auction she attended; and congratulated the group of Maryland 4-H participants that recently competed in a national competition and placed second.  In addition, she encouraged anyone interested to enroll in the Cecil Leadership Institute beginning in February.

Commissioner Kilby congratulated the Town of Perryville for receiving two grants recently.  They received a Legacy Grant from the State of Maryland for the continuing renovations to Rodger’s Tavern and a grant from the Lower Susquehanna Greenway.  Commissioner Kilby introduced Barbara Brown, Commissioner for the Town of Perryville to explain the project further.  Commissioner Brown explained that the grant will be to construct a pier and landing site for the water taxi service at Rodger’s Tavern. 

Commissioner Hepbron – commented about the North East Parade that he and the other Commissioners were invited to judge.  He also congratulated the Town of Chesapeake City on the opening of their Town Hall.  Commissioner Hebpron spoke of the reception the Commissioners were invited at the Elk Forge Inn.  He also spoke of the Winter Maco Conference they attended.  Commissioner Hepbron described several of the seminars that he attended and shared some concepts that are being explored in several other counties throughout the state.

Commissioner Guns – spoke of the Riverside project currently under construction in Perryville and commented favorably on this project.  He also advised of the Capital Improvement Funding the Board voted for at the December 2^nd Commissioner’s Meeting.  Funding has been allocated for the Perryville Middle School addition/renovation and for the Town of Perryville Public Library.

Commissioner Manlove – commented about the MACO Conference he attended and congratulated President Bolender who was appointed President of MACO at the conference.  In addition, he commented favorable regarding the 4-H Dinner and Auction he recently attended.

- TREASURER’S REPORT –

Pamela Howard, Treasurer for Cecil County presented the monthly Treasurer’s Report for the period ending November 30, 2003.  A copy of which is incorporated into these minutes.

-  PRESENTATION TO RISING SUN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY TEAM –

President Bolender on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners presented a Certificate of Recognition to Kristen Miller, Captain of the 2003 Rising Sun High School Girl’s Field Hockey Team for winning the State Championship.

-  PUBLIC COMMENT –

Ronald Rae, 4 St. Pat’s Circle, Elkton – made comment relating to the annexation of Bainbridge by the Town of Port Deposit, and the legality of the annexation.

-  LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CECIL COUNTY AND DIEBOLD ELECTION SYSTEMS, INC. –

Mr. Wein, County Administrator presented the Board with a License Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Diebold Election Systems, Inc., for the secure storage; transportation; maintenance and general liability insurance and assistance of all voting system equipment and components, voting booths and supplies.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the License Agreement between Cecil County and Diebold Election Systems, Inc.

- RESOLUTION ENDORSEMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RELATIONAL FUNDING CORPORATION FOR ATK ELKTON, LLC –

Mr. Paul Gilbert, Director, Economic Development & Tourism presented the Board with a Resolution endorsing the loan from the Department of Business and Economic Development under the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund to Relational Funding Corporation for ATK Elkton LLC.  This loan will be in the amount of $3,547,000 and is to finance the costs to construct and equip an Altitude Test Chamber, a Laser Welder, Missile Defense Casting Station, computer equipment and Mixer Facility at the Elkton Facility.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the Resolution between DBED and Relational Funding Corporation for ATK Elkton, LLC.

-  RESOLUTION GRANTING TRANSFER OF CABLE FRANCHISE CHARTER TO ATLANTIC BROADBAND –

Mr. Wein presented the Board with a Resolution for the transfer of a cable television franchise pursuant to a Cable Television Franchise Agreement between Charter Communication VI, LLC and Atlantic Broadband (Delmar) LLC.

Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to grant the Resolution for the transfer of cable television franchise from Charter Communication VI, LLC to Atlantic Broadband (Delmar) LLC.

- INTRODUCTION - CROSS EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR WATER & SEWER LINES BETWEEN THE TOWN OF NORTH EAST AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS –

Mr. Matt Carter, Director, Department of Public Works introduced a cross easement agreement between the Town of North East and the Board of County Commissioners formalizing the Town of North East’s access to any of their water mains and to maintain them within their service district.  It will also allow the County similar access to those streets.  In addition, the agreement will include certain minimum width standards and restoration standards.

The Department of Public Works will present this cross easement at the next regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting upon the finalization of this agreement between the Public Works, the County Attorney and the Town of North East.

-   BUDGET AMENDMENTS –

Motion was made by Vice President Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 73 – 83.

The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioner’s is scheduled for January 6, 2004 at County Administrative Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, MD.

There being no further business, the Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting was adjourned.