The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administrative Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, May 4, 2004.  The following members of the Board were present:

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

Constituting a majority 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 April 16, 2004 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.

- PUBLIC HEARING –   PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ANNUAL PROGRAM, FISCAL YEAR 2005 –

Ed Slicer, Manager, Parks & Recreation presented for approval the FY 05    Program Open Space Annual Program Park Acquisition and Development Plan for Cecil County. 

COMMENTS IN SUPPORT: 

Mr. Ronald Rae commented in support of Open Space Funding.

COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION:

None.

Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to adopt the FY 05 Program Open Space Annual Program Park Acquisition and Development Plan for Cecil County.

-    PUBLIC HEARING – CONOWINGO PARK DEVELOPMENT,

-  PHASE II

Manager Slicer presented for approval the Conowingo Park Development – Phase II Development Plan. Funding for this project has already been approved by the State of Maryland.  He updated the Board as to the progress of the planning stage of the project by Northern Bay Engineering and indicated the plan has been presented to the Lion’s Club.  Mr. Slicer further advised the Board there were several minor set-backs in the project, but to date, there is currently $124,290 remaining in Phase I and the Lion’s Club is diligently working to raise funds for the local match.    The total cost for Phase II is $51,120.67 with the State funding 75% and 25% funded locally. Mr. Slicer indicated that this Park would be a stopping point for the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway and should fill the requirements of the current Land Preservation Parks & Recreation Plan.

COMMENTS IN SUPPORT:

None.

COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION:

None.

Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve Phase II of the Conowingo Park Development.

-   COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS –

Commissioner Manlove – declined.

Commissioner Hepbron – declined.

President Bolender – congratulated Vice President Kilby on her nomination as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.  He explained her absence at the Board Meeting was as a result of this award and that she was being honored at a ceremony in Baltimore.  President Bolender further commented about a Breakfast he recently attended honoring the Student Teachers in Cecil County.  He was very impressed with the caliber and enthusiasm of the Student Teachers. 

Commissioner Guns – commented relative to the Economic Development Summit held at the Cecil Community College and congratulated Tom McWilliams and Robert Hodge for their effort at this event. 

-   ANNUAL COURT WATCH PROGRAM REPORT –

Stephen Davis, Director of the Court Watch Program for Cecil County presented the Board with the annual report for this program. Mr. Davis highlighted several of the accomplishments of the Court Watch Program.  The most significant accomplishment is the relationship between the volunteers and the local judges.  The judges have an open door policy with the volunteers and frequently invite them into chambers.  The Court Watch Program has received statewide acknowledgement and Mr. Davis will be introducing the program to several other counties.

The Court Watch Programs volunteers observed approximately 600 cases in the Circuit and District Courts, these cases include domestic violence, criminal and civil Exparte Hearings.  The program has been instrumental in the initiation of abuser intervention programs being offered to violators to meet their specific needs.

The volunteers of the Court Watch program were recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Board of County Commissioners.

-   PUBLIC  COMMENT –

Ronald Rae, St. Pat’s Circle, Elkton, MD – commented relative to the Comprehensive Plan and the segregation of the NAR and SAR Districts. 

Blaine Tilghman, 134 Kirkcaldy Drive, Elkton, MD – commented in reference to proposed Aston Pointe Development and the impact it will have on the development of the Highlands.  He is concerned with the underground water connections and the roads. Additionally, he advised that a petition is currently being circulated and will be presented to the Board.

Tom McWilliams, 245 Plum Point Road, Elkton – commented as Vice Chair of the Special Projects Committee of the Board of Economic Development and thanked the Commissioners for attending the Economic Development Summit.

-   PERSONNEL –

Ms. Donna Nichols, Director, Human Resources presented the following Personnel matters for consideration: 

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commission Guns and unanimously carried to accept the following appointments:

Samuel N. Terry, DOH: 02/19/00, Dispatcher II, Emergency Services, $14.12/hour (grade 5P), resignation effective 04/16/04

Kelly A. Harlinski, DOH: 02/12/03, part-time House Manager, Domestic Violence Shelter – Social Services, $10.46/hour (grade 4) resigned 04/22/04

Larry J. Austin, DOH: 10/15/02, Equipment Operator II, Roads Bridge Crew, $11.71/hour (grade 5) quit 04/08/04

Gina L. Dluhos, DOH: 01/04/99, Code Compliance Inspector, Planning & Zoning, $13.92/hour (grade 7), resignation effective 05/07/04

Jocelyn E. Beland, DOH: 02/10/03, Planning Aide, Planning & Zoning, $10.46/hour (grade 4) resignation effective 05/07/04

Patricia K. Ward, DOH: 11/17/03, Contractual Office Services Assistant, Department of Social Services, $9.50/hour (grade 3), contract ended 04/02/04.

Jules A. Boulais, DOH: 12/23/02, Dispatcher I, Emergency Services, $10.46/hour (grade 4P), quit 04/20/04

Helga I. Davis, DOH: 03/01/04, Temporary Code Compliance Inspector, $18.68/hour (grade 7), appointment ends 05/07/04

Steven T. Ham, DOH:  06/16/03, Equipment Operator I, Roads – Central Area, $10.46/hour (grade 4), resigned 04/30/04

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the following appointments:

Curtis Wilson, HVAC Inspector, Permits & Inspections, $15.32/hour (grade 8)

Karen D. Deaver, Office Services Assistant, Parks & Recreation, $9.21/hour (grade 3)

Benjamin Paulhamus, Laborer, Roads – Bridge Crew, $9.21/hour (grade 3), will be required to obtain CDL within 6 months of hire date.

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner  Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to approve the following promotion, transfers and reclassifications:

RECLASSIFY Bryan L. Shiel from Equipment Operator Trainee at $9.49/hour (grade 3) to Equipment Operator I at $10.46/hour (grade 4) in Roads-Bridge Crew effective 04/03/04

RECLASSIFY Koty R. Wright from Equipment Operator I at $10.83/hour (grade 4) to Equipment Operator II at $11.71/hour (grade 5) in Roads – Bridge Crew effective 04/17/04

RECLASSIFY George A. Mitchell from Equipment Operator Trainee at $9.49/hour (grade 3) to Equipment Operator I at $10.46/hour (grade 4) in Roads – Northern District effective 04/17/04

-  MISCELLANEOUS – HUMAN RESOURCES –

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to approve the Salary Matrix effective July 1, 2004.

Upon the recommendation of Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to adopt a 10% increase to the health/prescription plans effective 7/1/04 for all participants in the health plans.

Upon the recommendation of the Health Advisory Board, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve a resolution, to make an amendment to the Summary Plan Document and Retiree Plan Document relating to preventative care benefits for dependent children from age 13 up to age 19 allowing for one routine physical per calendar year and one routine GYN appointment per calendar year for female dependent children.

- ACQUISITION/DEMOLITION OF 56 COX LANE PARCEL 227 & 398,  MAP 2 7 -  DEPT. OF EMERGENCY SERVICES –

Administrator Wein presented the Board with a request by Director Frank Muller, Emergency Management for the acquisition of 56 Cox Lane, Parcel 227 & 398, Map 27 as part of the Flood Mitigation Program. FEMA has granted Cecil County $83,487 for the acquisition and demolition of the property owned by John R. Rucker, Jr.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to approve the acquisition of 56 Cox Lane as part of the Flood Mitigation Program.

-DEED BETWEEN RAYMOND WEED, JR. AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CECIL COUNTY – DUCK HARBOUR -

Matt Carter, Director, Public Works Department presented the Board with a Deed conveying approximately a thirty foot wide strip of roadway, the entrance off of Irishtown Road in the subdivision of Duck Harbour, Town of North East,  in fee simple, to the Board of Cecil County Commissioners.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the Deed relating to Duck Harbour.

-  BUDGET AMENDMENTS –

Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner

Guns and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments No. 163 – 182.  

The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at Charlestown Elementary School, in Charlestown, MD.

There being no further business of the County Commissioners, meeting adjourned.