The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the County Administrative Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, June 7, 2005.  The following members of the Board were present:

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

Constituting a full Board.

The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 2:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes from the May 3, 2005 Board of Health meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.

The minutes from the May 17, 2005 Board of County Commissioners meeting were unanimously approved.

The minutes from the May 31, 2005 Budget Approval were unanimously approved.

- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –

President Bolender – commented relative to the recent BRAC Meeting that he attended. The subject was Aberdeen Proving Ground and the proposed expansion of approximately 3000 new technical jobs. He further commented about the importance of public utilities along the Route 40 corridor and the potential business opportunities the County may have as a result of this expansion.  Mr. Bolender congratulated Eagle Scout Brady and the graduates of the Cecil Leadership.

Commissioner Kilby – congratulated Eagle Scout Brady on his accomplishments.  She also commended the seniors of Perryville High School, especially the 27 seniors who were interviewed for scholarships.  Commissioner Kilby also commented about the Environmental Trust Award Ceremony she attended and congratulated Bill Kilby for his achievement.

Vice President Hepbron – congratulated and commented relative to Eagle Scout Brady.  He applauded the Cecil Leadership Program, the graduates and the volunteers for their efforts.

Commissioner Guns – commented about a meeting that he recently attended, held at the Wapiti Retreat Center focusing on promoting tourism in Cecil County.  He thanked all the business leaders and volunteers for their efforts.  Mr. Guns also commented on the meeting the Board had with the Department of Natural Resources relative to the Elk Landing.

Commissioner Manlove – commented relative to a meeting that he attended regarding a proposed rubble landfill at a super-fund site in Elkton.

-  PUBLIC HEARING -  PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ANNUAL PROGRAMS FOR 2006 –

Upon the recommendation of Ed Slicer, Manager of Parks & Recreation and the Board of Parks & Recreation, motion was made by was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the FY 2006 Program Open Space as presented by Mr. Slicer.

- PUBLIC HEARING – FARE INCREASE & UPDATED SCHEDULE FOR THE CECIL COUNTY TRANSIT SERVICE –

Susan Twigg, Director of Aging and Leslie Gorak, Transportation Supervisor presented the Board with an increase in the Bus Fare for Cecil County Service from 50 cents to 75 cents for seniors and disabled passengers and from $1.00 to $1.50 for other passengers.  This increase reflects the first increase since the beginning of service.  Ms. Gorak also presented the Board with the proposed schedule for the Perryville Route that will in July. 

A proposal was made by Director Twigg and Ms. Gorak for the inclusion of Saturday service for the Glasgow Route.  They suggested a trial period (of undetermined length) and advised the Board of an estimated cost of approximately $150.00 per day for this service.

DISCUSSION:  Commissioner Manlove commented relative to budgetary costs of this proposal.

SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:

Glaydis Wesley, spoke in favor of Saturday Bus Service.

Lilly Gerolly, spoke in favor of Saturday Bus Service.

Cynthia Wood, spoke in favor of Saturday Bus Service.

 Patricia Garnett, spoke in favor of Saturday Bus Service.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to approve the trial period for Saturday Bus Service.

- PUBLIC HEARING –  AMENDMENT TO THE MASTER WATER & SEWER PLAN FOR CECIL COUNTY FOR A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION – “ESTATES AT BARKSDALE” –

Ramesh C. Batesh and William Harris appeared before the Board and presented a request for consideration for inclusion to the Master Water & Sewer Plan for a proposed subdivision to be known as “Estates at Barksdale”, located at Tax Map 14, Grid 24, Parcels 45 and 288 on the North side of Barksdale Road between Valley Road and Cat Swamp Road.

The site is zoned SR and consists of 29.6 Acres and is bordered by a branch of the Christina Creek at the westernmost boundary.  All buffer zones and open space requirements will be met.  The proposed subdivision will consist of 39 lots along the eastern side of the property with future access to the adjoiners on the east as well as access to the north which is owned by the Commissioners of Cecil County.

COMMENT SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:

Ed Cairns, spoke in opposition to this request summarizing the domino effect that Aston Pointe will create if approved.  Mr. Cairns commented relative to density issues, traffic hazards and the economic impact of building within Suburban Residential Zones.

A letter from Sue Fuhrman was read into the record and reflected her opposition to the requested Amendment to the Master Water & Sewer Plan for the “Estates of Barksdale”.

John Williams, commented in opposition to the request for inclusion to the Master Water & Sewer Plan by the “Estates at Barksdale”.  Mr. Williams spoke of reliability of water from out of state sources in certain drought or other water shortage. 

Owen Thorne, commented in opposition to the request for inclusion to the Master Water & Sewer Plan by the “Estates at Barksdale”.  He spoke of inadequate water supplies, lack of open space; water capacity; school overcrowding and negative revenue.

Alice Arbuckle, commented in opposition to the request for inclusion to the Master Water & Sewer Plan by the “Estates at Barksdale”.  She further spoke of the importance of enticing entry-level employment to the area.

Anne Lane, commented in opposition to the request for inclusion to the Master Water & Sewer Plan by the “Estates at Barksdale”. 

Lindsie Carter, commented in opposition to the request for inclusion to the Master Water & Sewer Plan by the “Estates at Barksdale”.

Eric Sennstrom, Director of Planning, Zoning, Parks & Recreation advised the Board that the Planning Staff as well as the Planning Commission recommended disapproval of the request.

Motion to disapprove was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried.

-PUBLIC HEARING – MASTER WATER & SEWER PLAN UPDATE – DONNA’S VILLAGE –

Christopher Diebold appeared before the Board and requested that the Donna’s Village property be upgraded from W3 to W2 in the Cecil County Water & Sewer Master Plan.  The project consists of 33 single family lots which will be served by Cecil County sewer system and the Town of North East. 

COMMENTS SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  None.

Director Senstrom advised the Board that the Planning Staff as well as the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request.

Motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve.

-  PUBLIC COMMENT –

Tom McWilliams, 245 Plum Point Road, Elkton – commented about the GM Share Holders Meeting; Route 40 economic growth and the APG Restoration Advisory Board meeting and findings.

Owen Thorne, 20 Hillwood Drive, Elkton – commented on behalf of “Friends of Rising Sun”, relating to a project on Red Pump Road.

- APPOINTMENTS –

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to reappoint the following members of the Cecil County Commission on Aging for a three-year term to expire on June 30, 2008:

Jackie Pugh, DSS, 170 East Main Street, Elkton, MD

Ken Robinson, One Sea Hawk Drive, North East, MD

Lois Sutherland, 104 Courtney Drive, Elkton, MD

Charity Bryant, 2276 Theodore Road, North East, MD

-RESOLUTION – TAX REFUND FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS & SPOUSES OF CERTAIN DECEASED VETERANS –

Dwight Thomey, County Attorney presented a Resolution for adoption, as introduced previously, at the May 17, 2005 Board of County Commissioners Meeting.  This Resolution will provide for a tax refund for certain disabled veterans and spouses who meet the criteria set forth in Section 7-208 of the Tax Property Article of the Maryland Code.

Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President

Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the Resolution as presented by Mr. Thomey.

-CONSULTATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND VERNON J. THOMPSON –

Mr. Thomey presented the Board with a Consultation Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Vernon J. Thompson to act in the capacity of Consultant to the Department of Economic Development pursuant to the terms set forth in the Agreement.

Motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the Consultation Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Vernon J. Thompson for the period of July 1, 2005 continuing through June 30, 2006.

-APPROVAL OF INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGE PERMIT FOR BLUE SQUARE ENERGY –

Matt Carter, Director of Public Works, presented the Request for Discharge Permit for Blue Square Energy for the receiving and procession of off-spec silicone wafers to the Northeast River Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant,  as previously submitted at the Board’s May 17, 2005 meeting.  Mr. Carter indicated there have been no additions or deletions to the request as previously submitted.

DISCUSSION:

Commissioner Kilby expressed concern relating to the compliance and monitoring process of the plant.

Mr. Carter advised the Board that Blue Square will be required to submit quarterly reports regarding the discharge.

Upon the recommendation of Matt Carter, Director, Public Works, motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve the Industrial Discharge Permit for Blue Square Energy.  This permit will expire on June 30, 2010.

- DEEDS BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CECIL COUNTY AND LAMBDIN DEVELOPMENT, LLC FOR THE SUBDIVISON KNOWN AS WHITAKER WOODS, PHASES I-IV –

Director Carter presented the Board with the Deeds for adoption of the roads in the subdivision known as Whitaker Woods, Phases I-IV. 

DISCUSSION:

Commissioners Kilby and Guns expressed concerns over complaints received relative to the road conditions of Whitaker Woods.

Director Carter explained that this development was constructed under the counties previous road code policy.

Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve to table the acceptance of the Deeds and contact the developer with regard to repair of the roads prior to acceptance.

-  BIDS & AWARDS –

Upon the recommendation of the purchasing agent, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to award Bid No. 06-04, Roadway Signs to Garden State Highway Products, Inc., in the amount of $83,065.75.

Upon the recommendation of the purchasing agent, motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to cancel Bid No. 06-03, Cecil County Corrections Facility Restoration and Upgrade of Detention Center Cell Doors due to lack of responsive bidders.

Upon the recommendation of the purchasing agent, motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to award Bid No. 06-04, Utility Body to Lancaster Truck Bodies in the amount of $13,086.00.

Upon the recommendation of the purchasing agent, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to award Bid No. 06-05, Chemicals W&WWTP to the following vendors:  Carmeuse Lime, Inc., $19,612.50; U.S. Filter, $8,850.00; Coyne Chemical, $36,013.33; Univar USA, Inc., $127,872.50.

-BUDGET AMENDMENTS – Nos. 161-170 –

Motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 161-170.

The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at the County Administrative Building.

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

Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator

Approved:
Nelson K. Bolender, President