MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session in the County Board Room, 107 North Street, Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland on Tuesday, February 4, 2003. 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 full Board.
The meeting was called to order by President Bolender at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance:
- MINUTES -
The minutes of the Board of County Commissioners January 21, 2003 were unanimously approved.
- INFORMATIONAL ITEMS –
Commissioner Manlove will reserve comment for February 18, due to the anticipated length of the informational items.
Commissioner Hepbron also will reserve comment.
Commissioner Guns – reported on the Drug Court Symposium attended by the Commissioners at the Elkton Town Hall on Thursday, January 23, 2003. Mr. Guns stated that it was a very informative and interesting meeting. He further stated that he is looking forward to working with the agencies involved into the feasibility of a Drug Court in Cecil County.
Commissioner Bolender – reported that the Governor has included Drug Courts in his supplemental budget presented to the Legislature, and Cecil County is high on a waiting list of counties to institute Drug Courts.
- EASTERN SHORE LAND CONSERVANCY –
Rob Etgen and Amy Owsley presented the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s Eastern Shore 2010: A Regional Vision to the Board. The plan consists of a regional land use agreement that sets four (4) goals aiming to protect and enhance the Eastern Shore. It also suggests a process for developing the necessary research, support, and resources to attain the goals. Six Eastern Shore County Board of Commissioners/Council (Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot) have signed on to this agreement to work cooperatively toward the goals.
The Board was presented with a certificate of signature.
- WILMAPCO, PRESENTATION, 2025 REGIONAL TRANSP.PLAN
Ted Matley, Executive Director of WILMAPCO presented the 2025 Regional Transportation Plan to the Board. WILMAPCO is charged with planning and coordinating the many transportation investments proposed for New Castle County, Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland. Every three years a long-range transportation is updated with at least a 20-year planning horizon.
The Plan presented to the Board is entitled “Opening the Door to Change”, this plan hopes to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; preserve the natural, historic, and cultural resources of the region; support existing municipalities and communities and provide transportation opportunity and choice.
Included in the 2025 Regional Plan were several projects in Cecil County. Specifically, mentioned was the resurfacing of Maryland 272 South of I-95 in North East; Maryland 213 – Frenchtown Road to US 40; and the possibility of expanding rail service, filling in the regional transit gap.
- PRESENTATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW -
Mr. Carl Walbeck presented to the Board the Planning Commission’s initial review of the Comprehensive Plan. Included in the review were two public meetings where citizen input was solicited; public input at regular Planning Commission meetings; recommendations of county department heads; review of studies made available to the Planning Commission; and their own in-depth review of the Plan.
As a result of Planning Commission’s review, they recommend that a review of the Comprehensive Plan be undertaken, and that appropriate revisions be made to it. The Planning Commission further recommended that a ten to fifteen-person citizens group, conduct a review with representation from the Planning Commission, to prepare draft revisions for presentation to the Planning Commission.
- PROCLAMATION – PURCHASING MONTH, DAVE PYLE -
President Bolender presented to Mr. Dave Pyle, Purchasing Agent for Cecil County, a Proclamation, proclaiming the month of March “Purchasing Month” and commending Mr. Pyle’s work.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Roland Wills – stated that this would be the last Board Meeting he would attend.
He continued with his conversation relating to the Montgomery Oaks Sub Division, stormwater management, forest retention and the fallacy of Cecil County Officials.
Vaughn Ellerton – commended Mr. Walbeck and the Planning Commission for their initial review of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Ellerton urged the Board to take the Planning Commission’s recommendation for further review and changes to the Comprehensive Plan into consideration.
Tom McWilliams – commented as to his membership in the Aberdeen Proving Ground Restoration Advisory Board. Mr. McWilliams stated as result of a recent public meeting that he attended, in Edgewood. The public was briefed as to the disposal of liquid agent mustard gas and other biological agents stored at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Approximately one thousand 1-ton containers of this material will be neutralized and shipped to DuPont Chamber Works in New Jersey; where it will then be processed in their Bio-Processing Waste Treatment Plant. This process is scheduled to begin in early March and possibly sooner and the entire process should be completed by September.
Paula Gilley – Representing the Cecil County Board of Realtors, commended the members of the Planning Commission for their recent review of the Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Gilley urged the Board to reflect on their choices for review of the plan. She urged that citizens from all walks of life should be considered, as well as the recommendations of the planning office. This plan will have a great impact on all citizens and property owners in the county.
Elaine Ore - Thanked Mr. Walbeck for his recommendation and summary of the intent and concerns of the citizens who came and voiced their concerns. Ms. Ore would like to Board to consider the growth patterns vs. the quality of life, and to consider the impact that land use has on the county budget.
- APPOINTMENTS - PLANNING COMMISSION–
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons as members of the Planning Commission for a three-year term to expire on August 3, 2005:
Caroline Pricket, Great House Farm, P.O. Box 403, Chesapeake City, MD
Ethel Murray, 553 Jackson Hall School Road, Elkton, MD
- APPOINTMENTS – BOARD OF APPEALS –
Motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons as members of the Board of Appeals for a three-year term to expire on August 15, 2005:
Beecher Rasnake, P.O. Box 399, North East, MD - Reappointment
J. Delbert Kline, 172 Spears Hill Road, Elkton, MD
- APPOINTMENT – COMMISSION FOR WOMEN –
Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons as members of the Commission for Women for a three-year term to expire on September 8, 2005:
Karen Emery, 94 Piney Ridge Lane, North East, MD - Reappointment
Dorothy B. Campbell, 137 Riverside Drive, North East, MD – Reappointment
Dr. Cydney Teal, 111 W. High St., Elkton, MD
- APPOINTMENT – MECHANICAL CODE BOARD –
Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to appoint the following person to the Mechanical Code Board for a five-year term to expire September 21, 2007:
David Wherry, 523 Hances Point Road, North East, MD
- APPOINTMENTS – BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES –
Motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons to the Board of Library Trustees for a five-year term to expire January 21, 2008:
Lisa King, P.O. Box 819, North East, MD
Judith H. McKinney, 651 New Cut Road, Earleville, MD
- APPOINTMENTS – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD -
Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to appoint the following persons to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board for a four-year term to expire on January 1, 2007:
Donald E. Poore, 21 Beasten Way, Earleville, MD – Reappointment
Joseph M. Stapp, 407 Biddle St., Chesapeake City, MD – Reappointment
Victor J. Costa, 86 Kennedy Blvd. Elkton, MD – Reappointment
Gary R. Bott, P.O. Box 35, Charlestown, MD – Reappointment
Karen Jones, 73 Reservoir Road, Perryville, MD – Reappointment
Wayne L. Tome, Sr., 302 N. Main St., Port Deposit, MD – Reappointment
Karl A. Reichenbach, 36 Porter Road, North East, MD - Reappointment
George A. Kennedy, Jr., 1262 Crystal Beach Road, Earleville, MD – Reappointment
- PERSONNEL ITEMS –
Ms. Donna Nichols, Director of Human Resources, presented the personnel items. Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to accept the following resignation:
Brian W. Coe, Operator Trainee, Water & Wastewater Division
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to accept the following appointments:
Wanda Veasey, part-time Program Associate, Department of Aging, $9.21/hr (grade 3)
Bethany Leonardi, Paramedic, Emergency Services, $15.76/hr (grade 7)
Natalie Ramirez, Temporary Intern, Human Resources, $7.50/hr (grade 1)
Herbert Hamilton, Laborer, Solid Waste Division, $9.21/hr (grade 3)
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to accept the following promotions/transfers/reclassifications:
Reclassify – Neil Lowman from Equipment Operator Trainee, $11.24/hr (grade 3) to Equipment Operator 1, Roads, at $10.46/hr (grade 4).
Increase – Daisy Brooks, Operator Trainee, Water & Wastewater, to $12.43/hr (grade 5) for obtaining CDL.
Promote – David Hill, from Laborer $9.49/hr (grade 3) to Equipment Operator 1 at $10.46/hr. (grade 4) Solid Waste Division.
Upon recommendation by Ms. Nichols, motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to accept the appointment of Jeffrey Clewer, Cecil County Detention Center, as Sheriff’s designee to the Board of Trustees for the Cecil County Pension Plan for Public Safety Employees, replacing the vacancy left by David T. Pinder, effective December 10, 2002.
- INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION – MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT –
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator introduced a resolution allowing the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office to call upon one another for law enforcement support in the event of an unusual occurrence or emergency situation.
Action will be taken on this resolution at the February 18, 2003 Board Meeting.
- RESOLUTION – PARTICIPATION IN THE MARYLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACT –
Upon recommendation of Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the resolution to allow Cecil County to participate in the Maryland Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
- 2003 PUBLIC FACILITIES BOND AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION REQUEST – 11.5 MILLION –
Mr. Wein presented a letter requested by the General Assembly Members outlining the specifics of a Bond Authorization Request for 2003. This authorization includes projects within the CIP, as well as authorization for the commencement of the Elkton Station Project, which will be considered by the Board as an amendment to the CIP in April or May. Other projects included within the authorization are as follows:
1). The remaining costs for Bainbridge Elementary existing project
2). Completion of the Charlestown Elementary Renovation Project
3). Elkton High School Addition/Renovation Project
4). Planning for the Perryville Middle Addition/Renovation Project
5). Gilpin Manor Systemic Roof Project
6). Elkton Station, Cecil Community College Project
7). EMS Communication System Project
8). Twelve bridge, street and road related projects
- COMMENTS -
President Bolender once again stressed the importance of the State funding for these projects. He added that if the State cuts any of State funding for Elkton High School and Elkton Station, the County will not be able to fund them. He is very concerned about the budget deficit and possible cuts that may be imposed.
Commissioner Manlove stated that he is opposed to the letter asking for State funding. He feels as though this will place the County at their debt affordability ceiling and put the County in a very vulnerable state.
Commissioner Guns commented that he will vote in favor of this letter because the need for the College Station in Elkton. If the State Funding does not come through, he will be opposed to supporting more than the approved CIP reflects.
Commissioner Hepbron stated that he agrees with Commissioner Manlove and Commissioner Guns. At this point we are only asking for authority to issue bonds. After this legislative session we will know more about what is going to happen. If funding is cut and the County cannot afford to do the projects, then they will not be completed.
Based on Mr. Wein’s recommendation Motion was approved by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve forwarding the letter to the General Assembly Members.
Vote – 3 to 1 in favor.
President Bolender – Y Commissioner Hepbron – Y
Commissioner Guns – Y Commissioner Manlove - N
- BUDGET AMENDMENTS –
Upon recommendation of County Administrator Wein, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 90 – 97.
A Budget Amendment submitted by the Department of Public Works to purchase two six-wheel dump trucks was not approved.
Vote – 2 – 2 Tie –
President Bolender & Commissioner Guns – Y
Commissioner Hepbron & Commissioner Manlove – N
A motion was made by Commissioner Manlove to approve the purchase of one six-wheel dump truck, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried.
Commissioner Guns – opposed.
The next meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 in the Town of Perryville.
- ADJOURNMENT –
The meeting was adjourned.