MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS MEETING

 

May 18, 2004

 

            The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at the Charlestown Elementary School, Charlestown, 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 May 4, 2004 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.

 

            The minutes from the May 4, 2004 meeting of the Board of Health were unanimously approved as amended by Vice President Kilby.

 

            The minutes from the May 11, 2004 Constant Yield and Budget Hearings were unanimously approved.

 

            The minutes from the May 11, 2004 Rezoning Hearings were unanimously approved.

 

            - COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS –

 

Commissioner Guns – commented relative to the ongoing Carpenter’s Point Sewer Project.

 

Vice President Kilby – thanked the members of the County’s Master Gardeners Program for the cleanup efforts in the Winding Brook and Persimmon Creek communities. She also commented about the upcoming “River Sweep” event June 5th, and encouraged participation for the clean up of the Susquehanna River.  Vice President Kilby congratulated David Black, Planning, Zoning, Parks & Recreation for graduating with a Master’s Degree in the area of Planning.

 

Commissioner Bolender – thanked the Town of Charlestown for hosting the Commissioners’ Meeting and commented about the newly renovated Charlestown Elementary School.

 

Commissioner Hepbron – thanked the Town for their hospitality.

 

Commissioner Manlove – thanked the Town and Commissioners of Charlestown.

 

-          TREASURER’S REPORT –

 

Pamela Howard, Treasurer for Cecil County presented the monthly Treasurer’s Report for the period ending April 30, 2004.  A copy of which is incorporated into these minutes.

 

 

-          PROCLAMATION – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK –

 

President Bolender presented Captain Michael Browne and members of the Department of Emergency Medical Services staff proclaiming the week May 22 – 28, 2004 Emergency Medical Services Week and encouraged observance of this week to all citizens of Cecil County.

 

-          PROCLAMATION – LEAD POISING PREVENTION WEEK –

 

Vice President Kilby read a proclamation, proclaiming the week of June 7 through June 12, 2004, Lead Poisoning Prevention Awareness Week and encouraged observance of this week to all citizens of Cecil County.

 

-          PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE RECORDATION TAX TO FUND A “PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS” LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM –

 

Vice President Kilby presented a proposal to raise the Recordation Tax to fund a Purchase of Development Rights Program based on a recommendation from the Economic Development Ag Task Force and the Comprehensive Plan Citizens Committee. A committee would be established to prepare the program. She then read a prepared factual statement to support this proposition.

 

The proposal included an outline of how the program would be conducted, with a proposed increase in the recordation tax effective July 1 2004.  Commissioner Kilby further explained how guidelines would be established; the rationalization for the use of a recordation tax increase as opposed to other funding mechanisms; and how much revenue this increase will generate. 

 

Vice President Kilby made a motion to establish a County Purchase of Development Rights Program.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Guns.

 

DISCUSSION: 

 

Commissioner Guns – explained the necessity for this type of land preservation program, however expressed his difference in opinion as to the funding option. 

 

President Bolender - commented and voiced his opposition to setting aside $1 Million Dollars by raising the recordation costs.  He further discussed fiscal responsibility of the Board.  President Bolender proposed delaying a decision until future state funding is known.

 

Commissioner Manlove - acknowledged his support of moving forward with this program and the funding source of an increase of the recordation tax. 

 

            Vice President Kilby moved to establish a County Purchase of Development Rights Program with the funding mechanism to be determined at a later date.  Commissioner Guns seconded the motion previously.

 

            The motion was approved by a majority vote.

 

VOTE:           Bolender – Y                        Kilby – Y       Hepbron – N            

                        Manlove – Y             Guns – Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

-          PUBLIC COMMENT –

 

Owen Thorne, 20 Hillwood Rd., Elkton -   commented relative to the loss of agricultural land each year in Cecil County and the economic pressures placed on the farming industry.  He spoke in favor of a land preservation program being established in the county.

 

Richard Boyce, 11 Harvest Lane, Elkton – spoke in favor of a land preservation program in the county.

 

Ed Cairns, Elkton – spoke relative to the loss of agriculture in the entire country. He further supported the establishment of a land purchase of development rights  program and the urgency of implementing this program.

 

Bill Kilby, Colora – spoke in reference to the Economic Development Ag Advisory Board meeting that was held on Monday and advised that the committee recommended implementation of a purchase of development rights program in the county

 

-          APPOINTMENTS –  SUSQUEHANNA WORKFORCE NETWORK –

 

            Motion was made by Vice President Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to approve the following reappointments and appointments to the Susquehanna Workforce Network for a three-year term to expire on June 30, 2007:

 

Dr. W. Stephen Pannill – Reappointment

Gary Sawyer – Reappointment

Betty Moore – Reappointment

Dr. Carl Roberts – Reappointment

Alan Sexton – Appointment

Lisa Staudenecker – Appointment

 

-          BIDS –  04-35 – TRACTOR/ MOWER

 

            Upon the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent, motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve Bid No. 04-34 for a Tractor/Mower to Cooper’s in the amount of $84,423.92.

 

-          LEASE AGREEMENT – PETTINARO ENTERPRISES  AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WEST CREEK VILLAGE SHOPPES –

 

            Administrator Wein presented the Board with a Lease Agreement between Pettinaro Enterprises and the Board of County Commissioners for the lease of 10 Chestnut Drive in the amount of $4500.00 commencing July 1, 2004 and ending June 30, 2005 for the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Office. 

 

            Motion was made by Commissioner Guns, seconded by Vice President Kilby and unanimously carried to approve the lease agreement between Pettinaro Enterprises and the Board of County Commissioners.

 

-          BUDGET AMENDMENTS NOS. 183 – 185

 

            Motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Vice President Kilby and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 183 – 185.

 

             

 

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