MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MEETING
September 16, 2003
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session at the Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street, Charlestown, Maryland on Tuesday, September 16, 2003. 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 7:15 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the September 2, 2003 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.
The minutes of the Board of Health for September 2, 2003 were unanimously approved.
- COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS –
President Bolender – commented about the opening of the Chesapeake City EMS Paramedic Station. He further commented regarding the tour of Bainbridge that he and fellow board members participated in with Governor Ehrlich earlier in the day. In addition, President Bolender thanked the Town of Charlestown Commissioners for their hospitality.
Commissioner Kilby – spoke concerning a petition that is currently being circulated for signature by Jerry Newman, a surviving spouse of an Alzheimer’s Victim. She encouraged citizens to support this effort on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Foundation and their endeavor to create and put into circulation a stamp. The proceeds from this project will support research for Alzheimer’s.
Commissioner Hepbron – commented regarding the opening ceremony held earlier in the day for the EMS Paramedic Station. He spoke very highly of the dedicated crew that pulled this project together. He further commented regarding the tour of Bainbridge with Governor Ehrlich.
Commissioner Guns – thanked the Town of Charlestown for hosting the meeting and for their hospitality. He encouraged all citizens to prepare for Hurricane Isabel.
Commissioner Manlove – commented on the job well done by county workers on the new EMS Paramedic Station.
- TREASURERS’ REPORT –
Debbie Duff, Deputy Treasurer presented the monthly Treasurer’s Report for the period ending August 31, 2003.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Ronald Rae, 4 St. Pat’s Circle, Elkton – spoke concerning the lack of action relating to the Indian Acres matter. He is concerned over the lack of available information from the school board with regard to the number of children attending Cecil County Public Schools that reside in Indian Acres.
Glen Peterson – 39 Sweet Potato Lane, Colora – spoke regarding the proposed Octoraro Trail. He is concerned for the lack of communication to residents that may be affected by this trail. Mr. Peterson encouraged the Board to “quash” their vote.
Beth Kline – 42 Plum Shore Road, North East, MD – encouraged the Board and citizens to contact the Mayor of Port Deposit with any ideas they may have to promote the development of Bainbridge and support the BDC.
- APPOINTMENTS –
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Manlove and unanimously carried to amend the term of the following members to the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Board to a five-year term to expire on 8/1/08:
Clifford England, 966 Calvert Road, Rising Sun, MD
Donald Gifford, 1381 Ebenezer Church Road, Rising Sun, MD
Motion was made by Vice-President Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to appoint the following members to the Commission for Women for a three-year term to expire on 9/8/06:
Judy Cox, P.O. Box 460, Rising Sun, MD
Carol Roane, P.O. Box 456, Perryville, MD
Karen Winkowski, Cecil Co. Health Dept., 401 Bow St., Elkton, MD
- TOME SCHOOL – WAIVER OF SEWER CONNECTION FEES
Upon the request of the Thomas L. Kemp, representing the Tome School a request has been made for the County to waive sewer connection fees in conjunction with the current expansion of the east wing at the Tome School. Mr. Kemp has advised the Board, the Town of North East is prepared to waive its water hook-up fees if the County will waive the sewage hook-up fees.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Guns and unanimously carried to waive the sewage hook-up fees for the Tome School in conjunction with the addition of their east wing.
- INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION- HOTEL TAX: TOWN OF NORTH EAST-
County Administrator Wein introduced a Resolution in accordance with Article 24, Sections 9-303(c) and 9-304(a)&(b) of the Annotated Code of Maryland granting the Board to impose on the retail rate charged for the use of a hotel/motel room in Cecil County, located in a population area not larger than ten (10) square miles in an area with a population of at least 6,000 residents. At the request of the Town of North East a resolution is proposed for a hotel rental tax at the rate of three (3%) of the transient charge paid to any hotel within the municipal limits of the North East Hotel Taxing District.
This resolution will be on the agenda for the October 7, 2003 Board of County Commissioners Meeting.
- OCTORARO TRAIL – RECONSIDERATION OF THE MAY 6, 2003 BOARD ACTION RELATING TO OCTORARO TRAIL LEASE & MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
As a result of a public hearing held on July 8, 2003 regarding the Lease and Management Agreement of the Octoraro Rail Trail, comments made by property owners/residents and further review by the County Attorney, the Octoraro Trail and Lease Agreement that was approved at the May 6, 2003 Commissioners Meeting is back for reconsideration.
Motion for reconsideration of the May 6, 2003 execution of the Octoraro Trail Lease and Management Agreement was made by President Bolender, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and carried by majority vote.
VOTE: Bolender – Y Kilby – N Hepbron – Y
Manlove – Y Guns - Y
Motion to reverse the decision relating to the Execution of Lease and Management Agreement of the Octoraro Trail was made by President Bolender, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron and carried by majority vote.
VOTE: Bolender – Y Kilby – N Hepbron – Y
Manlove – Y Guns - Y
President Bolender noted a clarification of his vote and his decision was based upon the deed and supporting documentation he received at the public hearing and the review of said information by the County Attorney.
- BID AWARD – 04-02 LANDFILL ARTICULATED HAUL TRUCK –
Upon the recommendation of Matt Carter, Director, Public Works, motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Vice President Kilby and unanimously carried to award Bid No. 04-02 Landfill Articulated Haul Truck to Elliott & Frantz/Terex in the amount $259,774.00 as they were the lowest responsive bidder to the request for proposal.
- REQUEST FOR PURCHASING CODE WAIVER TO BID ON BULLDOZER –
D-5 CRAWLER TRACTOR (DOZER) FOR LANDFILL AT RITCHIE BROTHERS -
At this time the Department of Public Works is requesting this code waiver be withdrawn. Based upon further examination of the equipment scheduled for auction at Ritchie Brothers, the machinery lacks at least one important component for the machine that is currently being sought for the Landfill. The Department of Public Works anticipates that a recommendation for award for the crawler tractor will be ready for the October 7, 2003 meeting.
- BUDGET AMENDMENTS –
Motion was made by Commissioner Manlove, seconded by Vice President Kilby and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendments 27 – 40.
The next meeting of the County Commissioners is scheduled for October 7, 2003, at the County Administrative Building, 107 North Street, Elkton, MD at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned.