MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MEETING
November 1, 2005
The Board of County Commissioners for Cecil County met in regular session in the County Administrative Building, on Tuesday, December 6, 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 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes from the November 9, 2005 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners Transfer of Development Rights were unanimously approved.
The minutes from the November 15, 2005 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.
The minutes from the October 18, 2005 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners were unanimously approved.
The minutes from the November 17, 2005 Bond Sale were unanimously approved.
The minutes from the November 22, 2005 Bid Award were unanimously approved.
The minutes from the November 29, 2005 Rezoning Hearing were unanimously approved.
-COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS-
Commissioner Manlove – commented relative to recent articles in the newspaper concerning the need for more Sheriff’s deputies and cutting taxes.
Commissioner Hepbron – declined comment.
President Bolender – commented on the North East Christmas Parade.
Commissioner Kilby – commented about the new book on Scenic Byways and the excerpt on Cecil County. She also commented about the Upper Shore Regional Council meeting.
Commissioner Guns – commented relative to the possibility of a formation of a Commission on Veteran’s Affairs in Cecil County.
- TREASURER’S REPORT –
Pamela Howard, Treasurer for Cecil County presented the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending October 31, 2005. A copy of this report in incorporated into these minutes.
- PRESENTATION – DES TELECOMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR 2005-
President Bolender presented a Certification and Plaque to Heather McKenney, Dispatcher, Department of Emergency Services, in recognition of her achievement as Telecommunicator of the Year.
- PUBLIC HEARING – 2006 – 2011 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM –
Alfred Wein, County Administrator
Motion was made by Commissioner Guns to approve the option agreement as presented for the purchase of property from Timothy & Carrie Granger and High Valley, LLC, for expansion of the Cecil Community College, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve.
- PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING – REPLACEMENT OF THE APPLETON ROAD BRIDGE OVER THE CSX RAILROAD –
W. Scott Flanigan, Director of Public Works and Jonathon Pohlman, appeared before the Board and presented information relating to the replacement of the Appleton Road Bridge over the CSX Railroad. Information was presented relative to the duration of the project, detour route, and new specifications of the bridge.
COMMENT:
None
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Gene Price, North East – spoke in support of the Resolution on the Commissioner’s Agenda relative to the Cecil County Volunteer Fireman’s Association.
Jude Squire, 328 Hances Point Road, North East – commented about the conflicting posted speed signs on Hances Point Road. Ms. Squire requested assistance with speed problems and drainage issues along Hances Point Road.
Ed Cairns, 104 Jackson Hall School Road, Elkton – commented relating to the regulation and hazardous effects of gas stations in BL zones.
Owen Thorne, 20 Hillwood Road, Elkton – commented relating to the regulation and hazardous effects of gas stations in BL zones.
- INTRODUCTION – RESOLUTION – VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES EQUIPMENT ACQUISTION –
Alfred C. Wein, County Administrator presented the Board with an introductory resolution relating to the acquisition of fire company apparatus for the nine volunteer fire companies in Cecil County, wherein, the County will make available up to $1,000,000 during FY 06 grants to Fire Companies to be used for the purchase of replacement vehicles and equipment pursuant to the policies set forth in the resolution. The Board will take action on this resolution at the November 15, 2005 Board of County Commissioners Meeting.
Commissioner Guns – commended the Cecil County Firemen’s Association and Budget Manager Whiteford for their efforts on this project.
Joe Fisona – commented in support of the Cecil County Firemen’s Acquisition Resolution and applauded the efforts of the Board.
Otic Issacs – commented in support of the proposed resolution and the importance of replacing out-dated equipment.
- RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND REFUNDING BONDS OF 2005 –
Cheryl Guth, Bond Counsel and Sam Ketterman, Financial Advisor, Davenport LLC presented the Board for consideration a Resolution granting authority for the sale of the County Commissioners of Cecil County Consolidated Public Improvement and Refunding Bonds of 2005, to be sold and issued not to exceed $41 Million, for the purpose of financing in part the costs of certain public buildings, facilities, equipment and grounds in Cecil County and for the refunding of certain outstanding general obligation bonds of the County in order to realize savings to the County.
Motion to approve the Resolution to a authorize the sale of the Cecil County Consolidated Public Improvement and Refunding Bond was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve.
- RESOLUTION – HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT –
Administrator Wein presented the Board for consideration a Resolution lowering the Homestead Property Tax Credit from 110% to 108% as previously introduced at the Board’s October 18, 2005 meeting.
Commissioner Guns commented relative to the Homestead Property Tax Credit and the intention of the Board relative to this action.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the Resolution lowering the Homestead Property Tax Credit.
- RIGHT-OF-WAY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND RONALD & CHERYL CREEGER –
Dwight Thomey presented the Board for consideration an Agreement between the Board and Ronald and Cheryl Creeger for the use of a portion of Cecil County’s property/easement which encroaches upon and runs along the southerly boundary of lot 3 of the Penn Central Octoraro secondary Track at the Sylmar Industrial Park, for the purposes of ingress and egress to commercial buildings to be constructed at that location.
Motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve the Right-of-Way Agreement as presented by Mr. Thomey.
- RESOLUTION – CHESAPEAKE BAY GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL –
Kate Grace of the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council appeared before the Board in favor of a Resolution to support the program Every Girl, Everywhere, wherein, the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council will apply to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for the approval of the project and an allocation of tax credits for nonprofit organizations supporting projects serving communities in Priority Funding areas.
Motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to approve the Resolution as presented in support of the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council.
- CHESLAND PARK LEASE AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT –
Ed Slicer, Manager, Parks & Recreation presented the Board with a Lease and Management Agreement for the construction, lease and management of two baseball/softball facilities to be located on approximately 1.8 acres of the Chesland Park.
Motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve the Management Agreement as presented.
- APPROVAL & EXTENSION OF WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT FOR CARGILL FOODS –
Upon the recommendation of W. Scott Flanigan, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Vice President Hepbron and unanimously carried to grant an extension of the Discharge Permit held by Cargill Foods for a five-year period to commence 12/1/05.
- BUDGET AMENDMENTS NOS. 56 – 59 & BOARD OF EDUCATION AMENDMENT #2 –
Motion was made by Vice President Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 56-59 and Board of Education Amendment No 2.
The next regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Perryville Town Hall, 515 Broad Street, Perryville, MD.
There being no further business of the County Commissioners, the meeting concluded.
_____________________________
Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County Administrator
Approved:
____________________________
Nelson K. Bolender, President