The Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County met in regular session in Courtroom 1 at the County Office Building, Elkton, Maryland, on Tuesday, January 4, 2000. The following members of the Board were present:Nelson K. Bolender, President
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
Phyllis Kilby, Commissionerconstituting 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 – DEC. 21, 1999 –
The minutes of December 21, 1999, were approved as written.
- COMMISSIONER COMMENTS –
Commissioner Kilby advised that the Board has asked the Delegation to introduce a bill to give them the authority to enact an excise tax. They are asking for authority to impose a $2500 per unit fee which would aid in the financing of the CIP budget for schools.
Commissioner Hepbron reported that he checked the odor in North East on Saturday morning. Also, he was in the Court House for Y2K on December 31.
President Bolender stated he is in support of asking the legislature to give the Board the authority to propose an excise tax.
- REPORT – FEDERAL GATEWAY INITIATIVE –
Mr. Vance Fields gave a report on Federal Gateway Initiative which is a program funded by Congress through the National Park Service throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed area to connect people with the Chesapeake Bay special visitor sites. The Park Service will provide funding, but they want local governments to get involved. The participating organizations are the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Office of Tourism, and Maryland Historical Trust. The purpose is to create a network within this regional watershed area to give tourists a way to learn about the Chesapeake Bay. There are three parts of this gateway: sites, hubs, and water trails. Hubs would direct tourists to sites. The program will begin in the Spring and go through 2004. Mr. Fields stated grant money is available for the program.
- ADMINISTRATOR ITEMS –
Mr. Al Wein, County Administrator, advised that there will be a public hearing on a rezoning application on January 11. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at the Rising Sun Library on January 18 at 7:00 p.m.
He stated budget requests for the FY01 budget process will be sent out this week.
- UPDATE – ODORS FROM CENTRAL LANDFILL-
Mr. Fred Orr, Deputy Director of Public Works, gave an update on the odors from the Central Landfill. He reported that the Department has purchased a hand-held hydrogen sulfide sampler. They are continuing to collect information on remote hydrogen sulfide monitors and looking at the feasibility of installing them in the North East/Delaplaine areas.
Progress has been made on the clay layer, and they anticipate completion by the end of this week. Another evening air sampling will be done later this week. The Department has secured an evening answering service for the next two weeks for anyone who notices the odor in their homes, and an air sampling monitor will be taken to the homes.
- PUBLIC COMMENT –
Mr. Jeff Ronald reminded Mr. Orr that a commitment was made to investigate the possibility of automatic detection devices. He also inquired about the flares that were installed on the vents.
Mr. Joseph Miller inquired about the recover mat at the landfill.
Mr. Roland Wills inquired about the grading policy for the County and about forest retention in open space.
Mr. Vance Fields requested that legislation be enacted in regard to ATV's.
Mr. Joe Carabetta asked about a possible leak in the collection pipe in regard to the odor at the landfill.
He feels the excise tax issue is a good idea.
Mr. Carabetta suggested that full-time campground residents be charged a fee.
He inquired about a water line to Belvedere Road.
- PERSONNEL ITEMS –
Ms. Linda Anguish, Director of Human Resources, appeared before the Board. Upon recommendation by Ms. Anguish, motion was made by Commissioner Kilby, seconded by Commissioner Hepbron, and unanimously carried to accept the following resignations:
1) Rodney P. Carroll, Jr., Temporary Laborer in Maintenance, effective December 21, 1999;
2) Howard F. Ewing, Supervisory Dispatcher in Emergency Services, effective January 24, 2000;
3) Joseph R. Lewis, part-time Janitor in Maintenance, effective December 30, 1999.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NOS. 85-87 –
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment Nos. 85-87. Copies of the Budget Amendments are incorporated as a part of these minutes.
- BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 2 – BD. OF EDUCATION –
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to approve Budget Amendment No. 2 for the Board of Education in the amount of $1,010,901.
Motion was made by Commissioner Hepbron, seconded by Commissioner Kilby, and unanimously carried to adjourn.
Alfred C. Wein, Jr.
County AdministratorAPPROVED:
Nelson K. Bolender, President