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The Honorable Board of County Commissioners met today with
the following present: Roy W. Crow, Scott D. Livie, and William W. Pickrum,
presiding.
T. Edward Robinson, County Administrator, was also in attendance.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, reported a balance of $3,512,371.00.
BAYSHORE ROAD
Carter G. Stanton, Director of Public Works, appeared and participated
in a discussion about information and recommendations conveyed in a memorandum
received from Ed Spray, Superintendent, County Roads. Mr. Stanton concurred
with Mr. Spray's opinion that, based on Mr. Spray's inspection of the
signage on Bay Shore Road from MD Route 298 to MD Route 21, the suggestion
made by Mr. and Mrs. Kindig, residents on Bay Shore Road, to install rumble
strips to slow down traffic will not work on the existing tar and chip
surface.
Mr. Stanton reported that the use of rumble strips to warn traffic of
a reduction in the posted speed is not listed in the Manual of Uniform
Traffic Control Devices. It was the recommendation of Messrs. Stanton
and Spray that the best solution to slow traffic down at this time is
to have the Sheriff's Office run radar in the Bay Shore Road area.
Commissioner Livie responded that the Sheriff's response using radar was
proven to be not effective for the long-term, and that a pro-active approach
by the County was needed. The Board directed Mr. Stanton to research and
come back with the most cost effective plan that will include signage
and rumble strips (or something, like cobblestone) to alert drivers to
the 25 m.p.h. speed limit to help slow the pace of traffic on Bay Shore
Road.
BETTERTON BEACH
The bid opening that was scheduled to take place today at the Kent County
Commissioners' Office Hearing Room for Project No. P&R 04-01, Betterton
Beach Stairway, Structure Repair and Re-decking Project did not take place
because no bids were received for this project. Jim Wright, County Engineer,
will proceed to contact contractors to seek interest in submitting a cost
estimate for this project.
BUDGET
At 1:20 p.m., the Commissioners held a budget work session with Pat Merritt,
Budget and Accounting Director, and Ed Robinson, County Administrator.
The budget work session ended at 5:30 p.m.
CHESAPEAKE MARINE TRADES SCHOOL(CMTS)
Correspondence was received from Michael M. Thielke, Executive Director
of the Chester Bridge Foundation, Inc., on behalf of its Board of Directors,
expressing their appreciation to the Commissioners for their past and
continued support of the CMTS and specifically for the Commissioners'
award of $10,000 to the CMTS for use in the development of the initiative.
He reported that the responses to recent mass mailing throughout the County
announcing the start of the CMTS have been very positive, inclusive of
those from youth and parents which confirms the need for such a school.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
CENTER LAWN
Carter G. Stanton, Director of Public Works, appeared and advised he was
obtaining costs for removal of dead trees on the front lawn of the County
Government Center at 400 High Street, Chestertown. Mr. Stanton recommended
the planting of slow growing shade trees of long life-spans, and reported
that he is researching various species of suit.
COURT HOUSE
The Commissioners approved the request of Judge J. Frederick Price, Circuit
Court for Kent County, to expend the projected end-of-fiscal-year balance
of $7,000.00 in the Petit Jury account for the repair and replacement
of the existing High Street entrance doors of the Kent County Court House
as proposed by Allen Construction and Restoration, Inc. This project was
approved by the Chestertown Historical Commission.
Carter G. Stanton, Director of Public Works, appeared and requested the
Commissioners' direction concerning request received by Judge Price as
to having signs posted, identifying the location of the Court House as
well as the street number address. Commissioner Pickrum recommended that
Mr. Stanton consult with the Chestertown Historical Commission as to suitable
material and appearance of the sign. Commissioner Crow recommended that
the sign be located closer to Cross Street for better visibility.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES
Wayne Morris, Director of the Department of Water and Wastewater, appeared
and reported on the following:
Millington Service Area
Mr. Morris gave an update regarding the bid opening that took place on
March 23rd for the new water and sewer system contract in Millington,
the estimate for which was underestimated by approximately $1 Million
due to the sky-rocketing cost of steel and the State Highway Administration's
requirements for the restoration of roads. Mr. Morris advised that he
hopes to present to the Board the results of his research for determining
the options for handling this situation by either the first or second
week in May.
At the Public Hearing which took place today concerning Community Development
Block Grant funds and the projects of the Housing and Community Development
Office (HCD), Jack Canan, Coordinator of the HCD, responded to Commissioner
Livie's question by stating that he anticipates that the HCD Office will
have some funding available to assist the residents of Millington who
have indicated to the Commissioners that they cannot pay for the services
of the new water and sewer system in Millington, contingent upon qualifying
under required guidelines.
Tolchester/Fairlee/Georgetown Service Area
A letter went forth to Robert M. Summers, Director, Water Management Administration,
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), conveying the Growth Management
Plan for the Fairlee and Tolchester Service Areas, dated March 23, 2004,
along with the memorandum from the technical review committee which wrote
the Growth Management Plan, supporting documentation and a map depicting
where the additional growth (consisting of 10 additional allocations)
should be directed.
A letter went forth to Sue Brown, of Chestertown, responding to 10 questions
which she posed in her letter to Mr. Morris, dated March 26, 2004, pertaining
to the current number of allocations in Tolchester, the qualifications
for what constitutes an allocation, grinder pumps, etc.
Correspondence was received via electronic mail from Mrs. Arthur M. Moyer,
Sr., and was read aloud by Commissioner Pickrum, commending the Department
of Water and Wastewater Services workers who responded to an emergent
situation occurring late in the evening at her home in which her grinder
pump failed to work and her sewage was backing up in the basement of her
home. The situation was rectified by the County workers by 2:00 a.m. Mrs.
Moyer praised the Department of Water and Wastewater Services and its
response team for their prompt, efficient, and successful response.
The Board expressed their appreciation to Mr. Morris and to his Department
for the prompt and thorough attention they extended to Mrs. Moyer.
Piney Neck/Skinner's Neck/Wesley Chapel Service Area
Correspondence went forth to Leah Jester Kelley, conveying the decision
of the Commissioners to approve her request for one sewer allocation,
subject to all other agencies' approval pertaining to her property at
Tax Map 51, Parcel 378. Worton Service Area
The Commissioners approved the request of Bruce E. Wright, of Bruce E.
Wright and Company, Consulting Engineers, on behalf of his client, KRM
Development Corporation, for an additional four water and sewer allocations
for the site known as The Worton Project, Lot 2 Site plan.
Mr. Morris encouraged the Commissioners to begin to give consideration
to the future of water and sewer issues in the Worton Service Area, given
the increasing inquiries of developers that he has received pertaining
to construction in Worton.
Edesville Service Area
Correspondence was received from Joseph Moss, Senior Project Manager,
of The ARRO Group, Inc., ARRO Consulting, Inc., and sent to Ron Fithian,
Town Manager, Rock Hall, with bid recommendation for the Town of Rock
Hall Water Distribution System Improvements to be awarded to David A.
Bramble, Inc. of Chestertown as follows:
Town Contract Bid ............................. $365,368.01
County Contract Bid .......................... $195,572.01.
(The Engineer's Cost Opinion was $597,770.00 and $229,560.00, respectively.)
A motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie,
and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to accept the bid from David
A. Bramble, Inc. in the amount of $195,572.01.
Edesville and Kennedyville Service Areas
The announcement of grant funding for the repair and upgrading of the
wastewater treatment systems in the Edesville and Kennedyville Service
Areas, in the amount of $2,431,700.00, took place on April 19th in the
Commissioners' Hearing Room. This federal funding was given by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Rural Development - Rural Utility Program's
Water and Waste Disposal Program which provides more capital to rural
water and waste disposal systems than any other single source.
Participating in the symbolic check presentation by Rural Development
to the Edesville and Kennedyville Communities were the following: Congressman
Wayne Gilchrest, Delegate Richard Sossi, representatives of Senator Paul
Sarbanes' Office, Commissioner William Pickrum, Walid Saffouri, Chief,
Construction Management Division, Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE), Virginia Kearney, Deputy Director, Water Management Administration,
MDE, Lisa Fabian, Loan Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Marlene B. Elliott, State Director, Delaware/Maryland, USDA Rural Development,
T. Edward Robinson, Wayne Morris, Barry Ebersole, Branch Manager, Annapolis
Office, McCrone's Inc., (Engineering).
This announcement served a two-fold purpose: to observe the 34th Earth
Day (April 22) in the U.S., and to reinforce the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Rural Development's commitment to the future of rural communities and
its partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Commissioner Pickrum explained that the Rural Development Program expended
$40 Million for projects on the Eastern Shore, and expressed his appreciation
for Kent County receiving this funding.
The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Mr. Morris for his efforts
towards securing the grant funding and congratulated him.
Sue Brown, resident of Tolchester, appeared and, identifying herself as
representing the citizens of Kent County, inquired as to whether or not
County citizens should continue to expect the water and sewer rate increase
in the month of July.
Commissioner Crow responded, advising that the citizens of those water
and wastewater service areas which have not met the universal rate by
July should expect an increase in July of their water and sewer rates.
Refinancing - The Commissioners approved and Commissioner Pickrum
signed closing certificates as it relates to the $2,027,478.02 County
Commissioners of Kent County, Maryland Water Quality Refunding Bonds,
Series 2004.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (EMA)
Memorandum was received from Robert B. Rust, Jr., Director of the EMA,
and sent to J. Scott Whitney, Coordinator, Maryland Emergency Number Systems
Board, providing the County's Emergency Number Systems Board (ENSB) Project
Funding Request - Three-Year Survey as required by the ENSB.
Mr. Rust outlined the following problems with the County's 9-1-1 EMA facility:
- being in a basement with dampness, mold, poor air quality, and leaks
from rain water, ground water and sewage;
- serious lack of space for new equipment, storage, and personnel.
Mr. Rust expressed the hope of the County's EMA that, given the results
of the survey, the EMA would be awarded the funding requested, thereby
providing a new facility by the year 2006.
GAMING/RAFFLE PERMIT
The Commissioners approved a Combination Multiple Gaming Device/Raffle
for the fund-raising events for the organization, Relay for Life, to be
held at the Chestertown Elks Lodge, Chestertown, on June 19 - August 21,
2004.
HOTEL RENTAL TAX
Discussion was held relating to the correspondence received from Ronald
H. Fithian, Town Manager of Rock Hall, which indicated that at the April
8th regular meeting of the Rock Hall Mayor and Council, the Mayor and
Council voted a unanimous "no" to the proposed hotel tax increase, based
on the discontent of business owners in Rock Hall.
Commissioner Pickrum suggested that the Board should seriously consider
repealing the Hotel Rental Tax.
Commissioner Livie concurred, adding that with the repeal of the Hotel
Rental Tax, the incorporated towns would then be able to self-determine
whether or not to tax their citizens for revenue in support of their own
tourism development.
No action was taken at this time.
HUNTERS RUN
At the recommendation of Gail Owings, Direcotr of Planning and Zoning
Administration, the Commissioners approved to accept Irrevocable Letters
of Credit from the Peoples Bank of Kent County for the account of Don
Reed, LLC for Hunters Run, Section B as follows: $65,476.25 to guarantee
compliance to the County Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Ordinances,
$180,000 to guarantee compliance to the County Ordinances/Policies for
road construction, and $45,102.50 to guarantee compliance to the Landscaping
Policy.
KENT COUNTY BUSINESS CENTER AT WORTON
Correspondence was received from James M. Wright, Jr., County Engineer,
which was sent to Paolo Fezzi, President, CreaFill Fibers Corporation
(CFF), expressing the County's desire to develop the property recently
purchased from CFF as the "Kent County Business Center at Worton"as it
relates to a proposed shared stormwater management facility.
LA MOTTE PROPERTY
P.A.M. Schaller, Economic Development Advisor, submitted proposals received
from two marketing consultants for the Board's review and consideration.
LEGAL COUNSEL
At 12:20 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to go into executive
session with Susanne Hayman, County Attorney, for legal counsel in accordance
with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland.
Items of discussion included potential land acquisition.
The executive session adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
LEGISLATION
Correspondence was received from Delegate Mary Roe Walkup conveying her
appreciation to the Commissioners for their testimony in support of House
Bill 1269 - Electric Companies - Net Energy Metering- Wind Electric Generating
Facilities before the House Economic Matters Committee on March 2nd. She
reported that the Bill was voted favorably, having passed through both
the Senate and House Chambers, and is currently awaiting the Governor's
signature.
MARTIN WAGNER ROAD
Peter Connell, Christ Hill, and Steve Smith, owners of homes on the private
road section of Martin Wagner Road in Edesville, appeared in order to
request that the private road section of Martin Wagner Road be included
in the County Roads system. Carter G. Stanton, Director of Public Works,
and Ed Spray, County Roads Superintendent, were also in attendance.
Mr. Connell initiated the discussion, reporting that since 1996, the residents
of said private section of Martin Wagner Road have spent $80,000 for the
supplies needed to maintain the road, including constructing drainage,
ditches, crowning, tar and chipping. Commissioner Pickrum advised that
all roads must meet minimum County Roads standards in order to be included
into the County Roads system.
To questions posed by the Commissioners, Mr. Spray responded that said
road section does not currently meet County standards, requiring, for
example, regrading of the ditches, adjustment of the shoulders, and black-topping
of the surface of the road.
Mr. Stanton advised that setting precedence with Martin Wagner Road might
incur similar requests from the other numerable and similar situations
pertaining to residential private roads throughout the County. Mr. Connell,
representing the 17 families who live on the private section of Martin
Wagner Road, expressed their expectation that the County would upgrade
their road to County standards, given that they have been paying the increase
in taxes.
Commissioner Crow responded by stating that when the development pertinent
to the 17 families was constructed, the connecting road was not originally
included in the County roads system; and since the construction, the County's
standards for roads have since changed, and must be met.
Commissioners Crow and Livie advised that the Roads Division provide in
writing all the provisions necessary in order for the private section
of the Martin Wagner Road to meet the County's standards and the steps
required to accomplish the provisions, and provide all of the above to
the residents of the private section of Martin Wagner Road.
Messrs. Stanton and Spray agreed to follow-up accordingly.
NATIONAL PLANT LIST
Correspondence was received from D. Page Elmore, Chair, and Michael Smigiel,
Vice-Chair, Eastern Shore Delegation, Maryland General Assembly, which
was sent to Donald S. Welsh, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Region III, conveying their concern regarding the proposed
revisions to the "National List of Vascular Plant Species that Occur in
Wetlands" (National Plant List). They cited reasons in summary for their
concerns. They suggest that State and Local governments could work collaboratively
with the EPA in the formulation of a jurisdictional wetlands manual exclusively
for the Delmarva Peninsula.
PERSONNEL
At 1:00 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to go into executive
session with Susanne Hayman, Human Resources Director, to discuss personnel
matters in accordance with State Government Article, Section 10.508 of
the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The executive session adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
State's Attorney
Correspondence was received from Robert H. Strong, Jr., Esq., State's
Attorney for Kent County, in reference to a discussion which took place
at the Commissioners' meeting on April 13th about the State's Attorney's
staff. In his correspondence, Mr. Strong issued his objection to any change
in the status of County employees, and indicated his intention to request
that the Attorney General's office investigate the legality of what he
believes to be the County's unilateral decision to change the status of
the State's Attorney's staff, beginning as of July 1, 2004.
Correspondence was received from Robert H. Strong, Jr., Esq., State's
Attorney for Kent County, requesting that the County proceed to advertise
for the Victim Witness Coordinator Position. No action was taken at this
time.
PLANNING
Correspondence was received from Gail Webb Owings, Planning Director,
that was sent to County property owners, giving notice that on May 6th,
at 2:00 p.m., the Kent County Planning Commission will review an application
submitted by KRM Development Corporation, requesting final site plan approval
for a 27,000 square foot office/warehouse flex space building on Commerce
and Worton Roads in the Third Election District. The property is zoned
"I" Industrial.
PROCLAMATION
Union United Methodist Church - The Commissioners signed a Proclamation
declaring April 24, 2004 as Union United Methodist Church Recognition
Day, commending the commitment of the congregation to its friends, families,
and to the community of Colemans, to which Union United Methodist Church
has made outstanding contributions.
Administrative Professionals Week - The Commissioners signed and
read a Proclamation declaring the week of April 18 - 24, 2004 to be designated
as Administrative Professionals Week in Kent County. Marie Bradley, Tidewater
Chapter, International Associates of Administrative Professionals, was
in attendance and encouraged employers to support the continuing education
of their administrative staff.
PUBLIC LANDINGS
Carter G. Stanton, Director of Public Works, appeared and reported the
recommendations that were made at the Public Landings and Facilities Board
meeting on April 12th.
Actions taken by the Commissioners were as follows:
Betterton - approval for Kenny Fletcher, Captain of the Aberdeen
Boat, to install three pilings alongside the Betterton pier; that this
slip would be for the Aberdeen boat only, and that all pile driving costs
would be paid by Mr. Fletcher, and that an annual slip rental would be
paid for by Mr. Fletcher as long as he uses his vessel to transport passengers
to Aberdeen;
Bogles Wharf - approval to permit Federal Officer Boyer of Eastern
Neck Island to issue citations at Bogles for public landing violations,
subject to the review of the County Attorney;
Sanitary Facilities - approval to accept the low bid of $9,000
by A-Plus Sanitation, LLC for the public landings portable toilets;
Allens Lane - approval to permit Mr. Schut, owner
of property on a section of Allens Lane adjacent to the public landing,
to construct a temporary road across County property, rebuild the existing
cul de sac, and to rip rap along the County's 400 +/- foot shoreline at
his expense for the supplies of the rip rap and at the County's expense,
to go out to bid, for the contractor's cost.
Bayside Public Landing - approval to permit Parks and Recreation's
use of Turner's Creek for its "Hooked on Fishing" on June 5th; and to
permit the Maryland Watermens Association's use of the Rock Hall bulkhead
for the Rockfish Tournament on June 11, 12, and 13, 2004.
REGIONAL CORRECTION FACILITY
Correspondence was received via electronic mail from Warden LaMonte Cooke,
Queen Anne's County Detention Center, providing an update on the proposal
received from Pulitzer-Bogard for a feasibility study of a Regional Corrections
Facility. He reported that Pulitzer-Bogard would be able to start the
study on May 10, 2004 and complete it by the end of September 2004. The
proposed study would cost between $28,000 and $33,000, to be understood
as the entire fee, not a per county fee. He advised that with a mid-May
start, he could possibly be done by mid-September. Additional information
will be forthcoming.
SCENIC BYWAY
Memorandum was received from Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning,
and Carla Martin, Community Planner, reporting that the America's Byways
Resource Center is sponsoring a three-day workshop covering topics related
to byway management. Mrs. Owings and Ms. Martin believe that it would
be important that the County's byway be represented at the workshop and
that the County would benefit from the sessions being offered, such as
the heritage area and the watershed restoration initiatives.
Although the Resource Center will cover some of the inherent costs, Mrs.
Owings and Ms. Martin reported that the cost to the County for Ms. Martin's
attendance at the workshop (June 15 - 17) would be $350.00.
A motion was made by Commissioner Livie, seconded by Commissioner Crow,
and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum, that $350.00 be taken out
of contingency for partial payment of costs in support of Carla Martin's
attendance at the byway management workshop sponsored by the America's
Byways Resource Center, June 15-17, 2004.
SEDIMENT CONTROL
As recommended by Gail Owings, Director of Planning and Zoning Administration,
the Commissioners approved release of the Irrevocable Letter of Credit
for D & D Contracting and Home Improvements in the amount of $2,395.50
in consideration of satisfactory compliance with Sediment Control Ordinance
as it relates to development of certain real estate and meeting requirements
of the letter of credit.
TREASURER SEMI-ANNUAL PAYMENT - PROPERTY TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGE
As recommended by W. Roger Williams, Treasurer, a motion was made by Commissioner
Crow, seconded by Commissioner Livie, and made unanimous by Commissioner
Pickrum to permit Kent County to collect a service charge of .35% on properties
that are owner occupied and their primary resident, and choose to pay
their real estate taxes on a semi-annual basis.
WATER AND SEWER PLAN
The following people appeared and participated in the Water and Sewer
Plan workshop: Jim Wright, County Engineer, Wayne Morris, Director of
the Department of Water and Wastewater Services, Gail Owings, Director
of Planning and Zoning, Carla Martin, Community Planner, Susanne Hayman,
County Attorney, Dr. Leland Spencer, Health Officer, and Ed Birkmire,
Environmental Health Officer. Approximately 12 interested persons were
also in attendance.
Mr. Morris initiated discussion by advising that the purpose of the workshop
was to identify the issues and areas that require the consideration and
focus of the County for inclusion into the draft Water and Sewer Plan,
and which would be in conjunction with the land-use aspects of the Comprehensive
Plan.
Mr. Birkmire emphasized the importance of the Water and Sewer Comprehensive
Plan by urging the County to designate and include in the plan now every
issue and concern that the County would desire to have addressed and resolved
in the future. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the
County and the municipalities in these determinations.
Included among the many concerns raised were the concerns expressed by
Dr. Spencer regarding the existent failing septic systems, citing for
example, those located in the Quaker Neck service area. Mr. Birkmire responded
by reporting that in Quaker Neck, of the 23 original allocations promised,
17 are either extremely vulnerable or currently failing systems.
Mr. Morris pointed out the challenge facing the County in terms of the
Heather Heights section of the Quaker Neck service area, noting that the
County does not have the allocations needed to serve Heather Heights.
With consideration of issues and concerns that would require inclusion
in the Water and Sewer Plan, discussions ensued pertaining to the protection
of wetlands, spray irrigation, a review of the Priority Funding Areas
(PFA) throughout the County, the need for the County to approach its Water
and Sewer Comprehensive Plan from a regional approach, the need for the
County to incorporate its commitment to its natural heritage, etc.
All participating in this discussion agreed with Mr. Morris' emphasis
that the County's Water and Sewer Plan must demonstrate a pro-active approach
to determining the foci of the Plan.
The list of areas that will be addressed include the following: Gregg
Neck, Still Pond, Allens Lane, Green Lane, Chesapeake Landing, Quaker
Neck, Skinners Neck, The Town of Betterton, the U.S. Route 301 corridor,
and the MD Route 291 corridor.
To questions posed regarding the upgrading of existing systems, Mr. Morris
advised that all upgrades would be with mechanical plants, which provide
a better process and a back-up plan when needed; lagoons would no longer
be utilized.
Kent Lawrence expressed concern about the status of his December 2002
allocation application, requesting that, if he was successful in acquiring
an easement on the existing line, would the Commissioners grant him his
application for the remaining six allocations.
Commissioner Pickrum responded that the Board would not be able to make
that determination until the County's Comprehensive Plan is completed.
John Spence, a resident on Lovers Lane, stated that his septic system
is functioning well now; however, he expressed concern that this status
could change in the near future.
Commissioner Pickrum gave assurance that public input will be solicited
on the draft of the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan update at a public
hearing before it became effective.
Mrs. Owings recommended that public informational meetings be scheduled
as a venue for public presentation and discussion about the Water and
Sewer Plan in its first draft format.
Mr. Wright, concurring with many statements expressed by the workshop
participants, advised that the suggestions and direction of the Commissioners
would be very important to the process of preparing the Water and Sewer
Comprehensive Plan.
Concluding comments in the workshop included Commissioner Livie's encouragment
of Dr. Spencer to inspect the County's water and sewer treatment plants,
and Mr. Birkmire's advice that philosophical issues would also have to
be seriously considered and addressed in the formulation of the Comprehensive
Water and Sewer Plan update.
WCTR
Dick Gelfman, prospective owner, and Dick Meyers, prospective General
Manager, both of radio station WCTR, broadcasting from Chestertown, appeared
and introduced themselves to the Commissioners. Mr. Gelfman reported that
his ownership of WCTR will officially commence with the approval of the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the transfer of license from
former owners Brian and Cassie Wilson to Mr. Gelfman. Until that approval,
ownership of WCTR, Mr. Gelfman explained, is under Local Marketing Grant,
and he and Mr. Myers function in the interim as "programmers."
Mr. Gelfman expressed his commitment to community-oriented broadcasting
and to the utilization of WCTR for public forums and as a talk-radio venue.
He expressed his interest to learn from the citizens what expectations
they have of their local radio station.
Commissioner Crow expressed his expectation that WCTR would function as
an integral part of the County's system for emergency response communications.
Commissioner Livie recommended the station to feature a talk-radio format,
as per the suggestions he has received from some members of the business
community.
Mr. Gelfman reported that WCTR will be purchasing a vehicle to function
as a remote station in order to interview people directly at the sites
of community events.
On behalf of the Board, Commissioner Pickrum welcomed Messrs. Gelfman
and Myers.
There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday, April 27, 2004.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved: William W. Pickrum, President
Please contact Ileana Lindstrom or Janice Fletcher at (410)
778-7435 or by e-mail with
any questions or comments.
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