|
The Honorable Board of County Commissioners met this evening
at 6:00 p.m. with the following present: Roy W. Crow, Scott D. Livie,
and William W. Pickrum, presiding.
Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, was also in attendance.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. W. Roger Williams, Treasurer,
reported a balance of $2,908,981.00.
Commissioner Pickrum requested a moment of silence to remember the men
and women in uniform around the world who have died in defense of the
United States' freedom and America's way of life.
BETTERTON BEACH
Rigbie Bluff Condominium - Correspondence was received from Harvey
Matlack, President, Rigbie Bluff Condominium, reporting that modifications
were completed on the storm drain system at Rigbie Bluff Condominium which
will eliminate infiltration of the runoff into the soil and redirect it
into the existing emergency overflow system that drains directly into
the Bay.
Mr. Matlack also reported that the modifications were done to reduce the
volume of water that flows down the steep County property adjacent to
the Condominium as a first step in addressing the erosion of the bank,
which he described as threatening the stability of the Condominium building
and the Town sidewalk. Recent heavy rainfall has deepened sinkholes between
the Condominium and the sidewalk and increased the exposure of the sidewalk
footings. He expressed his desire that the County and the Town will work
with Rigbie Bluff Condominium to progress this stabilization project.
Commissioner Pickrum indicated that the Board will address the concerns
pertaining to the bank erosion and the stabilization project by contacting
David H. Wilson, Coordinator, Maryland Eastern Shore Resource, Conservation
and Development Area (RC&D).
Pilings/Public Dock - Commissioner Pickrum noted that a copy of
Memorandum, dated September 7, and directed to Carter Stanton, Director
of Public Works, was received from Larry R. Isard, who lives in Betterton.
Mr. Isard issued his objections to Kenny Fletcher's proposed installation
of permanent pilings between the public dock and the Rigbie Bluff Condominium
Dock in Betterton. Among them were the following: the placement of the
pilings will inhibit his ability to get in and out of his boat slip; that
when Mr. Fletcher began to dock his boat on the "no docking" side of the
public dock, on three occasions, the out drive of Mr. Isard's boat were
tangled in Mr. Fletcher's anchor lines.
Commissioner Livie indicated that the application for Mr. Fletcher's permit
to install said permanent pilings is currently under advisement with the
Maryland Department of the Environment.
BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE)
Commissioner Crow reported on the Board of Education meeting
that he attended on September 7. Discussion was held concerning the Kent
County High School (KCHS) renovation project.
As requested, a letter will go forth to the Board of Education confirming
the Board's commitment in placing lights at the KCHS athletic field. The
issue of concessions and restrooms will be a part of an additional, later
phase of this project.
A copy of correspondence dated September 1 was received from Robert Hunter
of Rock Hall, and directed to the Kent County BOE, issuing a complaint
related to an incident involving his son at the Rock Hall Middle School.
Correspondence, dated September 3, was received from David Lever, Executive
Director, Maryland Public School Construction Program, directed to Dr.
Bonnie Ward, Superintendent, Kent County Public Schools, reporting that
Garnett Elementary School was surveyed during the month of April 2004
by a staff member of the Department of General Services for the Interagency
Committee on School Construction.
The purpose of the survey was to ascertain the level and quality of maintenance
being performed in said building. The results of the survey The results
of the survey indicated that the overall rating of Garnett Elementary
School is "very good."
BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING
The County Administrator received a memorandum from Pat
Merritt, Budget and Accounting Director, advising of contact made by Distributed
Computing, Inc. offering a cost free review of the County's telephone
costs which will include recommendations for more cost effective options.
The County Administrator approved for the offer to be accepted.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Commissioner Pickrum noted the Memorandum that was received from P.A.M.
Schaller, Director of Economic Development, in response to the Commissioners'
request at their meeting on August 31, that the Kent County CD-ROM be
accessible on the Kent County Economic Development website. Having consulted
with Mike Wooten, Kent County's webmaster, Ms. Schaller reported a problem
involving an excessive download time, as well as the costs involved for
storage on the server.
The Commissioners agreed to the option that would entail the uploading
of a screenshot of one of the major pages displaying the directory, etc.
and a link to a form to order a hard copy CD-ROM. Ms. Schaller will be
advised accordingly.
GAMING/RAFFLE PERMIT
The Commissioners approved a raffle permit for the Radcliffe Creek School,
Chestertown, for its fund-raising event involving a monthly drawing on
the fourth Tuesdays of October and November, 2004, and from January through
and ending May, 2005, to take place at the school, and for Chester River
Artsworks, Inc. for its fund-raising event with a drawing ending November
7, 2004.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF KENT COUNTY, INC
As requested by Mary Kate O'Donnell, Executive Director, Historical Society
of Kent County, Inc., the Commissioners approved to forward letter to
the Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. endorsing the publication of a heritage
tourism walking and driving tour entitled "Chestertown to the Chesapeake
Bay: A Legacy Tour" which will be included with the Historical Society's
grant application packet.
LAMOTTE PROPERTY
The County's application for subdivision will be considered by the Chestertown
Planning Commission at its regular meeting on September 15.
LITIGATION
At 5:40 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie, and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to go into closed session
relating to potential litigation in accordance with State Government Article,
Section 10.508 (a)(8) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The closed session adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
NUISANCE ORDINANCE
Ms. Hayman noted that a copy of correspondence, dated September 7, was
received from Nony Howell, Sanitarian Supervisor, Environmental Programs,
Kent County Health Department, and directed to Mayor Jay Jacobs of Rock
Hall.
Ms. Howell indicated that she reviewed the complaint which Mayor Jacobs
forwarded to Dr. Leland Spencer, County Health Officer, regarding the
public nuisance at the property Tax Map 501, Parcel # 549, 21183 Sharp
Street in Rock Hall, within the incorporated town limits.
Ms. Howell reported that an inspection of said property was conducted
and a violation notice was sent citing the violations of the County Code
of Local Laws, Nuisance Ordinance. Ms.
Howell also noted that the County Administrator informed the Health Department
that the County Attorney may not be able to enforce County Nuisance Ordinances
in incorporated towns, such as Rock Hall. Therefore, enforcement actions,
if necessary, would have to occur through the efforts of the incorporated
towns according to applicable ordinances.
The Commissioners, as per the request of the Rock Hall Town Attorney,
granted the Rock Hall Town Attorney authorization for the enforcement
of any applicable County Nuisance Ordinances by the Town of Rock Hall
and its attorney for nuisance abatement within the corporate limits of
Rock Hall.
PERSONNEL
The Commissioners approved and signed Resolution amending the Personnel
Policies and Procedures Manual for the purpose of adding approved absences
for parental leave through a new subsection, Article III - "Parental Leave"
providing a 10-day paid parental leave benefit.
At 5:10 p.m., a motion was made by Commissioner Crow, seconded by Commissioner
Livie and made unanimous by Commissioner Pickrum to go into closed session
to discuss personnel matters in accordance with State Government Article,
Section 10.508 (a)(i) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The closed session adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
SLUDGE
Commissioner Crow met with the Agricultural Advisory Commission at 5:45
p.m. this evening to discuss a proposal received from Synagro Mid-Atlantic,
Inc. as it relates to biosolids land application.
TOLCHESTER SITE
Correspondence was received from Benjamin Cassell, President, Board of
County Commissioners, Queen Anne's County, requesting permission on behalf
of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office, for the law enforcement personnel
of said Office to utilize Kent County's firing range at Tolchester for
low light firearms qualifications on five different evenings during the
month of November.
Correspondence was also received from Corporal Craig T. Ingram and Captain
Martin E. Knight, Commander, both of Centreville Barrack "S", Maryland
State Police, requesting permission to use the firing range on the Nike
Base in the County.
Corporal Ingram explained that he is the Firearms Instructor for the Maryland
State Police, Centreville Barrack, and the Chestertown Police Department.
He also indicated that the firearms training would be conducted for day
and night time use on a limited basis.
Corporal Ingram further explained that he contacted Sheriff John Price,
the County Administrator, and Carter Stanton, Director of Public Works,
all of whom have agreed to permit the Maryland State Police to use the
range. Given permission, Corporal Ingram reported that he would prepare
a schedule in consultation with the Sheriff and Mr. Stanton.
Ms. Hayman reported that any permission granted must be subject to certain
safety requirements and a written agreement containing an idemnification
provision. A Memorandum of Understanding will be prepared for signatures.
UPPER SHORE AGING
The Commissioners approved and signed Single Family Housing/Weatherization
Assistance Agreement with the Department of Housing and Community Development,
Community Development Administration and the County Commissioners of Caroline,
Kent and Queen Anne's Counties and the County Council of Talbot County
as Contractors and Upper Shore Aging, Inc. as the subcontractor. The Upper
Shore Aging will be administering the weatherization assistance program
in the above referenced counties.
U-STAR TRANSPORTATION
The County Administrator will be meeting on September 16 with the county
administrators of Caroline and Talbot Counties and members of the Maryland
Transit Administration concerning new public transportation provisions
commencing July 1, 2005.
WATER MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION (WMA)
Correspondence was received from Jo Anne Hutchinson Shellman of Hoon and
Associates, LLC, of Chestertown, reporting that, pursuant to Environment
Article 5-506, she submitted an application to the Maryland Department
of the Environment (MDE), WMA, for a Permit to repair a pond on an unnamed
stream in the Upper Chester River Watershed. She further reported that
the pond spillway failed during a recent hurricane. The project, located
on 263.2 acres, Cherry Lane, Millington, consists of repairing an existing
dam. Plans for the proposed project were submitted to the Dam Safety Division
of WMA for evaluation.
Persons wishing to review the plans for this project may do so by contacting
Ms. Shellman's representative, Philip W. Hoon; or, to review the State's
application file, persons may contact the MDE Dam Safety Division at 410.334.3411.
WORTON BUSINESS CENTER
Engineering plans for the Worton Business Center were received from McCrone,
Inc. The plans will now be reviewed by the County Engineer for further
discussion.
There being no further business to claim their attention, the Board adjourned
to meet again on Tuesday, September 21, 2004.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Approved: William W. Pickrum, President
|
