Denton, Maryland

The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 7:30 PM in the Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.

John W. Cole, President

Franklin W. Prettyman, Vice President

John S. LeGates, Member

Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator

President Cole observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the recent passing of Ben Happersett, mayor of Federalsburg, and Robert Sallitt, Queen Anne’s County Administrator.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the minutes of December 15, 1998 were approved. Vouchers #44140 – #44224 were approved for payment.

On individual motions by Mr. LeGates, the following purchase orders were unanimously approved and signed:

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the coattail of the state contract with Norris Ford, for two replacement vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department, project #CC-PC-121598. All other bids received were rejected. The Commissioners agreed to retain the 1993 vehicle for future disposal.

Cindy Towers, risk management/emergency management planning coordinator, presented a certificate of volunteer service to James Bruce, operator, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) Program. Ms. Towers explained that in disaster situations when telephone communications go out, these volunteer operators maintain essential communications.

JOK Walsh met with the Commissioners and presented the Overall Economic Development Program Plan. He explained that the document is extremely comprehensive and will serve as a guide showing where the County has been and where it is going. Mr. Walsh commended the OEDP Committee for their input and Pat Guida who provided the research and stated that the beneficiaries of all this hard work will be the people of Caroline County. Revisions of the plan will be required every five years and the current plan had not been updated since 1977. The Commissioners commended Mr. Walsh and all those involved for their efforts. On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and adopted the following resolution:

The proposed Caroline County Overall Economic Development Program Plan (OEDP) has been prepared by JOK Walsh with the guidance of the Caroline County OEDP Advisory Committee;

A current OEDP Plan is required by many federal government agencies in order to receive federal funding, including the U. S. Economic Development Administration;

The Town of Federalsburg is applying for assistance from the U. S. Economic Development Administration in the approximate amount of $1 million for the purpose of improving the infrastructure of the Federalsburg Industrial Park;

An approved OEDP Plan will help to expedite future federal assistance applications.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, Do hereby adopt the 1998 Caroline County Overall Economic Development Program Plan, and authorize its submittal to and review by the U. S. Economic Development Administration.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the Maryland Environmental Service Scrap Tire Amnesty Day Intergovernmental Agreement Modification. Due to the program’s success last year, the state is sponsoring another Amnesty Day Project. Funding has been provided for the collection of 75 tons of scrap tires per county.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a letter to the Maryland Department of the Environment expressing their appreciation for the MDE report on the Piney Point aquifer. The evaluation contained in the study appears to provide reasonable use of the aquifer for agricultural irrigation while recognizing the critical importance of preserving the aquifer for human consumption.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a letter to Curtis Allen Barnhart, Jr., Boy Scout Troop #461, in recognition of his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Commissioners acknowledged a request from a citizen that resides outside the incorporated town limits for the county to provide curbside leaf removal. The Commissioners instructed staff to notify the Department of Public Works to conduct research on the issue and draft a letter advising the citizen of the status of their inquiry.

Mr. Cawley presented to the Commissioners a request from Michelle Lane, employee representative to the Personnel Review Board, requesting authorization for interested County employees to donate accumulated leave time to a County employee with a serious health condition. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved the request and determined it to be an extraordinary circumstance.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners authorized President Cole to sign vouchers during the week of December 26, 1998, as is customary, due to the regular Commissioners meeting being cancelled during the holiday.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners approved and President Cole signed the 1999 Cropland Rental Agreement as landowners entitling the tenant, Norris Hayman, to 100% share of the crop.

At 8:45 PM, and as authorized by 1995 Maryland Code, State Government 10-508(a)(1), the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Prettyman, seconded by Mr. LeGates, unanimously adjourned into closed session to discuss committee assignments to organizations requiring a County Commissioner member.

The meeting reconvened in open session at 9 PM. President Cole reported that the Commissioners, in closed session, discussed modification to and completion of committee assignments to organizations requiring a County Commissioner member to be made at the next regular meeting scheduled for January 5, 1999.

There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned by unanimous consent.

Vivian L. Anders

Acting Executive Assistant