Commissioners Seek Changes To Ethics Proposal

The Bel Air Board of Commissioners decided to postpone its decision on proposed changes to the town ethics code during Monday's Bel Air Town Hall meeting.

The unanimous vote—motioned for by Commissioner David Carey and seconded by Commissioner Robert Preston—to postpone tonight's decision was due to financial concerns, which could discourage current and future volunteers, members said.

The proposed changes in question would allow town police officers and volunteers to be exempt from financial disclosure.

Also Monday, the introduction of a municipal public works mutual aid agreement was approved. The Board of Commissioners voted 5-0.

The new agreement would allow participating governments to receive county, state, or federal compensation for helping other jurisdictions during declared emergencies.

Commissioner Edward Hopkins thought this decision was a step in the right direction.

“This is another tool in our tool box should disaster occur where we could help someone or they could help us. I think this is an excellent move,” Hopkins said.

A Student Achievement Award was handed out to Bel Air Elementary School fifth-grader Finley Moreland. Hopkins presented the award to Finely, whose parents and grandparents were in the audience.

Among her activities, Finley is an active member of the Bel Air Elementary Patriot Program, an accomplished goalie for Bel Air Parks & Rec’s field hockey team, a member of the “H2o” field hockey travel team, and a honor roll student.

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Editor's Note: Finley Moreland's name was spelled wrong in an earlier version of this story. Patch regrets the error.