Commissioners Approve Rockfield Lease Update

7:52 p.m. In commissioner comments:

Reier recognized the town Department of Public Works for helping set up the annual festival for the arts.

7:48 p.m. He also believes there is a problem with noise ordinance violations on the site and that there may have been some storm water management violations.

Sullivan said he has made Town Administrator Chris Schlehr away.

"I wouldn't dispute anything that Mr. Sullivan said," Schlehr said. "The buffering was not done property from the get-go ... when the hospital was first built."

7:45 p.m. Public comment has begun.

Patrick Sullivan of the 1000 block of Tollgate Road is speaking. He said he is concerned about the hospital. He said the is 10 feet from his property, but he thinks it should be 50 feet, like parking lots are required to be.

7:43 p.m. The ordinance has been received and there will be a public hearing later this month or in October.

7:40 p.m. The commissioners are now receiving an ordinance that would alter the development regulations code.

"The text really does not change at all," Director of Planning Kevin Small said. "Just the format of the code will change."

It will put the development regulations in the same format as the town code and make them more accessible online, he said.

7:38 p.m. The lease was approved by a vote of 4-0 with Hopkins absent.

Before the vote Hanley noted that the cottage house on the property is occupied by the Harford Artist’s Gallery. Schlehr confirmed that it was “under the town’s umbrella.”

7:36 p.m. The lease automatically renews annually unless one of the parties give 60 days notice that they want to break the agreement.

Carey and Schlehr noted that this agreement will save the town money because the Rockfield Foundation is now paying for its utilities, among other costs.

7:35 p.m. A lease between the town and Rockfield Manor for the house, barn and surrounding grounds is up for debate. It has been renewed on a yearly basis in the past.

Town Administrator Chris Schlehr said some changes were agreed upon in the lease. The land surrounding the property is about 5.4 acres, but does not include the tenant house.

The town is required to maintain the grounds and the main house, including the HVAC system and major appliances, as part of the agreement.

"All of the normal landlord functions," Schlehr said.

The following requirements are new to the lease:

The foundation will pay for all of its utilities and maintain a general liability of $2 million—up from $1 million—and provide the town with a copy of its annual budget, monthly financial updates and the manual compilation report.

The foundation must also meet with the town's finance director to review employee-related financial documents.

7:31 p.m. Commissioner Edward Hopkins is the only member of the board not in attendance. Commissioners Hanley, Rob Reier, Robert Preston and Chair David Carey are here.

Hopkins is "ill," according to Carey.

7:19 p.m. Town Commissioner Terence Hanley is at town hall. He has declined four requests for comment since Patch first reported a theft charge he faces in Cecil County. He is also in a with for .

He parked a Lexus outside the building and walked inside while apparently on a phone call. A Patch reporter walked with Hanley and asked if he had a minute to answer questions, but he did not respond.

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The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. It is at on Hickory Avenue and open to the public. Patch will provide live updates.

For the agenda and ordinance to be voted on, .