Politics & Government

LIVE: Bel Air Commissioners Talk New Business

The Bel Air Board of Commissioners meet at 7:30 p.m. in town hall.

You can find live updates from the meeting below:

8:22 p.m.: The meeting is adjourned.

8:22 p.m.: Commissioner Hopkins took a moment to recognize officers and firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.

Find out what's happening in Bel Airwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

8:21 p.m.: Commissioner Reier thanked department of public works and police personnel for their hard work at all events in the town, especially First Fridays which was “extremely well attended.”

8:20 p.m.: Commissioner Burdette said she has been pleased to see people eating lunch at Armory Park this week. “I’d like to encourage people to stop and have lunch there.”

Find out what's happening in Bel Airwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

8:20 p.m.: There are no public comments.

8:19 p.m.: Commissioner Preston moves to appoint Bonnie Bailey to the appearance and beautification committee. All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:19 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:18 p.m.: Commissioner Burdette moves to re-appoint Marion McCarron to the tree committee.

8:17 p.m.: All vote in favor of receiving the ordinance and the motion carries.

8:17 p.m.: The staff recommends the town receive the ordinance and a public hearing be scheduled for May 20.

8:15 p.m.: Robertson said in 1980 the town adopted a fire prevention code. It was amended in 1992 to require sprinklers in buildings excluding single and two family homes. Since it was last updated, the requirement for single and two family homes as well as commercial properties have sprinkler systems. The town has adopted the state codes and this specification in the town code is now redundant.

8:15 p.m.: Robert Preston moves to amend the chapter of the town code entitled fire protection.

8:14 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:06 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Reier moves to approve a contract for $112,812 with Monacacy Valley Electric for two emergency generators to run the Bel Air Armory.

8:05 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion passes.

8:04 p.m.: Burdette moves a contract with Insituform Technology as approved by Harford County Government be used by town to update manhole to manhole lines in Homestead. The contract amount is for $52,651.

8:03 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

8:01 p.m.: Commissioner Robert Preston moves to approve unit prices provided to Cecil County Government by TRB Specialties Rehabilitation be approved by Bel Air for sanitary rehabilitation at Homestead and Shamrock. The contract is for $247,345.

8:00 p.m.: All vote in favor and the motion carries.

7:59 p.m.: Town director of public works, Randy Robertson, explains this plan will allow for future planning and identify needs and potential weak points in the system.

7:58 p.m.: Commissioner Carey moves to approve an Inflow and Infiltration capital improvement plan for $251,700. The motion carries.

7:57 p.m.: Town Planner Chris Schlehr explained the town charter requires the town approve a resolution stating it’s intent to pay back the tax exempt financing for these projects.

7:55 p.m.: A resolution for obligation bond for infiltration and inflow project and Maryland Environmental Services project at a total of $500,000 is proposed.

7:54 p.m.: At First Friday’s the town presented the artist responsible for the mural on Main Street with a proclamation, Hopkins said.

7:48 p.m.: Tim Ailsworth presents Bel Air with a Local Government Insurance Trust Grant Award of 3,042. Because of the long-term participation in the group insurance program, the town has received a great number of credits. The grant is for the police department.

7:43 p.m.: The town will be naming a garden near the new Main Street parking lot "Dot's Garden" in Maurer's honor.

7:42 pm.: “Bel Air is the way it is because of Dot’s attention to detail in those flowers,” Hopkins said. He added she also has charm and strong sense of community spirit.

7:40 p.m.: Dorothy Maurer is called to the podium. Maurer has served as the appearance and beautification committee chairperson. She has been a member of the committee for more than 40 years. She is leaving her post.

7:35 p.m.: Rebecca Gault, National Teacher Hall of Fame Recipient and Bel Air Middle School teacher, is called to the podium to be recognized by the town.

7:32 p.m.: Eighth-grader Klia Trintis, Harford Day School student, is called to the podium and is also being recognized for student excellence. Avery and Klia are friends.

7:30 p.m.: Commissioner Susan Burdette calls Avery Riedel to the podium to be recognized. Avery is in eighth grade at Harford Day School. She is being recognized fro student excellence.

7:28 p.m.: Mike Blum introduces this year’s Miss Bel Air 2013, Laura Patnaude. She is headed to the Miss Maryland Pageant as representative of Bel Air.

7:27 p.m.: “We have a pretty ambitions agenda tonight,” de facto mayor, Edward Hopkins said.

7:26 p.m.: The meeting is called to order.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here