LIVE from Town Hall: Dempsey's Vocals Give Goosebumps

8:29 p.m. The meeting has been adjourned.

In commissioner comments Mayor David Carey reminded everyone that the first-ever Halfway to First Friday's event is this Friday from 5–9 p.m. at the Armory.

Edward Hopkins gave praise to all the police officers in the town's department.

Commissioner Bob Preston followed up Baxter's comments by thanking the Department of Public Works for its snow removal efforts.

Commissioner Terence Hanley thanked Carey for recognizing Bel Air High School principal Joe Voskuhl tonight.

Commissioner Robert Reier concluded by saying, "I think you guys already covered everything."

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CORRECTION: An earlier edition of this article had an incorrect last name for Abigail Dempsey. Bel Air Patch sincerely regrets the error.

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8:25 p.m. Elaine Baxter of the 400 block of East Broadway spoke during public comment to complain about the .

"It is a problem in Bel Air," Baxter said. "There are a lot of Bel Air citiznes that don't have that option [to walk]."

"A lot of these sidewalks are not cleared," she added.

Residents and business owners are responsible to remove snow from the sidewalk adjacent to their property, according to Public Works Director Randy Robertson.

"I feel like they're ignoring the problem even when they're being approached," she said.

Carey said the town is doing the best it can without being "over-reaching" or providing "undue burden."

Baxter asked who she should call and has been told to contact the Department of Public Works.

"I do want to thank you, I think you all do a great service to the town of Bel Air," she said in conclusion. "I love that feeling of the small-town community."

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8:19 p.m. An amendment to the Bel Air town code has been introduced that would save more than a dozen residents money on their sewer bill.

There are 14 flat-rate sewer customers in town who are on a well, as opposed to public water. They are being charged about $92 a quarter, as determined many years ago.

8:21 p.m. Moody said the town did an analysis to determine if the flat rate was still fair and recommends that the new charge for property owners be $24.96 for single and $76.79 for multi.

The majority of the customers will be save $15 per quarter. A letter will be sent to all affected residents.

"It's not too often we save people money," Hanley said with a smile.

The ordinance has been accepted unamimously. There will also be a public hearing Feb. 22

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8:17 p.m. An amendment to the town's building code has been introduced to bring it into compliance with the International Building Code.

"It's sensible for the town to adopt the same set of rules and regulations," Director of Public Works Randy Robertson said.

The similar chagnes.

The introduction of the ordinance has been aceepted by the commissioners and the public hearing will be heard Feb. 22. (Take note that's a Tuesday since Feb. 21 is President's Day.)

It incorporates the International Building Code, the International Residential Code and the International Capital Code. Altogether, Robertson says, they make up "the building code."

The ordinance establishes that after Jan. 1, 2012, fire extinguishing systems must be installed in all single family homes.

There are also new carbon monoxide requirements.

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8:09 p.m. The town parking (meter revnue) and enterprise funds lost money in FY2010.

Mayor David Carey is saying how "helpful" it is that the audit is more of a "narrative" this time.

Schlehr has also complimented the department heads for executing their plans to help the town save money.

"To a person they all did an excellent job," he said. "They would deserve a pat on the back."

Commissioner Terence Hanley pointed out that the pension plan brought in $1 million more in 2010 than the year before because the market had "turned around."

Director of Finance Lisa Moody agreed. She added that this audit came just a "tad bit later" than usual.

The audit has been unanimously accepted.

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8:07 p.m. Based on Schlehr's presentation of the audit, fiscal year 2010 was a good one for the town. Lots of saving and under-spending being mentioned.

Mayor David Carey just mentioned that the town is hoping to save money by being more energy-conscious from here on out. He used turning out lights as an example.

Schlehr said he is correct and that there is an energy savings project coming to the Hickory Avenue parking garage.

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8:04 p.m. "The bottom line is overall our net assets increased substantially from the previous year," Town Administrator Chris Schlehr said of the audit.

"The next three years are going to be difficult from a budget standpoint. Not impossible, but difficult," he added. "The unreserved funds are going to serve us well."

All I can think about is the two people who received $50 gift cards to Famous Dave's. Someone is taking me to dinner this week.

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7:53 p.m. Town hall cleared out after the presentations. It's only myself, another reporter and two citizens still in attendance. There were probably 20 more people in here a few minutes ago.

Town Administrator Chris Schlehr is higlighting the town's fiscal year 2010 budget, which was presented to town officials at Tuesday's work session. The report gave the town a clean opinion.

This would be a good time for a bathroom break. I'll let you know if anything happens.

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7:52 p.m. Rowan Glidden has been re-appointed to the tree committee for a three-year term.

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7:50 p.m. Recently-retired Bel Air High School principal Joseph Voskuhl is now being recognized.

He began teaching in 1970 at Northern High School. He came to Bel Air in 1986 and was serving as vice principal by 1997.

"We want to congratulate on your retirement and we have this special proclamation for you," Carey said.

He is receiving a Town of Bel Air hat among other things, from the town.

Chris Foss (unsure of spelling) also joined in on the presentation.

"He had the pedestal built before we even raised the first dollar," Foss said of Voskuhl's eagerness to get the Bobcat sculpture project started.

"We wanted to make a donation to the Bel air High School Bobcat sculpture in honor of principal Voskuhl for $200," she said, holding a giant check.

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7:45 p.m. Abigail Dempsey is now being recognized. She has been class president at Bel Air for four years and served as captain of the field hockey team this year.

She will work at an orphanage in Africa in the fall.

Mayor David Carey presented her with her recognition certificate.

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7:43 p.m. Janice Parrino, a police communications operator for the Bel Air Police Department, is now being recognized by Hopkins and Matrangola.

"Police can't do their job unless there's a backbone to the department," Hopkins said. "She's consistently demonstrating high-quality and professional service."

In November, the department received its best audit in the last 10 years from the National Crime Information Center Audit.

She is also the treasurer for the BAPD's benevolence fund.

Matrangola has given her a certificate of merit from the police department for her "diligence of duty to the Bel Air Police Department."

She also receives a $50 gift card to Famous Dave's.

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7:39 p.m. After five years with the criminal investigation unit, Smith will now be a patrol supervisor.

He has received a $50 gift certificate to Famous Dave's from the Board of Commissioners and a plaque from the police department.

"Ed's a big teamwork guy," Matrangola said. "His leadership has really produced some spectacular events in the last five years."

His wife is here, too.

"Thanks for putting up with the call-outs," Matrangola said to her.

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7:36 p.m. Commissioner Edward Hopkins, along with Chief of Police Leo Matrangola, is recognizing Sgt. Ed Smith for his service to the town. Hopkins said this is a particularly special honor for him to present because he is a former police officer.

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7:34 p.m. The meeting is underway after a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem by Bel Air High School student Abigail Dempsey.

Mayor David Carey said it best: “Abigail, you should’ve been at the Super Bowl last night."

Eat your heart out, Christina Aguilera.

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7:24 p.m. Sure enough, I got a spot right up front. Hopefully it's not too close to the fire hydrant.

Bel Air Police officers are filing in as one of their own will be recognized tonight. None of the commissioners are on the dais yet. I'm going to set up my video camera for the National Anthem performance from Abigail Dempsey. I'll post that afterward.

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7:10 p.m. Welcome to the first-ever live coverage of Bel Air's town meeting. I, Brad Gerick, will be posting throughout the night on all the issues that come up at the meeting. If something warrants additional coverage afterward, you'll be sure to find it here.

My goal for now, though, is to keep you updated as quickly as those of us sitting in town hall. If you have any questions, put them in the comments. For a .

OK, time to head to Hickory Avenue so I get a good parking space.