Live from Town Hall: Commissioners Sworn In

The newly elected Susan Burdette and re-elected Robert Reier and Edward Hopkins will be sworn in as commissioners at tonight's meeting at town hall.

In addition to the swearing in ceremony, amendments to the town code and development regulations are on the agenda. The amendments and ordinances deal with development, infrastructure and clarifying the developers role in building projects.

8:16 p.m.: Meeting adjourned. A brief reception will be held for the newley elected and departing commissioners.

8:16 p.m.: "The veterans day celebration the other day was absolutely exhilarating," Hopkins said.

8:15 p.m.: Hopkins also gives a word of thanks to the voters and to his fellow commissioners for voting him into the chair position. He said it's nice to know people in the audience by name from Del. Susan McComas to Greg Adolph who are around town as well as political figures.

8:14 p.m.: Burdette says last week we celebrated veterans and feels attending the parade was a better preamble to her time as a commissioner than she could have planned. "I sincerely thank the citizens of Bel Air for their vote," Burdette said.

8:13 p.m.: "Keep the cheer here this year," Preston said.

8:12 p.m.: Robert Prestion says Saturday is shop local day and encourages people to spend money locally to support local neighbors. "Can you have one of your holiday parties held at a local restaurant," Preston asked.

8:11 p.m.: David Carey said he is glad to have been chair, or mayor, for the past few years and gives a vote of confidence to Hopkins.

8:10 p.m.: Greg Adolph congratulates the two incumbents and Burdette on their win in the election in which he was also a candidate. "I think we'll have a couple good years ahead of us," Adolph said.

8:09 p.m.: Were those hired residents of Bel Air, Dilegge asked.

8:08 p.m.: "I might be rattling on, but I needed to be present," Dilegge said.

8:04 p.m.: There was a posting for the town of Bel Air for a labor worker, Dilegge said. He explained he is a brick layer by trade and presented his credentials to the board. He says he has never been granted an interview and asks for that courtesy.

8:03 p.m.: Mike Dilegge Jr. in Bel Air Bradford Village development says in public comment he does not mean disrespect, but warns his voice may raise in volume as he speaks.

8:02 p.m.: Hopkins shares upcoming events including Chesapeake Cancer Alliance hosting annual festival of trees and other events.

8:02 p.m.: All vote in favor of introducing the second ordinance and the motion carries.

8:00 p.m.: small changes to procedures for traffic improvements and explain the requirements of the developer in this process.

7:59 p.m.: Motion made to introduce development regulations. Impact fee section now listed in this section.

7:59 p.m.: All vote in favor of introducing the ordinance.

7:58 p.m.: Limitations on piecemeal development included in the update. The public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19.

7:57 p.m.: The roadways section will be removed from the ordinance. The section will be expanded to include capital improvements.

7:56 p.m.: ordinance amending town code introduced. Kevin Small explains the section outlines how costs are allocated to sewer and infrastructure. It is an ordinance on the books that they are clarifying.

7:54 p.m.: Robert Preston makes motion that Robert Reier serve as vice-chair of the board of commissioners. All vote in favor and Reier and Hopkins exchange congratulations.

7:54 p.m.: Robert Preston makes motion for Edward Hopkins to serve as chairman of the board. All vote in favor and Carey and Hopkins switch seats on the dais.

7:52 p.m.: Reilly swears in Susan Burdette, newcomer to the board of commissioners.

7:50 p.m.: Clerk of the Circuit Court James C. Reilly swears in Robert Reier and Edward Hopkins.

7:48 p.m.: "I'd just like to take the opportunity to thank the gentleman to my right," Carey said of Terence Hanley. "I want to thank you for your service."

7:48 p.m.: Motion carries 5-0.

7:47 p.m.: Commissioner Edward Hopkins asked to change Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department to Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

7:46 p.m.: No comments from the public or commissioners.

7:46 p.m.: Commissioner David Carey, de facto mayor, opens the public comment hearing on the ordinance.

7:45 p.m.: Minimum height for buildings is corrected to reference the right section and read 20 feet.

7:43 p.m.: Temporary sandwich boards will be allowed during business hours as opposed to daylight hours, Small said. Banners can be freestanding and not just attached to the building under the amendment.

7:42 p.m.: The amendment includes an addition to the reference of the height of a sign.

7:41 p.m.: Typically the planning commission sends a letter approving or denying a project and this process will now be required under the new amendment.

7:40 p.m.: The development regulations initially required building permits for all satellite receivers. This has been changed to accommodate a certain size.

7:38 p.m.: Solar cells are also included in this legislation. Ground mounted systems must be screened by appropriate landscape. Those panels attached to the roof should be treated as accessories and cannot be visible above the slope of the roof, Small said.

7:37 p.m.: Two sections will be added to the code including wind energy system. If one comes into the town, we will have procedures in place to handle this addition. No ladder can be to the ground, preventing accessibility and the tower must blend in with the town. It must also abide by noise control codes.

7:36 p.m.: Small says the amendment also means parking cannot be closer than 5 feet to right of way.

7:35 p.m.: Kevin Small, Director of Planning introduces ordinance on development regulations amendment. There are certain processes currently used that are not in the ordinance. Adds special development to review commission. If a project exceeds 7,500 square feet it applies to be reviewed. This is currently done, but has never been enforced.

7:33 p.m.: minutes from last meeting approved unanimously.

7:32 p.m.: Bel Air Middle School student Samuel Jackson recognized for excellence in and out of the classroom.

7:31 p.m.: Agenda approved.

7:30 p.m.: Meeting called to order.

7:24 p.m.: Seats are slowly filling in town hall. About 20 people are seated in the audience making this a fairly well attended meeting already.

7:13 p.m.: Five people are seated and awaiting the official start to the meeting.

In a previous version, Mike Dilegge's name was misspelled.