Town Meeting: Public Works, Ethics Code On Agenda

Changes to the town ethics code and a new aid agreement among Maryland towns are up for discussion in Bel Air tonight.

at the last meeting that staff had concerns that financial disclosure requirements for voluntary boards in town might discourage volunteers.

Proposed changes to the Bel Air town ethics code would allow these volunteers to be exempt from financial disclosure.

It is also proposed to remove town police officers from financial disclosure lists as well. The state ethics commission has approved the town’s proposed amendments. A public hearing on the changes is slated to take place at 7:30 p.m. in town hall prior to the meeting.

Also on Monday's agenda is the introduction of a municipal public works mutual aid agreement. The resolution was drafted by Maryland attorneys and public works directors and would allow participating governments to receive county, state or federal compensation for helping other jurisdictions during declared emergencies.

“We don’t have to give aid, if for some reason we have other issues that we can't," Bel Air Pubic Works Director Randy Robertson said during Tuesday's work session. "Just because they ask doesn't mean we have to give it."

The agreement would be in addition to existing county agreements.

The Bel Air Town Meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in