Board of Town Commissioners

MINUTES BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS December 5, 2022 The regular meeting of the Board of Town Commissioners was called to order on Monday, December 5, 2022, 7:30 p.m. at Bel Air Armory, Bel Air, Maryland. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Commissioner Mary F. Chance Commissioner Paula S. Etting Commissioner Erin S. Hughes Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe STAFF PRESENT: Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator Trish Heidenreich, Director of Economic Development Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works Michael Krantz, Director of Administration Charles Moore, Chief of Police Kevin Small, Director of Planning Pamela Wockenfuss, Deputy Director of Finance Charles Keenan, Town Counsel Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary ABSENT: Lisa Moody, Director of Finance APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion to approve the Agenda as written. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the minutes of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners’ meetings held on November 15, 2022 and November 21, 2022, be approved as submitted. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. 1 NEW BUSINESS: Reappointment to the Tree Committee - Graham Becker Commissioner Hughes moved and Commissioner Kahoe seconded the motion that the reappointment of Graham Becker to the Tree Committee for a term of three (3) years, effective immediately, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners. Chair Bianca advised Mr. Becker is knowledgeable about trees and appreciates his willingness to serve another term. Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca Nays: None The motion carried. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chair Bianca notified: • Winter Wonderland continues for two more weeks in Downtown Bel Air. Commissioner Hughes advised Winter Wonderland will continue on Saturday December 10th and Saturday December 17th. Lights are on from 5:00 – 11:00 p.m. and activities 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Winter Wonderland Craft Market is Saturday, December 10th from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Armory. Local vendors will participate. • Mt. Ararat Lodge Pancake Breakfast December 10th from 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. The event will benefit SARC and bring an item on SARC’s wish list. The list will be posted on the Town’s website. • Merry and Bright Concert Saturday, December 10th at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. The event is free and please register on-line. • Bel Air Community Band Concert Sunday, December 11th at Bel Air High School from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. • Bel Air Holiday/Farmer’s Market, Saturday, December 17th, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. The last one for the season. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Kyra Contomanolis, 534 Robinson Street, Bel Air, Md. is asking for consideration of an exception to allow a 6’ fence constructed on the front yard that does not have vehicle access. Ms. Contomanolis stated Harford County allows for this but the Town of Bel Air currently does not. Based on the conversations with the Planning Department, this provision is under consideration and may be allowed in the future. Ms. Contomanolis purchased her home this year and there is already a 6’ fence on a majority of the property. The intent was to replace the existing fence on Vale Road and the front fence of 6’on Robinson Street. Ms. Contomanolis’ priority is safety for herself, family, visitors and dog. 2 Ms. Contomanolis stated the existing fence on Vale Road is outside her property and moving the fence inside her property does not interfere with any site obstructions with the relationship of the corner of Vale and Robinson. Ms. Contomanolis notified all paperwork has been submitted to the Planning Department. The current fence is an eyesore to the Town and a new fence will enhance the landscape. Ms. Contomanolis looks forward to hearing from the Town on the request. Chair Bianca asked for a timeline on construction. Ms. Contomanolis is hoping to have approval by February and begin building March 1st. Steve Chizmar, 321 E. Broadway, Bel Air, Md., attended the last Town Board meeting requesting the packets given to the Commissioners and staff be posted on the Town’s website for citizens to be informed before the meeting. Commissioner Hughes apologized that was not brought up during the last Work Session. This concern will be placed on the Work Session agenda. Katherine Brown, 800 Jackson Boulevard, Bel Air, Md., advised there was a water main break at the empty Wakefield building last week. Ms. Brown stated this building should have been torn down in June and is asking the Commissioners to move that process along. Ms. Brown understands the Board of Education has the right to say they do not want a road going on the property. Ms. Brown stated dragging this on is a detriment to the children and citizens of the Town. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Chair Bianca appreciates everyone involved in the Christmas Parade. It was a wonderful success and saw a lot of smiling faces. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. APPROVED: January 17, 2023 Signature on file________________ Kevin M. Bianca, Chair Board of Town Commissioners Signature on file_______________ Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk 3