November 24, 1998
Denton, Maryland
The regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, convened at 7:30 PM in the Hearing Room, Courthouse, Denton.
Attending:
Margaret R. Myers, President
John S. LeGates, Vice President
John W. Cole, Member
Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator
On motion by Mr. Cole, the minutes of November 17, 1998 were approved. Vouchers #43533 – #43616 were approved for payment.
The Commissioners signed State Assessment Change Reports #1222, #1225 - #1230.
On individual motions by Mr. LeGates, the following purchase orders were unanimously approved and signed:
#13982 – not to exceed $4,000.00 – George, Miles & Buhr, LLP – preliminary engineering report to determine solution of drainage problems for adjoining properties at the Health and Public Services Building including, Caroline Nursing Home, and Channel Marker properties;
#13989 - $20,894.60 – Rick Breeding Excavating, Inc. – landscaping and drainage work at Health and Public Services Building (work was contracted for through original HAPS Services Contract for rehabilitation of Seventh Street drainage);
#13993 - $18.989.57 – Maryland Environmental Service – 399.78 tons of refuse hauled to Mid-Shore Regional Landfill for October 1998;
#14013 - $2,048.10 – O. E. Breeding & Sons – re-seeding of Courthouse Green.
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously authorized solicitation of bids for the Caroline County Detention Center Prescription Drug Contract, project #CC-PD-2999.
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously accepted the low bid of Lane Enterprises, Inc., Bealeton, Virginia, in the amount of $22,750.20, for metal pipe, project #CC-MP-111798.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously appointed Michael Ann Phillips to serve on the Board of Library Trustees for a term of five years effective January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2003.
Sue Simmons, director of recreation and parks and Terry Fearins, town manager, Town of Denton, met with the Commissioners regarding Sharp Road Park. A conceptual plan of the proposed park was presented and discussed. Ms. Simmons advised that the park will take many years to complete and that the Town of Denton will begin long-term planning in order to develop a community park. The residential property bordering the proposed park will be buffered by vegetation and the active areas will be planned on the commercial side of the property. Completion of the community park is estimated at $600,000. Following presentation, the Commissioners, on motion by Mr. Cole, unanimously approved and signed the deed transferring ownership of Sharp Road Park property from the County to the Town of Denton per the original agreement.
Terry Fearins requested that the County Commissioners send a letter to the 36th and 37th District Legislators when the 1999 General Assembly begins session in support of maintaining the Denton Armory as a community facility. There was consensus to do this and Ms. Fearins was asked to submit a draft letter when needed.
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the following resolution:
RESOLUTION #98–018
ACQUISITION OF HARMONY COMMUNITY PARK
Whereas:
The Harmony Community Center Incorporated, a Maryland non-stock charitable corporation, existed to support the Harmony Community Center and the surrounding 3.5 acres as a community services and recreation center. The original charter was forfeited in 1956 and was revived in June of 1980. The corporate charter was again forfeited. The building steadily deteriorated, with significant water and structural damage, and the building became a public safety problem. Caroline County Planning and Codes Administration inspected the building, deemed it an unsafe structure, and ordered its demolition on August 14, 1997. The Harmony Community Center trustees proposed that the title be transferred to the County with the understanding that the property be preserved as a public park. In September 1997, with the approval of the County Commissioners, the Department of Recreation and Parks secured a Program Open Space grant to cover both the legal costs of the title transfer and the stabilization costs of the building demolition.
The Caroline County Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, proposes that the County Commissioners purchase the 3.5 acres currently owned by the defunct charitable corporation, the Harmony Community Center, Inc., for $1.00, provided that majority of the surviving Harmony Community Center trustees concur with the transfer as evidenced by their signed affidavits, and that the deed of conveyance contains restrictive language that preserves the property as a public park.
Therefore, The County Commissioners of Caroline county, Maryland, Do hereby officially approve the acquisition of the 3.5 acres in Harmony to be known as the Harmony Community Park, and instruct the County Attorney to obtain the affidavits of the Trustees, and prepare the necessary conveyance documents.
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 24, 1998 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND
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JOK Walsh presented to the Commissioners the Economic Development Preliminary Plan. Mr. Walsh explained that the plan will assist current industry and possibly attract new industry into the County and provides a 5-year plan of Caroline County. Following discussion, Mr. Walsh advised the draft plan will be finalized and submitted to the EDC Committee and then submitted to the County Commissioners in December.
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed a letter to Maryland Environmental Service authorizing MES to accept the Mid-Shore Regional Landfill Acceptable Waste that has been generated or collected in any Maryland county located on the Eastern Shore.
Mr. Cawley announced that the Maryland Association of Counties 49th Annual Winter Conference is scheduled for January 6-8, 1999 in Annapolis. The Commissioners decided on the days they are planning to attend the conference and instructed staff to complete registration. The Commissioners are scheduled to attend the New Elected Official Orientation Program offered on Wednesday, January 6th.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Myers signed a letter to the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center expressing their support for the continuation of the AHEC federal grant.
The Commissioners attended a tour of North Caroline High School with Dr. Gorsuch, superintendent of schools, and representatives of the Board of Education earlier in the day to view the proposed renovations. On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved bond authorization in the spring of 1999 for the following FY 1999 Board of Education Capital Improvement Projects in the approximate amount of $2,285,500:
Remodeling/Addition of Federalsburg Elementary School $ 1,557,000
Technology in Schools Wiring for Lockerman Middle School $ 68,000
Technology in Schools Wiring for Colonel Richardson Middle School $ 43,000
Look of the Future Science Project for Colonel Richardson High School $ 334,000
Fuel Tank Replacements for:
Greensboro Elementary School and Denton Elementary School $ 150,000
Colonel Richardson Middle School and Caroline Career
and Technology Center $ 85,000
Repair/Resurfacing of Tennis Courts at Colonel Richardson High School
And North Caroline High School $ 48,500
$ 2,285,500
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved bond authorization in the spring of 2000 for the following FY 2000 Board of Education Capital Improvement Projects in the approximate amount of $3,753,000:
North Caroline High School Addition and Renovation/
Planning/Asbestos $ 3,518,000
Lockerman Middle School Partial Roof Replacement $ 149,000
Denton Elementary School Chiller Replacement $ 41,000
Colonel Richardson High School Chiller Replacement $ 45,000
$ 3,753,000
On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and signed the following resolution:
RESOLUTION #98-017
AMENDMENT TO THE CAROLINE COUNTY
PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS
Department of Corrections Positions
WHEREAS:
The Caroline County Personnel Review Board proposed the following amendments to the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations, which update and replace the current wording of the Caroline County Job/Class Specifications, payscale assignments and pay plan for the positions listed below; and at its meeting of October 13, 1998, approved these proposed amendments and recommended their adoption by the County Commissioners.
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND, That the following amendments to the Caroline County Personnel Rules and Regulations are officially adopted:
ADOPTED: NOVEMBER 24, 1998 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
EFFECTIVE: NOVEMBER 25, 1998 CAROLINE COUNTY, MARYLAND
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The Commissioners, on motion by Mr. LeGates, unanimously approved the day after Thanksgiving as a County holiday for this year and for subsequent years for County employees to correspond with the state agencies. The Christmas holiday schedule is on the Commissioner’s agenda for the meeting of December 15, 1998.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously approved the annual training request of the Caroline County Orphan’s Court for the judges to attend a two-day seminar on December 10 and 11, 1998 in the amount of $300.
On motion by Mr. Cole, the Commissioners unanimously appointed the following persons to serve on the Advisory Board of the Regional Mid-Shore Mental Health Services, representing Caroline County: George McManus, Joann Staples, MaryAnn Adkins, Jeff Denton, and Archie Cawley.
Mr. Cawley advised the Commissioners that the meeting regarding dualization of Maryland Route 404 with the Caroline County Commissioners and the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners has been set up by Delegate Wheeler Baker and is scheduled for December 15, 1998 at 1 PM in Queen Anne’s County.
Mr. Cawley also announced that the Annual Employee Meeting for County employees is scheduled for December 9, 1998 at 11:30 AM at the 4-H and Youth Park.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Vivian L. Anders
Acting Executive Assistant