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.

John W. Cole, President

Franklin W. Prettyman, Vice President

John S. LeGates, Member

Charles C. Cawley, County Administrator

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the minutes of June 29, 1999 were approved. Vouchers #47113 – #47164 were approved for payment.

President Cole observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the recent passing of former County Commissioner Charles T. Dean, Sr.

On individual motions indicated, the following purchase orders were unanimously approved and signed:

Marvin MacDonald, purchasing officer, reported that the bids received for project #CC-HS-62999, Human Society shelter project as still being reviewed by staff and the architect, Pamela Gardner.

Marvin MacDonald, purchasing officer, reported that the bid packages for the Hog Creek Road project will be sent out later this week.

Ron Fearins, chair, Preston Volunteer Fire Company Ways and Means Committee, reported on the new Preston firehouse and invited the Commissioners to tour the project. Mr. Fearins thanked the Commissioners for supporting the fire companies. He reported that a building fund drive was started in October 1998 for the project. The project was anticipated to be paid for within five years, however, due to the overwhelming citizen participation and fundraising efforts, the project will be paid for in one year. Once the project is complete, the Town of Preston will have a facility that will benefit the County and will serve the public’s future needs. The Commissioners commended the efforts of those involved in the project and tentatively scheduled the tour of the project immediately following the Commissioners’ regular meeting of July 13^th.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed the JTPA Title III, Economic Dislocated Worker Adjustment ACT (EDWAA) job training plan. The plan, administered by the Upper Shore Private Industry Council, provides for assessment, remediation, job specific skill training, job search and placement services for those constituents who have been laid-off, the long-term unemployed, dislocated homemakers, and those affected by a plant close down.

On motion by LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved and President Cole signed a letter to the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board (WIB) confirming the Commissioners’ intention to grandfather the Upper Shore Private Industry Council as the County’s representative on the WIB.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously appointed Roland C. Kent to serve as County attorney.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously authorized the law office of George Nier to continue to represent Caroline County on issues related to the Dashiell case. The Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a letter of appreciation to the law office of George Nier, who resigned as County attorney.

On motion by Mr. Prettyman, the Commissioners unanimously approved and authorized Mr. Cawley, pension plan administrator, to sign Administrative Pension Resolution #99-003, for a lump sum pension distribution to a former County employee.

The Commissioners confirmed an appointment to meet with U. S. Senator Barbara Mikulski on August 10, 1999 at 1:30 p.m., during a scheduled local visit. The Commissioners will adjust their agenda to accommodate the meeting and will compile a list of items to be discussed, such as issues concerning seniors and Medicare.

The Commissioners discussed the recent early retirement of health department sanitarian, Lester Coble. A replacement appointment will be made by Dr. John Grant, health officer, however, current environmental health employees, Gail Kelly, Wanda Morgan, and Rod Gibson will fulfill his duties in the interim. Recruitment of a replacement will begin in September and the position may not be filled until October.

The Commissioners rescheduled their regularly scheduled evening meeting of October 26, 1999 to convene at 9:30 a.m. to accommodate the annual Maryland Department of Transportation tour of the counties.

On motion by Mr. LeGates, the Commissioners unanimously approved interior painting of the Federalsburg branch of the Caroline County Public Library due to its poor condition and authorized an amount not to exceed $18,134, to be expended from the capital reserve fund (Fund 39) for this project.

Commissioner Prettyman brought up constituent telephone call he received regarding a Caroline County family that lost their rental housing due to fire. The Commissioners instructed staff to follow up with the Department of Social Services regarding homeless and assistance programs that may be beneficial to aid the family during transition.

President Cole reported that he had received a telephone call from a citizen regarding a disapproved variance for a home-based business on Mason Branch Road by the Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals. The citizen was concerned because the business not only continues to operate, it has expanded. Mr. Cawley will look into this and report back.

The Commissioners discussed a letter received from the Town of Henderson informing the Commissioners of the status of the water distribution system, which is now operational as of July 1. The letter also describes a problem in which the Town of Henderson feels that it is not fair to require the residents of the town to stop using their wells for potable purposes, while not requiring Caroline Acres Trailer Park to do the same. The Town of Henderson Ordinance 98-2 requires that all water wells within the town limits will cease to be used for potable water purposes when the municipal water system is declared operational. In accordance with guidance from the Environmental Health Division of the Caroline County Health Department, wells found to be polluted or menaces to health will be abandoned and closed. Non-polluting wells may be maintained for lawn and garden use. Caroline Acres operates its own water and wastewater system and owns several wells both in and out of the town limits. There are two wells within the town limits that the operators of Caroline Acres plan to continue to use for potable water purposes. Environmental Health has informed the Town of Henderson that such an arrangement is acceptable. The Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a letter of response to the Town indicating that the issue is not within the County’s jurisdiction and that the Town should check into the legality of the matter.

There being no further business, the meeting of the County Commissioners was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:23 p.m.

Vivian L. Anders

County Commissioner’s Office Coordinator