Board of Town Commissioners - Regular Meeting
The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners appointed Andrew P. Casley as the new town administrator, recognized a Girl Scout Gold Award project, and introduced ordinances prohibiting commercial house parties in residential dwellings.
About this meeting
- Government Body
- Board of Town Commissioners
- Meeting Type
- Board Of Town Commissioners
- Location
- Bel Air, MD
- Meeting Date
- September 21, 2026
Published excerpts
Only published remarks appear here. The full transcript is not published.
66 sections (from 67 segments)
It is now 7 o'clock in the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners Town Hall meeting for September 21st is now in session. I'm going to call the roll. Commissioner Foss. Commissioner Chismar. Here. Commissioner Taylor. Here. And Commissioner Hanley. Here. All right. And would someone like to give the invocation this evening?
Yes, Madam Chair. Lord, we come to you tonight with scripture on our mind. For the soul God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous hand. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake us. Lord, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the world. May you rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince o
Amen. If everyone will please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
All right. May I have a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. All right. Mr. Krantz?
All right. Next is the approval of the minutes. May I have a motion?
Madam Chair, I move that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meetings held on September 1st, 2026 and September 8th, 2026 be approved as submitted.
Any discussion of the minutes? All right. Mr. Krantz?
Thank you. And next on our agenda, we have the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Lillian Moss for her Girl Scout Gold Award Little Free Library project. So if you'll join me at the podium, Lillian. First of all, thank you for picking the town of Bel Air for a little free library.
And thank you for everything that you've done in the Girl Scouts. It's quite an achievement. So whereas Lillian Moss, an ambassador level member of Girl Scout Troop 1503, has installed little free library kiosks in all three Harford County municipalities, Aberdeen, Habit of Grace, and most recently, the town of Bel Air. Whereas Lillian, a senior at Roland Park Country School, is installing these little free libraries for her service project as she works to earn the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts of the USA. And whereas the kiosk installed in Bel Air can be found in Rockfield Park
Would you please like to take a few pictures? Yes. Okay, you get to stand up here then.
All right, congratulations again to Lillian. And now we'll move on to new business. First on our new business is resolution 1282 dash 26. The appointment of Andrew P Cassidy as town administrator. May I have a motion?
Yes, Madam Chair, I move the resolution 1282 dash 26 appointing Andrew P Cassidy to the position of town administrator be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners.
Thank you, do I have a second? A second. Thank you, Commissioner Foss. Any discussion of Mr. Casley's appointment with the board? All right, any member of the public here this evening that wishes to make a public comment on the appointment of Mr. Casley as town administrator? If you will step to the podium, give us your name and your address.
Madam Chair, I just feel it appropriate to say that this process has been incredibly thorough. It has been deliberate, deliberative and intentional. We've taken our time, we've left no stone unturned. And we've considered what's in the best interest of the town overall. And in doing so we were ultimately led to Mr. Andrew Cassidy. So to speak to the merits of the nominee tonight, he is eminently qualified with local governance experience in Harford County Public Schools, an intimate understanding of state government, having served both as senior advisor to the governor and having represented H
Yeah, I also echo a lot of what Commissioner Taylor had just said, you know, Mr. Cassidy is a very is a homegrown. He grew up in Bel Air, he stayed in Hartford County, he has local experience. He knows the the community. And and I think that's what we need to guide us forward in these changing times as town administrator. And again, as you said, Mr. Taylor, I look forward to casting my vote in favor of Mr. Cassidy.
I'm going to simply adopt the comments of Mr. Goddard and Commissioner Taylor and I look forward to casting my vote in favor of Mr. Casley as well.
I've known Mr. Casley or as I know him as Andy since third grade, I think. And I think we were on the safety patrol too at Bel Air Elementary School. So it is exciting to have just someone just with such a heart for our town who grew up in our town and who will guide and lead our town as well. And I'm really excited to be working with you. So I will be casting my vote for Andy Casselly.
All right. Anything further from the board? All right. In that case, Mr. Krantz, we're ready.
Welcome, Mr. Casley. We're not going to force you to make a statement, Mr. Casley, but if you'd like to have the podium, we'd be happy to hear from you.
All right. Next on our agenda is ordinance 863 dash 26 amending the Bel Air town code chapter 345. Peace and good order prohibiting commercial house parties in residential dwellings. I move that ordinance 863 dash 26 prohibiting commercial house parties in residential dwellings be received by the board of town commissioners. Do I have a second?
Thank you. And presentation by Well, this was actually something that arose out of an incident that happened in Faulston. Baltimore County, Howard County, and Montgomery County have all adopted legislation similar to the legislation that's been introduced this evening. And the point for Bel Air is to have it on the books before anything happens in hopes that we can prevent anything from happening. This will be another tool in the toolbox for the town, for the police department. If something is brewing to put a stop to it before it gets out of control, both to protect the safety of everyone in
I think we we've gotten this in pretty good shape. To read over the final language one more time, but that can be hammered out at the next work session that we have. There have been a couple important exemptions that we've been added, we've just sort of worked on it. And I think we've tempered it and Smith did and it's gotten stronger. So I think it's it's it's in a good spot to move forward.
those exemptions are ones that some of the other counties have also adopted for non-profits and for other things it's certainly not directed to anyone that's having a family gathering whether it be a barbecue a wedding a birthday party or anything like that it is really directed at those parties that are advertised to complete strangers who are invited into the neighborhood to the home of somebody and then you know get out of control um So it shouldn't be a problem for anyone that wants to have some kind of social event at their house as they had in the past. One of the other things that we di
All right. Next, we have Resolution 1281-26, amending Resolution Number 1126-19, the Town Code fines and penalties. May I have a motion?
Yes Madam Chair I move that resolution 1281-26 adopting fines related to municipal infractions related to chapter 345 peace and good order article 4 commercial type residential parties be received by the board of town commissioners. Thank you Commissioner Foss.
Thank you. So this is the piece that has to go along with the resolution that the ordinance that we just discussed where it imposes a first violation fine of $2,500 and a subsequent violation fine for $5,000 each, similar to what's been adopted in another county. Any discussion amongst the board? All right. In that case, is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment on this piece of legislation only? There being none, Mr. Krantz?
Next, we have the releasing of the existing sanitary sewer easement and acceptance of the new sanitary sewer easement for the shops at Harford Mall. May I have a motion?
Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Mr. Klein.
Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Klein? Is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment on this piece of business only? And there being none, Mr. Krantz?
Next, we have the releasing of the existing sanitary sewer easement and acceptance of the new sanitary sewer easement for Bel Air Marketplace. May I have a motion?
Yes, Madam Chair, I move that the Board of Town Commissioners approve the deed of easement and agreement and release of existing sanitary sewer easement between Bel Air Marketplace LLC and the Town of Bel Air, Maryland.
Thank you, Mr. Klein. Any questions for Mr. Klein on this? Is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment on this piece of business? And there being none, Mr. Krantz.
All right. Next, we have the Public Works and Developer Agreement, Harford Mall Lot A, Phases 3 and 4 redevelopment. May I have a motion?
Yes. I move that the Public Works and Development Agreement for the fourth resubdivision of Harford Mall Lot A, Phase 3 and 4 redevelopment by and between Bel Air Marketplace LLC in the town of Bel Air be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners.
Thank you. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you. And Mr. Klein?
Thank you, Mr. Klein. Any questions for Mr. Klein? Is there any member of the public here that wishes to comment on this piece of business? And there being none.
all right continuing on our list of public works and developer agreements we next have the harford mall phase two redevelopment agreement um may i have a motion yes madam chair um i move that uh public works and developer agreement for the harford mall phase two redevelopment by and between hm residential associates llc and the town of bel air maryland be approved by the board of town commissioners thank you do i have a second second and mr klein
Is there any question for Mr. Klein, Liz? All right. Is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment on this piece of business only? And there being none, Mr. Krantz.
All right. Next, we have the reappointment to the Economic and Community Development Commission. I'm sorry. Missed the deed. All right. Approval of the deed of easement and acceptance of the 20-foot utility easement for lots 2, 3, and 4 of the Williams subdivision, Tolgate Road. May I have a motion?
And I think this is your last one, Mr. Klein.
Thank you, Mr. Klein. Any questions for Mr. Klein?
I thought there was a in the diagram, it showed a lot one, but it didn't show the full lot. Did it? Maybe I was wrong. Looking at it, looking through it.
Yeah, it's too small. It's Yeah, I don't know if it was cut off from that. Yeah, can't tell if it's because of the diagram.
Is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment on this piece of business? And there being none, Mr. Krantz?
All right. Now we have the reappointment to the Economic and Community Development Commission of Gilbert F. Kennedy III. May I have a motion?
I move that the reappointment of Gilbert F. Kennedy III to the Bel Air Economic and Community Development Commission for a term of three years effective immediately be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.
And do I have a second? Second. All right. Any discussion?
Yes, I will say that Gil serves currently as chair of the commission with great distinction. He is the president of HARCO across the street. He serves, I believe continues to serve, I know he has served, I believe he still is, on the county's economic development advisory board. I'm getting a yes from Angela Robertson that he does. And he's also on the finance committee, chair of the finance committee, I believe. So he comes to us with a great wealth of information, a great wealth of knowledge about the resources that are available to businesses, small businesses in town, resources that just a
No, I agree. I think he's a great member of that committee. He brings a lot to the table. As Mr. Commissioner Taylor said, he knows a lot about he's connected. And he brings things to the committee that is important to the town. So yeah, I fully support.
All right. Is there any member of the public here that wishes to comment on the reappointment? And there being none, Mr. Krantz?
right and now we have the appointment to the tree committee of william graham and i move that the appointment of william graham to the bella tree committee for a term of three years effective immediately be approved by the bella board of town commissioners do i have a second i'll second all right i have met mr will graham a few years ago when he contacted me about the conditions of the trees right along the monopole trailhead uh where it's the town of bel air And he was very concerned about the invasive vines that were strangling the trees. So we met on site. He did a couple of organized invas
Yeah, he'll be terrific. And I'm really glad to have found somebody that's a good fit for the tree committee. They are very serious about trees. And Will Graham has certainly been out there doing what he could. So we're glad to have him on the committee. Is there anyone here that wishes to make a public comment on this appointment before we vote? All right.
All right. Under miscellaneous, we have the America 250 Liberty Elm Tree Planting Update. Mr. Mayor. Yes.
All right, public announcements. The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Bel Air Armory on Tuesday, September 22nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you're in Bel Air and cannot donate on that date, the Red Cross will also hold drives at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center on Friday, September 25th, and Thursday, October 1st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Sign up to make a life-saving donation at redcrossblood.org. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS, which is 733-2767, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app. The 20th annual Harford County Wine Festival will happen Saturday, September 26th fr
All right. Well, good luck. We're hoping for good weather. All right. Now we are at public comments and a couple of people have signed up in advance. So first I'm going to call Wendy Canely.
Thank you, Miss Kenley. And now we will call Mr. John Stump, who also signed up in advance.
thank you thank you mr stump is there any other member of the public here this evening that would like to make a comment yes sir go ahead
All right. Now we are at Commissioner's comments.
The first thing that I feel I need to say, we gave our congratulations to our incoming town administrator earlier, and those were very well deserved, but there's another gentleman seated under the rotunda tonight who deserves equal, if not greater, thanks, and that is for answering the call of duty when he was asked. That is our outgoing interim town administrator, Mr. Mike Krantz. He didn't know I was talking about him. I saw him looking around. But Mike, you've done an incredible job over these past five months. We are incredibly lucky and incredibly grateful to have had you to lean on durin
And of course, Chief Moore, I think you covered substantively much of what had to be said. But otherwise, I will just say this. Law enforcement is an increasingly difficult profession. The heat that the folks who keep our community safe take every day has only increased over the past several decades and will likely only continue to increase. And so it's incredibly important that we have leadership that always has their six. And I know that's what we have here in the town of Bel Air.
Very good. And I would also say that it's so critical that the leadership have the officer six because it's the officers who have the resident six. And that's what it's all about, keeping our community safe. And the Bel Air Police Department does a premier job of doing that.
I just want to officially come on to the 28th.
And Mike, again, thanks for your service. I'm sure you're looking forward to having a reduced workload come next week. Since you won't be holding three hats, you'll only be holding two. So again, thank you for that, and that's, I think, all I had to say.
And I, too, would like to thank you, also. Michael, you've done an amazing job, and you're just don't know I mean beyond like you just went above and beyond and we just really appreciate that but also your that the staff in our directors and thank you because I know that these last five months I know that this was a really difficult time and I appreciate your professionalism your attitude your hard work your you know and then we have two two new staff members come on two new directors come on and thank you for being so patient with us and with me but um i just can't thank you enough and andy w
just to wrap things up mike you did a terrific job uh i knew that we were in good hands between the experienced heads of staff that we have including rachel who was like here for a return engagement so you know you you knew the ropes um so we were in good hands while we were looking for a new town administrator and mr casley those 7 a.m calls the 11 o'clock calls it's what you signed up for but you knew that when you signed up having had much experience in government that precedes this job so welcome back to the town of bel air i know we're in good hands having you at the helm and i know that
Thank you, Commissioner Chismore. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Foss. All in favor? Aye. Unanimously, we are adjourned.
These excerpts are remarks by officials whose identity a person confirmed, from a transcript generated automatically from the official public meeting video and presented unedited. Accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.