Board of Town Commissioners - Regular Meeting

2:17 – 2:36•PEPaula S. Etting

Good evening it is now 7 o'clock on October the 5th and the Beller Board of Town Commissioners Town Hall meeting is now in session I'm going to call the roll Commissioner Foss? Present Commissioner Schatzmeier? Here Commissioner Taylor? Here and Commissioner Hanley? Here All right everyone's here and next on our agenda is the invocation

2:40 – 3:46•KFKristien S. Foss

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of this community and for the opportunity to serve our friends and neighbors and families you call our town home. We ask protection over all of our town employees, especially our police officers. Keep them safe as they serve and protect our community. Give them wisdom, courage, strength each day. We're especially grateful tonight for James Farrow and Henry Marchesini. they receive their promotions bless them and their new responsibilities guide them as they lead with integrity courage and compassion we also ask your blessing upon our new town admi

3:48•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. If you will all please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:09 – 4:22•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. Next is the approval of the agenda. May I have a motion? So moved. Thank you, Commissioner Hanley. Do I have a second? Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Is there any discussion on this evening's agenda? Any changes that we need to make? All right. In that case, Mr. Krantz?

4:42•PEPaula S. Etting

Next we have the approval of the minutes. May I have a motion please?

4:45•JTJakob D. Taylor

I move that the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meetings held on September 15th and September 21st, 2026 be approved as submitted.

4:52•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. Do I have a second? Thank you, Commissioner Chismore. Any discussion of the minutes? No. All right. Mr. Krantz?

5:19 – 8:15•PEPaula S. Etting

all right moving on to the best part of this evening the presentations the promotion of James Farrell to first sergeant of the Bellaire Police Department if you'll join me at the podium Mike? All right, we're good. Well, this is certainly a memorable occasion. We have First Sergeant James Farrell. James began his law enforcement career with the Newport Township Police Department in Pennsylvania in 1995. In September of 1998, James was hired by the Bel Air Police Department and assigned to patrol. As a young patrol officer, James quickly established himself as a top producer in criminal and tra

11:11•PEPaula S. Etting

so if you'd like to have your family yeah let's go come on yes

12:47 – 15:27•PEPaula S. Etting

You earned that. Next, we will have Henry Marchesani, who is being promoted to detective sergeant, step up to the podium. And Detective Sergeant Henry Marchesani, Henry began his law enforcement career with the Port Deposit Police Department in Cecil County, Maryland in 1998. In June of 2001, Henry was hired by the Bel Air Police Department and assigned to patrol. As a young police officer, Henry quickly became a top producer where he particularly excelled in the fields of criminal and DUI enforcement. In September of 2006, Henry was promoted to the rank of corporal where he became a first lin

20:19 – 21:23•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. Moving on to new business, we have ordinance 864-26 amending articles 14-27. Did we fix that? Okay great. We'll start again. Under new business we have ordinance 864-26. One more time. The third time's a charm. Ordinance 864-26, amending articles 14-7, permitted use tables for specific uses and table of lot requirements for specific uses of the development regulations in Chapter 165 of the Bel Air Town Code regarding accessory dwelling units. May I have a motion?

21:25 – 21:46•SCSteven T. Chizmar

Yes, Madam Chair. I move that Ordinance 864-26, amending Articles 14-7, permitted use tables for specific uses and table of lot requirements for specific uses of the development requirements in Chapter 165 of the Beller Town Code regarding accessory dwelling units be received by the Board of Town Commissioners.

21:47•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Commissioner Chismar. Do I have a second? A second. All right. I think this was a joint presentation. Mr. Behr?

24:06 – 24:38•JTJakob D. Taylor

Thank you. I see reference made to storm water, sanitary sewer, capacity for water. Remind me, because I'm a little bit rusty, it's been a couple years since we've done this. Is this something that school capacity would have an effect on? Yes, so the- I couldn't remember if there was a minimum unit threshold for whether or not that applies. For adequate public facilities at 110% the threshold for school capacity.

24:41•JTJakob D. Taylor

I couldn't remember what it was, so that's- Yeah. And obviously that is not at issue here.

24:50 – 25:02•JTJakob D. Taylor

No, I just note that I see those. Those are good. I'm glad those are in here. I just was looking for clarification as to whether school overcrowding would also come into play and clearly it doesn't because of that fiber more.

25:36 – 26:15•PEPaula S. Etting

The only question I had, Ms. Thompson, was they define accessory dwelling unit in the state law as including a structure that's separate from the primary single family detached dwelling unit or attached as an addition. But they don't really talk about a basement type of an ADU. I don't think that that would be considered an accessory dwelling unit as defined under the state law That was what I was thinking that it is not it's they're actually thinking you have and this law only applies to single-family dwelling units so you either have to put an addition on to fall under this or put a separate

26:27 – 27:04•PEPaula S. Etting

I just thought it was curious that they seem to have excluded basement apartments or whatever you want to call them. Any further questions from the board? All right, in that case, is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to make a public comment on Ordinance 864-26 only? Yes, ma'am. Can I ask a question? Well. Okay. Why don't you step to the podium and use your three minutes. You can just give your name and address, and then you can use your three minutes to ask your question, and we'll see if we have an answer.

27:30•PEPaula S. Etting

This will become law when, Ms. Thompson? We have to introduce it this evening. If we introduce it this evening, we will have a public hearing. It has to go to the Planning Commission.

27:43 – 27:56•JTJakob D. Taylor

And it's 21 days after that? Yes. So November 23rd at the earliest then? That's right. Okay, November 23rd when it comes into effect. Now were we able to get the Planning Commission, are we gonna have a meeting to handle that?

28:51 – 29:12•PEPaula S. Etting

Ms. Thompson, my understanding is that we already permit ADUs for family members, such as the case that this woman is describing. So there's no reason. You can start now, and I'm going to direct you to Mr. Baer's office. Contact him, and he can help you figure out what your next step is.

29:16•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. Any other member of the public wish to make a comment on ordinance 864-26 only? All right. In that case, Mike, I think we're ready.

29:56•PEPaula S. Etting

All right, thank you. Next, we have the Upper Fernandez Stream Restoration Memorandum of Understanding with Harford County. May I have a motion?

30:04 – 30:22•KFKristien S. Foss

Yes Madam Chair. I recommend that the memorandum of understanding the MOU between the town of Bel Air, Maryland and Hartford County, Maryland for the upper Fernandez branch stream restoration project be approved by the Board of Town Commissioners. Thank you Commissioner Foss. Do I have a second?

30:23•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you Commissioner Hanley and Mr. Klein.

32:59 – 33:17•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you Mr. Klein I know we've talked about this last week but this is I know this the idea for this project and how to handle it arose out of your department I think it is brilliant it's a win for everyone including the stream all this work will get done both jurisdictions will work together collaboratively and it will be a terrific project for the county

33:42•PEPaula S. Etting

I think they were updated and clipped to the back of the packet for today so there was an updated one put out after the binder was done but thank you

33:56 – 34:14•SCSteven T. Chizmar

it's in the updated binder right so yeah before it wasn't in there the first one the second one is but what were the changes in that because we had asked to see if we could get the words written confirmation in sections correct okay well that was in the update that was updated and that was approved by the county

34:50•SCSteven T. Chizmar

Right. So what I have in the updated binder.

34:59•SCSteven T. Chizmar

That does not have subject to written confirmation in sections 402 and 403.

35:11 – 35:28•SCSteven T. Chizmar

So then that is not the updated, okay. But that did get put in here? Correct. Okay. Fine. Yeah, because if you look at 402 and 403, it should be, say, written. Okay. Yeah, we just wanted to make sure that that was... Yeah, that was changed.

35:31 – 36:08•PEPaula S. Etting

So just to be clear, Ms. Thompson, you've reviewed the agreement, and we now have one that encompasses all of the few minor changes that we really wanted to be made. Correct. OK. And the Assistant County Attorney, I believe, will cover the confirmation that the requested changes that the board made that I incorporated sent back to him for a vote-out. OK, terrific. All right. OK. Any further questions from the board? Is there any member of the public that wishes to make a public comment on this memorandum of understanding before we take a vote? All right, Mr. Krantz.

36:30•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. Next we have the approval of the M&T Bank Commercial Card Program as a single source procurement. May I have a motion?

36:51•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Commissioner Hanley. Do I have a second? Thank you, Commissioner Taylor. And Ms. Diener.

39:02 – 39:16•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Ms. Diener. Anyone have any questions for Ms. Diener? All right. Is there any member of the public here this evening that wishes to comment strictly on the M&T Bank Commercial Card Program's single source procurement? Mr. Krantz, we're ready.

39:34•PEPaula S. Etting

Next we have the police department purchase of three Ford Explorer police interceptors. May I have a motion?

39:43 – 40:05•KFKristien S. Foss

Yes, Madam Chair. I move that the bid from Apple Ford Lincoln Incorporated for the purchase of three 2,027 Ford all-wheel drive SUV police interceptors in the amount of $139,557 be accepted by the Board of Town Commissioners. Thank you, Commissioner Foss. Do I have a second?

40:06•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Commissioner Hanley and Chief.

41:45 – 41:58•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. I'm happy to hear they came in on our budget. That's pretty good. Less than $50,000 for a car each. All right. Mr. Krantz? Oh, wait a minute. Any member of the public here that wishes to comment on the purchase of the police vehicles? All right.

42:14•PEPaula S. Etting

Next we have the Police Department Patrol Vehicle Accessory Package Contract. May I have a motion?

42:21 – 42:38•JTJakob D. Taylor

Madam Chair, I move that the bid from Global Public Safety Corporation for the purchase of one patrol vehicle, or excuse me, for the purchase of patrol vehicle accessory packages and installs for one unmarked, one marked, and one semi-marked 2027 Ford Explorer SUV AWD Interceptors in the amount of $60,410.18 be accepted by the Board of Commissioners.

42:41•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you Commissioner Taylor. Do I have a second? I'll second. Thank you Commissioner Chismar. And Chief again.

44:33•PEPaula S. Etting

Any questions for the Chief? Is there any member of the public here that wishes to comment on the accessory package contract? All right. Mr. Krantz?

44:57•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. Next, we have the appointment to the Cultural Arts Commission of Sandra Schleyer. May I have a motion?

45:05 – 45:22•SCSteven T. Chizmar

Yes, madam chair. I moved that the reappointment of Sandra L Schlaer to the Beller Cultural Arts Commission for a term of three years effective immediately be approved by the board of town commissioners Thank You Commissioner Chisholm or do I have a second second Thank You Commissioner Taylor Missy Anderson

46:02•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. Any further discussion on sports?

46:05 – 46:18•SCSteven T. Chizmar

No, I fully support that. She is my next door neighbor. Wonderful lady. We've been living next to each other for 40-some years. She still steals our eggs and butter every once in a while, or a cup of flour, but that's okay. She brings it back.

46:21•SCSteven T. Chizmar

That's what neighbors are for, but yes, I wholeheartedly support Sandy.

46:24•JTJakob D. Taylor

I hope she brings them back in the form of a cake or other baked good.

46:29 – 46:40•SCSteven T. Chizmar

Well, I wish, sometimes she does, but other times she doesn't. I just tease her. That's one of the things. Good natured about her. She's a very good natured person.

46:40 – 47:02•PEPaula S. Etting

She is, and I know that she did some repairs to the heart. It had suffered some damage over the years being out in the weather, and she was dutifully working on it. It was removed during the renovations of Town Hall. Public Works kept it safe. She went over and took a look at it and did some necessary repairs, so I am certainly wholeheartedly endorse Ms. Flair's reappointment.

47:17•PEPaula S. Etting

And in my defense that was a combination of Angela and Robertson and I was like change it in the middle.

47:27 – 47:49•KFKristien S. Foss

I think she's a pretty amazing human. I've known her 60 plus years. Your entire life I heard. But she's also extremely active in her church, in the community, matriarch of the family and just my best friend.

47:52 – 48:19•PEPaula S. Etting

she fixes broken hearts she does and that is a skill you don't see all the time right that's a very special skill all right is there any member of the public here that wishes to make a comment on the reappointment to the culture arts commission of mrs sandra schleier all right thank you madam chair for the appointment of sandra schleier to the cultural arts commission commissioner foss aye

48:27 – 50:19•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. I'm glad to have her too. We have no items under miscellaneous, so we will move on to public announcements as soon as I locate them. Well, I might have to read them from here. They're here somewhere. All right. This is the important one. All town of Bel Air offices will be closed on Monday, October 12th in observance of Columbus Day. So all of you do not come into work. But residents whose trash is usually picked up on Mondays will have theirs picked up on Wednesday, October the 14th. Tuesday trash collection will happen as scheduled next week. Yard waste will not be collected on Mo

50:19•JTJakob D. Taylor

I think we need a correction on the time for Saturday.

50:23•PEPaula S. Etting

What is the correction on the time for Saturday?

50:27 – 52:59•PEPaula S. Etting

I think you are right about that yeah not midnight correct little little error it does say noon to noon noon to 12 the Alliance staff would not be in favor of the extended hours that would be a very quick event if it were noon to noon a very long event well it's over a 10 you can still enjoy walking around eating your barbecue if you have any The Bel Air Farmers Market, which is typically held in the Ristow Building lot on Bond Street, will be in the lot at 121 South Main next to Doss Beer Hall on Saturday, October 10th during the Barbecue Bash. The market is open from 8 a.m. until noon. The S

55:12•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Ms. Canely. And Mr. Stump, I know that you signed up in advance to speak as well.

58:07 – 58:19•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you, Mr. Stone. Is there anyone else here that wishes to make a public comment? And if you could just give your name and address and you have your three minutes.

1:00:47•PEPaula S. Etting

Thank you very much. Is there anyone else here that wishes to make a public comment on any topic?

1:00:55•PEPaula S. Etting

All right. In that case, Commissioner's comments.

1:01:00 – 1:02:18•JTJakob D. Taylor

Well, I'll tell you what. We evaluate the police department every day. We see them in action. We talk to the leadership. We're engaged. And my evaluation is that our department knocks it out of the park. The evidence is all around us. It's in officers like James Farrell and Henry Marchesani, who are rightfully celebrated today. It's in citizens who engage in good faith and with great care, like Mr. John Stump, who comes just about every week, including when the topics of discussion are dreadfully boring. He is always there to advocate for our men and women. And for that, we thank him as much a

1:02:24 – 1:03:55•SCSteven T. Chizmar

I just want to congratulate again sergeant Farrell and sergeant Marchesani well-deserved promotions chief I mean you got to put them at the end so we can partake in the celebration afterwards we it's all the party's gone by that is over by the time we get there but anyway I do that because I'd go in there and eat all of it if I could just two other things just remind the people in town leaf collection has started Steve thank you my wife thanks you because the leaves in our those trees in our front yard been dropping since July you know and right so they came by this morning and she was happy a

1:03:58 – 1:04:10•SCSteven T. Chizmar

Yep. So I've been telling my wife, don't go through Howard Park now. They're there. So, but anyway, just wanted to make those comments for that.

1:04:26•SCSteven T. Chizmar

And the NTMP, that's this week? Tomorrow. Tomorrow, okay. Tomorrow morning. The NTMB, not PB, right?

1:04:37 – 1:07:08•KFKristien S. Foss

I just wanted to also thank DBW and our police department because I go by there and I was very slow I saw all the police officers took my time I was very careful when I went by but I really appreciate you doing that and I really appreciate our our citizens, our neighbors that come out, it's kind of like, Mr. Cassley, you remember when you taught and you have students, but then when you met the parents, then it was like they became, I don't know, it became more personal. And it really is when we have citizens that come out, whether you agree with us or not, I mean, we really, we appreciate you

1:07:38 – 1:10:04•PEPaula S. Etting

well I would first echo what Commissioner Taylor said with regards to the police department you guys do a great job congratulations to First Sergeant James Farrell and Detective Sergeant Henry Marchesani they do a great job and have truly earned those promotions I'm very happy to see that I feel like we live in a really nice town that is well policed including the ability to respond to the Howard Park neighborhood we had a really great meeting where they had some things that they raised I know you had guys out there I heard they were out there you know telling people to slow down and we're suc

1:10:05 – 1:11:13•KFKristien S. Foss

I move that we move into closed session. This meeting will be closed under the provisions of the Maryland Open Meetings Act General Provisions Article 3-305 . Topics of discussion. To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding the Harford Circuit Court case number C-12-CV-25-001030, Hartford County, Maryland v. The Town of Bel Air et al. to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding 411-421 North Main Street and the Bel Air Town Code regarding parking regulations. Reasons for closed session discussion of above topics, because public discussion of confidential information

1:11:13•PEPaula S. Etting

You did a fine job, Commissioner Foss. Do I have a second? Thank you, Commissioner Hanley. I think we're ready for the vote.