Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

I'm going to call this meeting to order. The mayor and board of commissioners for April the 24 1st, 2026. Can I get the roll call, please? Yes. Commissioner Ding here. Commissioner Peterson here. Commissioner Kleiner here. Let the record show you have a quorum. Thank you. We rise from the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Commissioner Kleiner, would you lead us in our prayer, please? Sure. Father, we thank you for this town that you have placed us in and given us leadership over. We seek you for wisdom every day. We ask for your protection over everyone here, especially our first responders. We speak a special blessing over Officer Joe Lombardi and his family as we welcome him into our family. Um we pray that you would be with us in every place that we go and that we would spread your presence everywhere in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Town administrator, do you have the consent agenda?

All right. So, we're going to move forward with um town administrator, do you have the consent agenda? Yes, I do. Perfect. Sorry. You're good.

Um, you on the consent agenda, you have the approval of the March 10th town meeting video summary and then I have three executive session reports to read into the record for you.

Perfect. Please do so. on much and and I guess for the benefit of the public, um the elected body under Maryland law is able to go into what is called an executive session to talk about certain sensitive topics that would create an issue if we talked about them in the general public. So, it could be a legal issue. It could be negotiating a contract with another entity. And you wouldn't want to divulge your bargaining position if you were doing it in a public session. And then you can also meet with the town attorney to discuss legal issues that again wouldn't be good for the community at large if you did it in in the public setting. So, under state law, they're allowed to go into what is called an executive session. So on March 16th at 5:00 p.m. the elected body went into a executive session. The reason for the executive session was to discuss employee issues and to consult with council to obtain legal advice. A motion was made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Kleiner to open up the meeting. Uh those in attendance were Commissioner Kleiner, uh Mayor Marian, and Commissioner Pearson. That vote passed two to zero. A motion was made to hold an executive session. That was made by Commissioner Kleiner, seconded by Commissioner Pearson. That vote was two to zero. Again, the reasons for the meeting was to discuss uh personnel matters and then to consult with legal counsel to obtain legal advice. There were no actions taken at the meeting, meaning there were no votes to do anything um uh regarding that

subject matter. There was a motion made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Kleiner to seal the minutes of the meeting. Uh there was a that that motion passed two to zero. There was a motion made by Commissioner Kleiner, seconded by Commissioner Pearson to leave executive session. That vote passed two to zero. And there was a motion made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Kleiner to adjone the meeting, and that motion passed two to zero. and the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. There was a second executive session meeting on March 30th at 6:00 pm. Um the a motion to open the meeting was made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Kleiner to uh open the meeting. That vote was two to zero. Uh Commissioner Kleiner, Commissioner Pearson, and Mayor Marian were present. A motion to hold an executive session was made by Commissioner Kleiner, seconded by Commissioner Pearson uh to hold an executive session. That motion passed two to zero. The reason for the meeting was to discuss personnel and to consult with legal counsel. Um there were no uh action items taken at that meeting. There was a motion to um leave executive session by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Kleiner. That motion passed two to zero. There was a motion by Commissioner Kleiner, seconded by Commissioner Pearson to adjone the meeting. That vote passed 2 to zero and the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. There was a third executive session held on April 7th at 3:30 p.m. Um the a motion was made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by

Commissioner Kleiner to open the meeting. Commissioner Kleiner, Commissioner Pearson, and Commissioner Darling were present at the meeting along I'm sorry, Mayor Marian was not able to attend the meeting. The motion passed three to zero to open the meeting. A motion to hold an executive session was made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Dowing to go into executive session. That passed three to zero. The reason for that meeting was to discuss personnel issues, uh, consult with legal counsel and to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related there too. There was a motion uh made by Commissioner Pearson, seconded by Commissioner Kleiner to seal the minutes of the meeting. That motion passed three to zero. There was a motion made by Commissioner Kleiner, seconded by Commissioner Dowling to leave executive session. That motion passed 3 to zero. And there was a motion made by Commissioner Kleiner, seconded by Commissioner Pearson to adjourn the meeting. That passed 3 to Z. and the meeting was adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Again, just for benefit, especially for um some new elected officials. There are only 14 items covered by the state law that allow the elected body to go into executive session. So, normally everything else is done in the public setting, but there are 14 items in which they can go into executive session. So, that concludes that's not something you have to vote on. were just obligated to read that you went into executive session. Um you see upcoming town meetings on May 12th is our next town

meeting followed by one on June 9th. Um and that's your consent agenda. Could I get a motion to accept the consent agenda, please? No. I think we have a correction, don't we? Do we not have a town meeting uh April 30th? I'm going to bring that up under the town thing um my town administrator report because I think there are some discrepancies of who can make it and who can't. So I was just going to have that discussion under my report. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Pearson. Could I get a motion to accept the consent agenda? Make a motion to accept. I second it.

It's been moved and seconded. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I passes. Thank you. All right. Public presentations. Chief.

Uh, first I'd like uh the board to help me welcome Mr. Joseph Lombardi. He is our uh newest police officer for Rising Police Rising Sun Police Department. Um he will we are confident that he will be a strong asset to the police department. in uh September of last year, we sent him off to Carol County uh police academy where he went through their process for over six months and did very well to the point that I was getting accolades from the sheriff and other members of that team. And I'm sure he was also the attempts to bribe him to come work for those guys were there, but he chose to stay here in Rising Sun where uh just moments ago we had a conversation where he said that you know what, I'm glad I made the choice to be here in Rising Sun as opposed to some other departments that I've witnessed. So, I'd like to welcome him to the the Rising Sun Police Department and uh let's bring him forward so we can swear him in. All right, Joe, you can join me up here.

You to raise your right hand for guys. If Bobby, if you guys can move that way, repeat after me. I, Joseph N. Lombardi, I, Joseph N. Lombardi do swear do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and that I will be faithful and I will be faithful and bear true allegiance and bear true allegiance to the state of Maryland to the state of Maryland and support the Constitution and laws thereof and support the Constitution and laws thereof. And I will And I will to the best of my skill and judgment to the best of my skill and judgment diligently and faithfully diligently and faithfully without partiality or prejudice without partiality or prejudice

execute the office of rising sun police officer execute the office of rising sun police officer according to the constitution according to the constitution and the laws of this state and the laws of the state. Congratulations. Thank you sir. All right.

Yes. Ask for one thing before you do. Absolutely. Can he take a picture? Absolutely.

Chief, if you could get in, that would be great. That'll be next. on the outside. Okay. Which phone are we looking at first? We'll look at this one first. And lastly, his field training official.

He loves to be in pictures. He loves to be in pictures. Oh, yeah. He's going to talk to us. All right. Which phone? We're going to do this one first. Thank you. Congratulations, Joe. And I know his wife is probably going to stay, but you guys are free to go. We really appreciate you being here. You don't have to stay cuz we do have a lot of She's got to stay. New business. All right. Enjoy. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you,

Madison. I do that. See, we just learned her name last night. The nice girl from the meetings is still what I'll call her. That's what I I said to her last night. She's a nice girlfriend that comes to the meetings.

Congratulations again to Joe and his family. Uh as many of you know that the town of Rising Sun continues to face a not only a hiring issue that all local uh departments are going through um but also issues with um with uh combating I guess going against other agencies to try to hire rightful candidates. So, we are super lucky to get a great candidate competing with deep pockets.

Competing absolutely. So, congratulations again to Joe and his family. Moving forward into new business, uh, resolution 2026-02, the MML resolution. Would you like Do you have that, Cal?

Yes, I do. And you have it up on the screen for you. Um, I'll just introduce it because, uh, mayor, you might be better suited to describe it since it's an MML initiative. Um, basically what you have is a resolution that the Maryland Municipal League requested that um, we as a town support an initiative to basically create a task force to look at the way state revenues and county revenues are currently shared with local government being towns like the town of Rising Sun and then some other areas where it could be uh shared. And in general, the idea is um and and let me give you a scenario for a second. If the state of Maryland raises taxes and then Cecil County finds a need to raise taxes, we as a local government, whether you're talking about Perryville, Rising Sun, whatever, we're like the third one to the party. And when we have to raise rates to take care of the services that we are required to provide that don't come from the state or the county, it just puts even more of a burden on our taxpayers. And so this initiative, and mayor, please correct me if I'm wrong, is to say maybe there's a way of directing more money from the state and the county governments down to the towns so that we don't have to raise our real estate tax to do things like paving roads and the things that no one else is going to come in and do on our behalf. So, it's basically a task force initiative um that uh was uh created under the state legislature this year to put a task force together. Mayor, did I miss

anything with that?

Thanks, Cal. Um the only thing that I would add is the last time that they actually studied this was in the late 1960s. So, it has been a long time since they studied uh this issue. Uh, one of the biggest things, uh, and just to highlight a little bit of of what Cal said also, um, when the state raises taxes, when the county raises taxes, that puts a lot of pressure on us, um, to try to hold the line on taxes. And uh what we're hoping this will do is to study different ways um not only how the state can help us, but how as municipalities we're going to move forward, especially those that are in high tourist areas um like Ocean City. Um they they go through issues um significantly on what they're able to um pass on as far as costs. Uh, one of the other things that they talked a lot about was um that the that the study is giving the local governments the flexibility they need uh to explore how they're going to have revenue moving forward into the future. Um, and if you're not building and if you're not having uh, you know, impact fees or other things that are sources of revenue, the only thing that you can really depend on is your property taxes, right? And uh that's something that none of us I know I speak genuinely from the board that none of us want to have to raise those taxes, right? Um and we want to try to keep costs as low as we can. Uh this was actually passed um and it is on the governor's desk. Uh by all accounts he will uh sign it and then they'll start um putting together the task force to study the issue. Um, this is coming before you late now because of the fact that we didn't have a town meeting in between the period of the time that the bill was heard. Um, so we couldn't bring it for you prior to that. Um, but this is an MML initiative that

I'm hoping that you guys will support.

Mayor, may may I add something that you had said to drive the point home a little bit more? You made a good reference to like communities like Ocean City. When you go to rent a hotel room, there's a hotel tax. Local governments cannot charge that hotel tax. So, let's give an example of where if the town of Rising Sun had a hotel in it and people were coming to it, there were a lot of tourists and it's putting wear and tear on our roads and our police coverage and stuff like that. We don't get a cut of that revenue that the hotel generates. The state and the county do, but we don't. And so when you think of the direct impact on the community establishes the real estate tax rate for fiscal year 2027 and I'll read through the first couple boiler plates that talk about you know why and how we do this and we'll go to the fourth one. Whereas the town has received notice from the Mau department of assessments and taxation that for the tax year beginning July 1st, 2026, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 3.53% from $244,70,37 to $252,675,890. which is an $8,65,583 increase in the total assessed value of our properties over the last year, but will only result in an additional $39,58568 of additional revenue of which to balance the town's budget. And whereas the town's current tax rate is equal to

0.46 or 46 cents for every $100 of assessed value and has further remained at this rate since 2020 and has come down from where it was in 2016 when it was 48 cents for every $100 of assessed value. And whereas like many small municipalities, the town of Rising Sun faces increasing challenges in maintaining essential services such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and sanitation. However, the town distinguishes itself by delivering an expanded level of services funded through real estate revenues such as daily police patrols and protection, weekly trash recycling and yards collection, sunfest, spooktacular, winter extravaganza, tractor parade, tiger trot, little parade, carol singing, and other family fun activities. And whereas the mayor and commissioners continue to commit to conservative fiscal oversight of the town's finances, maintaining essential services and familyoriented quality of life programs expected by the community and addressing critical needs in quality efficient and effective manner. and leveraging strong partnerships with federal and state agencies to secure grant funding that reduces the burden on taxpayers for infrastructure and economic development improvements. Therefore, BR enacted and resolved that the town will maintain the current tax rate of 46 for each $100 of assessed value for the 2027 fiscal year. Um now there now therefore be it further resolve that the merit commissioners have passed approved and adopted this resolution on the 21st day of April 2026. And mayor, if you would, I'd like to

wrap this up into a little bow, especially when what we were talking about with that resolution to talk about how the community works very hard to keep the tax rate low. And there are, and every year I report on this in very similar manners. There's a lot of positivity in the town of Rising Sun in terms of property values. Uh, mayor, you and I were looking at a website the other day that the resale value of homes in the town of Rising Sun is significantly higher than other homes in the rest of the county. And so, it's it's all great to talk about the value of the home, but you can have a really valuable home and be paying an excessive amount of real estate tax to get those services. So what I wanted to go over here is talk about how you gauge how much funding allowing us to address critical infrastructure and economic development needs without placing additional burden on our taxpayers. So this is something we've been talking about for the last couple of years. We've been very successful at getting grant money to decommission the lagoon to deal with our down here. grant money and federal funding to buy properties in the downtown area that to the parking and we're going to talk about that. It's taking the position to position rising sun for long rising sun for long-term stability and success. So I just wanted to stability and success. So I just wanted to put that ribbon on the tax rate resolution that you're considering now.

Can I get a motion to approve? Can I get a motion to approve resolution 2026-03? Move resolution 2026-03. I make a motion to accept resolution 2026-3 with one correction beginning July 1st, 2026. Yeah, I noticed that it says 25. All right. I second it with correction. With correction. All right. Uh any more discussion? Hearing none.

Uh there's a second. Uh any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I

passes. Thank you, town administrator. Moving forward into ordinance 2026-01, which is the erosion and sediment control. So essentially what this is as as you know a while back we had been moving to bring certain services back into the town of rising sun and not rely on other agencies to do some of those things because other look I'll give you a good example. It would be great if all the grant money came to us. We would have had the houses demoed a long time ago here, but we're dependent upon other agencies and those agencies are underfunded at times and underst staffed at times. So over the years, the town of Rising Sun in order to be more self-reliant has been taking some of the regulatory approval process back into our own control. So, we did the storm water management uh uh oversight about two years ago and that has helped us with projects that people want to invest in in the town. And the last step towards doing that is to be able to issue our own grading permits. So that when somebody is developing a piece of land, they can't just go out there and grade the land and create large piles of dirt and get rid of grass and things that keeps uh uh water and mud from eroding off a property. That's called, you know, the erosion and sedimentation control. There is a state agency called Cecil Soils who has a hand in regulating that stuff, but we are able to issue the grading permit. So Cecil Soils would look at any grading permit that we were going to issue and just make sure on behalf of the state of Maryland in the

Maryland Department of the Environment that uh silk fencing and stockpiles are not too high, not too wide, whatever. So this is an ordinance that we're just putting on. Um if you guys um accept it, it'll sit for another 30 to 60 days. There is some refinement if you look at it. There is some language that's in red. We are negotiating with Cecil soils and working through some steps with the Maryland Department of the Environment to see what exactly is needed. So, we're just submitting that uh for you tonight to start the clock to vote on it again in the near future.

Thank you, town administrator. Moving forward into citizens input. Would anyone like to speak this evening? anyone

moving forward into staff reports. town administrator. Um the biggest item that I had is um we were trying to potentially have another um we're getting it we're into the budget and to be quite frank this stuff. So, you know, I think that theory in the past has been well, you know, development deals away. This is an everyday type of thing. So, Calvin and I and the rest of the staff are doing this every day. You need to kind of think about that as you move forward because you're going to have a tremendous amount of development probably the next five years. They're going to have daily if not weekly. Um the other issue other dealing with is I've reviewed the the RSP specs for the demolition for the building that you're doing right down the street and my comments be able to put that out at least on my side. I think the engineers still like to do their side on things and so that should be on the street as soon as possible and then I would imagine that sometime in the next month probably another close session to continue the discussion on our personnel issues we had the last time now that the planning commission are over as your direction go ahead any questions it was better seeing you all in person virtually

same to you sorry I missed you Jay oh no you were there in spirit oh I I saw That was wonderful. Oh, or should I say southwest. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks, Jay. Thank you, Jay.

All right, moving forward into Chief's report. Chief.

Um, again, I like to again I'd like to uh welcome uh Joe Lombardi to a part of our you being a part of our team. I think he'll be a great asset to the town. Um he's a young man who we can mold into a a phenomenal police officer. Um we've got a lot of uh talent that is here although we're a small agency. the um you know the years of service are low with some of the guys but the experience is high. Um Joe Cunningham has nearly 20 years now. However, he has three with us and uh I'm at a mark where I don't even want to talk numbers anymore.

So anyway, um I I think he'll be a great asset. And uh just to take a a short spin-off of uh some of the what Calvin was saying about the services and all that um are provided by the town of the rising sun as opposed to other municipalities in the county. We have the lowest crime rate. Um I'm not going to name any names, but one of the larger ones has a 63 uh uh 63% crime rate. That's, you know, 63 crimes per 10,000 people and we're at 14. Um, that's not to say that our calls for service is lower. However, we do get results when we do do police work. So, I'd like to also just reach out and pat the guys on the back and say thank you for all the hard work when it's only three of us and we still continue to maintain a low crime rate in the county. And that's all I have for today unless there's any questions. Thank you, Chief Assistant Town Administrator.

The only thing that I have is I did provide you with your uh monthly statements, but you also have a list of all the checks that have been issued since your last meeting and the status of those. So, uh if you take a look, we are we have collected uh I would say 98% of our u real estate tax. So, when you're looking at those statements, just realize that revenue statement could be overstated. Thank you. Did you have something?

Yeah. I just wanted to, you know, chief, you sparked my curiosity and I'm going to take it back to our tax rate again. The town of Rising Sun has a population of 28 roughly 2,800 people. We're operating right now with basically um 11 employees in total um managing all the services. There are other communities that have populations very similar to ours that have two to three times the number of employees that we have. So again, I'm just throwing it out there that every it is a team effort. The elected body works very hard uh to keep to keep the cost down. This we have a great staff. Um, I want to echo what the chief is saying about how great his guys are doing, but Judy's department in public works. Again, we have three guys in public works that are plowing all the snow. And, you know, our community sees firsthand what a great job our guys do in plowing snow. And this year, what, like three snowstorms, we got tested by several different water mane breaks at the same time. And it it's just it's essentially just three guys out there doing that. So, you know, knock on wood, you know, everything's trending in a positive direction. I don't want to see us continue to have to operate on gum and chicken wire and all those other things you always say, but we we are managing to do it. So, as town administrator, I just want to thank all the staff, you know, that that comes together to get that done. And some I don't I don't think sometimes people in the community recognize how thin the staff is uh that's pulling all that weight. So,

thank you, town administrator. Moving forward into the mayor's report. My report is pretty brief. Uh couple of things I wanted to highlight though. Uh the elected body and myself attended the Little League parade uh for opening day along with the town administrator and Chief Peterson. It was a wonderful event. Uh we threw over 3,000 pieces of candy out to the kids that were there in the community. It was just a wonderful event. Uh I also want to give a huge shout out to Rising Sun Middle School who did uh a few community service projects uh in our parks as well as here at town hall uh for Earth Day. Uh huge thank you to the sixth grade class for doing that. And then last but not least, a upcoming new event that we're having this year. Uh we announced the uh 250th parade which will be June the 27th in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States. It looks for I'm looking forward to it being a wonderful event. Just a heads up to the board. We are charging a $5 entry fee this year. Uh the reason that we're uh charging that fee is it's going to come uh it's going to go to our community events funds which will help to fund uh our winter extravaganza as well as our fall spooktacular. Uh if you are an emergency services agency or police department that wants to take part, we're obviously not going to be charging them. And then those uh that are nonprofits that may not be able to afford the $5 fee, we're going to work with them as well um to make sure that they can be a part of that day. Uh but we look forward to it. Uh, as far as the rules for the parade, those are listed on our event site, um, the only big rule is that, uh, it's, uh, the 250th uh, anniversary of the United States. So, the only flag that we're going to fly is the American flag. Uh, and we're looking forward to all the floats that are going to be decorated uh, in celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States. Uh, I also have

an, uh, an upcoming uh, visit uh, this Friday. the commanding general uh General Janine Burkehead of the Maryland National Guard will be joining me uh for a tour of Rising Sun High School. We'll also be meeting with students that are uh in the ROC as well as those that may be interested in joining the military. Um we're looking forward to that event. Um that came together uh really on short notice, but we're excited to have um the general come up and visit Rising Sun and then hopefully have a wonderful time at Rising Sun High School. Moving forward into commissioners reports. Uh, Commissioner Don.

Yes. Just wanted to share um information regarding uh street paving that's going on started this week. Uh the town town rising sun obstructions um today, Tuesday, uh Mount Street from Pogue to Keell Mill. Wednesday and Thursday, Springhouse Court, Meadow Valley Drive, and Meadow Court. and Friday the 24th, Walnut Street from uh 15th North Walnut Street to North Queen Street. Please move your vehicle off of those affected uh streets during paving operation to avoid any delays and ensure that the work can be done uh effectively. Um many times notices like this are on the town of Rising Sun uh official Facebook page. That's a good place to get uh up-to-date information. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Dalling. Uh, Commissioner Pearson or Commissioner Kleiner, sorry.

Thank you. Um, last night we had a planning commission hearing. We heard two cases and um, so it was a a lengthy meeting, but I um, feel like we worked very well together as a team, as a board, and um, just really proud of the work that we're doing together for the town. Um we I also was at the little league parade and we were very thankful for better weather um after many years of of rain. And um Calvin and I, town administrator and I had attended the uh Maryland Municipal League chapter dinner in Perryville. They hosted us last Thursday at Fifth Company Brewing and we heard a um presentation by Mike Dixon on the history of Perryville.

Oh, that's awesome. Yes, it was very good. Um he he had to breeze through it, but it was very interesting to learn some of the comments from President um George Washington and just to to learn about the roadways and all and and the importance during the Revolutionary War. And that's it. Thank you, Commissioner Kleiner. Also on behalf of the rest of our elected body want to congratulate Commissioner Kleiner who is the new VP of the Harford Cecil chapter of the Maryland Municipal League. So we are excited for her. Congratulations. Thank you. Um moving forward, Commissioner Pearson.

I have a couple of things tonight. Uh first one is Maryland State Police is hosting a car show on this Saturday the 25th at the northbound scale house off I 95. The Rising Sun Police Department will be present. Also, I'd like to thank the planning and zoning board for approving the total package from Mavis Tire. For many years, we have strived to get national businesses in the town. Uh Mavis is uh definitely going to be a factor here. But the thing of it is it now shows that our town will welcome a national u company. We were lucky enough to get Tractor Supply. Now we have Mavis. And for those out there, if we keep going this way, we may eventually get that Dunkin Donuts that everybody wants.

Chick-fil-A. Yeah. I I could go on and on for what we want, but uh I want to thank them for doing that. That's it. Thank you, Commissioner Pearson. Uh, I also wanted to add that I forgot to uh announce that uh when you drive by 16 East Main, you'll see some new banners that have gone up for our new parking and mixeduse redevelopment uh project. We're looking forward to the demolition that will hopefully happen soon and uh the project is going to be going out to bid very soon. This week.

This week. So, that is great. Um the depart uh the department of housing community development uh sent a significant grant to the town of Rising Sun for this project. Um and the banners are a part of our commitment uh to them. Um they have asked for those to be placed. So we're looking forward to the project and uh the excitement to come from uh what's happening with our mixeduse redevelopment. Uh on the agenda you'll see the board of zoning appeals and commission schedule as well as upcoming town events, holidays, and the trash recycling yard schedule. Is there anything else to come before the board this evening? Hearing none. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? Make a motion to adjurnn. Seconded. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor?

I. Perfect.