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Bel Air Town Administrator to propose balanced budget for 2011

BY L'OREAL THOMPSON

Posted 4/01/10

Bel Air Town Administrator Chris Schlehr is expected to present next week a balanced budget with no tax increases for fiscal year 2011.

Nor does the proposed budget include wage, salary or cost-of-living increases for town employees.

During a board of town commissioners' work session Tuesday evening, Schlehr said he will present the town's budget at Monday's town meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at town hall.

Also, during Monday's meeting a resolution to authorize the sale of the Proctor House at 54 Gordon St. is expected to be introduced.

The Harford County Board of Estimates surplused the property to the town of Bel Air in January.

"We asked them to surplus it to us," Schlehr said in a brief interview Thursday. "We surplused it to sell it."

Schlehr said the town wanted control regarding how the house would be used and the county will receive proceeds from the sale.

Kelly Financial Group LLC, whose office is next to the vacant, wood frame house that formerly was used for offices by the board of education, has been selected by the town to acquire the vacant building.

At $200,000, Kelly Financial was the second-highest bidder during the town's search for a new owner. The firm agreed to buy the house if it could get a tax credit, which it has since obtained through the state in the amount of $100,000.

The highest bidder, Structural Preservation System, placed a $250,000 bid, but later backed out, citing the bad economy.

An ordinance concerning stormwater management regulations will also be introduced during Monday's town meeting.

Randy Robertson, director of public works, told the town commissioners there have been statewide changes to stormwater regulations. Gov. Martin O'Malley's Clean Water Act mandated the changes in 2007.

One of the biggest changes focuses on environmental site design, Robertson said, in addition to conserving natural features.

"This is an attempt by the state to help protect the [Chesapeake] Bay," Mayor David Carey said.

Town Commissioner Terry Hanley and Carey said they are concerned the revised regulations will harm redevelopment and conflict with smart growth.

But Robertson said the town can grant a host of waivers for exceptions, but every waiver needs to go to the Maryland Department of the Environment for approval.

A bid for the engineering condition survey of the town's parking garage also is expected to be awarded Monday night. The town received four bids for the survey, which will include a full report and recommendations, Robertson said.

The town budgeted $15,000 for the survey, but $2,500 can be taken from the town's parking fund structural repair budget for additional costs.

The survey was last conducted in 1999, according to Schlehr.

Robertson also presented a strategy for the town's flood mitigation planning.

The plan is divided into four phases: organize resources, assess risks, develop a mitigation plan and implement and monitor progress.

The first phase is scheduled for late March through mid-April and includes organizing a committee of staff and community leaders. A professional planner will oversee the committee, which will be formally recognized by the town board.

In other news from Tuesday's town work session, the Armory Park dedication is scheduled for May 13 at 11:30 a.m. with a light lunch being served inside the armory on Main Street.

An economic summit for the town is scheduled for June 7 at 5:30 p.m. inside the armory, prior to the regularly scheduled town meeting.