Robert Reier and Susan Burdette were chosen Monday by their Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners colleagues to serve as chair and vice chair for the next year.
This will be the second term for each. Reier's position of chairman earns him the honorary title of Mayor of Bel Air.
"I appreciate the trust and confidence by my fellow commissioners," Reier said Monday evening at the Bel Air town meeting. "I will continue to rely heavily on them as we pick up the ball in the next year."
The town and its beauty were the main topics of conversation at Monday's meeting, when local residents and a business were honored for their beautification efforts and the commissioners made appointments to the Appearance and Beautification Committee.
Judith Morgan and John Brice, who live on Broadway, and The Kelly Group, represented by Bill and Lois Kelly, on Gordon Street, were presented Appearance and Beautification Awards by the committee that was started more than 50 years ago.
Before presenting the awards, Commissioner Rob Preston commended the committee on the work it does all year.
"These people set the standards; we appreciate them giving up their time," Preston said. "They take care of hanging the baskets and the Christmas decorations. They do so much month in and month out to make the town beautiful."
Reier reiterated the efforts of Morgan and Brice, the Kellys and others in town go a long way.
"I'm so often told by residents and visitors the feature that makes it so unique is the amenities, the banners, the flowers," he said. "We really appreciate all the work that goes into that. It's not lost on us nor is it lost on our residents."
Preferred parking
The town is eliminating the preferred parking status along a stretch of Route 22 between Giles Street and Hickory Avenue heading west into town, Small told the commissioners.
That section, controlled by State Highway Administration, is designated by the town as permit only parking, which SHA does not allow. It will continue to be available for parking, but it will not be exclusively for residents during certain hours.
The change prompted the town to look at its other permitted parking areas and found several discrepancies between what was on record with the town and what the signs in particular areas said, Small told the commissioners.
To clear up those discrepancies, the town will change the legislation to reflect what is on the signs; there will be no changes to the parking areas, he said.
"People have been parking that way for years. There's no reason to change it," he said.
The commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the resolution to make those changes.
Jennifer Dombeck was unanimously appointed to a three-year term on the town's Appearance and Beautification Committee and Susan Niewenhous was unanimously re-appointed for another three-year term.
Sandra Schlehr, who designed the Heart of Harford outside town hall, was appointed to a three-year term on the Cultural Arts Commission.
"Sandy made each piece of glass. She worked with the committee as a volunteer and taught them how to add pieces of glass," Burdette said. "She donated many, many hours this summer and I'm thrilled she will be on this committee."
New vehicle
Commissioners approved the purchase of a new Ford Escape from Apple Ford of Columbia for $22,978; the town is piggybacking on a contract with Baltimore City, planning director Kevin Small said. The town had budgeted $20,000 for a new vehicle.
It will replace a 2005 Chevy Impala that has more than 67,000 miles and the body and interior are starting to show their wear and tear, Small said.
It will be used primarily by Small and the planning department to drive between town facilities, transfer equipment and for trips to Annapolis, he said.
Small anticipates it will be delivered in about nine weeks, he said.
The police and public works departments were commended for their efforts with the YMCA Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, considering the uncertain weather and potential changes to the race route.
Commissioner Patrick Richards was the commissioner representative to the 5K race and walk. He joked he came in first place in the "overweight, slow and almost-50 group."
Upcoming events
Rockfield Manor will host a tree lighting Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Dombeck said the town will try to make it an annual event on the first Thursday in December, "to kick off the festivities for the town of Bel Air," she said.
The Authors and Artists Holiday Gift Sale is Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Reckord Armory from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some of the popular artists and authors are returning this year and new ones will be making their debuts. One of the authors is a former writer for "Cheers" and did standup comedy, who now he writes fiction, mysteries.
"It's really a great chance to talk to the authors," Burdette said.
Bel Air's Christmas parade is Sunday, Dec. 7. Music by the Route 66 band begins at 2:45 p.m. on the steps of the Harford County Courthouse, with the parade kicking off at 3:30 p.m.
It will be followed by a celebration in Shamrock Park with hot chocolate, Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling and a tree lighting at about 4:45 p.m.
The annual Commissioners Holiday Open House is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at town hall.
"Enjoy some holiday cheer and fellowship," Reier said.