The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners approved increases in the costs of driveway and sign permits as well as higher development fees and a budget amendment during a sparsely attended town meeting Monday night.
The town commissioners held two public hearings for the both fee increase and budget amendments, but each ended without comment from citizens or town commissioners.
The fee schedule, according to Director of Administration Joyce Oliver, has been updated to "cover administrative costs." Many of the changes are updating the language, but there were a few increases.
Sign permits fees will increase from $15 to $25 for signs smaller than 25 square feet and all other signs from $40 to $50. Likewise, driveway permits, previously $15, are being moved into the utility permit category, which is $50, and the system development fees have been raised 6 percent, as required by the county, to $5,438 per 30 plumbing fixture units.
The fee schedule passed unanimously, as did the budget amendment for fiscal year 2011.
The budget amendment was discussed at an earlier work session, when Town Administrator Chris Schlehr said most changes were to offset incoming revenue after the governor increased state highway user funds allocated to the state's municipalities. Both Bel Air Mayor Dave Carey and Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett, who is president of the Maryland Municipal League, were instrumental in the highway user fund effort.
Overall, the general fund in the current budget will increase by $186,752 and the special revenue by $49,378. The 2011 fiscal year ends June 30.
Town commissioners also endorsed a Community Legacy Project for $125,000. Every year, according to Director of Economic Development Trish Heidenreich, the department applies for the grant and every year it must be endorsed before moving on to the state level.
"Essentially, the state requires that we adopt a resolution endorsing this request for funds," she said, adding that it was a "template."
This year, the department requested $75,000 to create a revolving loan fund for Bel Air, as well as $50,000 for façade improvements. The loan fund would make micro loans to small businesses in town.
Officer recognized
Bel Air Police Officer William "Wes" Salvas was recognized for his recent promotion to officer first class. Salvas started at the department as an intern in October 2008 while he studied at Goucher College.
In December 2009, he graduated Entrance Level Class 27 from the Harford County Sheriff's Police Academy.
"That's the kind of officers that we want to build in Bel Air," Commissioner Ed Hopkins said. "That's what makes Bel Air safe."
Commissioners comments
Commissioners Hopkins and Terence Hanley both spoke to the importance of being cautious and safe, with Hopkins emphasizing the 25 mph speed limit in town.
"We want to push the safety message," he said. "Use caution."
Summer schedule
The next town hall meeting, unlike in months prior, will be July 18 with a work session on July 12. As usual, both will be held in town hall at 39 N. Hickory Ave. at 7:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., respectively.