Bel Air town commissioners accept county growth plan

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners held a brief meeting Monday evening, where members approved the 2010 Harford County Annual Growth Report.

Legislation requires the town to adopt the county growth report, according to Director of Planning Kevin Small, which helps the town's planning commission to determine where residential lots can go.

Based on the 2010 report, which includes updated numbers on school redistricting, Small said, all public schools are operating at less than 110 percent capacity except for Dublin Elementary School, which is outside of the town.

Mayor David Carey also clarified that the town has no input on the county's growth plan, but the commissioners just have to verify that they have received it.

Commissioner Terence Hanley also briefly spoke about the plan and said it was the first time since he has been on the town board that Bel Air area schools would not be under a home building moratorium because of student overcrowding.

"[They'll] probably be back in moratorium before we know it," Hanley added.

Reappointment

Phil Raub, a current member of the Planning Commission, was approved for another five-year term on the commission, effective immediately.

Raub has served on the planning commissioner for several years and was previously a town commissioner.

Recognitions

Town commissioners recognized both Michael Blum and Donald Stewart for their work in planning and organizing Bel Air Independence Day activities, including the Fourth of July parade and fireworks.

Carey praised all events that day, noting a record attendance at the pancake breakfast, as well as the surprising lack of rain. Both men received a gift card from the commissioners.

Blum spoke briefly, thanking all of the town employees who helped him with the events, saying without them, "we couldn't do it."

Stewart, too, mentioned the amount of time required to put together the "one important day." Fourth of July is especially important, he said, because it's a day that people don't necessarily exchange gifts.

"[We're] just celebrating who we are as a people," he said, "and what's better than that?"