Some of the fees the Town of Bel Air charges residents will increase, if the town commissioners approve a resolution at their meeting Monday.
The commissioners discussed the fee increases, scheduled for a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. at Monday's town hall meeting, at their Tuesday work session.
The fees, according to Director of Administration Joyce Oliver, are being increased to more align them with the costs associated with certain services. Most of the changes are administrative in nature, but sign permits fees would increase by $10, driveway permits from $15 to $50 and system development fees by 6 percent, as required by the county, up to $5,438 per 30 fixture units.
The fee for residential or signs smaller than 25 square feet would increase from $15 to $25; all other signs would go from $40 to $50.
The driveway fees in particular piqued Commissioner Robert Preston's interest because it was such a hefty increase. The raise was because driveway fees were being eliminated and put under the $50 utility permits fees.
Town Administrator Chris Schlehr and Department of Public Works Director Randy Robertson defended the raise, saying that driveways necessitated the same amount of time and work as utility permits.
In cases where the curbs are already cut for a driveway to enter a town street, thus eliminating some of the work, Schlehr said Robertson could exercise his judgment with the charges.
Budgetary changes are also up for a public hearing on Monday evening, but in most cases the amendments are to offset incoming revenue.
"It's pretty much just crossing all the T's and dotting all the I's," Schlehr said.
Economic Development Director Trish Heidenreich presented a new resolution for consideration Monday evening that would allow the town to submit an application for a Community Legacy Project.
The resolution comes up every year, she said, as they need to continually get permission. This year the town is requesting $125,000 from the state for two projects.
Approximately $75,000 would be used to supplement the new revolving loan fund for the town, she said, and $50,000 for façade improvement projects. Her requests for loan fund money had been denied in the past, according to Heidenreich, because the state prefers that revolving loan funds have matching funding.
Because the town allotted matching funds in the upcoming budget, she said she was hoping it would help the application.
Promotion
Officer Wes Salvas is being recognized as the next town meeting for his recent promotion. According to Chief Leo Matrangola, Salvas started as an intern, then became a cadet and now is an officer first class.
Schlehr, too, said that Salvas was "homegrown."
"He looks like a police officer and he's a good one," he added.
Liaison reports
Commissioner Ed Hopkins discussed an e-mail from Harford Mutual in his report. The company expressed gratitude for smoke detectors the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company handed out after an apartment fire in January 2010. The two-alarm fire caused more than $750,000 in damages to the Hickory Hills Condominiums and following it, the fire company visited other apartments and checked the smoke detectors.
Just a few weeks ago, a fire was set in the Hickory Hills Condominium and because of the new smoke detectors, other residents were alerted. Hopkins reported that Harford Mutual praised the fire company for its efforts.
Commissioners also discussed the planning commission meeting, where Bel Air Liquors requested the one year extension that is available with a two-year preliminary plan in Bel Air.
According to Schlehr, the business is "just about ready."
Kevin Small, director of planning and community development, agreed, saying he expects them to start in the fall or next spring.
Bel Air Liquors is moving next to Preston's, on Main Street, across from Looney's. The owners are buying the property that the BB&T drive-through bank branch is on, will raze the bank and install a modular, half of which will be the liquor store, according to information presented to the Harford County Liquor Control Board at it last meeting. The owners are shopping loans now, according to info provided by the liquor board.