The Harford County Council approved its new redistricting map Tuesday, which keeps districts roughly the same instead of adopting the redistricting commission's first choice, which would have made substantial changes primarily to Districts E and F.
The plan moves two school board members into new districts, pushing Abingdon resident Cassandra Beverley, who lives in council District B, into the new District E, which includes the city of Aberdeen and nearby areas.
Board member and Joppa resident Robert Frisch, who lives in council District A, would be moved to the new District B, which covers mostly the Fallston and Abingdon areas but will pick up his home precinct in Joppa.
The new plan would move nine precincts: 1-02 Joppa-Magnolia from District A to B; 1-07 Winters Run from District A to B; 1-10 Abingdon from District F to A; 1-13 Abingdon from District B to F; 1-15 Constant Friendship from District B to A; 3-13 Bel Air from District C to B; 3-19 Bel Air from District E to C; 3-24 Frogtown from District C to D; and 6-05 Aberdeen from District F to E.
No one spoke about the redistricting during the public hearing earlier that night.
"Even though we did not go with their original choice, we did go with their second alternate and without their hard work, we would not have been able to go through this plan smoothly," Council President Billy Boniface said, also thanking the other council members.
Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti again said she hopes the board of elections looks at the balance of the precincts, over which the council "unfortunately" has no control, she noted.
"A lot has been discussed about adding the Level area to Havre de Grace [to affect the school district] but that is almost a 4,500 person precinct," she said. "I actually live about 100 feet from [Councilman] Chad [Shrodes]'s district, so there area lot of people in my community who ask that question."
All the council members spent 20 to 30 hours trying to figure out how to keep communities and school districts together, Lisanti said.
Councilman Dick Slutzky said he originally stated he wanted to keep districts fair and equitable.
"I think we did that," he said. "We took the second option and we had to make some minor modifications…When you add all that up, I think we all worked hard and I compliment everyone."
"One issue that probably hasn't been answered publicly is the issue of elected school board districts," he said. "The realization was the school board can change their attendance areas at any time."
Slutzky gave the example of the possibility that students from Riverside could go to the new Edgewood High School if the population in the Aberdeen area continues to grow from BRAC.
Post-employment benefits approved
Also during the meeting, the council approved an appropriation to fund post-employment benefits of $1.3 million for Harford County Public Schools.
Councilman Jim McMahan thanked former Bel Air planning director Carol Deibel and Harford County Historical Society director Maryanna Skowronski for helping put the three-day Veterans Day commemoration over the weekend.
"We had a fabulous crowd at the Liriodendron on Saturday," McMahan said, adding two veterans in their 90s joined him at the event.
Councilman Chad Shrodes congratulated Janet and Jim Archer for being named Farmer of the Year by the county's farm bureau, noting he lives next door to them.
"I know firsthand how hard they work," he said.