After a week with no meeting, St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners met Tuesday, June 22 and worked through a hefty agenda. The board approved bills totaling about $1.7 million, a portion of which Commissioner Dan Raley explained was for easements which will help preserve the rural character of the County.
Two retirement proclamations, for long-time employees Lydia Wood of the Museum Division and Procurement Manager Carol Gallagher were made. Gallagher’s boss, County Chief Financial Officer Elaine Kramer said she had served the county well and later asked the board to authorize an overlap between her leaving and her replacement’s official arrival to help smooth the transition for this complex position. Wood spent more than 20 years working to showcase exhibits and build tourism in St. Mary’s.
Among the County Administrator’s items, the board heard about two major capital improvement projects, the detention center and the new Leonardtown library. Corrections Commander Capt. Michael Merican and Public Works Director George Erichsen gave the board an update on the expansion and renovation plans. Merican explained how some recent design tweaks will enhance what he called, “a long and daunting project,” keeping it cost-effective and adaptable for future growth.
St. Mary’s Library Director Kathleen Reif asked the board for a letter of certification, committing them to the $765,000 county match required for the state grant funding. The board approved and also signed off on an agreement between the County and the Library Board of Trustees. Reif said the document, “defines the boundaries [of responsibility]” and means library employees’ checks will now be signed by her and the trustees.
Public Schools’ Director of Fiscal Services Gregory Nourse got the board’s approval for some budget adjustments in what he called, “clean-ups for the year’s end.” Approximately $400,000 was saved through energy conservation efforts.
A late-arriving Superintendent Martirano fielded Commissioner Raley’s question about teacher retirement benefits, stating he and the board strive for responsible decision making with the OPEB. “We want to do our part now.” More than $2.2 million of the 2010 public school budget was allocated for this.
Another important topic, workforce housing, also got attention at Tuesday’s meeting. The board approved 8 additional impact waivers for the Hunting Creek self-help housing project and signed the PILOT agreement for Indian Bridge Apartments. Raley raised some questions about the “$15 million transaction,” but approved, agreeing with Kenny Dement that the arrangement is “in the best interest of St. Mary’s County.” Both projects offer affordable workforce housing in a market of limited, higher cost rentals.
The board complimented Kelsey Bush for stepping into the dual role of Youth and Local Management Board Coordinator and authorized budget modifications for Human Services programs, including an administrative
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