(Dec. 15, 2022) The Worcester County Commissioners discussed the following during their Dec. 6 meeting:

Police protection

The commissioners approved the FY2023 state aid for police protection fund application. The grant is “ongoing and is intended to be used exclusively to provide adequate police protection throughout the counties and subdivisions of Maryland,” read a memo from budget officer Kim Reynolds. The application states that the county would like to be considered for FY24 grant funding, but it does not determine how much funding the county will get.

Change orders

The commissioners approved two change orders to the Stephen Decatur Middle School addition project, totaling $543,609. The first change is to replace the existing school PA and clock systems at $381,917 and the second is to replace the existing school CCTV security system at $161,692.

WCPS Superintendent Lou Taylor wrote in a memo that the school system firmly believes that addressing the aged (systems) will increase overall security and that it is a “sound funding decision.”

Fund balance and CIP

The commissioners agreed to discuss the FY22 assigned fund balance and the requested capital improvement program in January.

Public hearing

No citizens spoke for or against an application filed by Rauch Engineering, representing Riverview Mobile Home Park owner Jim Latchum, in pursuit of constructing wastewater treatment plant for stream discharge and modifications to the existing water treatment plant to serve an expansion of the existing park by 60 units. The plans for the Bishopville mobile home park require an amendment to the Worcester County Water and Sewerage comprehensive plan.

MACo

The commissioners confirmed that Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting would be the county representative and alternate, respectively, for the Maryland of Association of Counties. MACo’s Legislative Committee meets frequently during the Maryland General Assembly session, which lasts from January to April.

Airport rep

Commissioner Joe Mitrecic was selected to be the Worcester County commissioner representative on the Wicomico County Airport Commission at the Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Regional Airport. The commission consists of eight members, one of whom typically being the commissioner president or, as in Mitrecic’s case, a designee. The commission meets monthly.