Feb. 11, 2019 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council

Feb. 11, 2019 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council

Feb. 11, 2019

What a difference a month makes. A month ago there was standing room only at the Jan. 14, 2019 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council. Monday, in the middle of the snow storm, there were less than 10 folks in the audience and the meeting lasted 15 minutes. I am not quite sure if that is a record or not – but if it is not a record, it is close to it.

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10215803047722723

Agenda for the CITY OF WESTMINSTER Mayor and Common Council Meeting Monday, February 11, 2019 at 7 pm

Council Chambers of City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster, MD

The weather was bad. It had snowed and rained freezing rain for the last 24-hours. Most of staff did not attend the meeting – as per the request of Ms. Matthews.

1.   CALL TO ORDER The meeting began at 7 p.m.

2.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A)  Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 14, 2019

B)  Mayor and Common Council Meeting of January 28, 2019

Approved.

3.   CONSENT CALENDAR

A)  Approval – Standardized Public Works Agreements and other Development-related Documents – Mr.

Mackey

Approved

4.   REPORT FROM THE MAYOR

No report.

5.   REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

A)  Arts Council – No report.

B)  Economic & Community Development Committee

Ben Yingling had Ms. Matthews deliver a report on the city’s water re-use initiative.

C)  Finance Committee – No report.

D)  Personnel Committee – No report.

E)  Public Safety Committee – No report.

F)  Public Works Committee – No report.

6.   COUNCIL COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION – none.

7.   ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

Adoption - Resolution No. 19-05 of the Mayor and Common Council of Westminster, amending the adopted Water and Wastewater Allocation Policy for 2018-2024 – Mr. Mackey

The resolution was adopted.

8.   UNFINISHED BUSINESS9. NEW BUSINESS

A)  Approval - Annexation Agreement A-1121 for Parcels 1 and 5 of the EOB and DASY properties – Mr. Mackey

Brooks Leahy attended the meeting with Mark and Dave Bollinger.

10. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

The only report was Westminster Fire Company President Jamie Petry’s report for the fire department.

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS

13. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:15.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

News brief: Westminster to get fed stimulus grant, names arts task force

Westminster to get fed stimulus grant names arts task force http://tinyurl.com/ygpgt76

Photo caption: Westminster director of public works Jeff Glass explains

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nd594 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226742793/westminster-director-of-public-works-jeff-glass

Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained the Westminster water department water meter replacement initiative at the Monday, October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster MD mayor and Common Council meeting at Westminster city hall. October 26, 2009 photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (11)eGlass]

Westminster to get federal stimulus grant and names arts and culture task force

By Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster announced at last Monday night’s mayor and Common Council meeting, that skillful navigation of a “sea of paperwork” enabled the city to double a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – “ARRA” federal stimulus funds, to replace aging water meters throughout town.

Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained at the meeting that last May the city applied for a grant 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.

The grant application process was complicated. “To our credit we met the deadlines… To our credit others did not,” explained Glass. As a result, “the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install ‘wireless’ read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc...,” said Glass with visible pride.

The bidding process was performed in August and September; and the Maryland Department of the Environment signed off on the project on October 13. Glass presented the council with a proposal to approve a winning bid from Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the water system upgrade.

Just before the council voted to approve the project, council president Damian Halstad said that the grant will “go a long way in our budget process… It is always nice to ask for $400,000 and get $800,000.”

Under new business councilman Greg Pecoraro gave a detailed six-month status report on the findings of the Tri-Street Advisory Committee.

The committee had been established by the city “on August 25, 2008 to address neighborhood issues and concerns in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, Union Street and West Main Street, with the objective of creating an action plan for improvement,” explained Pecoraro.

One of the recommendations acted-on by the council at the end of Pecoraro’s report was “under the goal of building economic vitality.

“The report recommended the creation of a task force of representatives from the City, Carroll County Arts Council, Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee, property owners, artisans and others, to be called the ‘Arts and Culture Task Force,’ to develop an ‘arts, culture and small business overlay zone’ for the Tri-Street neighborhood. The report urged the task force to focus on the Carroll Arts Center as a critical anchor in the Tri-Street neighborhood.”

For more, read the Nov. 1 edition of the Carroll Eagle http://www.explorecarroll.com/

Read the Westminster press release on the water meter replacement project pasted below:

MEMORANDUM

TO: The Mayor and Common Council

FROM: Jeffery D. Glass, Director of Public Works

DATE: October 21, 2009

RE: Water Meter Replacement Project- ARRA Stimulus Funds

The Department of Public Works applied for a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Funds) in May 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.

Due to the complicated nature of requirements and stringent deadlines, a number of applicants were culled from the initial applications. This decrease in applicants provided an increase in available funding available to the City.

As a result, the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install “wireless” read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc.

This project was put out to bid on August 12th, 2009. Three bids were received, opened and read aloud on September 8th, 2009. The bids ranged from $817,139.19 to$1,043,752.00 with one bid disqualification. The apparent low bidder was Benjamin Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. This bid was reviewed by staff and found to be complete and acceptable for forwarding to MDE for review.

The City received a letter of confirmation from MDE on October 13 2009, which acknowledges the review and approval of the project, which in general terms provides the green light to proceed. The next step is to provide the notice of award to Ben Franklin, the low bidder

I recommend The Mayor and Common Council accept the bid of Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the Water meter Replacement Project. This action will allow Notice of Award, and Contractual Documents to be executed.

20091026 sdosm d4 Westminster to get fed stimulus grant

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/news-brief-westminster-to-get-fed.html http://tinyurl.com/ygpgt76

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nd594 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226742793/westminster-director-of-public-works-jeff-glass

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting

To the left, please find an image of my news brief on the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council on Monday, September 28, 2009. The news brief appeared in the Carroll Eagle on Sunday, October 4, 2009 on page 3.

Oct. 4, 2009 p3 Carroll Eagle Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kcern Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/budget-woes-dominate-westminster-mayor.html http://tinyurl.com/ydumjah

http://twitpic.com/kcern Westminster Eagle News Brief: Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ydumjah

Below, please find the news brief as it was filed. The “long version” of my article on the meeting has not, as yet, been posted on www.explorecarroll.com. Hopefully it will be posted on Monday, October 5, 2009… If not, I’ll post it here on the blog…

Westminster Eagle News Brief: Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting

Westminster Eagle – http://www.explorecarroll.com/

September 28, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

Westminster City Hall - The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last Monday began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening.

Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster. Later in the meeting the council voted to adopt the plan after more discussion of how proud the council and staff were to have received such good feedback from the state on how well the plan was developed and written.

Council president Damian Halstad brought up “Budget Amendment No. 1” for adoption. Utz explained “this reduction in the budget came as a direct result of the governor’s reduction in highway user revenues…”

Other council member joined-in as it was explained that the state Board of Public Works recently voted to not send $818,000 in revenue due the city from taxes collected by the state designated for the city’s coffers – in order to balance the state budget.

A press release describing the budget amendment explained, “The State of Maryland reduced the Highway User Revenues from $747,580 to $74,758 and Police Aid from a budgeted $400,000 to $254,826.”

City administrator Marge Wolf said that she expects the state to withhold an additional $329,000 from the city in January.

According to the press release: “Among the cuts approved by the Common Council were cancellations of the paving contract, technology purchases and a police vehicle which totaled $267,950 in capital expenditures; diversion of the $100,000 contingency reserve to operating accounts…

“… conversion of $215,000 of Union Street property proceeds to operating accounts; reduction of departmental operating budgets by $155,086; revision of the take home vehicle policy to institute a partial employee payback of costs by $15,768; and captured $65,000 in savings from reduced tipping fees.”

Wolf tried to put a bright face on a bleak picture at that by remarking that “this is not the best of times, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have good projects underway.”

As if on cue, Lori Graham, representing the business community, gave a report on the “Midnight Madness,” downtown business celebration held in conjunction with Fallfest. She also gave an update on plans for the upcoming community ‘electric’ Christmas parade.

“The community has its share of problems but we still come together to do good things,” said Graham.

Want to learn more about the recent meeting of the Westminster mayor and council meeting? For a longer version of this story go to http://www.explorecarroll.com/.

- 30 –

Dayhoff Media Westminster Eagle, MD State Budget, People Graham-Lori, Westminster Council Meeting Notes, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Finance Budget, Westminster Mayor 2009 Utz Kevin

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

20070611 2007 Preservation Month Westminster Architectural Scavenger Hunt

2007 Preservation Month Westminster Architectural Scavenger Hunt

June 13^th, 2007

The winners for the 2007 Preservation Month Westminster Architectural Scavenger Hunt were announced at the Westminster Common Council meeting last Monday, June 11^th, 2007.

For additional posts about this year’s contest click on: History Westminster or Westminster Eagle.

Dean Camlin was kind enough to e-mail me some additional information and the winners:

The poster contest was initially proposed by HDC (Westminster Historic District Commission) member Laurie Walters.

Stan Ruchlewicz shot many of the pictures used on the poster, and Dean Camlin did an initial graphic layout.

Jerry Trescott wrote the contest clues, and Tim Rogers donated many hours of support.

The entry form ran in a full color center-spread in the Eagle May 2 & was also available at many downtown locations, including the Flower & Jazz Festival.

The Eagle provided graphic design layout and ran additional clues in subsequent weeks. All of this was free of charge, through the generous support of editor Jim Joiner.

Additional funding was provided through a Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area matching mini-grant.

The contest received uniform positive comments from the community. 57 entries were received by the May 31 deadline. Entrants received a commemorative poster (with the correct answers) and a CD of The Building of Westminster. The winners, selected from the correct entries at random, are listed below along with their prizes:

Bob Nangel - HSCC print framed by Gizmo's

Residents of Westminster Ridge - O'Lordans gift certificate

Katie & Wendy (mom) Raith - Thai Classic 3 gift certificate

Lauren Douzat - Rafael's gift certificate

David Taylor - Johansson's gift certificate

Mary Mullinix - Pour House gift certificate

Celene Steckel - Giulianova's Italian Deli gift certificate

The commemorative enlarged posters, with the correct addresses of the dozen buildings, were designed and printed by Kohn Creative. These are available at City Hall to the public.

20070611 "Concerned Citizens United" takes their case against airport to City Hall

"Concerned Citizens United" takes their case against airport to City Hall

June 11^th, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

About a dozen members of Concerned Citizens United took their case against the proposed expansion of the Carroll County Regional Airport to the Westminster Common Council meeting this evening.

After protesting outside for about a half-an-hour before the meeting, the group attended the common council meeting; waiting an hour for the opportunity to speak during “citizen’s comments.”

At the beginning of citizens comments Council president Roy Chiavacci asked who wanted to speak on the matter of the airport and gave each speaker five minutes each. A number of members of the group took him up on his offer.

The first person to speak was Victoria Oneda, the organizer of the group, who went through all the talking points and questions in a handout they provided for the council members.

Ms. Oneda said that she and her group was “trying to create a dialogue about” the proposed expansion. And that she and members of her group – and Carroll County “citizens were unaware about the airport expansion” until only recently.

“Where is the water,” asked Ms. Oneda as she proceeded to ask some questions about city plans to develop a water supply from Medford Quarry. Where is the county going to get water for the expansion, asked Ms. Oneda.

She continued by asking, “What is the progress of the improvements for Rte 97? What if Marty Hill cannot sell his houses because of the airport?”

The next gentleman to speak announced that he lives in the city and has “consistently paid for more water than he uses…” He said that he has “lived here for over twenty five years... (and that the city) seems to be always be behind when it comes to sewage facilities.”

After further questions about “airport expansion taxes,” the dialogue continued as to whether or not the airport is not in the city… The runway is in the county? But the businesses out by the airport were in the city…, he asked?

He finished by remarking that in the research impact study that he reviewed, it did not take into consideration the impact on city.

The next person to speak had concerns about the economic impacts the proposed expansion of the airport will have on the city.

He then commented that earlier in the meeting “Mr. Pecoraro has alluded to a disconnect between the city and the county. The city will be impacted by the 737 larger planes that will be landing at the expanded airport.”

Commenting further he expressed concern about “noise pollution and air pollution” and that “conflicting information was being disseminated.” It has been reported that “the FAA is going to pick up 95 percent of the cost. (But) his calculation is that the FAA will only cover 25 percent of the costs for the expansion… It is not all as rosy as the commissioners” are presenting the expansion, he concluded.

Mr. Oneda was the next person to speak. He advocated the formation of a “Citizens Advisory Committee” (CAC). He noted that in information he read, the FAA required a TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) but also strongly suggested the formation of a Citizens Advisory Committee.

The reason he cited that it would be good to form a CAC “because the county has been so quiet about (the proposed expansion) and it is raising public distrust. Why are they hiding from this?”

Former Westminster Common Councilwoman, Rebekah Orenstein expressed concerns about Pennsylvania Avenue. She remarked that she had “met with Mr. (Steve)Powell (Carroll county commissioners’ chief of staff) last week for over an hour.”

Ms. Orenstein expressed concern that “none of you all are aware of (the airport expansion.) I’m very concerned about this,” in a reference to earlier discussion that the Westminster officials had expressed some concern that they had asked for a briefing about the purposed expansion but that meeting never took place. And yet she was able to easily able to have a meeting with Mr. Powell.

Her next concern was the “noise issue.” The “big jets are terrifying…” She expressed fear of the noise the big jets made, “especially after 9/11.”

“You folks have let this city and its residents down. Ms Kowalski came to you months ago and you dusted her off.” And the county has also dusted the Westminster officials off, she lectured.

The next person to speak said that she “was not a citizen of the city.” But she spends “a lot of time here.” I’m opposed to the airport because of the larger jets that it will be using it. Bigger planes make bigger noise,” she said.

“I would think that you would demand better communication with the county commissioners. You have every right to demand that you be kept informed. The Westminster council deserves to know what is going on,” she implored.

David Taylor, the next speaker, had safety concerns that he wanted councilman Kevin Utz to comment. A discussion ensued about safety issues concerning the airport expansion…

Beatrice Wolf remarked that the airport “has a lot of planes coming in low, making a lot of noise and I’m opposed to it.”

And finally a gentleman said he didn’t “think that it is necessary for the airport to have larger airplanes.” He noted that BWI is not that far away.

####

20070611 Concerned Citizens United Westminster Common Council Meeting presentation

Concerned Citizens United Westminster Common Council Meeting presentation

June 11^th, 2007 Westminster City Hall:

Questions about: The Proposed Airport Expansion

Concerned Citizens United

1. Where is the water?

How is the Union Mills, MD reservoir going to become a reality? Is it true that you may be unable to purchase the land?

The city is committed to the construction of an emergency pipeline from Medford Quarry to the Cranberry Reservoir. Construction of this nine mile long emergency pipeline is slated to begin this summer. Is this construction on schedule?

Businessman CJ Miller made a comment about the lack of water in response to the Sage Policy Economic Impact report at Carroll Community College (during public comments)

2. Where are the road improvements for Route 97?

Maryland Route 97 is still a two-lane country road bearing the brunt of commuters from the northern end of the county, and from the airport/industrial park. The number of car accidents, fatalities, and traffic congestion says it all.

The MD Department of Transportation said they haven't seen any plans yet in relation to this airport expansion proposal.

April 15, 2004? Minutes of Zoning and Planning Commission?

"... .Extremely concerned with the safety along MD Route 97, and the additional impact these developments will have on an already unsafe road."

"....Developers of this industrial park and the (Boulton?) Hill residential developments will be adding over $1 million worth of improvements to MD Route 97."

Zoning Commissioners "will consider no further site plans for the (Boulton?) Hill and Meadow Branch Industrial Park until the improvements to MD Route 97 have commenced."

•Is real estate developer Marty Hill still planning to pay for the improvements needed for Route 97?

What if Marty Hill withdraws his offer: if he is unable proceed with the development plans for (Boulton?) Hill, or if he can't sell any of his homes due to an airport expansion?

3. WHO is going to decide what is best for OUR COUNTY?

The Federal Government?

Whenever any requirement on performance standard contained in this zone is in conflict with any applicable state or federal requirement or performance standard, the state or federal requirement of performance standard shall control or supersede the provisions of this zone.

4. When can we meet back with you to get answers to these questions and concerns?

20050615 Westminster Eagle: Pecoraro returns to council by Alex Gayhart

Westminster Eagle: Pecoraro returns to council by Alex Gayhart

June 15, 2005

The other night at the Westminster Common Council meeting, the Council appointed former Westminster Common Council member – and arguably one the brighter public policy analysts and political scientists in Maryland – to fill the seat vacated by Tom Ferguson when he took the office of mayor.

Councilman Pecoraro is almost a necessary decision – to join a council that, with exception of Councilwoman Suzanne Albert, has little institutional memory or municipal public policy experience. Whether the balance of the Common Council has the skills and abilities to continue a tradition of excellence in governance in Westminster remains to be seen…

Pecoraro returns to council 06/15/05 by Alex Gayhart

Monday night saw the end of Westminster City Council's election season.

Sure, the votes had been tallied back on May 9 - putting Roy Chiavacci back in office, Kevin Utz on the council for the first time and placing Tom Ferguson in the mayor's seat.

But Ferguson's move from the council to the mayor's position left a hole - that is, until Monday evening, when the four council members unanimously voted to put Greg Pecoraro in that seat.

Pecoraro ran in the May 9 election, one of five candidates for two seats, but came up just a bit short.

In fact, he was just 69 votes shy of the second place vote-getter.

"I plan to work as hard as I can to justify your confidence in me," Pecoraro told the council Monday night, shortly after being appointed and sworn in.

He called the experience humbling - humbling enough to have put himself on the line in an election, not to mention having to go through it again a month later for the appointment process.

Last week, the council held a special meeting where members "interviewed" the seven candidates who applied to fill Ferguson's vacant seat. Pecoraro was unable to attend that meeting due to a business trip.

He did, however, send a letter, which was read by Westminster City Clerk Laurell Taylor, expressing his desire to be on the council and his qualifications to be chosen.

Pecoraro, 45, served on the Westminster city council from 1994 until 2003.

During his campaign, Pecoraro discussed the issue of growth in Westminster and the need for the city to grow wisely while ensuring that adequate facilities are provided.

Monday evening saw Pecoraro's appointment not only to the council, but to the position of chairman of the public works committee.

"Which is the one committee that I haven't served on," Pecoraro said after the meeting, expressing amusement in the fact that he will have served on all of four standing committees between his last tenure on the council and the next two years.

Before a motion was made to appoint Pecoraro Monday evening, Councilman Robert Wack made comments on the difficulty of his decision in choosing an appointee.

"I seriously considered abstaining from this vote," Wack said. "(But) we are elected to these positions to make these types of decisions."

Wack called attention to discussion outside of public meetings, which suggested the need for racial and/or ethnic diversity on the council.

"We need to be sensitive to racial, cultural and ethnic issues," Wack said. "We do have some folks (of) various backgrounds in leadership positions in this county, but we don't have enough."

That being said, however, Wack said race and ethnicity did not play a part in his decision.

"All of our candidates are excellent candidates and stand on their own (regardless of race and ethnicity)," he said.

He then made a motion to appoint Pecoraro.

After the meeting, Wack went on to discuss his reasoning. "Because all the candidates ... were all so qualified - it sort of took ethnicity off the table for me," he said.

####

20050615 Westminster Eagle: Pecoraro returns to council by Alex Gayhart

20010612 Baltimore Sun: Ferguson fills Council Seat

Former bank chief to fill Westminster council seat
Ferguson's appointment effective immediately

See: 20010611 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Agenda

By Maria Blackburn, Sun Staff
Originally published June 12, 2001

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.council12jun12.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll

Westminster's Common Council appointed last night Thomas K. Ferguson, a former Carroll County bank president and chief executive officer, to the five-member panel, filling a spot left vacant by Kevin E. Dayhoff's election as mayor.

Ferguson, 59, led Carroll County Bank & Trust Co. for 18 years before its purchase by BB&T Corp. in 1999. He has lived on Ridge Road with his wife, Sandy, since 1975 and is executive vice president for community development at BB&T.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd throw my hat in the political arena. I have the time now to participate actively in city government," Ferguson said before being named to fill the remaining two years of Dayhoff's term. "I've always had an interest in downtown Westminster."

Other applicants for the position included Frank E. Wagner Jr., a Baltimore police sergeant and unsuccessful Common Council candidate in the May election, and John F. Curran Jr., a 19-year city resident.

Three council members supported Ferguson's appointment - the majority needed for the appointment. They were Council President Damian L. Halstad, L. Gregory Pecoraro and Roy L. Chiavacci.

Councilwoman Suzanne P. Albert did not vote - the majority was reached before the last candidate's name - Wagner's - could be read by City Clerk John Dutterer. Their names were read in alphabetical order.

Pecoraro complimented Ferguson's credentials and his community involvement in projects such as chairing the Westminster Fire Department's $1.5 million capital campaign in 1997 for its new fire station on John Street.

"I don't think there's been a worthwhile project in this community in the last 10 to 15 years that Tom Ferguson hasn't" been involved in, Pecoraro said.

The council was eager for Ferguson to assume his post. He was sworn in at the meeting and afterward, when he tried to sit with the audience, was directed to sit in the vacant council chair.

The last time the council appointed a new member was in 1994, when Pecoraro was selected to fill the seat left vacant by Kenneth A. Yowan, who was appointed as mayor.

Also last night: The council heard from three residents opposed to annexing the Bixler property, almost 45 acres of farmland on Route 97 north of Carroll County Regional Airport.

Edward Wentz, who lives in Kalten Acres, a 25-year-old subdivision near the property, said the city didn't need more development in this area. The council will likely vote on the annexation ordinance at the July 9 meeting.

Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun

For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting agenda on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda

For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting minutes on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes