Bel Air Town Commissioners will consider a resolution Monday night allowing the town to borrow money and reimburse the General Fund after spending more than a million dollars to purchase the BB&T Bank property and pay for the demolition of the existing building on Main Street.
In August, Bel Air signed a contract with Branch Banking and Trust Company to purchase the property located at 33-37 South Main Street for $1,032,400. Bel Air was required to pay a $50,000 deposit at the time and close on the deal with the remaining $982,400 by October 26.
The purchase of the property will be partially funded by $800,000 from the General Fund unreserved fund balance, with the remaining $232,400 and the unknown demolition costs funded through tax-exempt debt. Through the resolution to be introduced Monday night, the town intends to borrow an amount not to exceed $750,000 through tax-exempt financing to reimburse the General Fund for the money withdrawn for purchase of the property and demolition of the building.
An ordinance which would update the Bel Air Town Code to revise and update the town’s development regulations will be the subject of a public hearing during Monday night’s meeting.
The town commissioners will also award bids on Monday night for the Rockfield patio and resurfacing of the Ewing Street parking lot as well as recognize Bel Air Elementary School student Christopher Roberts; Josh Forth & Al White, town employees on the Information Technology Staff; and present the Local Government Insurance Trust Grant Award.
The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in Bel Air Town Hall.
The full agenda is listed below:
Commissioners of Bel Air
Agenda
October 17, 20111. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. PRESENTATIONS
a. Student Recognition – Christopher Roberts, Bel Air Elementary
b. Employee Recognition – Josh Forth & Al White, IT Staff
c. Local Govt. Insurance Trust Grant Award5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Ordinance No. 743-11 – Development Regulations Recodification7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Ordinance No. 743-11 – Development Regulations Recodification8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Award of Bid – Rockfield Patio
b. Resolution No. 965-11 – Intent to Expend Funds
c. Award of Bid – Resurfacing Ewing Street Parking Lot9. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. The Bel Air Film Festival offers exciting international films October 21 – 23 at the Bel Air Armory. For film titles, times and details see www.townofbelairfilmfestival.com. Admission is $5 per film, includes popcorn and a drink.b. Christmas in the Woods Craft Show will be held at Rockfield Manor October 28 – November 27, no admission charge. For hours see www.rockfieldmanor.com.
c. Halloween Trick or Treat hours on October 31st are 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS
11. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
12. ADJOURNMENT
What about the closed gas station by Harford Mall? It is such an eyesore. Can the county buy that one, too?
A lot of money to put up a parking lot! When will these politicans stop spending?
If you want to talk about politicians doing wrong start with yourself. Elected officials should not spread disinformation. This is not for a parking lot. It is for a new town hall and town square.
If you want to attack government spending, fine, but don’t lie about what the project is or at least don’t talk if you don’t know what the subject is.
In a previous editorial, they said they would be tearing down the building and it would be a vacant lot until some time in the future. Gee don’t get so excited. Relax. Wait and see how long it will take after it is demolished.
Although I am in favor of reigning in government spending when possible, I have no problem with this purchase. Bel Air needs a new town hall, one of the most prime lots in town was availble, and thanks to the economy tanking, the price was far below what it would have otherwise cost. The ability to control what is built in that important location can go a long way toward shaping the overall look and future of the downtown area.
I hope they don’t blow it by slapping up some cheap looking box, but instead visit nearby towns in MD, PA and DE with distinct downtown areas and take notes on the buildings that give them character and charm.
To Phil Dirt. You have a great point and I hope they follow your lead but looking at some of the stuff the town approved doesn’t give it much substance. Some of the buildings look awful ad they were approved without a hitch.
What it will look like will depend on which architectural and engineering firm is on the ‘most favored’ list this week.
If Bel Air wants a new town hall and town square it is fine with me as long as none of my tax money goes to pay for it.
It sounds to me like you would be happier in an unincorporated area. I am opposed to wasteful spending, but I do want the benefits of living in a town, and some of those cost some money.
Phil,
True enough. Some like to live in an incorporated town. And those of you who live in Bel Air are free to spend your tax money as you wish. I have no problem with that as long as you don’t expect me to help pay for it.