[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6271034,"mediaKeyId","3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7","parentId",3029496,"title","Rockfield Farm reports construction progress, fundraising nearing goal; seeks town recognition and partnership","audioSeconds",207,"startMs",990000,"endMs",1197000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7&start=990&end=1197","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7/thumbnail_990000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271034/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Rockfield-Farm-reports-construction-progress-fundraising-nearing-goal-seeks-town-recognition-and-partnership","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271034-7402f6e0656fa64c1f33e5433c74e908/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151289&Signature=K9bsrGIFoQvM8dCykBYkoGQXbbVnlSmsXxPhTh1alnliqNP9jM2dL4IHuoB0HaStp7cCttD2wNAVdmnQNhIex8sLNJCCiXhPM1UwOKskhPYedLP2hoCdGXIT-FsuZznOv9Fa5iYJf7q7Nlk3i7-oOGqXmtFY4kOH68EMjIybcA5ot10Y9R0znQEZOkqmoTi-H5mxwPrrr~2HfxfE2gEagKPWxsmgRq0CHgG0QRitqlPZvr~twV2Ou6z5jJVUhkqV6r3GTRYFKqUZCyHdIrQK--y5RO2g4t~M8~2AVlBRCB0Bu1mk7oayCAp8rrGMH5KEo9CjjRtzFMRlpgk4J-RY5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-17T01:06:13.983Z","article","Representatives of Rockfield presented an update on the nonprofit’s capital campaign and construction progress at the April 15 work session. The presenter (Donna) said construction is “rolling along,” with the roof and doors installed, security/alarm wiring in place, 19 smoke detectors and 12 strobes already on site, and exterior concrete scheduled for pouring. She said the project expects to finish by the third or fourth week in May, pending a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and with landscaping to establish over six to eight weeks; the first public event is planned for mid‑July.

Donna said Rockfield is close to fundraising targets and that state grants remain in review: the organization is awaiting review of $300,000 and $100,000 Community Legacy grant paperwork with a May 6 review date; payment was not expected until June based on the timeline. She described a tiered sponsorship program with donor levels ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 and noted corporate interest (for example, American Water Works for a fountain). The Rockfield representative said the group would host a donors’ reception and would be happy to include town officials; the presenter emphasized there is no pressure and that smaller community donors have been important.

Commissioners praised volunteer work and community leadership behind the project and asked about timing; staff and the presenter confirmed an MOU will be executed and that Rockfield had not yet received all state reimbursements but contractors have agreed to hold payments short term if needed.

Ending: Rockfield will return to the commission for the FY2026 presentation and a contributors’ reception is planned for late spring or early summer once the MOU and grant reimbursement timing are clearer.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/015/2025 Board of Town Commissioners Budget Work Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Rockfield representatives told commissioners the adaptive‑reuse project is close to completion, reported progress on a capital campaign and state grants, and asked that town officials be acknowledged as invited partners; the facility expects to open in late May and host events beginning in July.","taxTitle","Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland","taxId",54308,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6271039,"Commissioners review proposed changes to traffic‑impact fees, new document‑recording fees and annual sidewalk trip‑hazard contract",427,1673000,2100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7&start=1673&end=2100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7/thumbnail_1673000.jpg","/articles/6271039/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Commissioners-review-proposed-changes-to-trafficimpact-fees-new-documentrecording-fees-and-annual-sidewalk-triphazard-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271039-547d75ba9e44d3d27eed3bae3df0500f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151289&Signature=WToNgDpgQgdh9Ik5fSjaLdZhDBMj35fn6ASXrClyjTqwOwQ440eKb~g9ScUtZFg2Z0apTPR-t2W4l6NEr-TTJmifCFsvLZ~xtDZMVVOiVDRNLDqhnl8EXf2ow3XjfVivjB~vHLHfxYzAQEi0DrC1faG2GVg1rzX24HDuuzPxJ-32zEWNxvEsd~iSGkFDAxTIqi0iS2iTiLXbvgYXayNLas9wqEQwLihLRTiWfuxedhE~vDOaDxQCAvOpVFwz32Q2OJemT9nvd5MinvN0SEIk2w2cIjK7elGQJj-eRfHp4f7Q7ccadYGx1URTuEi7VbuPkgWtHf0ZbVPbEFoke312nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town planning and legal staff proposed several fee and contract changes during the April 15 budget work session.

Traffic impact analysis fees: Staff proposed dividing the existing traffic impact analysis (TIA) fee into two components: a $250 fee to determine scope (collectible before a scoping meeting) and a $1,000 fee for review of the full traffic study. The change is aimed at reducing the town’s up‑front consultant costs when applicants attend a scoping meeting and then do not proceed; the scoping deposit is intended to be earnest money so the town recovers consultant time. Staff said typical full traffic studies historically cost developers much more (examples discussed in the meeting cited typical consultant estimates around $2,400 for a complete study), and the new structure is intended to ensure the town recovers consultant costs.

Document recording fees: Town legal staff described a newly noticeable set of fees charged by the Harford County land‑records office (filing surcharges, page fees, an e‑fee and an apparent $50 lien‑sheet charge). Staff recommended that developers be required to pay any land‑records recording costs incurred when processing easements, deeds or developer agreements, noting the county had recently begun charging a lien‑sheet fee that the town had not previously seen. Staff discussed whether to keep specific dollar figures in the town fee schedule or instead reference the county land‑records fee schedule to avoid frequent updates if the county changes its charges.

Sidewalk trip hazard contract: Public works staff presented the annual contract for Precision Concrete Cutting for sidewalk trip‑hazard remediation. The FY2026 request was for cutting 426 trip hazards throughout the downtown area, listed streets included Main Street and others, with a contract price of $38,589. The town had budgeted $40,500 for the work and was under budget in the proposal. Staff said the work is routinely scheduled for spring following winter heave.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about who pays consultant fees if a project does not proceed, how frequent the county’s lien‑sheet charges had become, and whether the town should reference county fee schedules rather than hard‑coded dollar amounts to avoid frequent ordinance changes. No final municipal code changes or contract award votes occurred at the work session; staff will return with final language and the contract will be placed on the upcoming public meeting agenda for approval.

Ending: Staff will prepare ordinance language or fee schedule wording for commissioners’ consideration that either references county recording fees or locks dollar amounts in the town schedule; the sidewalk contract will be placed for formal vote at the next regular meeting.

","At the budget work session staff recommended changing the town's traffic‑impact analysis fee structure to require a $250 scoping deposit and raise the full study review fee to $1,000; staff also proposed new document recording fees tied to county land‑record charges and presented a ~ $38,589 contract for annual sidewalk trip‑hazard remediation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6271044,"Town staff propose switching Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot to pay‑by‑app; commissioners weigh revenue, accessibility",589,2957000,3546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7&start=2957&end=3546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7/thumbnail_2957000.jpg","/articles/6271044/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Town-staff-propose-switching-Pennsylvania-Avenue-municipal-lot-to-paybyapp-commissioners-weigh-revenue-accessibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271044-0102e2ce5e3bb1c2e2234ab924896ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151289&Signature=ec4BV45lrwx~Bhb6QcvqVucZcETa-D~tfyDSs9lZeBM0nGV-eIUmQghzFkbcZQyXglAbnXG~vFkkTWsXhhgdrLxArC3j7DSrBWgX76Z4EiwEcWp56OolSPpU52lCeyGT0WLus1K7ITkbTISQFzjEtdUd9A6-EYLTqk72EsTyeX3jwUEHttoNYh210IbjsePBjVTfDfUiTDZgjLVzBjosgfMn5IP9zpXqD59KRIjTbApRD58WVTJlqwmV34ejclP0hrCwrbtl32ZYTztfa2Vn60ZVFwWgatk2wB1hjXFc2rrvx14EeiRrj0NOgu1EcekG-mTPSp1uNBKf1fla3eTHSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff asked commissioners to begin discussion on converting the Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot from free parking to paid parking using a mobile‑payment system. The lot — the only free public lot in the downtown core — currently was described in the meeting as having four rows with a mix of 2‑hour, 15‑minute and handicap spaces.

Staff presented a proposed configuration that would convert the 2‑hour spaces to ParkMobile‑only paid parking, keep the short‑term 15‑minute stalls near storefronts (staff proposed reducing those from 12 to 6), and retain the three handicap spaces as free. Parking hours would remain Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with the 2‑hour time limit intact. The staff speaker said the lot is frequently full and estimated annual revenue potential “about $50,000” at full occupancy and roughly $38,000 if buy‑in were 75 percent.

Town enforcement staff and the police chief discussed practical enforcement methods. ParkMobile zones would be policed by the town’s parking monitors; the town currently uses mobile enforcement and has older meters in other locations. The chief noted that ParkMobile systems can be configured so zone rules limit parking to two hours per vehicle per day, reducing repeated short‑moves used to evade time limits. He and staff also noted that disabled parking rules would continue to allow extended stays when a valid placard is used.

Commissioners expressed concern about equity, signage, and public acceptance; staff recommended a pilot approach leaving 15‑minute stalls free and signing the lot clearly as ParkMobile only. Commissioners asked staff to continue the discussion during the budget process and to return with detailed enforcement, signage plans, and a revenue estimate based on more traffic counts. No action or vote was taken at the work session.

Ending: Staff will return with a refined pilot plan for Pennsylvania Avenue that includes clear signage proposals, enforcement approach, and a projected revenue estimate before any conversion is implemented.

","Town staff presented a proposal to convert the long‑free Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot to mobile‑pay parking (ParkMobile), keeping 15‑minute and handicap spaces free, and estimated the change could produce roughly $38,000–$50,000 annually depending on usage.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6271049,"Bel Air Police ask for one officer, extra dispatcher and $226,000 in surveillance equipment in FY2026 budget",1928,8872000,10800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7&start=8872&end=10800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029496-f7211e82c2a590184454b6a0b58dbbd7/thumbnail_8872000.jpg","/articles/6271049/Bel-Air/Harford-County/Maryland/Bel-Air-Police-ask-for-one-officer-extra-dispatcher-and-226000-in-surveillance-equipment-in-FY2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271049-4694578edf4ae68190414eaf7835f14b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151289&Signature=mb4kys86-vaG4Wv0e~tx6j3sWIO4jo1eOGHYwy45nRxib5o4InbRjKPk3kWEAejQIzWOmbs2O1cfYYpP44rqDwE3V3-KkwHmz625W95YbKvuIX3iBzId6RfsOX8ku-X0aj7StX6XgClQ5GOvrFLi6NN-hvXiaV7D9BmI-xB-fqdlmog5hT4hrF0rpFw5lXjZw2qTcIRwrew5Gdxqflsr1AqRfzn-t0aVpFWeywzN8QvQ7PB7u9EcpfGSQJhzWeqk1cVzqYU7MVR2Ce6Ep5q6XSX3kwVdm70BzB2RykVmyy4UnjvIW6yxCy~~z9DEFSkwfyLnYp0Wi8VeIw~uDd-0xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bel Air Police Chief Chuck Boor told the Board of Town Commissioners during the April 15 budget work session that the department is requesting one additional sworn officer for FY2026, conversion of a vacant part‑time dispatcher slot into a full‑time dispatcher, and several equipment purchases tied to crime‑fighting and officer safety.

The chief said the department’s sworn salary line is budgeted at $2,957,000 for FY2026 and includes the single new officer. Boor described operational pressures driving the staffing request: local retail theft “syndicates,” heavy overtime driven by unfilled positions and major incidents, and the need for reliable radio‑room coverage during peak periods and large emergencies. He said a full‑time dispatcher will reduce reliance on overtime and strengthen coverage for the 47 cameras the department already monitors.

Boor also described equipment and annual operating requests that rose in the FY2026 draft: a five‑year contract for body‑worn cameras and evidence hosting (Axon) with a quoted annual installment of $39,885, annual LVT (Live View Technologies) lease payments of roughly $35,000, ammunition and firearms training costs, and a TASER training suit and scenario training requirement that added roughly $5,580 to that line. The department also requested an automated speed sign program ($10,000 for two signs) and budgeted for an additional marked patrol vehicle plus attendant accessory packages and up‑fit costs.

Most prominently, Boor outlined a proposal to purchase an AI‑enabled fixed‑camera surveillance system (referred to in the meeting by the vendor name Verkada). The request in the draft budget was about $226,000, which Boor said would fund roughly 10 cameras with analytics, license‑plate reading and cloud hosting. He said such cameras act as a force multiplier, helping detectives solve hit‑and‑run and retail theft cases and reducing the need for continuous human monitoring. He noted the town already pilots some systems (LVT and other cameras) and is pursuing grants to offset some purchase costs.

Town staff and commissioners asked about data security, vendor update and upgrade policies, ongoing operating and cloud costs, and inter‑agency integration. Staff said they will provide more detailed answers about vendor security, who may access footage, and maintenance/capital replacement or software upgrade costs before the commission makes final budget decisions.

Chief Boor emphasized the policing tradeoffs that drive many of the requests: officer overtime, undercover retail‑theft details, and the cost of keeping an aging vehicle fleet operational. He said the department has seen increasing retail theft and violent‑crime incidents since 2021 and that the new equipment and one additional sworn officer would help stabilize patrol coverage and investigative capacity.

The budget work session did not include a final vote on any police budget lines; commissioners asked staff for follow‑up details on vendor security and recurring operating costs for any camera purchase before making decisions.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with a written summary of recurring costs, vendor security and upgrade policies and a projected timeline for any camera installations before the FY2026 tentative budget is finalized. Chief Boor said the department will continue to pursue grant funding to reduce the town’s share of capital purchases.

","Police Chief Chuck Boor told town commissioners the department needs one additional sworn officer, a full‑time dispatcher, funds to cover body cameras and TASER training, and a $226,000 purchase of AI-enabled surveillance cameras as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rockfield Farm reports construction progress, fundraising nearing goal; seeks town recognition and partnership

Commissioners review proposed changes to traffic‑impact fees, new document‑recording fees and annual sidewalk trip‑hazard contract

Town staff propose switching Pennsylvania Avenue municipal lot to pay‑by‑app; commissioners weigh revenue, accessibility

Bel Air Police ask for one officer, extra dispatcher and $226,000 in surveillance equipment in FY2026 budget