Town Administrator Eddie Hopkins provided a multi-topic administrative report at the Aug. 26 Bel Air work session covering grants, capital and maintenance items, public-works complaints and scheduled presentations.

Grant and equipment funding: Hopkins said the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention approved a town grant for $52,739 that "will support the Axon body camera" program and related items; remaining funds could be applied to a part-time records clerk position or training packages, he said. Hopkins and staff plan a grants briefing at the September work session so commissioners can review the town's active grants and any timing constraints.

Macomas site, bollards and paving: Hopkins reported that demolition of the Macomas property had been underway for about a week and that the site was near completion. He said the town has recrafted a matching light bollard for the front of Town Hall and expected four completed fixtures soon. On Pennsylvania Avenue, Hopkins said BGE has agreed to repave sections disturbed by recent gas-line work once the contractor's patches settle; he said staff were told paving work should be finished in time for the Christmas holidays.

Sidewalk restitution and enforcement: Hopkins said juvenile arrests were made after vandals marred a newly poured sidewalk in June near Vagabond Cafe; the town has asked the courts for $2,000 in restitution. He noted that restitution requests do not always succeed but that the town had filed the claim with juvenile services and the state's attorney's office.

Pedestrian-safety work with SHA and traffic task force: Hopkins and Chief Moore walked three intersections with State Highway Administration staff (Main Street at the Armory; North Main Street at Mon Paw crossing; North Bond Street in front of 140 North Bond, "Newberry's") to seek safety improvements. Hopkins said SHA evaluates metrics such as crash history and pedestrian injuries and that the town's request did not meet SHA thresholds requiring changes. Hopkins reported SHA would review the requests further. Hopkins asked the county traffic task force to focus more on residential street enforcement and said the department would continue targeted enforcement.

Complaint handling and small projects: Hopkins briefed commissioners on complaints about contracted trash haulers operating early in the morning; the town identified the contractor and filed a complaint. He also said staff approved a porta-pot at Plumtree Park and were arranging ways to secure and site it in the basketball parking area to balance access and aesthetics. Hopkins said alley paving at Western Alley will be folded into the FY27 George Street project after an evaluation showed it could wait a year.

Parking fund and staffing: Hopkins said staff are preparing a detailed review of the town's parking fund after budget discussions that revealed the fund had required periodic draws on reserves. He said staff are compiling practices from other municipalities and will present options in the coming months. Hopkins also reported on staffing: a part-time procurement officer position is open and a laborer position has produced at least one conditional offer.

Upcoming presentations and contracts: Hopkins confirmed Maryland American Water's CEO will present at the Sept. 9 work session and has been asked to allow 30 minutes. Commissioners said they would circulate questions in advance. Separately, the town's technology and procurement staff presented a recommendation for an annual Microsoft 365/Azure/Exchange subscription (about $51,000) to be considered at the Sept. 2 town meeting; staff also said a multiyear copier contract with estimated savings would be brought forward as a town-meeting item because of its multi-year term.

Ending: Hopkins closed by listing the board's agenda priorities and project tracking items, and said staff would follow up at the next work session with grants, parking analysis and the Maryland American Water presentation materials.