Commissioners approve tower lease, solar options, grants and budget amendments; open public hearings on appeals, stormwater and pools

At their May 20, 2014 meeting, the St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners approved several administrative actions designed to advance public-safety communications, renewable-energy options at closed landfills, recycling and road-repair funding, and county outreach programs. They also opened public hearings on zoning appeals procedures and stormwater-bonding exemptions and scheduled a hearing on a zoning text amendment for above-ground pools.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department tower lease: The board approved and authorized the commission president to sign a lease permitting the county to locate a communications monopole on the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department (Golden Beach Station 22). The tower is part of the county’s multi‑tower upgrade for first-responder radio communications; staff said the overall project will expand the system from six to 13 towers. Motion: Commissioner Morgan; second: Commissioner Jarbo; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Solar option agreements for landfill sites: The board authorized standard option agreements allowing prospective solar developers to evaluate county landfill properties (including St. Clements and St. Andrews landfill sites) and secure a 12‑month option to perform due diligence and, if successful, enter a right-of-entry and lease for a long-term power purchase/ground-lease arrangement. The draft option couples a fixed minimum fee (presented as $25,000 per site in the memorandum) with a variable revenue share (3% of gross power sales to the utility) and requires adherence to EPA and state guidance protecting landfill caps. Motion: Commissioner Jarbo; second: Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Maryland electronics collection and…