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Bel Air approves $42,500 survey contract to clear small annexation enclaves
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Summary
The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners approved a $42,500 quote from Fred Ward Associates to survey and produce annexation documents for nine small enclave locations, with staff saying the work will take about 10 months and follow a 2022 boundary review.
The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners voted unanimously March 2 to approve a Fred Ward Associates (FWA) quote to survey and prepare annexation documents aimed at eliminating small unincorporated enclaves inside the town.
Chair Eddington moved the proclamation and Commissioner Chismarck introduced the contract motion; town staff recommended approval of a $42,500 quote to survey nine locations and prepare the necessary annexation paperwork over roughly 10 months. "Following receipt of the boundary report and the map from FWA, staff recommends the board of town commissioners approve the quote of $42,500 from FWA Inc for survey efforts associated with the town boundary," town staff said during the presentation.
Kevin Small, the town official who summarized earlier boundary work, told commissioners that a 2022 review identified several parcels that were not formally annexed and that Maryland law discourages leaving islands or enclaves completely surrounded by a municipality. He said that some parcels are straightforward (right-of-way parcels) while others — such as the Shamrock Road pump station and sections near Kelly Fields — require more extensive title and survey work because recorded property lines and corporate limits do not match.
Commissioners asked why cost estimates varied among sites; staff explained more complex ownership and boundary discrepancies drive higher survey effort and cost. Commissioners also asked whether the approved quote completes the items staff had identified; staff said the work should resolve the listed enclaves but that title research might reveal additional complications in specific places.
The vote was recorded by the clerk as unanimous. The town set aside $25,000 in its FY26 budget for boundary work; staff said this quote reflects the additional detailed survey work needed after the initial study. The town administrator will sign the contract on behalf of the town.
What’s next: Staff will coordinate title research and on-the-ground surveying under the FWA contract and return to the board as needed if new complications arise.
