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North East board keeps charter amendment under attorney review, schedules annexation workshop and highlights $70,000 cleanup grant
Summary
Town Administrator Melissa Cook‑MacKenzie told the board the proposed North East charter amendment C‑2025‑3‑1 remains under attorney review and is expected to be introduced at the next meeting; the board set an annexation workshop for May 7 and staff highlighted a $70,000 Clean‑Up Initiative grant and other program updates.
Town Administrator Melissa Cook‑MacKenzie told the Town of North East Board on April 9 that a proposed charter amendment, labeled C‑2025‑3‑1, is still under review by the town attorney and that she and Mayor Kelly Benson had reviewed sections in question with staff. Cook‑MacKenzie said she is confident the amendment will be introduced at the next town board meeting.
The board set an Annexation Project workshop for Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m., with food to be provided, the administrator said. The workshop will allow the board and staff to discuss the scope and next steps before any formal action is taken.
Cook‑MacKenzie and Assistant Town Administrator Grant Handley reviewed staff work since the March 26 meeting. Handley said the town has an awarded Clean‑Up Initiative grant totaling $70,000 for debris removal; a permit has been started for sediment and erosion work related to the program. Handley also summarized recent capital and outreach items, including completion of electrical work for pedestrian poles and upcoming grant deadlines at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and for body armor procurement.
Handley said Cecil County Parks & Recreation ran a Playground Program at North East Community Park last year that cost roughly $3,500; the county has asked the town to split the cost this year and pay $1,500. He said he will provide a letter from Recreation Superintendent Kelly Griffin that details the program budget and enrollment success within a week.
Cook‑MacKenzie also noted ongoing budget meetings, work on Turner Park, Route 272 corridor coordination and planning reviews for North East Isles lots. She told the board that two new candidates for the North East Police Department have been interviewed and that a third candidate will be interviewed on April 14. Documents for two personnel items — a Code Compliance Officer position and a proposed Administrator Training & Operations Assistant position for the police department — were distributed for board review prior to the next meeting.
Mayor Kelly Benson praised the administration and finance staff for their work during the budget process.
The board did not take a final vote on the charter amendment at the April 9 meeting; Cook‑MacKenzie said the amendment is expected to be formally introduced at the next meeting when the town attorney’s review is complete.
