North East board approves appointment, downtown events and a one‑year water allocation extension; staff report progress on infrastructure projects

The Town of North East board on Feb. 26 approved routine business including an appointment to the Board of Appeals, permits for a recurring downtown event series and a one‑year water allocation extension for two development lots while receiving updates on multiple infrastructure and economic‑development projects.

Vice‑Mayor Kimberly Davis moved to approve the Feb. 12, 2025 minutes with a correction; Commissioner Hilary Crothers‑Moore seconded and the motion carried with Commissioner Catherine Bernard‑Dutton abstaining because she had been absent from that meeting. The board then appointed Justine Paterson (15 Juniper Circle, Elkton) to a two‑year term on the Board of Appeals, expiring Oct. 8, 2026, following a motion by Commissioner Crothers‑Moore and a second from Commissioner Bernard‑Dutton.

Town Administrator Melissa Cook‑MacKenzie and Mayor Kelly Benson reported several staff and interagency meetings since the board last met, including work on the North East Preserve and coordination with the Maryland Department of Planning on annexation. Mayor Benson said the town is reconstituting the North East Economic Development Commission and staff are recruiting volunteer candidates.

Assistant Town Administrator Grant Handley told the board restoration work at the Old Town Lock is underway, with brick, roof and window repairs; the Main Street camera project is expected to be completed by the end of March once electricity is installed in the pedestrian light poles; the lease for the Skipjack Martha Lewis is fully executed; and SCADA upgrades at the water plant have resumed after release of EPA funding. Handley also said shoreline restoration near the park pumping station is progressing and about 40 additional bricks are in production for the veterans memorial.

Director of Finance Vonnie Stemen entered the check register and financial statements into the record and reminded department heads that Fiscal Year 2026 budget submissions were due Feb. 24. Director of Planning and Zoning Betsy Vennell reported January permit and fee totals (Major Facility Fees $4,100; Connection Fees $2,825; Permit Fees $205), inspection counts and code violations, and noted recent officer elections for the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals.

Maintenance Supervisor Richard Gregg said the department will contact the State Highway Administration to discuss whether the town can assume responsibility for trash cleanup at the Route 40/Route 272 intersection after Mayor Benson offered to volunteer with the effort. Neil DeMatt, a resident, later volunteered the Citizens Against Trash group and the Cecil County Board of Realtors Care Committee to help with that cleanup.

Water Superintendent Ron Carter reported a temporary slug of magnesium from North East Creek is under control and there have been no recent yellow‑water complaints; he also described a noncompliant tie‑in at the Westover Place project that has been temporarily covered with a steel plate while the contractor addresses depth requirements.

On new business the board approved a one‑year water allocation extension for North East Commons One, LLC (Lot 3) and North East Commons Two, LLC (Lot 2) on Gateway Drive, extending the allocations until Feb. 27, 2026, based on the Planning Office recommendation. The board also approved the North East Chamber of Commerce’s “Second Fridays on The Green” special events application for May–September 2025.

Town Administrator Cook‑MacKenzie reported a personnel matter remains pending following executive session as the town awaits paperwork from the town attorney. She also outlined the charter amendment process: the board will see a resolution introducing proposed amendments at a future meeting, followed by a vote at a subsequent meeting after required advertising; the board confirmed town elections will proceed even if uncontested.

With no further business, the board voted to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.