KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND
COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S

PUBLIC HEARING - 5/17/05

May 17, 2005

A Public Hearing was held on Tuesday, May 17, at 11:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Government Center, Chestertown, Maryland for the purpose of reviewing a proposed increase to the water and sewer allocation fees in the Worton Service Area, only. The existing allocation fee for one new water and sewer allocation is $6,120.00 and the proposed increased fee for a new water and sewer allocation is $10,000.00. This increase will not affect existing user rates, only new users requesting a water and sewer allocation.

County Commissioners Roy W. Crow, Scott D. Livie, and William W. Pickrum were in attendance as well as Susanne Hayman, County Administrator, and five interested citizens, and a member of the media.

Commissioner Pickrum read into the record the Notice of the Public Hearing, explained the procedures for testifying, and invited anyone to testify for or against the proposed increase fees.

John Nunn, of Worton Road, asked why Worton is the only community slated to have fee increases. He stated that the increase should be postponed until the McCrone, Inc. Study is completed. He asked how the $4,000 increase was determined. He stated that the fee increase will not be necessary if the County does not have any developers ready to create homes or businesses. He closed by urging the Commissioners to enact a moratorium on the proposed increase until the study and Village Master Plan have been completed.

Commissioner Pickrum stated that Worton is the only area affected because Worton’s system is being expanded. There is a back up well needed to be installed which will benefit current users and the proposed increase would provide funding needed for this project.

In response to a question raised by Rex Kershaw, of Allens Lane, Commissioner Pickrum responded that the proposed increase will only effect new water and sewer allocations in the Worton Service Area.

This hearing was taped for reference and adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND

Janice F. Fletcher
Executive Assistant

Approved:
William W. Pickrum, President