Betterton public meetings in 2021
14 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Mayor and Council
The Mayor and Council introduced Resolution 2012-5 to amend the town charter, allowing cancellation of elections where all seats are uncontested. A public hearing is scheduled for January 25, 2022, after which the council may vote. The council also approved the November financial report and minutes, and discussed ongoing projects like the Ericsson Avenue study and Bayside erosion mitigation.
- Approved November 2021 financial report (all in favor)
- Approved minutes of November 9, 2021 meeting (all in favor)
- Introduced Resolution 2012-5 to amend charter for cancelling uncontested elections
- Set public hearing for charter amendment for January 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
- Agreed tower leases at $500/month with 3% yearly increase; attorney to prepare leases
- Noted no demolition grant awarded for Schirmer Farm property; will contact seller for extension
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved a lease agreement for Delmarva WiFi and Bridge Max at $500 per month with a 3% yearly increase and a 5-year term. They also approved the October 2021 financial report and the minutes from the October 12 meeting. A charter amendment to cancel uncontested elections was discussed, with a plan to introduce it in December and hold a public hearing in January. The council signed a proclamation declaring November as Municipal Government Works Month.
- Approved October 2021 financial report (all in favor)
- Approved minutes of October 12, 2021 meeting (all in favor)
- Agreed to $500/month lease for Delmarva WiFi and Bridge Max with 3% yearly increase and 5-year term
- Signed proclamation for Municipal Government Works Month
- Discussed charter amendment to cancel uncontested elections; plan to introduce in December
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved the HVAC bid from Montgomery Heating and Cooling, LLC for $15,266, using American Rescue Plan Act funds. The motion carried unanimously. The council also approved the September 2021 financial report and the minutes from the September 14 meeting. No other substantive decisions were made; most other items were reports or discussions.
- Approved Montgomery Heating and Cooling HVAC bid ($15,266) with provisions (unanimous)
- Approved September 2021 financial report (unanimous)
- Approved minutes of September 14, 2021 meeting (unanimous)
- Decided homeowners are responsible for replacing mailboxes on Wheeler Avenue
- Decided to replace mulch in Wheeler Avenue rain garden with small gravel
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council awarded the Bayside Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project construction contract to Lindstrom Excavating Contractors, Inc. for $663,973, subject to negotiation and adjustment, after reviewing three bids. The council also approved the August 2021 financial report and minutes from prior meetings. An HVAC bid opening was held, with a vote scheduled for the next meeting.
- Approved minutes of Aug 10 public hearing, Aug 10 council meeting, and Aug 24 workshop (all in favor)
- Approved August 2021 financial report (all in favor)
- Awarded Bayside Shoreline Erosion Mitigation contract to Lindstrom Excavating, $663,973, subject to negotiation (all in favor)
- Awarded Ericsson Avenue preliminary engineering to AECOM (noted in report)
- Opened HVAC bids; decision deferred to next meeting
Regular Meeting
The council voted to award the $42,500 bid from AECOM for the preliminary engineering evaluation and report for Ericsson Avenue, despite County Engineer Jim Wright's note that AECOM's proposal may limit meeting time. Bids for the Bayside Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project were opened but not awarded; they will be reviewed by GBM before a council vote. The meeting also included updates on special assessment amounts, a youth group schedule, and a planned no-wake zone buoy.
- Awarded the Ericsson Avenue preliminary engineering bid to AECOM for $42,500.
- Opened bids for the Bayside Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project; no award made pending GBM review.
- Noted special assessment totals: $59,625 across four classes.
- Ordered stop signs for the 3-way stop at Howell Point Road and Ericsson Avenue.
- Directed Town Manager Mogle to check with DNR about a no-wake zone buoy and arrange a beach meeting with Open Space.
- Adjourned the workshop at 7:30 p.m.
Public Hearing
The town held a public hearing on Emergency Ordinance 2021-02, which would increase special assessment charges on properties to fund water and sewer system upgrades. Residents asked questions about the fee's purpose and billing, and the hearing was closed with all council members in favor. No final vote on the ordinance was recorded in these minutes.
- Closed public hearing on Emergency Ordinance 2021-02 (all in favor)
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved a contract to purchase the Shrimer Farm acreage for $500,000, with a correction to the parcel size to 30.63 acres. They also adopted Resolution 2021-04 for Kent County Hazard Mitigation, approved installing 3-way stop signs on Howell Point Road for six months, and allowed the new owner of Parcel 151 to continue a hunting exemption through the 2022-2023 season.
- Approved the contract for the purchase of Shrimer Farm acreage for $500,000, with a correction to 30.63 acres.
- Adopted Resolution 2021-04, the Kent County Hazard Mitigation Resolution.
- Approved installing 3-way stop signs and 'Stop Ahead' signs on Howell Point Road for six months, with a request for a new traffic counter study.
- Approved allowing Robert Clark, Jr. to continue the hunting permission on Parcel 151 Howell Point Road through the 2022-2023 season.
- Approved the June 2021 financial report.
- Approved the minutes of the June 8, 2021 meeting.
Regular Meeting
The Town Council unanimously adopted the General Fund and Water/Sewer Fund Budget for FY 2021/2022 via Ordinance 2021-01. It also adopted Resolution 2021-02 to lower the flat-rate water/sewer usage threshold from 12,000 to 10,000 gallons per quarter, and Resolution 2021-03 to revise rental inspection fees, both effective July 1, 2021. Council introduced Ordinance 2021-02 to increase the special assessment rate, with a public hearing scheduled for July 8, 2021. The meeting was otherwise procedural, including approval of minutes and the May financial report.
- Adopted FY 2021/2022 General Fund and Water/Sewer Fund Budget (Ordinance 2021-01) unanimously
- Adopted Resolution 2021-02 to decrease flat-rate water/sewer usage threshold from 12,000 to 10,000 gallons per quarter, effective July 1, 2021
- Adopted Resolution 2021-03 to revise rental inspection fees, effective July 1, 2021
- Introduced Ordinance 2021-02 to increase special assessment rate; public hearing set for July 8, 2021
- Approved minutes of May 11 and May 25, 2021 meetings
- Approved May 2021 financial report
Regular Meeting
The town held a public hearing on Ordinance 2021-01, adopting the FY2021/22 budget with no change to the real estate tax rate. Changes include lowering the quarterly water usage minimum from 12,000 to 10,000 gallons before overage fees, increasing the yearly special assessment by $25 per class, and raising the rental inspection fee by $25. No vote was taken; the council will vote on the budget ordinance at the June 8 council meeting.
- Closed public hearing on FY2021/22 budget ordinance (all in favor)
- Adjourned workshop meeting (all in favor)
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved the April 2021 financial report and the minutes from the April 13 meeting. A request from Dr. Stock for a water/sewer billing refund was tabled pending a meter testing report. The council also agreed to pay one-fifth of the town attorney's expenses for the MML Summer Conference. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included committee reports and a budget presentation.
- Approved April 2021 financial report (all in favor)
- Approved minutes of April 13, 2021 meeting (all in favor)
- Tabled Dr. Stock's water/sewer refund request pending meter test report
- Agreed to pay 1/5th of town attorney's MML Summer Conference expenses
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved the March 2021 financial report and meeting minutes, and approved $50,000 for the Ericsson Avenue preliminary evaluation project. A proposed rental property inspection fee increase from $50 to $65 per unit was discussed but not voted on. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included reports and discussions on various town matters.
- Approved March 2021 financial report (all in favor)
- Approved minutes of March 9, 2021 meeting (all in favor)
- Approved $50,000 for Ericsson Avenue preliminary evaluation project
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Planning and Zoning Commission approved the 2020 New Residence Annual Report and discussed several ongoing items, including the Comprehensive Plan update, rules and procedures awaiting legal review, and a potential open space grant for a beach-adjacent property. No major decisions were made beyond the report approval; most items were informational or assigned as action items for future meetings.
- Approved minutes of January 11, 2021 meeting (unanimous)
- Approved submission of 2020 New Residence Annual Report
- Discussed but did not decide on property modification process; scheduled special meeting
- Assigned action items for legal review, county clarification, and research on posting rules
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved the February 2021 financial report and the minutes from the February 9 and February 23 meetings. No other formal decisions were made; the meeting included reports and updates on town projects and services.
- Approved February 9 and February 23 meeting minutes (all in favor)
- Approved February 2021 financial report (all in favor)
Regular Meeting
The Betterton Mayor and Council approved the purchase of new wastewater treatment plant probes from North East Technical Sales, Inc. for $9,779.40, and accepted a quote from Marino Industrial for installation at 16 hours at $95 per hour, with the mayor allowed to increase the cost by up to 20% if needed. The council also accepted a single bid from David A. Bramble, Inc. for the sludge bed rehabilitation project, with Councilman Pyfer abstaining. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved purchase of new probes from North East Technical Sales, Inc. for $9,779.40.
- Approved Marino Industrial installation quote of 16 hours at $95 per hour, with mayor allowed to increase up to 20%.
- Accepted bid from David A. Bramble, Inc. for sludge bed rehabilitation project; Councilman Pyfer abstained.