Special Live Blog: June 13 Public Hearing and Special Session

7:28 p.m.: Special session adjourns.

7:22 p.m.: Council President Bill Martin agreed with Craig, saying, "the people making this decision are counsel to no one."

He took issue with the use of geographical barriers as money-makers, particularly after the work done with Hatem Bridge to bridge Harford and Cecil counties.

"It conquered geographical obstacles," Martin said. "When we finally united our two counties, it seems like now we’re going to divide them again."

Martin defended the premise of Monday's meeting, as well, saying the toll situation created a need for immediate action.

"We wanted to go to that meeting June 16 with this in hand, that this is what the people of Havre de Grace feel about your proposal," Martin said.

7:20 p.m.: Councilman Randy Craig said the decisions have been made by those who aren't elected.

"There's little reason to change what's already in place," Craig said.

7:19 p.m.: Councilman Cullum requests the resolution be sent to the Governor and Lt. Governor.

7:19 p.m.: Councilman Miller said crowds have been asked to show up early to greet the commission in high numbers.

7:19 p.m.: Councilman John Correri said changes will, "impact us socially and economically. It effects the people that have a business. The 16th is very important."

7:19 p.m.: Councilwoman Barbara Wagner said the removal of the AVI sticker program is going to hurt low-income families the most.

"Go to the meeting or speak, or go online and say your peace, or better yet, do both," Wagner said.

7:17 p.m.: Council and the Mayor urge residents to go and speak at Perryville High School on June 16, or the on June 27.

7:16 p.m.: passes, 6-0.

7:14 p.m.: Councilman Jim Miller took the Maryland Transportation Authority to task, calling the toll facility at Hatem Bridge the "cash cow" for the rest of the state.

"They’re using it to take our money," he said.

7:09 p.m.: Councilman Cullum said the bridge has been paid, probably 10-12 times over, by the tolls in place. He urged citizens to speak out online and at the upcoming public hearings: June 16 in Perryville and June 27 in Havre de Grace.

He said the idea of the resolution was created because, "it could carry a little extra weight to the state officials. It may not, but we can try."

Cullum referenced Patch in telling residents to contact the Maryland Transportation Authority.

"You can make it known to the commission that is going to make the final decision on tolls," Cullum said. I think its imperative that everyone make some comment and contact them. The larger numbers, the better chance we have to succeed. Its an astonishing raise in tolls. We’re saying 250 percent, I think its more than that."

7:09 p.m.: Council moves to adopt the resolution.

7:07 p.m.: Councilman Cullum moves to introduce resolution opposing toll increases and the discontinuation of the AVI decal program.

Resolution No. 2011-09 is being read into the record. It can be found here.

7:06 p.m.: Special session is called to order with all council members present.

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7:05 p.m.: Public input session closes. Special session will start momentarily.

6:47 p.m.: Larry Parks, Director of the Department of Public Works, said Rt. 155 is state-owned, and the city can only make suggestions on changes to Rt. 155. He said if Bayview Drive were made one-way, "WRONG WAY" signs would be erected near the entrance to the apartments on Bayview Drive.

6:42 p.m.: Councilman Fred Cullum thinks the road should be closed off completely at Rt. 155.

"I think the road should be closed completely because I think its dangerous turning right onto Bayview Drive," Cullum said. "Cars coming down behind you, it’s the same thing. You come around a curve before you make that turn. It would be the safest option all the way around for everybody, close it completely and leave it open for emergency response, as we’ve discussed, but prevent vehicular traffic on a regular basis."

6:39 p.m.: Sandra Parthree spoke again, suggesting traffic be stopped up hill.

"Maybe at Maryland Avenue, Martin, having stop sign or a stop light, to slow up the traffic. The speeding is horrendous," she said. "I would think something like that would slow up the traffic, like they did at Darlington Road at 155. I've seen police officers, but they would have to be there practically 24 hours a day, because just about everybody speeds. I do the speed limit, and I am shocked at how fast the people are going by me. They’ll go around you, they’re up on your [bumper]. I do not go out that way anymore. I either go out Martin or Maryland. Sometimes I do turn in there. I turn my blinker on way in advance, slow up, and they are riding me the whole way. That was the other thing I would like to suggest: a stop light or a stop sign, somewhere around that area."

6:38 p.m.: Kennon Lee, of Currier Street, said she lost her son in a car accident at the intersection. Willie Lee's death was referenced numerous times before Lee spoke Monday night.

"It was my son killed at that intersection at the age of 15. I will do anything in my power to make that a safer road," she said. "There have been numerous accidents since the death of my son."

6:35 p.m.: Sam Spangler, of 1400 Bayview Drive, said the engineering of Bayview Drive was wrong. He's also in favor of closing the road at Rt. 155.

"You can see right, but you can't see left," he said. "You’re always taking a chance, either pulling in the Bayview Drive coming down the hill."

He also voiced concerns about the change in noise level from the removal of trees and moving the right lane of Rt. 155 closer to the apartments. He said he guarantees the decibel level is above 85.

"I think you should do a noise level test," he said. "The sound out there, you’re trying to conserve energy with the air conditioner, and you cant even hear the television. The people upstairs are saying, ‘Hey!’ and you’re going to come eight more feet in?"

6:34 p.m.: Annette White, of Martin Road, is concerned about how changes will impact the other streets in the neighborhood.

"We have kids on our block," she said. "What are you going to do about that? Are there going to be signs posted?

6:31 p.m.: Sandra Parthree, of 1400 Bayview Drive, has lived in the area since 1997.

Parthree said the intersection is very dangerous, and aside from her concerns about traffic flow, she's worried that moving traffic on 155 closer to her apartment would make the noise worse.

"I would like to see the road closed totally," Parthree said. "I would also like to ask … is there going to be something put up to replace? Like a wall? Trees do help with the sound. Now we’re not going to have anything that helps with that sound."

6:31 p.m.: Public input on reconstruction of Rt. 155 at Bayview Drive begins.

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6:04 p.m.: Public hearing closes after one public comment. Public input session on the proposed reconstruction of Rt. 155 at Bayview Drive will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The special session to discuss proposed toll increases will begin at 7 p.m.

6:03 p.m.: Councilman Fred Cullum said he is in favor of step increases as well.

"If you've earned your step increase, you should get it," he said. "I've spoken to the Mayor on several occasions. The Mayor has given us his promise, that if we have additional income throughout the year … he has assured me that he will make an attempt to give the employees the step increases that they were due."

6:01 p.m.: Julie Morgan of the Havre de Grace Police Department spoke in favor of including step increases in the fiscal year 2012 budget. Step increases currently are not included in the budget

In particular, she said the Havre de Grace police deserve their increases.

"They're the ones that are out there," she said. "Because we are in tough economic time, I think this is the time to show them how much you appreciate them, and give them the step increases. ... Give them what they so desperately deserve, which is the step increase."

6 p.m.: Public hearing beings to give public the opportunity to comment on Ordinance 932, which concerns the City of Havre de Grace Budget for fiscal year 2012.

5:45 p.m.: Welcome to our special edition live blog, where we will be updating the news coming from City Hall at it happens.

Check back regularly. We will be adding nuggets of news instantaneously. Feel free to email sean.welsh@patch.com with any questions. Tonight's blog will cover three main items: a , a , and a