The Board of Carroll County Commissioners held an open session on Thursday, April 9, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM in the Reagan Room 003 of the County Office Building. The meeting included proclamations, a public hearing, legislative updates, multiple grant approvals, contract renewals, a rate increase vote, and a vehicle purchase. Commissioners present: Joseph A. Vigliotti (President), Michael R. Guerin (Vice President), Thomas S. Gordon III, Kenneth A. Kiler, and Susan W. Krebs.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Thursday, April Ninth, Two thousand twenty-six open session for the Board of Carroll County Commissioners. As we always do, we'll begin with a Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent reflection. They were awesome. A lot of people there, a lot of good conversations, and uh and it's it's interesting. Uh that's a night flood zones normally closed. Um I'm I'm blessed that if I come into there on a night they're open, I find construction people I knew as regular customers. So none of those were there that night because that's a night they're closed, but it was still great. And then later that night I went to uh Manchester Valley to meet the coaches and uh state champions girls' basketball team. They had their banquet there, and a great group of kids and great to win the states, great group of coaches. Uh their coach was named Coach of the Year also, so they've they've had a lot of successes this year, and uh great group of girls, great, great talented. I I think um State's attorney was there early, took some photos, spoke and left, and then uh a board of ed member uh Greg Malvo was there at the end. He and I did photos with him and spoke, so we were kind of bookends to uh the school facility and the school people, and uh just a great program, a great JV program, and it's interesting. Uh spring sports are here, so uh some of the girls were in softball uniforms, some of the girls were in lacrosse uniforms because they were playing other games earlier that evening. But it was just great to see them, see Heather DeWiz, their coach, and all their JV and assistant coaches, and uh hear from all of them. Um like I say, she was coach of the year also. And that's it. Thank you very much, Commissioner Kowler. Commissioner Gordon? Well, good morning, Carroll County. I have to ask uh Commissioner Kyler since he mentioned the Hall of Fame nominees. What's what's the most appropriate way for somebody to apply for that? Saying how can they apply for the uh nominations? Uh contact any of the committee members, contact me, and uh yeah, if they're interested. There's some criteria like uh state had a criteria of 25 years experience, but the national, I think changed it to 20. There's some criteria, and and there's a good number of uh applicants. It it's uh it gets pared down each year to maybe 15 to 20, down to five. So it's it's pretty competitive. It's interesting. But yeah, and that's and that's why I wanted to mention it, because we'd love we love applicants. Absolutely. So thank you. Absolutely, thank you. And uh anybody please apply or submit nominations for that. Obviously, something well worth doing. Uh I've got two things this morning. Uh first want to mention that uh April is the time to recognize the incredible spirit of service that strengthens our communities, and during National Volunteer Month, I wanted to highlight an opportunity that makes a difference right here in our home. Um I'm gonna mention specifically the Westminster Fire Department, because we're always they're always looking for volunteers, but not just Westminster. Any of our volunteer fire companies can all are always looking for additional members to join and step up and serve. Uh it's a great way if you feel called, you know, for to fire fighting, emergency services, or supporting operations behind the scenes. There's a role for everyone. And this is something that anyone in the community can get involved with. You don't need prior experience, just a willingness to learn and a desire to help others in your community. Uh the training will be provided for you as you gain valuable skills, build lasting friendships, and of course be part of something bigger than yourself. So this like I said, this is a great time with it being uh this month being uh service month. National Volunteer Month to get involved with our volunteer fire companies, but not just them, any organizations in our community. We do a great job in our community in this county as uh volunteering, which we are quite successful in doing, but just wanted to make that as a highlight this morning. And secondly, um wanted to congratulate Tom Baird on his appointment to the Westminster Common Council. Uh Tom Baird brings with him decades of dedication and service to the City of Westminster, along with a deep understanding of local government. He's been involved with a number of things over his long career combined with the city as well as local boards and commissions, and it speaks volumes to his commitment to public service. So I just want to congratulate him and make everyone aware that the uh City of Westminster has filled that open vacancy.