Bel Air Mayor Speaks Out After Ethics Probe On Brewery Project

BEL AIR, MD — Bel Air Mayor Amy Chmielewski spoke to town residents Monday night after a highly attended public meeting centering on legislation tied to Independent Brewing Company.

"I think you're all here tonight to hear from me," said Chmielewski, who disclosed last week to town officials that her husband works for Independent Brewing Company. "I am not saying I am owed a decision on how I decided to vote or recuse myself from the vote."

Six residents wrote a letter to the town on Oct. 26 expressing concern over potential conflicts of interest on the board when it came to the brewing company.

As a result, the Bel Air town clerk, attorney and administrator interviewed the commissioners and reported their findings to the ethics board on Friday. They found Chmielewski had a link to the brewing company that would necessitate recusing herself from voting on the legislation. She told leaders she was not going to vote.

"Just to let all of you know, I was planning to recuse myself from the vote, but I still have opinions based on how my public feels," Chmielewski told the 50-plus people in attendance at the Town Hall meeting Monday night.

"I would have voted according to how you are," Chmielewski told the crowd, speaking during the public comment portion of the Town Hall, following the vote on the matter. "You are our bosses."

The public hearing and board meeting were held at the Bel Air Armory to accommodate the number of people who wanted to be there for the hearing.

At the hearing, 12 people spoke about their concerns connected to the expansion of Independent Brewing Company, while the attorney for the business spoke on its behalf.

The four other commissioners on the board unanimously approved the ordinance that codifies satellite parking as an acceptable use in town, as requested by Independent Brewing Company.

"All that aside, I love this town, I love Bel Air and I love what this commission is doing and all of its staff members," Chmielewski said and was met with applause from the crowd.

During the public announcement portion of the meeting, Chmielewksi reminded people of the election on Tuesday.

"Please make sure you get out, and please make sure it is at Town Hall," Chmielewski said. "You should be proud of your vote."

Chmielewski was the only candidate of the four running for two seats on the commission who did not fill out a questionnaire for our voters guide on Bel Air Patch.

When Patch asked her for a comment Monday night after the Town Hall meeting, Chmielewski said: "Are you going to misquote me again?" and walked away.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bel Air Town Hall at 39 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014.

See Also:

• Bel Air Election 2021: Candidates, How To Vote
• Bel Air Commissioners Change Code As Requested By Brewery
• Mayor Won't Vote On Brewery After Ethics Concerns Raised

Here are the mayor's comments from the end of the town hall meeting: