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Politics & Government

Aberdeen Council Joins Havre de Grace in Opposing Tolls

Potential toll increases at Hatem Bridge in Havre de Grace have been a controversial matter in Harford and Cecil counties.

The Aberdeen City Council sent a brief but decisive message to the neighboring city of Havre de Grace at Monday's work session: we have your back on toll increases.

Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett and the city's four council members unanimously approved an impromptu resolution sparked by Councilman Bruce Garner. Using a printed out Havre de Grace Patch article as a , the council members said they were not in favor of potential toll increases for drivers who travel Hatem Bridge.

"I for one feel we should endorse this for our sister city," Garner said.

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The Havre de Grace City Council unanimously passed a resolution June 13 that took a stance against state plans to increase tolls and to discontinue AVI decals for local commuters. Hundreds of residents showed up to a to oppose the toll hikes.

"I would propose a motion that the city council of Aberdeen support the motion or the resolution that the city of Havre de Grace has set forward for the tolls on the Hatem Bridge," Bennett said before the resolution was passed.

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There will be another public hearing regarding potential toll increases June 27 at the .

After approving the resolution to oppose the tolls, the council was briefed on an ethics ordinance that must be passed before it is sent to the state ethics board later this summer. The state required Aberdeen and other municipalities to revise its ethics ordinance.

The ordinance is expected to be introduced in July after the Maryland Municipal League convention next week.

After a six-minute work session, the council went into a closed session to discuss contracts related to annexations of properties at Aberdeen Technology Campus LLC and Boswell Chapel. The council was also set to "obtain legal advice on a legal matter" in the closed session.

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