CAMBRIDGE — With a bang of the gavel, Acting Mayor Donald Sydnor convened the council meeting on Monday night. Smiling genially, he remarked, “I always wanted to do that!” After the customary moment of silence, followed by the Pledge, the planned agenda began to roll along. Approval was quickly given for the Dorchester County Tourism noise variance. The event is “Rockin’ the Choptank” on May 27 at the Sailwinds Park Amphitheatre from 6 to 9 p.m. Next up, the C-SD High School Prom also was approved for its event at the same location on May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. The noise variance is for the announcement of the guests as they arrive and it seems like a pretty piece of business to me.

A third noise variance covered the Cambridge MD Love Peace & Unity Walk, with marchers who will use the sidewalks only. The march starts and ends at Great Marsh Park on April 23, from 2 to 5 p.m.

Updating old business, Oden Wheeler, director of Public Works informed the commissioners of the progress at the Hearn Building which had a partial collapse last October. This is the status: the building is in the process of stabilization, concrete and steel have been delivered, forms will be poured, and the timetable is three to three and a half weeks. The county is in charge and keeps the city informed. Update for people who use Race Street: that street is still closed and will remain closed while that work is done.

An interesting topic emerged in the New Business section. The council approved a recommendation to lease county election equipment for the June municipal primary and the July election, the total not to exceed $40,000. Besides, the state has made it mandatory for counties to charge municipalities that use the partially state-subsidized equipment. This system, different from previous years, is required to make the ballots secure. But Commissioner Cooke brought up the question. “Why does Cambridge have to schedule its elections at different times from national elections?” Piggybacking off the federal and state equipment is a lot cheaper. Commissioners and the city manager agreed, but it’s not done overnight. It requires a charter change, and a timetable change for commissioners’ terms, but perhaps result in significant economies. Although not possible this year, federal congressional elections are every two years. Further investigation, a little more work.

A roundabout, a circle, is the State Highway Administration’s solution for the intersection of Woods Road and Route 16. The state has tallied the number of serious accidents and vetoed the solution of control lighting as too costly. In order to build the roundabout, the state will purchase right-of-way easements in the amount of $8,450. But there are municipal utility lines under the proposed roundabout that will have to be moved at Cambridge’s expense, far exceeding the $8,450.

In a previous meeting, commissioners approved a reorganization and merger of the city and county dispatch units. The change for greater efficiency requires the purchase of software and also, training. Commissioners approved the appropriation of drug forfeiture money to the police department but not to be spent until the city-county reorganization of dispatch services is finalized.

City employees, 2017 will bring raises for all. The commissioners have accepted a schedule proposed by staff. Ginger Heatwole, finance director, presented the table. The biggest percentage (3 percent) went to employees earning less than $30,000. A 2.5 percent increase goes to the next level, up to $40,000. 2.0 percent is the increase for up to $80,000. The smallest increase of 1.5 percent goes to employees between $80,000 and $100,000. After calculating the percentages of salaries and the numbers of employees in each category, the increases add up to a final 2 pecent budget increase for all salaries combined, approximately $95,000. Commissioners approved the raises, though Commissioner Frank Cooke opened the discussion of “why not equal across- the- board percentages.” Finance Director Ginger Heatwole supplied the answer. Even though the lowest paid are getting the biggest raise percentage-wise, they still are getting the smallest raise in dollars. Try the math yourself.

It’s Road Trip time for the commissioners. They are going to visit and talk with representatives of the following waterfront projects: Georgetown Riverwalk-DC, The Yards- DC, National Harbor -Prince George County immediately. They will also research other locations by phone. An open work session regarding suggestions for a development plan will take place on April 20.