A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From the Baltimore Sun: Lawmakers concerned over millions in cost overruns on Baltimore contracts
"Lawmakers are calling for changes to Baltimore's government contracting practices after a review by The Baltimore Sun found infrastructure jobs went $105 million over budget in the past four years.
"State Sen. Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, suggested in a Facebook post that a contractor who goes over budget be disqualified from bidding on a city job for 10 years. Two City Council members said contractors' track records should be scrutinized more carefully. And Baltimore's comptroller wants the city to hire and train its own staff to do the construction jobs.
"Ferguson said in an interview Tuesday that his online post was meant to spark discussion, not to propose legislation. But he has 'real concerns about the incentives built into the procurement process' — which typically reward the lowest bidder — and called on the city to investigate instances of cost overruns and develop case studies on how to limit them.
"'Now is the time to be looking at this issue in depth with a changing administration and an ever-tighter budget,' Ferguson said.
"Democrat Catherine E. Pugh, Republican Alan Walden and Green Party member Joshua Harris face each other in the November general election for mayor.
"On Wednesday, the city's spending panel is expected to agree to pay $2.5 million on top of a $3.7 million contract for small water main repairs at various locations. It's the most recent of nearly 400 projects to go over budget since 2012.
"City officials said they, not the contractor, requested the increase for 'additional urgent work that addresses broken water mains, damaged hydrants, and inoperable or leaking valves.'
"In some cases, project costs ballooned to two, three or even four times the original estimate, The Sun's review found.
"Officials in Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's administration say the extra work orders are a cost of doing infrastructure work in an aging city where complications such as pipe breaks and sinkholes frequently occur in the middle of a job. It would take longer to finish a project — and be more costly — to put the additional work out for new bids, they argue.
"But others have said contractors bid low knowing they can win a job, then submit extra work orders later."
From the Baltimore Sun: Former Pocomoke police chief, who accused town of racism, indicted
"A former Eastern Shore police chief who is accusing the town of Pocomoke City of racism after he was fired without explanation was indicted Tuesday on misconduct in office charges by the state prosecutors' office.
"Kelvin Sewell, 53, a retired Baltimore Police homicide detective who now works for the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office, was indicted by a Worcester County grand jury Tuesday, court records show. The allegations stem from a November 2014 incident.
"State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt is accusing Sewell, the former Pocomoke City police chief, and Police Lt. Lynell Green of one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in office and one count of misconduct in office. The charges allege that Sewell and Green willfully interfered with the investigation of a motor vehicle accident by subordinate officers in order to benefit Douglas Matthews, a local correctional officer.
"'Police officers take an oath to uphold the laws of the State without partiality or prejudice,' Davitt said in a statement. 'Any disregard of that oath should never be tolerated. '
"The Pocomoke City Council fired Sewell in 2015 and gave no justification for the move, saying it was a personnel matter. The dismissal divided the town of 4,000: Sewell, who was Pocomoke City's first black police chief, alleged it was retribution for him standing up for two black officers who complained about racism.
"Sewell and the officers are currently suing city and county officials in federal court, alleging racial discrimination. Sewell could not immediately be reached for comment, and the indictment against him contained few details.
"Pocomoke City Mayor Bruce Morrison did not respond to a request for comment about whether the investigation by the Office of the State Prosecutor was related to Sewell's firing. City Manager Ernest Crofoot declined to comment on the circumstances of Sewell's dismissal or the indictment, citing Sewell's pending lawsuit and discrimination complaints.
"Sewell's arraignment is set for next month."
From the Baltimore Sun: Md. corrections officials withdraw proposal to limit inmate mail to postcards
"Maryland corrections officials on Wednesday withdrew a proposal that would have barred inmates from receiving personal letters in the mail.
"State officials had said the plan to limit incoming prison mail to postcards was meant to cut down on contraband arriving in prisons through mail, especially the drug Suboxone. But the proposal drew sharp criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and other advocacy groups.
"In a statement issued Wednesday morning, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said it has dropped the proposal.
"'Secretary Stephen Moyer will form a focus group to determine the best options for eliminating contraband coming into our facilities through the mail,' the agency said in a statement. 'The group will also research the most effective procedures to ensure the safety of our staff and those in our custody.'
"Attorneys with the ACLU of Maryland sent a letter Moyer on Tuesday, writing that they had "grave concerns about the constitutionality of the DPSCS proposal." According to the letter, no other statewide prison system has established such a ban. Local jails that have put similar bans in place have faced legal challenges.
"'We're really relieved that the department is withdrawing the regulation and think it should not have been on the table in the first place,' ACLU of Maryland staff attorney Sonia Kumar said Wednesday."