A new member was appointed to the Town of Bel Air’s Board of Town Commissioners during a special meeting Monday night.

Kristien Schlehr Foss filled the vacant seat on the five-member board left after the resignation of James Rutledge in October.

Foss’ “roots run deep” in the town, Mayor Paula Etting said during the meeting. Foss has lived in Bel Air for over 50 years and has been on the town’s Cultural Arts Commission since 2002. Foss and her husband have dressed up as Mrs. Claus and Santa in the annual Bel Air Christmas parade for over 20 years.

Foss retired this year after teaching more than 30 years in Baltimore County and Harford County Public Schools. She was a finalist for HCPS Teacher of the Year in 2011, the town said, and was among over 50 educators named as recipients of the Harford County Education Foundation’s Everyday Hero Award in 2024.

“[The town is] home, and I’m really excited to be working with the commissioners and with the administration,” Foss said during the meeting Monday. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Serving the town runs in the family for Foss. Her father, Peter Schlehr, serves on the town’s Planning Commission and previously served as a commissioner in the 1990s. Her mother, Sandy Schlehr, is a member of the Cultural Arts Commission. Her uncle, Chris Schlehr, served as the town’s administrator and public works director.

“It’s great that you want to give back and serve the community, and I just think it’s fantastic that another generation of Schlehrs are up here on the podium,” Commissioner Steven Chizmar said.

Commissioner Gavin Hanley said it was difficult choosing the next commissioner as there were plenty of applicants, some of whom he said commissioners knew, noting that he previously knew Foss as “Mrs. Foss” during her time as a teacher at Bel Air Middle School.

“You were very much liked and respected by your students and colleagues, and I’m very excited to start working with you,” he said.

Foss will be serving the end of Rutledge’s term, set to conclude in 2027.

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