MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
October 3, 2011
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Don Briggs; Former Mayor Jim Hoover;
Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard,
Patrick Joy, Tim O’Donnell and Christopher Staiger,
President
Staff present were Vickie Felix; John Clapp, Town
Attorney; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner; and Dave
Haller, Town Manager
________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner Christopher Staiger, President of the
Board of Commissioners, called the October 3,
2011Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the September 19, 2011 Town Meeting
were approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
The Commissioners thanked Mayor Hoover for his many
years of service and congratulated Donald N. Briggs
as the newly elected Mayor. Commissioner Blanchard
cited his recent attendances. Commissioner
O’Donnell cited his attendances including CYA
meetings regarding basketball and soccer activities
in Emmitsburg.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Hoover congratulated Mr. Briggs on the mayoral
election and Commissioner Chris Staiger on his
reelection. He commented on his years of service
and how much he enjoyed them. He expressed his
passion for the Town of Emmitsburg and is planning
on staying active in the community. He listed
several of the projects that are going on to include
the expansion of the Fallen Fire Fighters projects,
the sewer plant construction in the next 3 years
which is in design now, and the transit service to
northern Frederick county.
Administrative Business
-
Halloween parade is set for its normal route at
7pm on October 31, 2011
-
Northgate Access – a conclusion for emergency
uses only was to use a private driveway. This
was worked out between the fire company and
property owner
-
The Omni Corporation at FEMA will start layoffs
December 17, 2011 and will continue through
March. All those positions will be advertised
as federal position, so those individuals will
have an opportunity to apply. Armed Forces
individuals will get first priority.
-
Commissioner Joy reported that the letter for
the flagpole was incorrect and needed to be
redrafted. The new letter was emailed to staff
to print out on letterhead
-
Email from the Pembrook HOA – concerns related
to speeding on Brookfield Drive and some county
stormwater management that is affecting some
areas of the community
-
Email from Wayne Powell regarding the opening
ceremonies for the National Fire Heritage Center
-
Mayor Briggs would like to recognize October as
breast cancer awareness month. No objection
from Board
-
Recognize National Fallen Firefighters Week –
October 10 through October 16, 2011. No
objection from Board
-
Mayor Briggs would like to send letter to the
BOCC stating that Emmitsburg supports and
requests tax equity, not tax differential
-
Mayor Briggs would like approval to let
volunteers to use conference room. No
opposition
-
Need to begin to inform the citizens of upcoming
increases in water and sewer rates and why the
increases are needed and required
Treasurer’s Report –
Commissioner Blanchard reported on September 2011
cash activity. Detailed report exhibit A.
Committee Reports –
Commissioner O’Donnell reported that the Planning
Commission did meet and had a special meeting to
discuss ordinances regarding setback requirements.
All items were approved and sent back to the Board
of Commissioners.
II. Agenda Items
Swearing in of the Elected Officials from the
September 27, 2011 town election
State Delegate Kathryn L. Afzali administered the
oath of office of elected officials Donald N.
Briggs, Town Mayor and Chris Staiger, Town
Commissioner.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioner and Mayor
Briggs, former Mayor Hoover was presented a
proclamation for his years of service to the town.
At this time Mayor Briggs announced some of the new
committees that will be forming; the police
committee, economic development committee and the
neighborhood action committee.
Reorganization of Board of Commissioners
Mayor Briggs made these recommendations for the
2011/2012 Board of Commissioners reorganization:
Chris Staiger to remain president, Clifford Sweeney
to remain vice president, treasurer and parks
liaison will be Glenn Blanchard, planning commission
liaison will be Patrick Joy, and citizens advisory
committee liaison will be Tim O’Donnell. No
objection, unanimous consent.
Julianna Albowicz, Special Assistant to Senator
Mikulski was present and read a letter from Senator
Mikulski congratulating Mayor Don Briggs on his
success in the recent election.
Ordinance 11-22: Ethics Ordinance
Attorney Clapp was present and presented that the
ordinance of the town was satisfactory up until last
year. Last year there was a change with regard to
two areas; conflicts of interest and financial
disclosure. In these two areas, the provisions need
to be equivalent to the state’s provisions. These
requirements pertain to only elected officials. He
stated that all the council needs to change in order
to satisfy the state law are the provisions with
regard to conflict of interest and financial
disclosure for elected officials and candidates for
elected officials. The Board worked their way
through the changes of the ethics ordinance by page
with the help and recommendations of the town
attorney. Attorney Clapp will get the ordinance
done in final form and have it back for approval to
submit to state.
Resolution 2011-03R: Authorizing the refinance of
140 South Seton Avenue
Mr. Haller stated that 140 South Seton Avenue, being
a commercial property, only had a five-year loan.
Among the several different banks quoted, staff
recommended Woodsboro Bank. They gave a longer
term, a good rate of 4% and are the cheapest to
settle with. As far as the process to deal with
Woodsboro Bank, they require a resolution stating
that the Mayor has authority to sign all the
documents.
Motion:
- To accept Resolution 2011-03R: Resolution
authorizing the refinance of 140 South Seton Avenue
Motion by Commissioner Sweeney, second by
Commissioner O’Donnell
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Items related to wastewater treatment plant upgrade
Mr. Haller commented that the town is replacing the
existing wastewater treatment plant due to mandates
by MDE and EPA to lower emissions at that plant. It
is at 90% design approval at this point and will
probably be able to be bid the first of the year.
In preparation for the general contractor coming in,
lagoon one needs to be emptied and cleaned out. MDE
will not reimburse town for those services. Some
things that need to be done before contractor comes
in, is replacement of a pump and some new piping.
Staff needs approval for funding for these
services. Mr. Haller stated that town will get
reimbursed for the pipe and pump work from MDE, they
just do not fund sludge removal.
Motion:
- To accept the bid for $93,585 for sludge removal
from Enviro-Organic Technologies. To accept the bid
for $7,777 from W. F. Delauter & Son, Inc. for the
pipe laying project. No objection, unanimous
consent
Ordinance 11-17: Rules and regulations for parks and
recreation facilities
Mr. Haller gave a brief background; recurring
problems with young adults in town parks doing
vandalism. Staff has been working with the deputies
to try and suppress that. Some trees have been cut
in memorial park and lighting has been put in
pavilions. The deputies recommended doing a no
trespass type of arrangement. Staff has worked with
Mr. Clapp and he drafted the ordinance.
Motion: - To accept Ordinance
11-17- Rules and regulations for parks and
recreation facilities
Motion by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by
Commissioner Blanchard
Vote 5-0 in
favor.
III. Public Comments:
Isabelle Falcone – 61 Second Avenue,
she was representing the Senior Center in
Emmitsburg. With the cutbacks that the
commissioners are doing in Frederick, the center
could possibly be closed as early as October 12th.
She is requesting that the Board of Commissioners
notify the Commissioners in Frederick how important
it is to keep the Emmitsburg Senior Center open.
IV. Set Agenda Items for October 18, 2011
Town Meeting
-
Review Comprehensive Plan objectives
-
Consideration of Ordnance 11-18, Ordinance
11-20, and Ordinance 11-21 related to
residential zone setback requirements.
-
Review of proposed architectural guidelines
-
Discussion on addressing no smoking in town
parks
-
Resolution on sidewalk infrastructure to SHA
-
Consider resolution to maintain tax equity over
tax differential
V. SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR
RESOLUTIONS
VI. Adjournment
With no further business, the October 3, 2011 Town
Meeting was adjourned at 9:35p.m.
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