MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
January 7, 2013
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Christopher Staiger, Patrick Joy, Tim O’Donnell and
Glenn Blanchard, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix; Sue
Cipperly, Town Planner and Dave Haller, Town
Manager.
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Call to Order
Commissioner Glenn Blanchard,
President of the Board of Commissioners, called the
January 7, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the December 17, 2013
Town Meeting were approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners cited announcements to
include another Community Heritage Day meeting to be
held. The focus is on the 150th
anniversary of the “great fire of Emmitsburg,” The
Ambulance Company will have their annual banquet
this Saturday. World War II events are approaching
a 75th anniversary. Attendances
included the Vigilant Hose banquet and a funeral for
a World War II Veteran of Emmitsburg.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited his attendances
and recognitions.
Administrative Business
·
Clarification on email/letter in
regards to the fence at the Emmitsburg Vet Hospital.
·
Request for lease information to
Scott Farm Road – right papers need to be filed; not
available to farming.
·
Parks Committee – to accommodate
increased interest, request to increase members from
8 to 10; will bring back as an agenda item for next
meeting.
·
Community Heritage Day – Mayor Briggs
would like to see a resolution drafted to support
these events. Will take place the last Saturday in
June 2013.
Consent Agenda - none
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report
- Commissioner Sweeney reported on December 2012
cash activity. Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Commissioner Joy reported that the
Planning Commission did not meet.
II. Agenda Items
Vigilant Hose Presentation –
Considering Assignment of County-wide Fire Chief
Tim Clarke, President of the Vigilant
Hose Company gave a presentation in favor of the
proposed consideration of a county-wide Fire Chief.
The Director of the Fire and Rescue services in his
job description was tasked with handling all Fire
and Rescue services for Frederick County, however
the ordinance did not give him the authority to do
that and make changes necessary, if need be, with
the volunteer services. The new ordinance would
give the Director of the Fire and Rescue Services
the ability to do his job basically and also
develops a Fire and Rescue Board.
Temporary Signs Amendment
Consideration
After some contentious discussion
this agenda item was tabled until the next town
meeting. Motion: - To table the
agenda item until next town meeting.
Motion made by Commissioner
Blanchard, second by Commissioner Joy.
Vote: 3-2 in favor
Commissioners Staiger and O’Donnell opposed.
Cooling Water Process Review
Mr. Haller presented two ordinances
with proposed text amendments. He read over the
proposed changes that were in the Board’s packet.
Mr. Haller commented that the whole concept of the
Ordinance 13-03 modification is to keep the system
balanced and will allow someone who would like to be
progressive and use cooling for their large
building(s) to do it without kicking the town system
out of balance.
Motion:
- To approve Ordinance 13-02 as
submitted entitled Public Services; section
13.04.010 Control and management; to allow water
wells for building cooling purposes when approved by
the Mayor and Board of Commissioners.
Motion was made by Commissioner Joy,
second by Commissioner O’Donnell.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Motion:
- To amend Ordinance 13-03 entitled Public
Services; section 13.08.11 Sewer Rates under B3,
adding “This water is not to be discharged into
town sewer system.”
Motion was made by Commissioner Joy,
second by Commissioner O’Donnell.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Motion:
-
To approve Ordinance 13-03 as
amended.
Motion was made by Commissioner
O’Donnell, second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Set Agenda Items for January 23, 2013
Town Meeting
1.
Audit
2.
Increase the Parks Committee from 8
to 10 members
3.
Ordinance 13-01 regarding temporary
signage
4.
Septic tier map letter
III. Public Comments –
Nell Matthews, 248 Springs Avenue,
Gettysburg, PA
– addressed the Board in regards to a letter
concerning a fence that has been put up at the
Emmitsburg Vet hospital. It is only for dogs that
are already there. She questioned the definition of
a kennel and if zoning ordinance needs to be amended
for the new fence. Catherine Forrence, 404 West
Main Street - commented that Board is wasting
time on the temporary signage issue and that her
understanding is that it should go to the planning
commission. Adam Leverette, 404 West Main Street
- suggested that the laws would allow for poultry in
the backyard.
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT
AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
V. Adjournment
With no further business, the January
7, 2013 Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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