MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

January 23, 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; Donna Despres, Town Clerk; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner and Dave Haller, Town Manager.

Tardy:  Glenn Blanchard with prior notice arrived at 7:58pm

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Call to Order

Commissioner O’Donnell, Vice President of the Board of Commissioners, called the January 23, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the January 7, 2013 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner O’Donnell cited recognitions and announcements.  He was contacted by the Emmitsburg Baseball and Softball organization in regards to possibly hosting a tournament in Emmitsburg in early July.  They are seeking to have a fence replaced in the outfield.  He is working with a scout who is working on his merit badge concerning citizenship.  He announced the passing of Jeff Fitzgerald and Richard Floyd.

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs cited attendances, recognitions and announcements to include attendances at the ambulance banquet and book signing at Holy Grounds Shop.  He announced the upcoming Financial Literacy Kickoff.

Administrative Business

·         Review and discuss water depreciation funding –this should be addressed before they get to the budget.

·         Update on wastewater project meetings – trailers are on site.

·         Trail update

·         Vandalism at the Baseball and Softball Leagues’ buildings – dusk to dawn light has been repaired.  Research and inspect overall area to see if other lights could be installed that could minimize vandalism. 

Consent Agenda - none

Reports:

Town Manager Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis.  He highlighted that the town had a precipitation surplus of 4.7” over the last six months; however, the wells remain reasonably low.  Rainbow Lake is doing well; the reservoir is at the spillway.  The Town did exceed the plant’s design capacity on seven days in the month of December.  Town had no spills of untreated sewerage in the month of December.  Town Planner’s Report – Ms.  Cipperly highlighted that she communicated with the architect for the Homes for Emmitsburg project regarding what types of plans would be required for town application.  Staff had a Design for the Square meeting- -very pleased with turnout; prepared and submitted advertisement for the code enforcement/zoning tech position and provided information regarding local properties as requests were made.  Exhibit A.

Police Report - Deputy Eyler reported on the December 2012 police report.  He requested that the deputies be kept informed about the baseball tournament that might come to the town this summer.  Detailed report at Exhibit B.    

II.       Agenda Items

Audit Presentation

Michelle Mills of Draper & McGinley, P.A. presented the fiscal year 2012 audit and entertained questions from the Commissioners.  This fiscal year had a financial statement audit and a single audit (federal expenditure greater then $500,000). 

Parks Committee – Membership Increase from 8 to 10

Commissioner O’Donnell reported that a lot of people are eager to serve the town on the Parks Committee and requested to increase the members from 8 to 10.  There was a brief discussion in regards to a quorum.                                                                                                                                                                     

Motion: - To amend ordinance 13-04 striking paragraph G. 

Motion made by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by Commissioner Sweeney.       

                                     Vote: 5-0 in favor

Motion – to accept the modified ordinance 13-04 to change members from 8 to 10.

Motion made by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by Commissioner Sweeney.                                            Vote: 5-0 in favor

Ordinance 13-01 – Temporary Signage Ordinance

Public Comment:  Allen Knott, 100 Creamery Court, EBPA Representative – would like to review what is to be considered before the board decides.  Ms. Cipperly presented a power point presentation on the temporary signs ordinance elements offering suggestions, time frame of temporary signs and issues to address.  There was some discussion amongst the Board.  It was decided that this item will come back to the Board at a later date with suggestions and input from the EBPA.

Septic Tier Map Letter

Ms. Cipperly gave the Board members a set a maps and presented a power point presentation.  She explained the Senate Bill 235 Growth Tiers was passed with a goal to limit the disproportionate impacts of large subdivisions on septic systems on our farm and forest land, streams, rivers and Chesapeake and Coastal Bays.  What the county needs from the town is to send the Maryland Department of Planning a letter from the town stating that they confer with it.  It basically states that everything in our growth area can be developed. 

Motion: - To accept the letter to have the Septic Tier mapping developed by Frederick County submitted to Maryland Department of Planning on the Town’s behalf.   

         Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner O’Donnell.

                                     Vote: 4-1 in favor

                                              Commissioner Staiger opposed. 

Employment Changes

Mr. Haller reported the past Zoning Tech left employment and the position has been vacant for a month.  Our present Administrative Assistant’s last day was Friday January 18, 2013.  Staff advertised for both positions and received 12 applications for the Zoning Tech position and about 20 for the Administrative Assistant.  Staff interviewed two individuals for the Zoning Tech and four for the Administrative Assistant position.  Staff recommended Jerry Muir for the Zoning Tech position and Cathleen Willets for the Administrative Assistant.  Both positions are a grade 5, step 4 and start at $14.99/hour. 

Motion: - To approve staff recommendations to hire Jerry Muir for the Zoning Tech position and Cathleen Willets for the Administrative Assistant at a grade 5, step 4. 

         Motion made by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by Commissioner Sweeney. 

                                     Vote: 5-0 in favor

Set Agenda Items for February 4, 2013 Town Meeting

·         Further discussion on water rate issue and possible adjustments

·         Town square development presentation

Consent Agenda items

·         Trail related item

·         Park Committee appointments

III.     Public Comments -none 

IV.      SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS

V.        Adjournment

With no further business, the January 23, 2013 Town Meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.