MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

April 1, 2013

Emmitsburg Town Office

Present:  Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Patrick Joy and Tim O’Donnell, President. 

Staff present were Vickie Felix and Dave Haller, Town Manager.

Absent:  Commissioner Hoover and Commissioner Staiger with prior notice. 

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I.                 Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the April 1, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the March 18, 2013 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

President O’Donnell announced the need for a closed executive session following adjournment of this meeting as permitted by the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article: Section 10-508 (a) Closed Meetings, Item 8 to discuss pending or potential litigation.  See attached announcement.   Motion by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner Sweeney, carried 3-0 in favor.  

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner(s) cited expression of thanks to everyone that attended the Easter egg hunt at Community Park.  Upcoming activities include Safety Dealing with Children at Christ Community Church, Shine the Light Ministry at the park, Passport to Financial Freedom; Lions Club Scholarship Dance; car wash to help pay for Heritage/Community Day brochures; possible bike event for next summer; Catoctin Youth Athletics’ cross-country meet this fall; trail work day.  There will be another Community/Heritage Day meeting this week.  A moment of silence was observed for the death of the daughter of the Pastor of Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church. 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs commented that there will be a parade this Saturday for the opening of baseball season and The Passport to Wealth also starts this Saturday. 

Administrative Business

·         Progress update related to Wastewater Treatment Plant – Presentation by Mr.  Shultz, Project Manager of RK&K Construction Managers.  He gave Board members a copy of the quarterly project report and reviewed the change orders and work completed to date.  Detailed attachment at Exhibit A. 

·         Bushes at sidewalk on North Seton Avenue 

·         Possible receipt of a Maryland Clean Energy grant for installing LED lights

·         WWTP solar project bids:  Mayor Briggs brought to the Board’s attention the need for a professional engineer to guide the town to make the right evaluation.  Board supports the idea.

·         Update on Splash Park

·         Mr. Fitzgerald property easement – present easement cannot be used legally for the purposes of the trail; will have to negotiate and obtain another easement.

·         Price for compost for community garden

·         Insert to put into quarterly water bills – bills already mailed out.

·         Tipping fee – amount of tonnage decrease since recycling?

·         Third crossing guard at Federal Avenue and East Main Street--rejected 

Consent Agenda - none

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report - Commissioner Sweeney reported on March 2013 cash activity.  Detailed report at Exhibit B 

Planning Commission Report –no meeting

II.       Agenda Items

Water Rates using the sewer rates model

Mr. Haller presented, as requested by the Board, proposed water rates reflective of the sewer rates model.  Two proposals were included in the packet:  1. Increase the tier rates without increasing the minimums; 2. Increase the tier rates plus the minimums, which would bring in more than needed.  Staff recommends proposal number one that increases the tiers 50% without increasing the minimums.                                                

Motion:  to approve the proposed rates for the tier increases at 50% without increasing minimums. 

Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner Sweeney.

                                     Vote: 3-0 in favor

Set Agenda Items for April 15, 2013 Town Meeting

1.    Pool management bids

2.    Poultry ordinance revision

3.    Proposed Section 8 Charter change for elected officials – Discussion

4.    Budget and CIP Ordinances – Discussion

III.      Public Comments - none

IV.      SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS - none

V.        Adjournment

With no further business, the April 1, 2013 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.