MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
May 20, 2013
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Christopher Staiger, Patrick Joy, James Hoover and
Tim O’Donnell, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix; Sue
Cipperly, Town Planner; Donna Despres, Town Clerk
and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent:
Patrick Joy, with prior notice.
_________________________________________________________________________
I. Cal Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President
of the Board of Commissioners, called the May 20,
2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the May 6, 2013 Town
Meeting were approved as presented.
Mr. David Dunn liaison for the Board
of County Commissioners was present to observe town
meeting.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners announced that the
Community/Heritage Day brochures are done and will
be distributed. Last Community/Heritage day
meeting will be June 6. It was announced that the
Catoctin Youth Athletic Association would like to
use Community Park for practices and a state meet.
The summer basketball program will again occur here
in the Emmitsburg Community Center gymnasium.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited that he attended
the Vigilant Hose Spring Fling, a terrific function
bringing the community together. He met with the
Little League baseball president and David Yoder at
the Mason Dixon visitors’ center; they will be doing
joint displays. The Mason Dixon’s display
dedication will be June 28, 2013.
Administrative Business
· *
Public Works Mutual Aid Agreement –
will be brought back as an agenda item
· *
Recruiting for election judges; post
on channel 99
· *
Town office procedures for use of
field behind town office – presently working on a
final agreement with Mr. Barnes for town to
have the rights to schedule
· *
Splash park/seasonal pool inspection
· *
Police Task Force probably staring
June or July
*
Pool opening June 17th,
would like to schedule earlier but need to make sure
permits are done.
Consent Agenda
Planning Commission Annual Report
Motion:
to accept the Planning Commission 2012 Annual
Report.
Motion made by Commissioner Hoover,
second by Commissioner Sweeney
Vote 4-0 in favor
Reports:
Town Managers Report
- reported on the public works department monthly
activities to include a water production and
consumption analysis. Highlights: the speed bump
has been installed on Huntley Circle; the town wells
are down an average of 3.3 feet from May 2011
levels, but in the right direction; no surplus or
deficit of precipitation over the last 6 months; no
spills of untreated sewerage in April; did not
exceed the plant’s design capacity on any days in
the month of April; trash pickup for Memorial Day
week will be Tuesday, May 28th instead of
Monday.
Town Planners Report
- Sue Cipperly provided highlights of
the written report: she provided mapping
information for the college mountain project and
information requested by Commissioner Staiger for
the Citizens’ Advisory committee about maintenance
code sections; the Multiple Sclerosis bike ride will
be coming to Emmitsburg again this year to use the
town pavilion as a halfway point in their ride; also
sent information to State Highway about the North
and South crosswalk questions that were asked at the
previous town meeting; met with Jerry Muir regarding
the Maryland Smart Energy Communities grant
application submittal--received $20,000 initially
back from that and recently $17,500 which will go
towards things like the LED lights; spoke with some
residents about trash accumulation along Irishtown
Road along the Brookfield lots, Jerry Muir followed
up, everything has been cleaned up; conferred with
Seth Harry & Associates and SHA regarding review
comments and also completed revisions to Community
Legacy program application after conferring with
committee members. Detailed report at Exhibit A
Police Report
- Deputy Patterson reported on April 2013. Detailed
report at Exhibit B
II. AGENDA ITEMS
Set 2014 constant yield tax rate
Mr. Haller stated that staff
recommends maintaining the rate at $.36 per $100 of
assessed value. The proposed budget uses this rate
and staff believes it is adequate to run the
budget.
Motion:
To maintain the current tax rate at $.36 per $100 of
assessed value.
Motion by Commissioner Hoover, second
by Commissioner Sweeney
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Fiscal Year 2014 Budget
Mr. Haller stated the fiscal year
2014 budget was presented to the Board by the Mayor
at the last town meeting for their review,
consideration and approval. This budget is very
similar to last year’s budget in spending. This
year the town has gotten some pretty good support
from the County and State. Staff feels this is a
good waste-free budget. Commissioner Hoover
concurred that the numbers from last year to this
year are very similar. He also stated that the
benefit is the state highway funds might be more
than projected and recommended if they are more,
when those funds come in that the council consider
where to put those funds i.e., road projects.
Commissioner Staiger questioned the 2% COLA stating
that it should be tied to an index, suggesting that
the Social Security index of 1.7% be used.
Motion:
to limit the COLA to 1.7% in
accordance with the number identified by the Social
Security Administration.
Motion made by Commissioner
Staiger, second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 2-2, motion failed
Mayor Briggs interjected that he
doesn’t feel they should go with the national
average but with the state of Maryland. Donna
Despres, Town Clerk reported the proposal is based
on the Consumer Price Index. In February when staff
was starting to prepare budget it was 2.0% and the
annual for 2012 was 2.1%. Commissioner Staiger
recommends that the Board be presented with the
actual basis for the decision of 2%. During board
discussion line items that were in question in the
general fund included line 6600 capital outlay
listed in various departments, line items 5401 and
5402 education and travel in legislative and
executive departments, line item 5522 electric and
street light upkeep. Items in question in the
capital improvements fund included curb, cutter,
road and sidewalk improvements adding West Lincoln
Avenue sidewalk improvements. Regarding explanation
of the reserved funds for East Lincoln Avenue
improvements, Mr. Dunn reported that the county has
a good working relationship with Potomac Edison and
will get the details from Mr. Haller and see what he
can do to help to move the poles. Town square
improvements – funds should be specifically targeted
instead of being lumped together as town square
improvements.
Motion:
to
remove from the 2014 budget the town square
improvement funding of $10,000.
Motion made by Commissioner Staiger,
second by Commissioner Hoover.
Motion withdrawn
There was also some discussion on the
funds designated for the tot lot in Emmit Gardens
and the solar field.
Set Agenda Items for June 3, 2013
Town Meeting
-
Fiscal year 2014 budget
-
Catoctin Youth Athletic Trail
-
Revised septic tier map created
by County passed by State – consent agenda
III. Public Comments
- none
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT
AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
V. Adjournment
With no further business, the May 20,
2013 Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
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