Town of Emmitsburg
300A S. Seton Ave Emmitsburg, Maryland
21727
301-600-6300

MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

July 15, 2013

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

 

Present:  Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, 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: Commissioner Christopher Staiger with prior notice.

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I.       Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the July 15, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

 Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the July 1, 2013 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

 

At this time Mayor Briggs recognized Sr. Salvatrice and all the work she has done over the years for the town at the Seton Center and the Financial Literacy Program.  She will be moving to New Orleans. 

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioners cited announcements to include that a number of pastors as well as the Seton Center are trying to get together to see what can be done about the drug issues in town.  The revival by the Council of Churches will take place in August, flyers will be coming out soon.  Information was received from the MML regarding a HUR grant application from the department of transportation for a one-time project.  Received email from SHA in regards to the bridge of Flat Run--design completion hopefully by spring of 2014.  Commissioner O’Donnell met with town staff about possible new town web site and was also able to get some clarification for mowing requirements for Brookfield.  Pool party was a success.  The concert in the park for July 20 has been cancelled.   Recognitions included Sr. Salvatrice and her excellent work done with the Seton Center and the Financial Literacy Program and the Emmitsburg Little League winning the State Championship. 

 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs cited attendances to include the pool party; the Emmitsburg Little League Championship game; and initial task force meeting (another scheduled for September).  He announced the upcoming church revival and car wash; the President of Civil War Trust will be coming to talk to the Town Planner and Mayor next week, he is a great advocate of the Square revitalization; and a youth pilot study will be done with Christ Community Church.  He stated that the Town is on budget and looking at a lot of savings this year; those savings he would like to see applied to the construction cost of the square. 

 

Administrative Business

  • WWTP update by Mike Shultz of RK&K:  The project is still on schedule to finish May 2015, the concrete foundation is in place and there are eleven change orders now.

  • No town meeting on August 5, 2013 – unanimous consent as long as no pressing items.

  • Highway user one-time grant – would like to use for sidewalks

  • Participating in the Maryland “Day to Serve” – September 2013

 

Consent Agenda

Re-appoint Carolyn Miller to Parks and Recreation Committee.  The Board unanimously approved the reappointment.

 

Reports:

Town Manager Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis.   He highlighted that the contractor planted 14 trees and shrubs to complete the 331 North Seton Avenue sidewalk project and rain spouting was installed on the pavilion at the pool. 

Town Planner’s Report – Ms. Cipperly gave an update on the town square project, grant applications and meetings. 

Police Report - Deputy Patterson reported on June 2013 police report.  Commissioner O’Donnell expressed interest in a bike rodeo in the fall or spring that might help with bike safety. 

Detailed reports are attached.

 

 

II.       Agenda Items

 

Budget Transfer – Solar Funding FY2013

Donna DesPres, Town Clerk reported that for audit purposes Board needs to recognize a budget transfer to CIP from the general fund to cover preliminary cost for the solar project which the concept was agreed upon at the April 1, 2013 Town Meeting.  This will be coming from line items already budgeted.  Mayor Briggs interjected that based on a meeting with Maryland Energy there is a good chance that this might be covered under a grant.                                              

Motion:  to transfer $3,697.95 from already approved line items to the CIP for the Sewer Solar Project. 

Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner Hoover. 

                                     Vote: 4-0 in favor

 

Trail Update

Commissioner O’Donnell reported that the construction of the 2.23 mile Beginner Trail is complete and useable but lacks signage.  Construction on the Intermediate Trail is well under way and will be about 3 to 4 miles.  He would like the Board to consider rules for the trail from International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA).   He read over the rules stating that they are already being used by the U.S. Government through the National Park Service.  He is pursuing private funding for signage for trail rules so town does not have to pay for it.  Commissioner Hoover stated that Commissioner O’Donnell has achieved getting a lot of volunteer support for the trails with no cost to the town.  Some discussion ensued in regards to directional signage.  Commissioner Sweeney recommended that when signage is complete to have a map sent out along with water bills so residents know that trail is complete and ready to be used. 

Motion: - town staff to purchase a sign for rules of the trail and work with the president of the council and establish directional signs for the trail that will come out of the park and recreation budget. 

Motion made by Commissioner Hoover, second by Commissioner Joy.      

                                     Vote: 4-0 in favor

 

Commissioner O’Donnell elaborated a little on what his goals are in regards to mapping to encourage tourism.   He went on to say that, in concept, the Board had previously accepted a connector trail idea a few years ago so he proposed a line for consideration to connect across town land: the Rainbow Lake area to Annandale Road which is diagramed in this meeting’s packet.  The hope is to put the trail closer to town.  He explained the funding process for the trail.  He has an offer of $51,000 from a private donor and $230,000 from a foundation for trail construction.  The Trail Conservancy will probably purse another Recreational Trail Program (RPT) grant.  He also spoke on a Trail Towns Program which could be an advantage to the Town.  Town staff will investigate the two parcels on the map that are town-owned.                                                              

Motion: to approve the concept path for the proposed trail. 

Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner Sweeney.

Motion was restated – To approve the proposed town connector trail as shown on map dated July 8, 2013. 

Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner Sweeney. 

 

Set Agenda Items for August 19, 2013 Town Meeting

  1. Energy policies

  2. Disturbance ordinance – discussion

  3. Amendments to address ordinance

 

Administrative business

Mayor Briggs solar team introduction

Discussion - to state use of the $10,000 line item for the square project

 

III.      Public Comments

Loretta Sprankle, 25 Federal Avenue - following up on the speed bumps that were supposed to be put on Federal Avenue.  She also expressed concerns about children on bikes and bike safety.   

 

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

 

V.        Adjournment


 

With no further business, the July 15, 2013 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.