MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
August 19, 2013
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford
Sweeney, Christopher Staiger, Patrick Joy, and
Tim O’Donnell, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner and
Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent:
James Hoover
with prior notice.
Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of
Commissioners, called the August 19, 2013 Town
Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the July 15, 2013 Town Meeting
were approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
- cited announcements to include the Catoctin
Pregnancy Center Run For Life fund raiser
and the EOPCC fund raiser on September 21, 2013
at Mt. Saint Mary’s.
Mayor’s Comments -
reported that it was a good summer: A new
record was set at a pool party--over 250
attended. The Back To School Day was
very successful, over 400 people attended. Town
is gearing up for a Day To Serve with the
state the week of September 21-18, in the
process of organizing a team group. Town has
been overwhelmed with requests for money for the
grant program for downtown. He reported that
town is having trouble with vandalism-- there
have been 5 street lights broken out in the
Brookfield subdivision and spray paint activity
on North Alley.
Administrative Business
·
Discussion to outline use of the $10,000 line
item from the square project
·
Resolution approving the application and receipt
of financing for Community Legacy projects - a
motion was made for Resolution 2013-03R to be
moved to the consent agenda for a vote.
Unanimous consent from the Board.
·
Discussion why the 50% difference in tonnage
from new garbage contractor versus old
contractor.
·
Questioned if health care changes will affect
town health care plan cost – Dave will get with
Donna or Cathy.
·
Request and lengthy discussion for future
presentation of sequence of spending and
guidelines of funding for the square project.
Mayor Briggs stated that there is $185,000
worth of work that people want to do downtown.
When questioned if this is a separate program,
Mayor Briggs responded that it is all part of
the same thing to improve downtown, that the
town has gotten grants for that as well as from
Community Legacy, “it all ties together, it is
seamless.” To clarify to the Mayor what the
Board may be seeking, as an example, Mr. Haller
proffered the recent process of constructing the
sewer plant: Those steps included design RFP,
drawings, state approval, engineer’s cost
estimates and bidding to determine actual cost.
At this point is when the financial feasibility
and resources are considered by the Board which
could include bond application, grants, and/or
other alternate means of financing.
·
SHA repairing Main Street
·
Gravel in the gutters on Cedar Lane
·
Damage to light poles in Brookfield subdivision
·
Brief discussion on sidewalks
Consent Agenda -
Approving Resolution 2013-03R-the application
and receipt of Financing for Community Legacy
Projects. Motion made by Commissioner Joy and
second by Commissioner Sweeney. Vote 4-0 in
favor.
Reports:
Town Manager’s Report
- reported on the public works department
monthly activities to include a water production
and consumption analysis. All the LED street
lights and facility lights are in place now.
Rainbow Lake is 5” below the spillway; wells are
averaging 5.7’ below optimum level that was last
reached in May 2011. There is a precipitation
deficit of 1.2” over the last six months.
Staff has trimmed the trees and brush along the
walking trail in Community Park. Town
Planner’s Report – Sue Cipperly reported
that staff continued work on the square project
with consultants and SHA. She met with the
Planning Commission about the family daycare
item that was mentioned at the last meeting,
attended a Historic Preservation seminar and
also met with the sustainable community legacy
members to start review of the community legacy
applications that have been received. Detailed
report at Exhibit A
Treasurer’s Report
– Commissioner Sweeney reported on July 2013
cash activity. Detailed report at Exhibit B
Planning Commission Report:
Commissioner Joy reported on the July 29, 2013
meeting wherein they approved a replacement
fence around the SWM pond at Southgate and
discussed the family daycare ideas brought by
Town Planner.
Police Report
- Deputy Eyler reported on July 2013 police
report. Detailed report at Exhibit C
II. Agenda Items
Energy Policies
Ms. Cipperly stated these policies were on the agenda in July and
after some questions by the Board the policies
have been revised. The Alternative Energy
Policy has to do with the solar fields at the
wastewater treatment plant. She went over the
changes made to both policies that were included
in the packet for Board to review.
Motion:
To approve Policy P13-02 Town of Emmitsburg
Electrical Energy Efficiency Policy
and Policy P13-03 Town of Emmitsburg
Alternative Energy Policy with correct
spelling to the word “town” section two,
paragraph (b).
Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second
by Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Disturbance Ordinance
Mayor Briggs stated this was an issue before he became Mayor. He
proposed to the Board this meeting to discuss,
review and work with to see if something can be
done to cut down on these activities going on in
town. During the Board discussion it was stated
that there needs to be a finding of facts
history; a record of the problems is needed
before the problems can be fixed. In the 2010
timeframe there was an effort to address college
students and underage drinking. Mr. Haller
stated that most complaints called in are
related to noise or trash. Staff was directed
to evaluate the best way to handle the issue,
develop an ordinance and bring back if finding
of facts can be identified for an ordinance to
stand.
Amendment to Address Ordinance
Ms. Cipperly summarized the proposed ordinance amendment to the
address ordinance which includes a requirement
of numbering on the rear of all addressable
buildings which are located between two
roadways. The primary intent is to improve the
ability of emergency services and law
enforcement to find individual properties.
Having buildings numbered at the rear would also
improve the ability of the town and its
contractors to provide services. The ordinance
is patterned after the Frederick County Fire
Prevention code. She read over the requirements
of the premise identification numbers.
Discussion -Remove the word “manager” from
paragraph B under 15.08.010 Premise
Identification. Board would like to have a
notice put in water bills, on channel 99 and
online to inform residents. Commissioner Joy
made a motion to approve the proposed ordinance
amendment with changes but motion was withdrawn
because there was no ordinance number provided.
This item will be brought back at the next
meeting with changes on the Consent Agenda.
Set Agenda Items for September 3, 2013 Town
Meeting
1.
Presentation on the solar project
2.
Paving bids for approval
3.
Proposed CIP budget transfer
4.
Approval of the election judges – consent
agenda
5.
Address Ordinance – consent agenda
6.
Trail work day in October – consent agenda
III. Public Comments
Loretta Sprankle, 25 Federal Avenue
-
request for speed bumps on Federal Avenue,
expressed concerns of too many buildings on lots
and weight limit of trucks on town roads. Richard
Lindsey, Creamery Road – commented on
the SHA repair on Main Street.
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR
RESOLUTIONS
V. Adjournment