MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

November 18, 2013

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

 

Present:  Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Christopher Staiger, Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and Tim O’Donnell, President. 

Staff present were Donna Despres, Town Clerk and Dave Haller, Town Manager.

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I.       Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the November 18, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

 Approval of Minutes

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

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioners cited attendances, recognitions and announcements:  Thanks to the Boy Scouts for a successful food bank drive and citizens’ participation for trail clearings.   The Emmitsburg Elementary will perform the tree decoration on December 20 and the Lions Club Christmas party will be December 7.   Mt. St. Mary’s is again offering free concerts.   The MOR board of directors met at the Emmitsburg trail for clearing and there were 18 riding participants.

 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs reported on his holiday attendances and town business appointments.   He has arranged a tour with Ray Barnes from the Frederick County School Board to look over the local elementary school to see what needed improvements can be made.   Commissioner O’Donnell asked him to point out the swale in the school’s athletic field.

 

Administrative Business

As the annual tree lighting and accompanying festivities are held the first Monday of December, it was requested to reschedule the first December Emmitsburg town meeting for Tuesday, December 3.   Unanimous consent.   Also discussed:

• Query regarding Main Street lights’ being dim-- if reflectors can enhance sidewalk light-- Mr. Haller will check into this

• Crosswalk and pedestrian traffic across Tract Road

• Citizen Advisory Committee met November 5:

  • Mr. Lowry offered the idea of using MSM student resources to provide any needed survey for the town, Commissioner Staiger asked for ideas and/or direction on this.

  • A recurring request to make West Lincoln Avenue (between Seton Avenue and School Lane) one-way westbound

• Paving of the alley system is being done

• The Town has received a $53,517 rebate from First Energy for installing the LED lighting

 

Consent Agenda - none

 

Reports:

Town Manager Report - Mr. Haller reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis.   Detailed report at Exhibit A.

Police Report - Deputy Patterson recapped October activities.   Detailed report at Exhibit B.

 

 

II.       Agenda Items

 

Presentation by Delegate Kathy Afzali

Delegate Afzali addressed the Board to offer her support at the congressional level for municipal interests.   She spoke to the issue of much new school development vs. the lack of enhancing existing schools in the County.   She also presented to Mayor Briggs an official citation from the Maryland General Assembly to his granddaughter, Maggie Myles--the youngest member to make the national rugby team who just recently represented the USA in England.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Ordinances 13-11, 13-12 and 13-13 - permitted uses:  day care homes

These ordinances make provisions for licensed day care homes as allowable uses for the R-1 and Village Zone and also removing them as special exceptions requiring board of appeals approval.   The Planning Commission supports this action in that there are no criteria for a BOA to address as an exception--to leave those matters to the license issuing agency (state).

Motion: - To accept the changes to Ordinances 13-11, 13-12 and 13-13, amending sections of Title 17 of the Code of Emmitsburg entitled Zoning, as proposed.   

Motion by Commissioner Blanchard, second by Commissioner Sweeney   

                                     Vote: 5-0 in favor

 

 

Set Agenda Items for December 3, 2013 Town Meeting

• Ordinance to confirm a long-term lease (as advised by town attorney)

 

III       Public Comments - none

 

IV        SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS