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

MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

March 17, 2014

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

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

Staff present were Vickie Felix; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner and Dave Haller, Town Manager.

Absent:  Commissioner Blanchard, with prior notice. 

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I.       Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the March 17, 2014 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the March 5, 2014 Town Meeting were approved as corrected. 

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Sweeney announced that there was very positive feedback from the drug awareness program.  It was very well attended and very informative.  Commissioner O’Donnell commended staff for the removal of the snow.                                       

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs also commented on the success and attendance of the drug awareness program.  Representatives were present from The Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and Sr. Joanne from Mother Seton School.  There may be a future presentation at Mother Seton School.  Sr. Joanne is interested in getting parents involved.  The town has finished two steps in a three-step process to attack this problem.  The next step is an ordinance that staff is working on with the attorney; the town is addressing tenant safety.  Mayor Briggs announced the upcoming Senior Tax Credit seminar, and that the town is working on ADA compliance to better assist those who are challenged.

                                                                             

President O’Donnell welcomed David Dunn who was in attendance representing the County Commissioners. 

 

Administrative Business - none

 

Consent Agenda - none

 

Reports:

Town Manager’s Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis.  He highlighted that the town’s water table rose 2 feet due to the snow amount, which is good.  The town had a precipitation surplus of 8.4 inches over the last six months and exceeded the plant’s design capacity on ten days in the month of February.  Town Planner’s Report – Ms. Cipperly reported that the subdivision and site plan for General Dollar has been received.  She met with George Brennan, Daughters of Charity Facilities Manager, regarding potential interior renovations and potential parking revisions; and, worked on the Community Legacy grant materials for property owners which is the 50/50 match.  All agreements were sent out, still waiting for all them to come back signed.  Detailed report at Exhibit A.

 

Police Report - Deputy Patterson reported on February 2014 police activity.  She stated that it is important to call in any suspicious activity at the time of occurrence.  Commissioner O’Donnell gave Deputy Patterson information in regard to canine units.  Detailed report at Exhibit B. 

 

 

II.        Agenda Items

 

Ordinance #14-03 - Update of Town Forestation

Ms. Cipperly, Town Planner, stated that this item was brought forth a month ago and explained that this is a state law that needs to be implemented locally.  The ordinance needed some changes to comply with the state law.  The biggest change is that it used to apply to a lot of 40,000 square feet or greater and now is 20,000 square feet or greater.  Language is also added that will allow a small lot to buy an easement through a banking program within Frederick County-- there are designated areas already.  The easement is in lieu of reforestation.  Commissioner O’Donnell asked for clarification of the ratio requirement and Ms. Cipperly stated that staff sends information to a Forestry Consultant who examines the area and determines the solution.  Some discussion ensued in regard to pedestrian linkages on the stream way and concerns of all existing trees being knocked down on big lots.  Ms. Cipperly suggested modifying the ordinance on page 23, paragraph 2G by adding the language in the first sentence after the word, “accomplished” to read “on the subject property, or.”

Motion:  to accept Ordinance #14-03 entitled Subdivision as amended. 

Motion made by Commissioner Sweeney, second by Commissioner Mellor

                                      Vote: 4-0 in favor

 

Set Agenda Items for April 7, 2014 Town Meeting

  1. New sewer plant progress update from RK&K

  2. Audit report presentation 

 

 

III.      Public Comments - none

 

IV.       SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS

 


V.        Adjournment

          With no further business, the March 17, 2014 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.