MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
February 2, 2015
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Joseph Ritz III, Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and
Tim O’Donnell, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix; Cole Tabler, Town
Accountant and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
I. Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of
Commissioners, called the February 2, 2015 Town Meeting
to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Announcement of a Closed Session
President O’Donnell announced the need for a closed
executive session following adjournment of this meeting
as permitted by the Annotated Code of Maryland, State
Government Article: Section 10-508 (a) Closed Meetings,
Item 8 to discuss pending or potential litigation.
See attached announcement. Motion by Commissioner
Blanchard, second by Commissioner Mellor, motion carried
5-0 in favor.
Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the January 5, 2015 Town Meeting were
approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners cited announcements to include: the status
of the citizens advisory committee will be made shortly;
early stages of planning community gardens and upcoming
community day. Commissioner Sweeney commended staff for
excellent job on snow removal. Attendances included
meeting with ACB Consulting held at the Seton Shrine and
the Smart Growth seminar for elected officials.
Commissioner O’Donnell met with a Chamber of Commerce
organization and was able to put them in touch with the
Frederick County Tourism.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs announced the Town received the third
Community Legacy Grant for $50,000 and there was a 40%
savings for the town in regards to the LED lights. He
had a meeting with the State Highway Administration in
regards to the construction on the bridge, bidding will
start this fall. The construction will be done in 2
phases; about 18 months; there will be two-way traffic
during construction. When project is finished there
will be sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. He also
attended the meeting for small communities and smart
growth. He will be attending the upcoming Mayors
conference. He reported that the General Dollar builder
found a sealed tank and called MDE. He congratulated the
Lions Club, Vigilant Hose and the Ambulance Co. for the
banquets that were held this past month.
Administrative Business - none
Consent Agenda - none
Reports:
Town Manager Report
- reported on the public works department monthly
activities to include a water production and consumption
analysis. Mr. Haller highlighted that town wells have
improved a little; only 9 feet from optimal level. There
is still a surplus of 8” precipitation; there were no
spills of untreated sewerage but the plants operational
design capacity was exceeded six times due to rain. The
new sewer plant is getting close to being finished in
about 5 to 6 months. Town Planners Report - Mr.
Haller highlighted the Dollar General has run into a few
environmental issues in regards to some old gasoline
storage tanks that were there that were undocumented.
There was a brief discussion on creating a dog park in
town which is very preliminary at this point. Detailed
report at Exhibit A.
Police Report
- Deputy Patterson reported on December 2014 police
activity. She reminded everyone that when they see
suspicious activity to call it in when they see or
observe it. Also residents should keep garages locked
and remove all valuables from vehicles. She also handed
out a Frederick County Bureau of Investigations Crime
Analysis Bulletin for their review which was then
collected and given back to her after report was given.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
Motion:
A motion was made that the Investigation Crime Analysis
Bulletin be returned to Deputy Patterson after report is
given and if the town is requested to distribute them
the addresses would be blacked out.
Motion made by Commissioner Mellor and second by
Commissioner Ritz.
Vote 5-0 in
favor.
At this point in the meeting the town power went out and
the generator kicked on; the meeting was not able to be
broadcasted from this point forward.
II. Agenda Items
Audit Report
This agenda item was tabled because of technical
difficulties due to the town power outage that occurred
around 8pm.
Motion:
To table audit report until two meetings from now
because of technical difficulties.
Motion made by Commissioner Blanchard and second by
Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Commissioner Ritz informed the Board that he might not
be present for the March 2, 2015 Town Meeting.
Set Agenda Items for February 16, 2015 Town Meeting
1.
Discussion of pool funding and contract
2.
Board review of salary chart modification
III.
Public Comments – Kendall Moore; President of
Pembrook Woods HOA, - commented on thief/vandalism
in Pembrook. He asked about hours of patrol and possible
community watch.
IV.
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS -
none