MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
06/15/2015
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 Cathy Willets, Town Clerk, and Dave Haller,
Town Manager.
Absent: _________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of
Commissioners, called the
06/15/2015
Town Meeting to order at
7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the 06/15/2015 Town Meeting were approved as
presented. Motion by Commissioner Sweeney, second by
Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote 5-0
Police Report
- Deputy Rohrer presented the police report. Deputy Rohrer
reminded people to be cognizant of mail and telephone fraud.
Don’t send money.
Call 911 if unsure.
Commissioner Blanchard thanked them for their
assistance during carnival and the upcoming Heritage Day as
well as their dedication to the Town.
Commissioner O’Donnell requested deputies to remind
young people to wear helmet.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
Town Manager Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to
include a water production and consumption analysis.
Mr. Haller highlighted that the wells are down an
average 3.1 feet but rising due to water table and rainfall.
There is a 3.8” surplus of precipitation.
There were no spills of untreated sewerage in the
month of May. Staff
has been working with contractors on the upgrade of the
bathroom at Memorial Park.
The upgrades will be
ADA
compliant. Trash
pick-up will remain Mondays through the rest of June.
Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Town Planner Report – Ms. Cipperly advised the Comp Plan was sent
to the State for review.
The State has a 60 day review period.
A public hearing will be set for July 27th
at the next Planning Commission meeting.
There is one zoning change that will affect three
property owners who have already been contacted.
The Community Legacy Project has been very
successful. In
the 200 block of
East Main
, extensive masonry work was completed.
On the 1-3 block of
East Main Street
, the roof was changed out.
The Town was just notified that we can apply for more
money. The Town
acts as a pass through so there is no cost to the Town.
Dollar General tentatively scheduled to open early
July.
Commissioner Comments Commissioner(s) cited attendances, recognitions
and announcements. Commissioner Ritz apologized for his
absence at the June 1st meeting.
He is actively attempting to recruit a member for the
Citizens Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Blanchard received an email from
Delegate Afzali requesting to present the general assembly
report on July 20th.
Commissioner O’Donnell asked staff if there was a
response given to the Daughters of Charity.
Mr. Haller informed the Board that there was a
response given several times and communication has been
going on for several months.
The Daughters of Charity can do whatever they want to
do as long as they stay within the rules and ordinance.
The family trail construction is underway with 200
hundred hours of volunteer work this year already.
Grand opening set for Community Heritage Day.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs commented
on many items to include:
- 3 grants $50,000 on community legacy.
- Toured the new WWTP almost 100%
complete; 1.5% overage (the normal is 3-5%).
- Phase II solar 2.5 million 70%
completed.
- We will have ribbon cutting for both
solar and wwtp
- Introduced Issac with the Boy Scouts.
He is working on Merit Badge.
- Some CL money will be spent on 140 South
Seton.
- Baseball tournament will be coming to
Town again.
- Hosted the second meeting of SHIP at
Town Office, introduced the president to the Community,
school, church and business leaders.
- Asked by County Executive to be part of
the County Solid Waste Initiative Committee; attended
first meeting.
- Attended Flag ceremony in Thurmont.
Public Comment – James Click,
434 East Main St.
Emmitsburg
,
MD.
Little League.
Requesting a donation from town to offset the
upcoming State tournament.
Mr. Haller said the Town does have money in
special event funding that is available.
Tournament is set for July 2nd – 5th.
Motion by Commissioner Ritz, second by Commissioner
Mellor amended by Commissioner Blanchard to donate $500 to
Emmitsburg Little League for hosting the State Little League
tournament.
Vote 5-0 passed.
Commissioner O’Donnell asked about allowing the Emmitsburg Little League
to have a free pool day.
Motion by Commissioner Ritz, Second by Commissioner
Mellor for free pool day for Emmitsburg Little League as
historically done.
Vote 5-0 passed
Administrative Business – Mayor recommends Frank Schmersal to the
Ethics Committee. Motion
by Commissioner Ritz and Second by Commissioner Mellor to
appoint Frank Schmersal to the Ethics Committee.
Vote 5-0 passed
Consent Agenda – no items
II. Agenda Items
Ordinance 2015-01 text amendment 17-20-0202 B1 Neighborhood Zoning
District item for consideration
Ms. Cipperly
informed Board they have already seen the ordinance and
recommend it be sent to Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission recommends the ordinance be
taken as written. Ms.
Cipperly highlighted the change to encompass small
businesses but not drive-through service and residential use
in existence as of
January 1, 2015
may continue as residential.
Only two properties fall under B1: the vet clinic and
Stonehurst. Commissioner
O’Donnell is concerned that the ordinance will limit a new
structure being built part residence and part commercial.
Motion:
Motion
by Commissioner Blanchard to accept second by Commissioner
Sweeney
Vote: 4-1; Commisioner
Blanchard, Sweeney, Mellor and Ritz in favor; Commissioner
O’Donnell against.
Ordinance
2015-02 revision of 17-02-040 Commercial for consideration
Ms. Cipperly
reviewed the recommended changes from the Planning
Commission. She
highlighted that the Commercial Property Owner would be
responsible for the buffer zone and the landscaping
(equivalent to a six foot fence) would not be visible from
roads adjacent to residential zoning district.
Motion: - To accept the ordinance 2015-02 for the buffer as presented on
page 21.
Motion
by Commissioner Sweeney and second
by Commissioner Ritz.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Set Agenda Items for
07/06/2015
Town Meeting
-
Review and discussion of the proposed
Comprehensive Plan Update
-
Re-appoint Dave McCarthy to the Parks and
Recommendation Committee
IV
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS