MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
09/21/15
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 09/21/15 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the 09/08/15 Town Meeting were
approved as presented/corrected.
Motion to accept the minutes as presented by
Commissioner Sweeney and second by Commissioner Mellor.
Passed 5-0.
Police Report
- Deputy Rohrer
presented report from July and August. He
stressed the need for people to call in suspicious activity
as well as locking their car doors.
The drug box is at the town office for people to drop
off unused and/or expired medications.
Be aware of frauds whether in person mail or
telephone. He
asked people to watch the children’s walking since school
is back. Deputy
Rohrer introduced new deputy to the Town - Deputy Ben
Whitehouse. Detailed
report Exhibit B.
Reports:
Town Manager Report - Mr. Haller reported on the public works department monthly
activities to include a water production and consumption
analysis. Mr.
Haller highlighted that Rainbow Lake is now 3 inches below
the spillway level. There
is a precipitation surplus of 8.7" over the past month.
We exceeded the plant’s design capacity on
08/20/15. Staff
had to power wash graffiti off the newly remodeled bathroom
in Memorial Park. Staff
weed killed the weeds and poison ivy along the walking trail
in Community Park. Detailed
report at Exhibit A.
Town Planner's Report
– Mr. Haller presented Ms. Cipperly’s planner’s report
for the month of August.
The 2015 Comprehensive Plan was approved by the
Planning Commission and sent to the Board.
There has been one non-formal public hearing.
There will be a month or two of formal public
hearings which will be advertised.
It should be wrapped up by Thanksgiving.
Mr. Haller mentioned that 514 E. Main St. has been
recommended for re-zoning.
There is a buyer interested in moving commercial
office building into that area.
This was part of the Comp Plan Update.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner(s) cited attendances, recognitions
and announcements. Commissioner
Ritz attended the Thurmont Emmitsburg Community Day and he
carried the flag representing the Town of Emmitsburg.
Commissioner Ritz commended Amy Naill on her job and
she takes her job very seriously.
Thanked her for all the hard work she does.
Commissioner Blanchard encouraged the need for
donations (cereals, toiletries – male female, and about
anything) for the Food Bank.
This is a very slow time.
Commissioner O'Donnell and Blanchard attended the
anniversary of the canonization of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
He commended Commissioner Mellor and her family for
their assistance during the Tour de Frederick at the rest
stop at MSM. They
helped the riders as they came through the area.
Mayor’s Comments - attended mass for the archbishop.
The election judges were sworn in.
Attended the Mount the Athletic Advisory Committee.
Met with bidders for the repair of the doughboy.
He also attended the Emmitsburg Thurmont Community
Show. Green Team
submitted for Sustainable Certification through the State.
The Community Legacy Grant money $50,000 grants we
get to extend to property owners.
We have commitments from 2013, 2014 & 2015 - at
least $300,000 worth of work completed in downtown.
In 2016, the Town has applied for $75,000.
The program is doing very well.
Public Comments - none
Administrative Business - Commissioner O'Donnell mentioned Sister
Linda O'Rourke from Daughters of Charity will be sending
over brochures from Seton Center reminding the services
offered for low income families.
He also received a letter received from Secretary
of Planning. The
Maryland Dept. of Planning (planning services division) will
be serving as the regional planner for Frederick County and
municipalities.
Proclamation National
Fallen Firefighters Month - Commissioner O'Donnell read the Proclamation proclaiming October 2015 as
commemorating National Fallen Firefighters.
Exhibit C. The
proclamation was adopted.
Consent Agenda
– The following members were recommended to be added to
the Parks and Rec Committee:
Dwight Baumgardner, David Maze, Shannon Cool, Cynthia
Canadas, Matt Myers, Jen Myers and TJ Burns.
Motion to accept these individuals to be appointed to
Parks Committee made by Commissioner Mellor and second by
Commissioner Sweeney. Vote
5-0 passed. Commissioner
Ritz III did not have any members to appoint to the
Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
He advised he has five active members out of ten.
II. Agenda Items
Review and discussion of snow emergency plan
Recommendation
to add snow emergency signs in the cul-de-sacs in Southgate,
Northgate, Emmit Gardens, Silo Hill (the entire area),
Brookfield, Warthens Way, Waycross Ct., and Creamery Way
(the entire area). One minor change made to 10.12.120
Parking Prohibited during snow-emergency - designated roads
(ordinance 2015-06). Mr.
Haller said only the areas that are signed will be
restricted. The
cul-de-sacs are very important because if cars park there no
where to put the snow. It
is suggested to make the Town responsible for enforcement.
Mr. Haller mentioned it would be a $15 ticket.
Commissioner Blanchard had concerns about where
people can park their cars during the snow emergency plan
and do they have off-street parking.
Commissioner O'Donnell would like feedback and would
like to get the word out.
Commissioner Sweeney said it is much easier to plow
with the cars out of the way and out of the circle.
Commissioner Sweeney would like to put it out on web
and TV to get public input.
Mr. Haller suggested the Board look it over.
Board consented to bring this item back at next
meeting.
Noise and disruptive ordinance – review and discussion
Mr. Haller
mentioned this is something that has been batted around for
several years. We
receive numerous complaints about noise and disruptive
behavior. There
have been a lot of problems on West Main, Silo Hill and
Emmit Gardens. The
problems have been repetitive for many years.
Mayor Briggs noted that we are receiving a lot of
support from the Mount.
A proposed ordinance (2015-05) in Chapter 8.20 -
Nuisances, Property is designed to help combat the noise and
disruptive complaints. Mr.
Haller encouraged the Board to review the ordinance and
bring back at next meeting.
Commissioner O'Donnell questioned the enforcement.
Mr. Haller told the Board that this ordinance was
drafted by Town attorney and is enforceable.
The MSM staff is working closely with the Town.
Board consented to bring this item back at next
meeting and it will be considered for vote.
Employment change – proposed hiring
Hiring of a
replacement full time receptionist position.
Mr. Haller mentioned staff advertised and interviewed
for the position.
Ms. Terri Ray, worked here previously as a
temp. The rate
of pay will be $14.81/hr.
Her first day will be September 28, 2015.
She will be on a 90 day introductory period.
Mayor Briggs and Town Staff interviewed Ms.Ray.
Motion:
- To support of employment change for the position
of receptionist of Ms. Terri Ray.
Motion
by Commissioner Blanchard second by Commissioner Ritz III.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Set Agenda
Items for 10/05/15 Town Meeting
-
Swearing in of two Commissioners
-
Senator Michael Hough
-
Vote related to the noise and nuisance ordinance
-
Consideration of Snow emergency modification plan
Mayor’s
recommendation for the re-organization of the Board
(administrative business)
IV
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
