Call to Order  Commissioner Christopher Staiger, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the April 7, 2008 Town Meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

Approval of Minutes The Minutes of the March 17, 2008 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Blanchard recounted activities attended to include the opening festivities of museum week.

Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Hoover reported on the Bell and History Day’s activities mentioning that they were a delight and especially since most historical events are held in the southern part of County. He also announced that the bulk trash pick-up will happen May 22.

Announcement of a Closed Session
A closed session was held March 17, 2008 following adjournment of the regular meeting as permitted by the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article: Section 10-508 (a) Closed Meetings, Item 14 to discuss contract negotiation. Motion by Commissioner Staiger, second by Commissioner Etris, carried 4-0 in favor.

Administrative Business
Commissioner Blanchard made note that the property at the end of DePaul Street has been cleared and a house is planned.

Commissioners Etris and Staiger reported that the 2 replacement trees for the park have been planted by staff and acknowledged the New Forest Society for their donation and Mrs. Boyle for pursuing the replacement.  Also thanks were issued to Mr. Haller for arranging the community meeting regarding student/resident issues.

Commissioner Sweeney pointed out that the Habitat house being erected on St. Joseph Lane has resulted in much mud on the streets from construction site and property at Seton Place has been torn up by trucks.

Openings on the water and other committees were announced for general public information.

Treasurer’s Report - Commissioner Joyce Rosensteel. See attached report, Exhibit A.

Committee reports

Commissioner Blanchard reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission examined water concept and expressed appreciation to participants during this process and the long meetings. Commissioner Rosensteel reported the need to reschedule the Water Committee meeting due to lack of members. Commissioner Sweeney, Streets Committee reported also no members.

Riparian Buffer

Commissioner Etris explained that storm water management in Community Park needs to be addressed before implementing a riparian buffer on Willow Rill.  The Parks Committee voted to have Ms. Kay Schultz, Frederick County Community Park Restoration Coordinator, bring the plan to the council for further action.  Ms. Shultz presented that the County developed the Upper Monocacy Watershed Action Strategy.  She explained that streams needs 50 feet of vegetation to filter rain runoff but, on average, only 20% have natural vegetation.  The plan is for enhancement of Willow Rill at Emmitsburg Elementary School and the existing buffer at Mother Seton School.

Heather Montgomery of the Potomac Conservancy spoke.

Sue Cipperly, Town Planner, explained that the riparian buffer application does not fit the ordinance in that it does not meet the monitoring requirement as this is non-profit (vs. state or federal application).  She also encouraged shorter shrubs than proposed for child safety reasons.  There were no issues of location but issues of increased mowing height and appropriate shrub height.

Mayor Hoover added that his perception was that it was the intention to do the school property as the Provincial House was done.  He explained that the ordinance was developed with no expertise or resources at that time to establish and monitor a riparian buffer, that state guidelines were used at that time.  He stated that trees aren’t an issue and wanted to phase the project to allow for growth, that Community Park has drainage problems that need to be taken care of first.

Public Comment:  Julia Crifasi on behalf of Emmitsburg Elementary School - happy to restore green areas and quality of the creek area, to stop erosion, opportunity to add foliage to the property and as a result hopes that success here would encourage the Frederick County Board of Education to add to other schools.

Dianne Walbrecker, 535 West Main Street - encouraged the Board to be flexible, especially with the "no-mow" exception to make this a success

Tim O’Donnell, 4105 Carrick Court - opportunity to save the trees in the town, suggested making this a community effort, modify language of the ordinance, spend less money on area to mow, balance "a quality of life enhancer"

Libby Briggs, 137 South Seton Avenue - it slows down water, doesn’t need to be manicured, important to our community and the bay

John Greenstone - in support, please make these projects happen

Discussion points mentioned: school officials contact and approval; statements of responsibility; county plan which does not address maintenance; submitting a long-term maintenance plan for approval; 70 trees plus 124 shrubs in a single row on each side. Mayor Hoover stated that there is no opposition, that the dilemma is in the ordinance which must be amended before this can take place as a riparian buffer; however, he doesn’t feel that planting the trees would be a problem before that happens. Commissioner Staiger commented that if the folks in the town office had been involved a bit sooner, maybe these problems could have been averted.  Also, there is no opposition to adding the Frederick County plan but the ordinance cites the state and federal application plans as they address the maintenance, but not the County’s.  The suggestion of a temporary waiver of grass height was rejected.  Commissioner Staiger and Mayor Hoover put to them that they can do the plantings as long as the grass is maintained until such changes are made to the ordinance- - to work within the system to accomplish the desired result and later come to the Board and apply for it to be considered a riparian buffer.

Kay Schultz stated that she has been given due diligence with Frederick County Schools for acceptance with long term maintenance and forester approval.

Supporting data was provided to the Board from MML, US Dept of Labor, Social Security, current Consumer Price Index and Minutes excerpt from the previous year from which to establish the annual cost of living increase pursuant to the Town’s salary chart.

Public Comment: Patrick Joy, Carrick Court - keep the same as last year, set the tone for the budget

Motion: To apply a 2.7% COLA adjustment to the Emmitsburg fiscal year 2009 salary chart. Motion by Commissioner Blanchard, second by Commissioner Staiger
Vote: 5-0 in favor

• presentation of fire and rescue tax by Ambulance and Fire Companies
• Consideration of the future of the Water Committee

Unanimous consent

Public Comments

Adjournment With no further business, the April 7, 2008 Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:38 p.m.