|
Minutes
Town Meeting
Emmitsburg Town Office
April 21, 2008
Present: Mayor James Hoover; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard, Joyce Rosensteel,
Denise Etris and Christopher Staiger, President. Also present were Donna DesPres and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Call to Order Commissioner Christopher Staiger,
President of the Board of Commissioners, called the April 21, 2008 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes The Minutes of the April 7, 2008 Town Meeting approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
The cancelled (because of rain) opening baseball ceremonies was mentioned and Commissioners Blanchard and Staiger expressed appreciation to
all organizers for this worthwhile youth activity.
Administrative Business
Mayor: town manager to give presentation to County Commissioners re water /sewer capacity to include planned projects, comp plan status, land
use designations, road alignments, etc.
Etris: mentioned baseball field use request to the town manager who responded
Staiger: inquired re May meeting plans for the budget presentation and revisions for riparian buffer
Mayor: from town planner contact, the U.S. Park Service has taken signs to restore them
Town Manager: gypsy moth spraying will happen in the next 4-6 weeks.
Reports:
Town Manager Report - highlighted that this is the first time in about a year that a surplus of rain is reported.
Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Police Report - Cpl. Grunwell announced the Bike Rodeo for May 17 and Junior Deputy Academy for June 30. He also
introduced Dep. Matthews who will be again filling in again temporarily.
Agenda Items
County Fire and Rescue Tax Presentation
Frank Davis, president, Vigilant Hose Company: Residents have received a letter from Frederick County proposing a single urban fire and
rescue tax rate, the County Board of Commissioners is looking for the best way to consolidate this tax. He stated that the Emmitsburg services are supporting the single tax
rate and explained the benefits and disadvantages in adapting the single rate.
Mary Little, president, Emmitsburg Ambulance: in favor of county-wide tax, more fair.
The current urban rate is 12.8 cents reduced to 11 cents but will increase in successive years.
Public Comments: Larry Little 224, DePaul Street - go with it, support the local rescue departments.
Polling of the Board resulted in all supporting the single rate. A letter of support will be prepared to the County Board of Commissioners.
Motion: To support the move to a single tax rate for fiscal year 2009 and that the town staff prepare a letter of
support to the County Board of Commissioners
Motion by Commissioner Staiger, second by Commissioner Rosensteel.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Emmitsburg Water Committee
Commissioner Rosensteel brought the discussion of whether or not the water committee should continue because of the difficulty in obtaining
members. Mayor Hoover stated that he is not willing to give up yet, proposed some orientation and training for all committee members to improve committee member understanding
and stressed that a committee is an extension of the Board.
Public Comments: Patrick Joy, 4035 Carrick Court - speaking as a member of the parks committee, made several suggestions regarding
most committees, stressing that the committees are for citizen input. When things are quiet and operating well, there’s not much involvement by citizens.
Commissioner Staiger proposed looking at all committees and what’s in the Code and where the town stands regarding them.
Mr. Haller mentioned that the basic task of the water committee is to recommend water conservation. Standards of operation is run by MDE.
Set Agenda Items for next Meeting
- Dedication of Creamery Court
- Riparian buffer specifications text amendment
- Proposed grass height ordinance amendment
- Mayor’s budget presentation
- Committee appointments
- Set agenda items for May 19 meeting
Public Comments
Adjournment
With no further Business, the April 21, 2008 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Date Approved: May 5, 2008 |
