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Minutes
Town Meeting
September 21, 2009
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor James Hoover; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard, Joyce Rosensteel, Denise Etris and Christopher Staiger, President.
Also present were Vickie Felix and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Call To Order
Commissioner Christopher Staiger, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the September 21, 2009 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval Of Minutes
The Minutes of the September 8, 2009 Town Meeting were approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Blanchard commented that he attended Emmitsburg Thurmont
Community show along with Commissioner Rosensteel and Mayor Hoover. Also last Thursday attended the joint Board of County Commissioners and Municipalities meeting in
Frederick. He attended the MML reception/dinner along with Mayor Hoover and Commissioners Rosensteel and Staiger. He attended the presentation of the Emmitsburg Council of
Churches on the mission trip to Kenya. He wished the candidates good luck for Tuesday’s election. Commissioner Rosensteel stated that Larry Little will be in the hospital to
have a pace maker put in and to keep him in our prayers. Commissioner Etris thanked town staff for information on the flu on the Emmitsburg website. She encouraged residents
to vote on Tuesday, September 29th. Commissioner Staiger reported that he was able to attend the MML Board of Directors meeting here in Emmitsburg. He complimented
the Mayor for working to host it in Emmitsburg.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Hoover followed up on Commissioner Blanchard’s comments. He also attended Board of
County Commissioners meeting. He reported that the state has pretty much cut all the Highway user funds sent to municipalities and counties. They are also taking away 35%
police aid from the town. Where the town will recover those losses are unknown right now. The Mayor and staff will continue to look at the budget. In December the State has
a mandatory budget review and if the projections are not right, there will probably be another cut. This is the worst budget in 20 years that he has ever seen. In regard to
the MML retreat, he appreciates the comments, it was a Board of Directors meeting and there were over 30 different municipalities from all over the state that were able to come
here. A lot of the town resources and businesses were used for the retreat.
Administrative Business
Commissioner Staiger read a follow up letter he received from Robert Hance of the
Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association in regard to “trailblazer” signage on US 15 for the Maryland Civil War trails markers. He would like to add this as an agenda
item for the next meeting. The process of handing over the grinder pumps on Mountain View Road has been progressing. Letters were sent out to area businesses in regard to the
sewer pretreatment ordinance around September 18, 2009 informing them that the ordinance has been enacted and it enclosed the form provided by the EBPA as the recommended
initial reporting mechanism.
Reports:
Town Manager Report
- reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis. Mr. Haller highlighted that Rainbow Lake is 10 inches
below the spillway level, however, there is a precipitation surplus of 2.7 inches over the last 6 months. At the wastewater plant only 9% of the water treated was due to “wild
water”. There have been no spills of untreated sewerage during the month of August. Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Police Report
- Corp. Grunwell reported on the August 2009 police report. There have been several arrests, however, they took place in the earlier part of this month and were therefore not
captured in the presented August stats. Detailed report at Exhibit B.
Agenda Items
Plaque Presentation To Mt. Saint Mary’s, Daughters Of Charity And Vigilant Hose
A number of institutions within Emmitsburg were recognized that have
realized very significant anniversaries in the recent past. The town would like to present them with a token of appreciation. Mayor Hoover presented the Plagues to these
recipients:
Mt. St Mary’s University representative: John Butler, VP of University
Advancement.
Daughters of Charity representative: Sister Claire Debes, Provincial
Superior for DOC. Vigilant Hose Company representative: John Hollinger on behalf of Frank Davis, President.
Public Hearing –
Comprehensive Plan
Public input on the town council’s draft - Public Comment: Noel
Manalo, Law offices of Miles and Stockbridge in Frederick, MD - here on behalf of the Conservation Fund which owns the parcels on tax map 9, referencing parcels 52, 147,
169 on the northern part of town on the east side of route 15. The Conservation Fund objects the proposed zoning change. William Steo, 8 Zanella Drive - commented on
figure 3.2-1 in the comprehensive plan--poverty rate of Emmitsburg citizens over 65 years of age: Is it possible for the comp plan to include recommendations also for the
preservation and development of its citizen? He suggested the town provide free public transportation for the poor, and provide low rental fees for the poor. He also
suggested the town decrease property taxes for elderly citizens. Sr. Clair Debes, Daughters of Charity – commented that there is a pressing need for affordable senior
housing in Emmitsburg and the surrounding area. They are asking the Board include language in the comp plan to explore opportunities for adaptive reuse of existing structures
in the Open Space District to address this shortage; inclusion in the comp plan is a requirement of certain federal financing programs. They have prepared and provided the
board with a letter from their attorney with the specific language that they would like included. David Severn, Law Firm Severn O’Connor & Kresslein, 50 Carroll Creek Way,
Frederick MD, representing the Daughters of Charity – he commented on the letter that was sent to the Board in regard to specific language to use in the comp plan. The
idea is to take existing structures on buildings that are within the open space district and convert those to senior housing. He said a text amendment would be required to the
zoning ordinance some point down the line that would allow this to occur specifically. They believe this would serve a very worthwhile need and demand in the Emmitsburg
community.
Commissioner Staiger explained that the comp plan is an overall picture for
Emmitsburg and land use policy and some of the things that are being requested are beyond the nature of the comp plan itself and really stretch into zoning considerations. The
comp plan is not to zero in on any particular property. Commissioner Staiger read the language that was in the comp plan.
Tim O’Donnell, 4105 Carrick Court
– he would like to see broader advertisement to let the residents know that the comp plan is being discussed. Bob Mort, owner of Quality Tire - right now they are zoned
industrial and if that zoning is changed they would no longer be able to manufacture. He would like to stay industrial.
Town Planner Sue Cipperly explained that it is a compatibility issue. She
was not aware of any manufacturing on Mr. Mort’s property. The Town will consider his concerns. Commissioner Staiger further clarified that this is to prevent having a large
piece of property there that would then become subject to a larger scale industrial use next to the residential and the school that exist there. It is preferred to have a
lower level of business usage on that property. The zoning is not changed by virtue of the comp plan it would have to be an actual rezoning that would take place.
General Public Comments
Dennis Ebaugh, 39 Federal Avenue - Facility Manager of St. Joseph’s
Church-Expressed his appreciation of the community park. He also commented on the
grease trap ordinance. He is in approval but does not understand why they have to pay a permit fee if they are already in compliance. Also, he does not feel they should pay
for trash service when the service is not being rendered to them.
Set Agenda Items For October 5, 2009 Town Meeting
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Swearing in of newly elected Commissioners
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Reorganization of the Board.
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Pastor John Greenstone presentation on Kenya
Mission
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Review bids on Lincoln Ave sewer rehab.
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Recommendation on Maryland Civil War Trail signs
on US 15
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Discussion on restructure of committees
Sign Approved Text Amendments And/Or Resolutions
- none
Adjournment
With no further business, the September 21, 2009 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:44
p.m.
Date Approved: October 5, 2009
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