Minutes
Town Meeting
October 5, 2009
Emmitsburg Town Office

Present:  Mayor James Hoover; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard, Denise
Etris and Christopher Staiger, President.  Also present were Vickie Felix and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent: Commissioner Joyce Rosensteel with prior notice.

Call To Order Commissioner Christopher Staiger, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the October 5, 2009 Public Hearing to order at 7:34 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval Of Minutes The Minutes of the September 21, 2009 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

Commissioner Comments                                             

Commissioner Blanchard commented on the National Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial weekend and the services at the Mother Seton Shrine. Commissioner Sweeney thanked everyone for coming out to vote. There was an excellent turnout. He stated his pleasure to serving the Town of Emmitsburg for the next three years. Commissioner Etris congratulated the newly elected commissioners. Commissioners Etris and Staiger expressed their appreciation to Commissioner Joyce Rosensteel for her years of service.

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Hoover commented that the Fallen Fire Fighters National Foundation appreciates the hospitality they receive from the Town.  This year there was a detour on the Red Helmet Ride.  Powerful Partnerships will continue with Mount St. Mary’s, but also will have some additional partners with Provincial House, FEMA, Frederick County Parks and Recreation and the Emmitsburg Library.  Beginning in January 2010 copies of the DVD’s for the Town meetings and Planning Commission meetings will be sent to the library where they will be coded and available in the Frederick County library system.  Two weeks ago, the Emmitsburg Elementary second graders came to the town office, and the Mayor and some of town staff spoke on how town government runs and operates.

Administrative Business

Commissioner Staiger to Mayor Hoover, in regard to an email announcing that the town Christmas party is cancelled based on the budgetary situation: What type of process will follow when changes are made to the budget?  He has concerns of money being moved around without Board approval.  Mayor Hoover responded that it is not a matter of taking money out of the bucket, the fact of the matter is some of those buckets just are not going to have money to move around. There are some managerial decisions to make of things that the Town does not have to do.  As far as approval of other issues, his intention is to present a plan at the first meeting in November.  He stated that he is a little leery of just making recommendations to amend the budget because he knows there will be more state cuts coming and he doesn’t know how that will affect Emmitsburg.  Mayor Hoover commented there will be no project cuts without this Board.

Reports:

Commissioner Etris represented Commissioner Sweeney due to the candidate’s forum at the Street & Transportation Committee.  She reported only one member was present, not enough for a quorum therefore there was no committee meeting.

Agenda Items

Swearing In Of Newly Elected Commissioners

Mayor Hoover swore in the newly elected officials Commissioner Sweeney and Commissioner-elect O’Donnell.          

Reorganization Of The Board Of Commissioners

Mayor Hoover recommended that Commissioner Staiger remain president of the Board, Clifford Sweeney as vice president and continue as liaison for streets committee.  He recommended Commissioner Blanchard take the position of the treasurer and water committee liaison.  He recommended that Commissioner Etris remain as liaison for the parks committee and Commissioner O’Donnell take the position as liaison for the planning commission.  

Motion - To accept the reorganization of the Board as recommended by the Mayor. Motion by Commissioner Blanchard second by Commissioner Sweeney   
Vote: 5-0 in favor

Consider Reorganization Of Committees

Commissioner Etris stated that there has been poor attendance on various committees and lack of interest on various committees.  Possible suggestions - to do away with streets and water committee, combine streets and water committee into one and leave parks and recreations and planning as is or combine parks, streets, and water into one committee with various subcommittees if needed.  Commissioner Blanchard commented that it has been really tough trying to keep members on the water committee.  He is in favor of combining some of the committees together.  Commissioner Staiger clarified that the Planning Commission is something separate that arises out of State requirements.  They are only talking about the committees that the Town has established through its ordinances.  Commissioner Sweeney is in favor of combining the committees together but suggests keeping the quarterly schedule.  Commissioner Staiger suggests taking all the committees including the parks committee and make a community advisory committee.  Mr. Haller cautioned on how large the committee is made because then it is difficult to make a quorum.  All commissioners were in agreement that something needs to be done.  Mayor Hoover liked the idea of an advisory board.  Commissioner Staiger said what would be done is disestablishing the previous committees and establishing a new committee.  Commissioner Sweeney suggested existing appointees should be offered initial spots on the reformatting committee.  Staff will need to look at existing ordinances and see what and how it needs to be changed.  The Board directed Mr. Haller to prepare a draft.

Presentation By Pastor Jon Greenstone On Kenya Mission

Pastor Jon Greenstone gave a slide presentation on a Kenya mission.  They were representing all the churches in Emmitsburg. Their main goals on the trip were to do a medical clinic, provide a solar powered well pump system and to do a vacation bible school for the children in Kenya.  

Review Bids On Lincoln Avenue Water & Sewer Rehab

Mr. Haller commented that this will also include a 4” well water line that will eventually serve well “J” and take it to the Emmit Gardens water plant.  They are relocating part of the sewer line in this project that now bisects the Reaver property on the east side of Creamery Road.  Mr. Reaver is funding that portion of the job.  Also in this project, new lines will be put under the creek.  The town received five bids.  The lowest bidder was JHG Contractors, Inc. at $991,949.  The original cost estimate on this project was $1,000,050.  Staff has reviewed bid packages with the design engineers and found them to be complete and acceptable.  Staff recommends the Board accept JHG Contractors, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder for the Lincoln Avenue project.  Mr. Haller stated that once the Board selects the bidder it then will have to be approved by MDE because they are supplying some grant money for this project.  

Motion - To accept JHG Contractors, Inc. bid proposal of $991, 949.
Motion by Commissioner Blanchard, second by Commissioner Etris   
Vote: 5-0 in favor

Recommendations On Maryland Civil War Trail Signs On Us Rt. 15

There is currently no Civil War “trailblazer” signage on US 15 to make travelers aware that there is a Civil War trails site in Emmitsburg.  These signs would be beneficial to all of town businesses.  The Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association provided the Town Council with a draft letter written by John Fieseler, director of Frederick County Tourism to the State Highway Administration to request signage on US 15 attached to existing signage for the Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine- - one northbound and one southbound.  Mr. Fieseler recommends the letter come from the town government.  

Public Comment: Dianne Walbrecker, 535 West Main Street – in favor of the signage. Bob Hance, local business owner – commented that this would be a good thing in these difficult economic times to get folks to stop in Emmitsburg and experience the history. He appreciates the town’s efforts to get this accomplished.  

The Board consented unanimously to have Ms. Cipperly make editorial changes and produce a final draft of the letter and hopefully obtain the signage.        

Public Comments 

Pastor Jon Greenstone, 100 W. Main Street -commended on Frederick County Sheriff’s office for their response on a police call.  He wanted to thank local officers, Deputy Bartlett and Deputy White for their service. 

Set Agenda Items For October 19, 2009 Meeting

• Disaster preparedness presentation by Sheriff Jenkins
• Public Hearing for continued comments on draft Comprehensive Plan

Commissioner O’Donnell thanked people for coming out to vote and thanked the EBPA with their announcements for getting folks in general to come out and vote.  He asked if an announcement of the public hearing on the comp plan could be put on the sign in front of the town office.  Mr. Haller commented that town staff can take care of that.       

Adjournment

With no further business, the October 5, 2009 Town Meeting was adjourned at  9:24p.m.                                                                                                                                                           

Date Approved: October 19, 2009