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MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
September 6, 2011
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor James Hoover; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Glenn Blanchard, Patrick Joy, Tim O’Donnell and
Christopher Staiger, President
Staff present were Vickie Felix and
Dave Haller, Town Manager
_________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner Christopher Staiger,
President of the Board of Commissioners, called the
September 6, 2011 Town Meeting to order at 7:30
p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the August 15, 2011 Town Meeting were
approved as amended.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Blanchard commented that the pool party
and puppet show were successful and encouraged
residents to get out and use facilities. He
announced the upcoming concert in the park.
Commissioner Blanchard will be carrying the town
flag at the Emmitsburg/Thurmont Community Show. He
also commented on the different businesses that are
coming to the town and felt the town is doing pretty
well comparatively to other towns. Commissioner Joy
also attended town concert and the August 15, 2011
MML meeting. He encouraged fellow commissioners to
attend Municipal BOCC meeting this Thursday.
Mayor’s Comments
At
the last BOCC meeting, there was discussion on
meeting transit needs in Northern Frederick County.
The Mayor is in the process now of trying to
coordinate a meeting to discuss this issue. The
goal is to try and get one additional roundtrip to
service the Northern County. The BOCC and the
Frederick County Transit Staff seem to be open to
that suggestion. Details need to be worked out.
Mayor Hoover reminded residents that the Farmers
Market will only be open a few more weeks. This was
a very successful year for it.
Administrative Business
Topics discussed:
·
Poll of municipalities at MML meeting
regarding tax equity and if it should be changed.
Commissioner Joy felt Board should have discussion
before stand is taken.
·
Events being scheduled for Halloween
will take place on Monday, October 31st.
Parade starts at 7pm, no official time set for
trick or treating.
·
Email on MDE press release regarding
grant funding from the Bay Restoration Fund –
release had to do with the appropriation of the
money.
·
Commissioner Joy attended Main Street
training in August – he will not be pursuing this at
this time.
·
Counties Municipalities Meeting – Tax
setoff discussion. Mayor will speak on behalf of
town. No opposition leaving the current calculation
as is.
·
Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily
Load update as it affects municipalities – are these
guidelines included in town’s current design? Mr.
Haller stated they are considered in our permit.
·
Consideration of creation of one
water and sewer system. Mayor Hoover stated there
was no discussion; original comment was countywide.
Commissioner Staiger added that it raises some
interesting questions.
·
Emails from concerned residents from
Brookfield subdivision on spraying that took place
on hard-to-maintain areas. Public Comments:
Zenas Sykes, 580 Timbermill Court, -
petitioned the Council to cease enforcement of Code
section 8.12.040 regarding weeds on lots along
Timbermill Court and Wheatley Drive for the balance
of the year. Would like to meet with Council on
what would be the appropriate course of action for
these lots. Mitchell Greger, 1340 Wheatley Drive
- requested a text amendment to the existing
ordinance to ban this particular type of spraying in
a residential community, and with respect to the
enforcement, some discretion should be applied.
Consent Agenda - none
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report –
Commissioner Blanchard reported on
August 2011 cash activity.
Detailed report at exhibit A
Committee Reports –
Commissioner O’Donnell reported that
there was no meeting. The next Planning
Commissioner Meeting will be September 26, 2011.
II. Agenda Items
Swearing in of the election judges
Mayor Hoover administered the
swearing in of two of the election judges, Ruth
Carroll and Charlotte Mazaleski.
Multi-user trail update
The second volunteer workday was on
August 22, 2011. It was a very productive day, 35
volunteers showed up. The intent was to clear the
entire corridor and begin working on the trail bed.
Unfortunately, they were not able to get the entire
corridor cleared. Trail is about 85% completed.
Moving forward Commissioner O’Donnell will be
applying for more grants. Sometimes there is a
match required for the grants. The town might be
able to use volunteer hours. So far, there are two
hundred hours banked of volunteer labor that is
pretty significant. The next formal work day will
most likely be on a Saturday in October. The goal
is to clear the corridor and complete the tread.
The next step after the clearing is signage and
blazing i.e., painting. Mayor Hoover commented not
to use any yellow or blue paint.
III. Public Comments
Zenas Sykes, 580 Timbermill Court
– Commenting on the “state of the family”, he
petitioned the Board to define or eliminate some
language in Chapter 13.040.170, Water System section
C and also questioned the size of the fine. He also
commented on Section 2.28.050, Elections. He
petitioned the Council to fully involve the citizens
of Emmitsburg to figure out how to pay for the
future sewage upgrade improvements.
IV.
Set Agenda Items for September 19, 2011 Town Meeting
1.
Planning report review of Comp Plan
objectives
2.
Review of Section 8.12.040 removal of
grass and weeds
3.
Discussion of changes to setback
requirements in R1 and R2 zone
4.
Resolution on refinancing of property
at 140 South Seton Ave
5.
Review of Draft Ethics Ordinance
6.
Review of sign ordinance regarding
village zone requirements
V. SIGN APPROVED TEXT
AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS- none
VI. Adjournment
With no further business, the
September 6, 2011 Town Meeting was adjourned at 8:53
p.m.
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