Town of Emmitsburg
300A S. Seton Ave Emmitsburg, Maryland
21727
301-600-6300

MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

January 7, 2013

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

Present:  Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Christopher Staiger, Patrick Joy, Tim O’Donnell and Glenn Blanchard, President. 

Staff present were Vickie Felix; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner and Dave Haller, Town Manager.

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Call to Order

Commissioner Glenn Blanchard, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the January 7, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the December 17, 2013 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioners cited announcements to include another Community Heritage Day meeting to be held.  The focus is on the 150th anniversary of the “great fire of Emmitsburg,” The Ambulance Company will have their annual banquet this Saturday.  World War II events are approaching a 75th anniversary.   Attendances included the Vigilant Hose banquet and a funeral for a World War II Veteran of Emmitsburg.   

 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs cited his attendances and recognitions. 

 

Administrative Business

·         Clarification on email/letter in regards to the fence at the Emmitsburg Vet Hospital.

·         Request for lease information to Scott Farm Road – right papers need to be filed; not available to farming.

·         Parks Committee – to accommodate increased interest, request to increase members from 8 to 10; will bring back as an agenda item for next meeting.

·         Community Heritage Day – Mayor Briggs would like to see a resolution drafted to support these events.  Will take place the last Saturday in June 2013.

 

Consent Agenda - none

 

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report - Commissioner Sweeney reported on December 2012 cash activity.  Detailed report at Exhibit A. 

Commissioner Joy reported that the Planning Commission did not meet. 

 

 

II.       Agenda Items

 

Vigilant Hose Presentation – Considering Assignment of County-wide Fire Chief

Tim Clarke, President of the Vigilant Hose Company gave a presentation in favor of the proposed consideration of a county-wide Fire Chief.  The Director of the Fire and Rescue services in his job description was tasked with handling all Fire and Rescue services for Frederick County, however the ordinance did not give him the authority to do that and make changes necessary, if need be, with the volunteer services.  The new ordinance would give the Director of the Fire and Rescue Services the ability to do his job basically and also develops a Fire and Rescue Board. 

 

Temporary Signs Amendment Consideration

After some contentious discussion this agenda item was tabled until the next town meeting.       Motion: - To table the agenda item until next town meeting. 

Motion made by Commissioner Blanchard, second by Commissioner Joy.    

                                     Vote: 3-2 in favor

                                              Commissioners Staiger and O’Donnell opposed. 

 

Cooling Water Process Review

Mr. Haller presented two ordinances with proposed text amendments.  He read over the proposed changes that were in the Board’s packet.  Mr. Haller commented that the whole concept of the Ordinance 13-03 modification is to keep the system balanced and will allow someone who would like to be progressive and use cooling for their large building(s) to do it without kicking the town system out of balance. 

Motion: - To approve Ordinance 13-02 as submitted entitled Public Services; section 13.04.010 Control and management; to allow water wells for building cooling purposes when approved by the Mayor and Board of Commissioners.

Motion was made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner O’Donnell.     

                                     Vote: 5-0 in favor

 

Motion: - To amend Ordinance 13-03 entitled Public Services; section 13.08.11 Sewer Rates under B3, adding “This water is not to be discharged into town sewer system.

Motion was made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner O’Donnell.

                                     Vote: 5-0 in favor

 

Motion: - To approve Ordinance 13-03 as amended.

Motion was made by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by Commissioner Sweeney.

                                     Vote: 5-0 in favor

 

Set Agenda Items for January 23, 2013 Town Meeting

1.    Audit

2.    Increase the Parks Committee from 8 to 10 members

3.    Ordinance 13-01 regarding temporary signage

4.    Septic tier map letter

 

 

III.      Public Comments – Nell Matthews, 248 Springs Avenue, Gettysburg, PA – addressed the Board in regards to a letter concerning a fence that has been put up at the Emmitsburg Vet hospital.  It is only for dogs that are already there.  She questioned the definition of a kennel and if zoning ordinance needs to be amended for the new fence.  Catherine Forrence, 404 West Main Street - commented that Board is wasting time on the temporary signage issue and that her understanding is that it should go to the planning commission.  Adam Leverette, 404 West Main Street - suggested that the laws would allow for poultry in the backyard. 

 

IV.      SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS

 

V.        Adjournment

With no further business, the January 7, 2013 Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.