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MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
February 18, 2013
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present: Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Christopher
Staiger, Patrick Joy, and Tim O’Donnell, President
Pro Tem
Staff
present were Vickie Felix; Donna DesPres, Town
Clerk; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner and Dave Haller,
Town Manager.
_________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner
Tim O’Donnell, President Pro Tem of the Board of
Commissioners, called the February 18, 2013 Town
Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance
was recited.
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the February 4, 2013 Town Meeting
were approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
After the special meeting that took place on
February 11, 2013 to elect a replacement
commissioner, Commissioner O’Donnell received a lot
of feedback supporting the modification of the
Charter for the process of replacing a
commissioner. He cited attendances to include the
stop, swap and save event.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited attendances to include the
Emmitsburg Osteopathic Care Center dinner; the
opening service for the Christ Community Church
which now leases from the town at 303 West Lincoln
Avenue; they have a lot of children’s programs lined
up. He attended the Mount St. Mary’s Athletic
Advisory Board.
Oath of Office of Succeeding Commissioner
Mayor Briggs administered the oath of office of
James Hoover, Succeeding Town Commissioner, to
replace Town Commissioner Glenn Blanchard for a
7-month term.
Administrative Business – none
At this time Commissioner O’Donnell welcomed
Frederick County Commissioner Kirby Delauter and
Commissioner Liaison David Dunn to the Town
Meeting.
Consent Agenda
Approve Resolution for Sr. Salvatrice Murphy on
Financial Literacy April 6 through April 13.
Unanimous consent.
Reports:
Town Manager Report
- reported on the public works department monthly
activities to include a water production and
consumption analysis. He highlighted the well
levels have increased. Town had a precipitation
surplus of 5.4 over the last six months and one
spill of untreated sewerage. Town Planner Report
– Ms. Cipperly gave an overview of the January 2013
report. She announced that staff hired a new zoning
technician. Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Police Report
- Deputy Eyler gave the January 2013 police report.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
II.
Agenda Items
Rebid of the LED street light conversion
Mr. Haller
stated this process was rebid. There are two phases;
one is to supply the actual lights, and the other is
to supply the installation. There were five
bidders. Staff recommends to except option one from
Capital Tristate in Hagerstown, MD and option two
for Dixie Electric in Frederick; for a combined
price of $76,976. Staff also proposes that the
Board install a resolution to fund this endeavor by
borrowing money from the enterprise depreciation
fund making payments over the next 4 years to begin
on the first day of December 2013, and payable
thereafter on the first days of December 2014, 2015,
and 2016. There was concern expressed of borrowing
money from the enterprise fund. It was suggested
that it should be taken from general fund balance
and transferred to the CIP-- that tax money and
enterprise money should be kept separate. It was
commented that the project itself is worthwhile.
Motion:
to accept staff recommendation for Capital Tristate
for $62,896 and for Dixie Electric for $14,080 to
conduct the LED upgrade project and fund that amount
with a transfer from the fund balance to the CIP
creating a line item for the LED upgrade project.
Motion made by Commissioner Staiger, second by
Commissioner Hoover.
Vote:
5-0 in favor
Water rate discussion
Mr. Haller
stated the town has under-funded depreciation in the
water fund for the last three years. Staff is
suggested rates be increased about $100,000 per
year. After discussion, the Board preferred to
assess the rate increase on a tier structure versus
a flat rate increase. It was decided that losses
from the previous two years would not be included
into the rate.
Financial aspects of square project
Ms. Cipperly
gave a power point presentation describing the
importance of the square improvements. The cost
estimate for the square area only is roughly
$425,000 - $450,000 depending on what elements are
involved. The grant application is due by February
28, 2013. The town will not know if it gets the
grant until July. It was suggested that the town
get something in writing from SHA in what they will
allow because that will impact the scope of the
project. Public Comment: Bonnie Portier,
114 E Main Street; Dora Connelly, 20 East Main
Street; Karen Adelsberger, 110 E Main Street;
Lisa Elder and Chris Price of Emmitsburg all
support the proposed improvements to the town
square. Commissioner Staiger commented that it is
up to town staff and the Mayor on how this project
is going to be funded. Commissioner Hoover
questioned where the seed money is coming from for
the construction. Ms. Cipperly was given support
to move forward to apply for a capital grant
including way-finding signage.
Motion:
- To transfer $23,900 from the fund balance to CIP
and under town square improvements, create a line
item for construction drawings for town square
development.
Motion made by Commissioner Staiger, second by
Commissioner Hoover.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Motion: -
that all
expenditures related to the town square
redevelopment be managed through the capital
improvements program.
Motion made by Commissioner Staiger, second by
Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Scott Road farm management
Commissioner
Staiger stated that over the last month Mr. Haller
shared some information with the Board on the Scott
Road property; there have been some questions
concerning this property. Mr. Haller reported how
the property is divided and managed. The Town has
owned it for approximately ten years. Public
Comment: Catherine Forrence, 404 W. Main
Street – hopes the town invests more planning
and thinking into this property. It is a historical
piece of property; would like to see it maintained.
The Board discussed to possibly solicit and get
ideas on how to maintain property. Maybe it can be
revitalized with someone who is open to a
partnership. It was suggested that income from
property should be earmarked to maintain property.
Commissioner Hoover questioned if it could it be
designated as a park and request POS money.
Commissioner O’Donnell stated he would like to see
natural surface trails in future consideration.
Town Manager will look at what the options would be
and bring back to the town council.
Discussion: Town Code section 17.08 - Prohibited Uses
Commissioner
Staiger reported that there has been a request to
look at this section for prohibited uses to allow
chickens in urban areas. A lot of new subdivisions
would not be allowed because of HOA restrictions.
Public Comments: Adam Leverette, 404 W.
Main Street – Suggested that the town allow 3-5
hens in backyard. Catherine Forrence, 404 W.
Main Street – make this easy and not try to
regulate so much. Mr. Leverette also provided the
council with a signed petition. Commissioners
O’Donnell and Hoover along with Mayor Briggs were in
support of the request for hens but not roosters.
It was stated that this is a big 4H area. This item
would also have to go through planning and zoning
initially because it is in the zoning ordinance.
Sue Cipperly, Town Planner will bring back to the
Board recommendations at the mid-March meeting that
would be best for the town to then go to the
planning commission. Commissioner Staiger stated
that the Board will need to look at “both sides of
the coin”.
Set Agenda Items for Date Town Meeting
-
Reorganization of the Board
-
Alley traffic plan discussion
-
Ordinance to implement Section 8 of Town Charter
-
Bay Restoration Fee exemption policy that is now
required by the state
III. General Public Comments - none
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
V.
Adjournment
With no
further business, the February 18, 2013 Town Meeting
was adjourned at 10:22p.m.
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