MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
July 15, 2013
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford
Sweeney, Patrick Joy, James Hoover and Tim
O’Donnell, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix;
Sue Cipperly, Town Planner; Donna DesPres, Town
Clerk and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent:
Commissioner Christopher Staiger with prior
notice.
_________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell,
President of the Board of Commissioners, called
the July 15, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30
p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the July 1, 2013
Town Meeting were approved as presented.
At this time Mayor Briggs
recognized Sr. Salvatrice and all the work she
has done over the years for the town at the
Seton Center and the Financial Literacy
Program. She will be moving to New Orleans.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners cited announcements
to include that a number of pastors as well as
the Seton Center are trying to get together to
see what can be done about the drug issues in
town. The revival by the Council of Churches
will take place in August, flyers will be coming
out soon. Information was received from the MML
regarding a HUR grant application from the
department of transportation for a one-time
project. Received email from SHA in regards to
the bridge of Flat Run--design completion
hopefully by spring of 2014. Commissioner
O’Donnell met with town staff about possible new
town web site and was also able to get some
clarification for mowing requirements for
Brookfield. Pool party was a success. The
concert in the park for July 20 has been
cancelled. Recognitions included Sr.
Salvatrice and her excellent work done with the
Seton Center and the Financial Literacy Program
and the Emmitsburg Little League winning the
State Championship.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited attendances to
include the pool party; the Emmitsburg Little
League Championship game; and initial task force
meeting (another scheduled for September). He
announced the upcoming church revival and car
wash; the President of Civil War Trust will be
coming to talk to the Town Planner and Mayor
next week, he is a great advocate of the Square
revitalization; and a youth pilot study will be
done with Christ Community Church. He stated
that the Town is on budget and looking at a lot
of savings this year; those savings he would
like to see applied to the construction cost of
the square.
Administrative Business
-
WWTP update by Mike Shultz of
RK&K: The project is still on schedule to
finish May 2015, the concrete foundation is
in place and there are eleven change orders
now.
-
No town meeting on August 5,
2013 – unanimous consent as long as no
pressing items.
-
Highway user one-time grant –
would like to use for sidewalks
-
Participating in the Maryland
“Day to Serve” – September 2013
Consent Agenda
Re-appoint Carolyn Miller to
Parks and Recreation Committee. The Board
unanimously approved the reappointment.
Reports:
Town Manager Report
- reported on the public works department
monthly activities to include a water production
and consumption analysis. He highlighted that
the contractor planted 14 trees and shrubs to
complete the 331 North Seton Avenue sidewalk
project and rain spouting was installed on the
pavilion at the pool.
Town Planner’s Report
– Ms. Cipperly gave an update on the town square
project, grant applications and meetings.
Police Report
- Deputy Patterson reported on June 2013 police
report. Commissioner O’Donnell expressed
interest in a bike rodeo in the fall or spring
that might help with bike safety.
Detailed reports are attached.
II. Agenda Items
Budget Transfer – Solar Funding
FY2013
Donna DesPres, Town Clerk
reported that for audit purposes Board needs to
recognize a budget transfer to CIP from the
general fund to cover preliminary cost for the
solar project which the concept was agreed upon
at the April 1, 2013 Town Meeting. This will be
coming from line items already budgeted. Mayor
Briggs interjected that based on a meeting with
Maryland Energy there is a good chance that this
might be covered under a grant.
Motion:
to transfer $3,697.95 from already approved line
items to the CIP for the Sewer Solar Project.
Motion made by Commissioner Joy,
second by Commissioner Hoover.
Vote: 4-0 in
favor
Trail Update
Commissioner O’Donnell reported
that the construction of the 2.23 mile Beginner
Trail is complete and useable but lacks
signage. Construction on the Intermediate Trail
is well under way and will be about 3 to 4
miles. He would like the Board to consider
rules for the trail from International Mountain
Biking Association (IMBA). He read over the
rules stating that they are already being used
by the U.S. Government through the National Park
Service. He is pursuing private funding for
signage for trail rules so town does not have to
pay for it. Commissioner Hoover stated that
Commissioner O’Donnell has achieved getting a
lot of volunteer support for the trails with no
cost to the town. Some discussion ensued in
regards to directional signage. Commissioner
Sweeney recommended that when signage is
complete to have a map sent out along with water
bills so residents know that trail is complete
and ready to be used.
Motion:
- town staff to purchase a sign
for rules of the trail and work with the
president of the council and establish
directional signs for the trail that will come
out of the park and recreation budget.
Motion made by Commissioner
Hoover, second by Commissioner Joy.
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Commissioner O’Donnell elaborated
a little on what his goals are in regards to
mapping to encourage tourism. He went on to
say that, in concept, the Board had previously
accepted a connector trail idea a few years ago
so he proposed a line for consideration to
connect across town land: the Rainbow Lake area
to Annandale Road which is diagramed in this
meeting’s packet. The hope is to put the trail
closer to town. He explained the funding
process for the trail. He has an offer of
$51,000 from a private donor and $230,000 from a
foundation for trail construction. The Trail
Conservancy will probably purse another
Recreational Trail Program (RPT) grant. He also
spoke on a Trail Towns Program which could be an
advantage to the Town. Town staff will
investigate the two parcels on the map that are
town-owned.
Motion:
to approve the concept path for the proposed
trail.
Motion made by Commissioner Joy,
second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Motion was restated
– To approve the proposed town connector trail
as shown on map dated July 8, 2013.
Motion made by Commissioner Joy,
second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Set Agenda Items for August 19,
2013 Town Meeting
-
Energy policies
-
Disturbance ordinance –
discussion
-
Amendments to address
ordinance
Administrative business
Mayor Briggs solar team
introduction
Discussion - to state use of the
$10,000 line item for the square project
III. Public Comments
Loretta Sprankle, 25 Federal
Avenue
- following up on the speed bumps that were
supposed to be put on Federal Avenue. She also
expressed concerns about children on bikes and
bike safety.
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT
AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS - none
V. Adjournment
