MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

December 3, 2013

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

Present:  Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and Tim O’Donnell, President. 

Staff present were Vickie Felix and Dave Haller, Town Manager.

Absent:  Commissioner Staiger with prior notice. 

Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the December 3, 2013 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the November 18, 2013 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner cited attendances, recognitions and announcements to include the 5^th annual Wattle Waddle which is expanding each year; the Town Christmas Tree Lighting event; the Lions Club received a $600 donation towards food baskets; and the Seton Center is in need of donations of coats for children.  Town resident Larry Little passed away and will be greatly missed; he had a true passion for the Town of Emmitsburg. 

 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs cited attendances, recognitions and announcements to include the passing of Larry Little, stating he brought a lot of things to the town, he was a very special person who loved Emmitsburg.  Mayor Briggs also attended the 5^th annual Wattle Waddle, this year for the first time they served a light breakfast to approximately 175 people; and attended the Town Christmas Tree lighting.  Four applications are in for the Community Legacy 50/50 grant money.    

 

Administrative Business

·      The Parks and Recreation Committee met on November 19^th.   They discussed seeing if garden plots could be     moved closer to a water source.  There were also some questions in regard to office applications for pool passes; ball field use and they requested that the sand in the volleyball court be replenished in the spring.  Commissioner Mellor will meet with Mr. Haller on these items. 

·         Commissioner Mellor would like to tour the wastewater treatment plant.

·         Community Heritage Committee – utilizing the park

·         Composting for community gardens

 

Consent Agenda - none

 

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report – Commissioner Blanchard reported on November 2013 cash activity.  Detailed report at Exhibit A.

 

Planning Commission – Commissioner Sweeney reported that the Planning Commission did not have a meeting in November.  They will be going back to quarterly meetings unless otherwise needed.   

 

 

II.       Agenda Items

 

Ordinance 13-14: to confirm and ratify the lease of property owned by the Town of Emmitsburg

Mr. Haller stated at the conclusion of the solar project approvals, the investor wanted an attorney’s opinion at the town’s expense to make sure everything was done correctly.  Attorney Clapp addressed the Board and commented that everything looked fine except he thought the Town should pass a written ordinance that outlines the approval of the lease agreement for legal reasons.  The town could be subject to legal attack without an ordinance.  This is just a lease and not a sale of property but it is still a conveyance.  If the town is going to convey any interest in real estate, it should be done by ordinance to be on the safe side.  It is a necessary formality and just confirms what the Board has done as of September 2013.  During Board discussion Commissioner O’Donnell suggested that, moving forward the Town attorney be used in these types of dealings.                                                                                                                                                               

Motion:  To accept Ordinance 13-14 approving, confirming and ratifying the lease of property owned by the Town of Emmitsburg. 

         Motion by Commissioner Sweeney, second by Commissioner Blanchard. 

                                     Vote: 4-0 in favor

 

Set Agenda Items for December 16, 2013 Town Meeting

As there were no agenda items, the meeting will be cancelled unless there is an emergency.  The next town meeting will be on January 6, 2014. 

 

 III.     Public Comments

James Welty Sr., 520 North Avenue - questioned if North Avenue was finished.  Mr. Haller responded that the town is working with the contractor who will be tapering on all the sides.  Jack Collins, 3005 Stonehurst – opened up hotdog stand on Route 140-- he addressed Board to see if he could get hooked up to town water.  Mr. Haller replied that the town can’t sell services outside of the corporate limits; the property would need to be annexed. 

 

IV.      SIGN APPROVED ORDINANCE