MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

January 22, 2014

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

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

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

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I.       Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the January 22, 2014 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

 Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the January 6, 2014 Town Meeting were approved as corrected.  Commissioner Staiger made a motion to add under administrative business that Commissioner Staiger inquired if staff has revised any job descriptions recently and Mr.  Haller responded, “No.”  Motion was second by Commissioner Mellor.  Vote 5-0 in favor. 

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner(s) thanked town staff for an excellent job done in the recent snow removal and also for filling the potholes.  Commissioner Blanchard commented that this time of year is a great time to use the parks for cross country skiing or seeing wildlife tracks in the snow. 

 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs also commented on the terrific job that the town staff did in plowing the snow. 

 

Administrative Business

·         Parking Spaces reserved on the square  - Commissioner O’Donnell requested modifications be made to the parking bags to have printed on the bags, “Town of Emmitsburg; Reserved Parking” and the Town phone number.   Board members were in consent except Commissioner Staiger who abstained. 

·         Job descriptions – With the Town Clerk retiring, there was a lengthy discussion on a concern Commissioner Staiger had in regard to changes to the plan of operation in the town office and how it will be structured.   He stated that the Board should have a part in the process prior to actions taken to change it.  Commissioner Staiger requested that the town code be reviewed and have the positions of Town Accountant, Town Planner, Town Manager and Director of Public Works in the town code; make sure job description is in accordance with what staff states is appropriate now and do the same changes that the town did back in 2008.  Unanimous consent by the Board. 

·         Mayor Briggs reported meetings – Along with staff had a conference call with the designer for the square; an important meeting is scheduled with SHA close to the final meeting of the town’s request.  Also scheduled is a meeting with DNR addressing Flat Run concerning possible grants for flooding.   Also, he will be meeting with the Sherriff.

·         Ethics Committee appointment for next meetings consent agenda.  – Joe Ritz

 

 

Consent Agenda - none

 

Reports:

Town Manager Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis.  The town has surplus of precipitation of 5.4 inches over the last six months.  He pointed out an error in the report:  it should state the Town received about 6 inches precipitation this month; the average is 3.3 inches, therefore the plant exceeded its design capacity on 12 days in the month of December; they did not spill but did exceed it.  With the modifications done to store high flows, and then later treat, has been very helpful.   Town Planner’s report – Ms. Cipperly stated that tonight’s agenda item will cover the items in her report.  Detailed report at Exhibit A.

 

Police Report - Deputy Rohrer reported on December 2013 police activity.  He presented the Town and Mayor each with a plaque for their sponsorship for the Emmitsburg Community Heritage Bike Ride in 2013.   Detailed report at Exhibit B.

 

 

II.       Agenda Items

 

2014 Planning Department Update – discussion

Town Planner, Ms. Cipperly presented a PowerPoint presentation to go over the 2014 planning projects update to include grant programs (MD Energy Administration; Community Legacy; MD Heritage Area Authority), ordinances; comprehensive plan 2015 update; potential development (Dollar General, Commercial East of US 15), zoning and code enforcement (Homes for Emmitsburg and general activity).   She requested that the town permit fee be waived for community legacy projects and that the sum will be shifted into the town’s in-kind match.  The Board approved.  Commissioner O’Donnell expressed concern for the need for sidewalks on both sides of Route 140 on the interstate bridge. 

 

At this time Mayor Briggs gave the Board a copy of the breakdown of the POS grant money for them to look at as he read over it.  The Board questioned the waterline for field maintenance:  is there any way to get a spur for community gardens area?  Mr. Haller stated that the waterline that was put in was Memorial Park not Community Park.  Commissioner Staiger verified that these projects were listed in the town budget. 

        

Set Agenda Items for February 3, 2014 Town Meeting

1.    Floodplain ordinance, section 15.28 - discussion

2.    Forestation ordinance, section 16.48 - discussion

3.    Proposed revision to Town Code, Elections, section 2.28 – discussion

4.    Trails and town land- discussion and direction

5.    Signage and trails – discussion and direction

 

III.     Public Comments - none 

 

IV.      SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS - none