MINUTES
TOWN
MEETING
September
15, 2014
Emmitsburg
Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford
Sweeney, Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and Tim
O’Donnell, President.
Staff
present were Cathy Willets, Town Clerk; and Dave Haller,
Town Manager.
Absent: Commissioner
Staiger arrived at 8:22 (no prior notice), Sue Cipperly,
Town Planner with prior notice.
_________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to
Order
Commissioner
Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners,
called the September 15, 2014 Town Meeting to order at
7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of
Minutes
The
Minutes of the September 2, 2014 Town Meeting were
approved as presented.
President
O’Donnell welcomed David Dunn, Liaison for Frederick
County Commissioners.
Commissioner
Comments
Commissioner(s)
cited announcements to include upcoming Scotty’s Ride,
Wine Tasting at MSM; Lions Club Chicken BBQ; Health Fair;
Sea Service and Fallen Firefighters Weekend.
Attendances included Emmitsburg/Thurmont community
show and working at food bank. Recognitions
included Commissioner Staiger’s service to the Town of
Emmitsburg and recycling efforts.
Mayor’s
Comments
Mayor
Briggs read an article about renewable energy stating that
the Town is getting 40-45% electrical needs through
renewal energy. He attended the MML Fall conference, some
table talk items were foreclosures and nuisance ordinance.
The Silo Hill Park Grant proposal has been signed. The
Green Team has been cleaning up Main Street and Christ
Community Church will have another “Light in the Park”
upcoming event.
Administrative
Business
-
Deadline
for Community Garden clean-up
-
Lights
in town parking lot – a few out
-
Gravel
clean up from resurfacing of courts
-
Parks
Committee report from Commissioner Mellor
-
Question
to apply for possible easement from Frailey Property
for West Lincoln to widen Road – Mr. Haller will get
with Commissioner Blanchard to take a look at it.
-
Complaints
about smoking in front of library - David Dunn stated
the County is ok with whatever town decides (bench,
signage).
-
Update
on the Square Funding from SHA
Consent
Agenda - none
Reports:
Town
Manager Report
- reported on the public works department monthly
activities to include a water production and consumption
analysis. Mr. Haller highlighted that the town is still in
12.9” precipitation surplus; town had a good month at
the sewer plant, a little less than 28% of what was
processed was wild water and no spills of untreated
sewage; town exceeded the plants design capacity on two
days but did not resolve in a spill or any dysfunction of
the plant. The contractor has completed the resurfacing of
the tennis and basketball courts and staff has added some
more cross drains on hiking trail. Town
Planner’s Report – In Ms. Cipperly’s absence Mr.
Haller highlighted the planners report. He touched on
Flood Plain Ordinance; Community Legacy grant; Dollar
General Plat signed; 400 West Main Street appeal, which
was denied and letter to 227 DePaul street related to
removal of two mobile homes. Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Police
Report
- Deputy Rohrer reported on August 2014 police activity.
He answered some questions in regards to the stabbing and
strong armed robbery and was asked to speak to property
owner at 400 West Main St. in related to neighbors.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
II. Agenda Items
Water/Sewer
Billing Ordinance 14-08
Mr.
Haller stated the basic concept is that from time to time
through no intentional fault of the water and sewer client
there can be a malfunction in their building. As most
water systems operate if it goes through the meter “you
own it”, which Mr. Haller said he has seen bring
hardship to people over his time here as Town Manager. He
would like to suggest leaving an allowance for such cases.
The ordinance is written in a way which he feels can’t
be abused. He explained the ordinance which would allow
client to apply for a waiver if the water bill is more
than 25% above what their three year average would be due
to a malfunction. The
client would only be able to get a waiver once in a three
year period. He is looking for the Boards support.
Motion:
To approve an ordinance to amend Title 13 of the
Code of Emmitsburg entitled Public Services Ordinance
14-08.
Motion
by Commissioner Mellor second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Nuisance
Ordinance
This
item was withdrawn at request of Mayor.
Address
terms of office related to parks and recreation committee
Mr.
Haller stated that Commissioner Mellor has relayed to
staff that she believes some of the present members were
not performing to the requirement of the ordinance. Staff
has received a list of all active members. The code allows
for removal but it needs a vote from the Board of
Commissioners and a recommendation from the committee.
Commissioner Mellor as liaison to the Parks and Recreation
committee recommends removal of Bill Bingman and Jennifer
Benson for lack of attendance.
Motion:
- To remove Bill
Bingman and Jennifer Benson of the Parks and Recreation
Committee in accordance with the liaison.
Motion
by Commissioner Sweeney second by Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Set Agenda
Items for October 6, 2014 Town Meeting
-
Swearing
in of new officials
-
Re-organization
of the Board
-
Cluster
Development Ordinance
III.
Public Comments -
Joseph Ritz,
III – 4 Irishtown Ct. – announced he will be
running for the seat of Town Commissioner; thanked
Commissioner Staiger for his service and asked residents
to get out and vote.
IV.
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
