Town of Emmitsburg
300A S. Seton Ave Emmitsburg, Maryland
21727
301-600-6300

 

 

 

MINUTES

TOWN MEETING

November 17, 2014

Emmitsburg Town Office

 

 

 

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

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

_________________________________________________________________________I.      Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the November 17, 2014 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Approval of Minutes

The Minutes of the November 3, 2014 Town Meeting were approved as corrected.

 

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner(s) cited attendances to included Community Day committee meeting. Recognitions included all organizations that helped with Halloween celebrations and repairs on the trails. Announcements were upcoming Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, MORE road 13 miles of the multi-user trails - got positive feedback, trails are being well used and there will be a home owner’s association meeting coming up. The Seton Center has limited funds for people that need help for housing oil and Commissioner Sweeney will be late for the December 2, 2014 town meeting.  

 

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Briggs cited meetings to include meeting with staff and accounts; went over the budget, preparing to make presentation in January; attended the Mount St. Mary’s Athletic Committee meeting; along with staff met with waste water treatment plant inspection engineers; spoke with the elementary school fourth grades; made a presentation of the square to the Frederick County Board of Realtors; had a dry run on signing the papers for USDA. He cited announcements that included that the entire staff including him went through CPR training; town is working on a MOU with the County re: walkway with the Mount. The Green Team meets this week, getting closer to point attainment goal. He will meet with the Fallen Firefighters executive; the Hobbs garage is being torn down; the tree lighting ceremony on the square; Mount Saint Mary’s University will be donating a clock for the square. He thanked Mount Saint Mary’s and the staff for all the work involved in getting the clock. Town is working on a very experimental way to save money at the waste water treatment plant.

 

Administrative Business

·         Appoint Stephanie Andrew to parks and recreation committee – motion made by Commissioner Sweeney, seconded by Commissioner Ritz – unanimous consent.

·         Proclamation – Municipal Government Works Month – motion to support the proclamation by Commissioner Blanchard, seconded by Commissioner Mellor - Unanimous consent.

·         Tipping fee and recycling

·         Signage in Silo Hill in regards to trucks turning around- staff working with deputies; Commissioner Mellor suggest “Residential Traffic Only” signage

 

Consent Agenda - none

 

Reports:

Town Manager Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis. He highlighted that the town remains in a surplus for precipitation over the last six months of 8 ½”; no spills of untreated sewage; did exceed sewer plants design capacity on 2 days. It was a pretty standard month. Town Planners Report – Ms. Cipperly highlighted that generally the same projects are still continuing and the grant programs. The former Hobbs garage is no longer standing and Dollar General is in process.  Detailed report at Exhibit A.

 

Police Report - Deputy Patterson reported on October 2014 police activities. Detailed report at Exhibit B.

 

II.        Agenda Items

 

Human Resource presentation (salary assessment)

Mr. Haller stated about a year ago they started on the project to evaluate the salary scale since it has not been updated in a long time.  Ms. Renee McNally of HR Solutions gave a power point presentation showing several spreadsheets. She explained the compensation process; she used the point factor method to determine their value. She established compa ratios, which is to determine where Emmitsburg salary rate wages are compared to the market value.  Recommendation was to increase wage ranges by 15%. Mr. Haller commented that this was brought before the Board to make them aware. Staff will bring this back at a later date to see how this can be implemented.

 

USDA loan agreement and certification

Mr. Haller handed out a copy of the loan agreement and general certificate reporting that these are the final documents that would be used in the settlement of the $1,001,000, loan with USDA. On November 3, 2014 the Board approved an ordinance that authorizes this. One of the requirements of USDA is that the Board that approved them looks at them. It’s the same conditions that were approved – it will be converted from a bridge loan with PNC Bank to a 40 year bond with USDA at 2.5% or less percent. The Town attorney has reviewed all the documentation.

 

Ordinance 2014-09 vehicles and traffic related to maintenance

Ms. Cipperly stated this ordinance deals with obstructing thoroughfares. Sometimes there are tree branches or shrubs that are encroaching on the streets or alleyways and it makes it difficult to get down the street; staff has received complaints. Town practice was to write the landowner a letter asking them to cut vegetation or offer them the option for the town will do it and send them a bill. It’s really never been an ordinance but an office practice. This proposed ordinance was patterned after the city of Gaithersburg. Staff believes this would be good to have amended into the ordinance. Staff was directed by Board to modify ordinance to reflect state of process and timeline to keep consistency.

                                                                                                                                                

Ordinance 2014-10 health and safety related to property appearance

Ms. Cipperly stated this ordinance was inserted in the health and safety section. The first part of this sections deals with anything that is annoying or unhealthy, but a specific issue that town has is when people have indoor furniture such as upholstered couches on their porch which is an appearance issue but also becomes a likely habitat for rodents and snakes etc., which is a health and safety issue as well, and staff has received complaints in regards to this matter. There was discussion on what is an exterior attachment. Board recommended some language changes. Board directed staff to make modifications and bring back to the Board at the next town meeting.

                                                                                                                                               

Holiday season – meter holiday

Mr. Haller reported that the town has done this for the past 12 years. This is when you can park for free in town over the holiday season. Staff suggest Friday, December 19, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Commissioner Sweeney suggested the funds collected from the meters in that time frame be designated to the Mayor’s discretionary fund which is used for many donations. It was also suggested to notify the residents by putting the information on the sign in front of the Community Building stating free holiday parking and the dates.

 

Motion: - To accept the holiday season – meter holiday free parking on December 19, 2014 through January 4, 2015.

          Motion made by Commissioner Blanchard second by Commissioner Ritz.

                                      Vote: 5-0 in favor

 

Code of Conduct Policy

Commissioner O’Donnell asked if the Board would like to consider tabling this item.

 

Motion: - To table the agenda item regarding the code of conduct policy.

          Motion made by Commissioner Ritz and second by Commissioner Blanchard.

                                      Vote: 5-0 in favor

 

Set Agenda Items for December 2, 2014 Town Meeting

1.     Consideration of limitations on water and sewer tap fee funds 

2.     Consideration of modifications to citizens advisory committee related to scheduling

3.     Ordinance 2014-09 vehicles and traffic related to maintenance

4.     Ordinance 2014-10 health and safety related to property appearance

 

III.      Public Comments- Paul Stull, 2813 Raleigh Rd., Walkersville, MD– spoke on the Fire Museum water/sewer bill to see if Commissioners could do anything about the cost of the bill. Staff will evaluate the bldg; possible consideration for gratis program.

 

IV.       SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS

 


V.        Adjournment

          With no further business, the November 17, 2014 Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.