MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
January 23, 2013
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Christopher Staiger, Patrick Joy, Tim O’Donnell and
Glenn Blanchard, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix; Donna Despres, Town Clerk; Sue
Cipperly, Town Planner and Dave Haller, Town
Manager.
Tardy:
Glenn
Blanchard with prior notice arrived at 7:58pm
_________________________________________________________________________
Call to Order
Commissioner O’Donnell, Vice President of the Board of
Commissioners, called the January 23, 2013 Town
Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance
was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the January 7, 2013 Town Meeting were
approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner O’Donnell cited recognitions and
announcements. He was contacted by the Emmitsburg
Baseball and Softball organization in regards to
possibly hosting a tournament in Emmitsburg in early
July. They are seeking to have a fence replaced in
the outfield. He is working with a scout who is
working on his merit badge concerning citizenship.
He announced the passing of Jeff Fitzgerald and
Richard Floyd.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited attendances, recognitions and
announcements to include attendances at the
ambulance banquet and book signing at Holy Grounds
Shop. He announced the upcoming Financial Literacy
Kickoff.
Administrative Business
·
Review and discuss water depreciation funding –this
should be addressed before they get to the budget.
·
Update on wastewater project meetings – trailers are
on site.
·
Trail update
·
Vandalism at the Baseball and Softball Leagues’
buildings – dusk to dawn light has been repaired.
Research and inspect overall area to see if other
lights could be installed that could minimize
vandalism.
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
had a precipitation surplus of 4.7” over the last
six months; however, the wells remain reasonably
low. Rainbow Lake is doing well; the reservoir is
at the spillway. The Town did exceed the plant’s
design capacity on seven days in the month of
December. Town had no spills of untreated sewerage
in the month of December. Town Planner’s Report
– Ms. Cipperly highlighted that she communicated
with the architect for the Homes for Emmitsburg
project regarding what types of plans would be
required for town application. Staff had a Design
for the Square meeting- -very pleased with turnout;
prepared and submitted advertisement for the code
enforcement/zoning tech position and provided
information regarding local properties as requests
were made. Exhibit A.
Police Report
- Deputy Eyler reported on the December 2012 police
report. He requested that the deputies be kept
informed about the baseball tournament that might
come to the town this summer. Detailed report at
Exhibit B.
II. Agenda Items
Audit Presentation
Michelle Mills of Draper & McGinley, P.A. presented the fiscal year
2012 audit and entertained questions from the
Commissioners. This fiscal year had a financial
statement audit and a single audit (federal
expenditure greater then $500,000).
Parks Committee – Membership Increase from 8 to 10
Commissioner O’Donnell reported that a lot of people are eager to
serve the town on the Parks Committee and requested
to increase the members from 8 to 10. There was a
brief discussion in regards to a quorum.
Motion:
- To amend ordinance 13-04 striking paragraph G.
Motion made
by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by Commissioner
Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Motion
–
to accept the modified ordinance 13-04 to change
members from 8 to 10.
Motion made
by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by Commissioner
Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Ordinance 13-01 – Temporary Signage Ordinance
Public Comment: Allen Knott, 100 Creamery Court, EBPA Representative –
would like to review what is to be considered before
the board decides. Ms. Cipperly presented a power
point presentation on the temporary signs ordinance
elements offering suggestions, time frame of
temporary signs and issues to address. There was
some discussion amongst the Board. It was decided
that this item will come back to the Board at a
later date with suggestions and input from the EBPA.
Septic Tier Map Letter
Ms. Cipperly gave the Board members a set a maps and presented a
power point presentation. She explained the Senate
Bill 235 Growth Tiers was passed with a goal to
limit the disproportionate impacts of large
subdivisions on septic systems on our farm and
forest land, streams, rivers and Chesapeake and
Coastal Bays. What the county needs from the town
is to send the Maryland Department of Planning a
letter from the town stating that they confer with
it. It basically states that everything in our
growth area can be developed.
Motion:
- To accept the letter to have the Septic Tier
mapping developed by Frederick County submitted to
Maryland Department of Planning on the Town’s
behalf.
Motion made by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner
O’Donnell.
Vote: 4-1 in favor
Commissioner Staiger opposed.
Employment Changes
Mr. Haller reported the past Zoning Tech left employment and the
position has been vacant for a month. Our present
Administrative Assistant’s last day was Friday
January 18, 2013. Staff advertised for both
positions and received 12 applications for the
Zoning Tech position and about 20 for the
Administrative Assistant. Staff interviewed two
individuals for the Zoning Tech and four for the
Administrative Assistant position. Staff
recommended Jerry Muir for the Zoning Tech position
and Cathleen Willets for the Administrative
Assistant. Both positions are a grade 5, step 4 and
start at $14.99/hour.
Motion:
- To approve staff recommendations to hire Jerry
Muir for the Zoning Tech position and Cathleen
Willets for the Administrative Assistant at a grade
5, step 4.
Motion made by Commissioner O’Donnell, second by
Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Set Agenda Items for February 4, 2013 Town Meeting
·
Further discussion on water rate issue and possible adjustments
·
Town square development presentation
Consent Agenda items
·
Trail related item
·
Park Committee appointments
III. Public Comments -none
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR
RESOLUTIONS
V. Adjournment
With no
further business, the January 23, 2013 Town Meeting
was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
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