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 5th
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 5th 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 19th.
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