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MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
January 5, 2015
Emmitsburg Town office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Joseph
Ritz III, Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard and Tim
O’Donnell, President.
Staff present were Vickie Felix, and Dave
Haller, Town Manager.
Absent:
Commissioner Mellor with prior notice.
I. Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the
Board of Commissioners, called the January 5, 2015 Town
meeting to order at 7:30p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was
recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the December 2, 2014 Town
Meeting were approved as corrected.
Mayor Briggs welcomed the attendance of Mr.
Roger Wilson who is the new Government Affairs and Policy
Director for the new County Executive. Mr. Wilson stated he
is looking forward to working with the town.
Commissioners Comments
Commissioners’ cited attendances to include
the Vigilant Hose Company banquet and the St. Joseph Parish
Council dinner. Town staff was thanked for all the work done
with the Christmas decorations and decorating the tree;
there has also been a lot of positive feedback from
residents concerning customer service from staff. The Lions
club gave out over 55 baskets to families for the holiday.
It was announced that the food bank could use donations.
Commissioner Blanchard had opportunity to speak with
Commissioner Delauter and President of the Board, Bud Otis
in regards to municipal meetings to continue as a feedback
to municipalities. Some complaints received were speeding on
Main Street and crosswalk safety enforcement and illegal
left turns on Irishtown Rd onto Brookfield Rd. during rush
hour. Commissioner O’Donnell has been invited to attend
Brunswick town meeting to give the positive and negatives in
regards to the trails as they are considering creating
multi-user trails in their town too. Commissioner Blanchard
announced that he will be late for the January 21, 2015 town
meeting.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited that his attendances to
include the EBPA annual awards dinner; the Green Team
Meeting; the Mother Seton School Christmas pageant. Meetings
cited were with Ron Siarnecki, Executive of the Fallen
Firefighters; residents in Community Park on thoughts for a
site for a dog park; staff in regards to new technology on
saving more money on electric, will meet with company for
the project. Activities cited were speaking with the 4th
graders at Mother Seton School; decorating of Christmas tree
in front of the community building with the Emmitsburg
Elementary School students; distributed Christmas food
baskets along with his wife Libby and grandson Tyler. He
received notice that town has been approved for a third
Community Legacy grant and announced that the final touches
have been made to the improvements at 22 E. Main St.
Improvements were funded through Community Legacy grants and
energy grants.
Administrative Business - none
Consent Agenda – none
Reports:
Town Mangers Report –
reported on the public works department
monthly activities to include a water production and
consumption analysis. Mr. Haller highlighted that Rainbow
Lake is at the spillway level and the wells are low but
stabilized. The town has a precipitation surplus of 7.8”
over the last six months. There were no spills of untreated
sewerage in the month of November and the plants design
capacity was exceeded on three days in November.
Town Planners Report –
Mr. Haller highlighted staff started to
intensify efforts in the comp plan update. Staff will have
that in outline form for a presentation by March 1, 2015.
Staff is looking into a cluster zoning; water and sewer
capacity will stay fairly unchanged and staff will be
looking into recommendations for minor zoning changes.
Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Treasurer’s Report –
Commissioner Blanchard reported on December
2014 cash activity. The Board would like an updated
report on the savings for the electric, Mr. Haller
interjected it is about 15%.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
Planning Commission Report –
Commissioner Sweeney reported that there was
no meeting in December 2014.
II. Agenda Items
Fire Fighters Heritage Museum Water & Sewer
Service
Mr. Haller stated that the Town is very
fortunate to have the Fire Fighters Heritage Museum in
Emmitsburg. The Town has a gratis program for water and
sewer and at the present time the Vigilant Hose Company and
the Ambulance Company are on the program. Mr. Haller has
reviewed the usage for the Fire Fighters Museum and would
like to suggest that the Town include the museum in the
gratis program and set a limit up to $1,200 dollars in a
year. Staff feels it would be a benefit to the Town and is
asking for the Boards support. Mr. Frank Schmersal spoke on
behalf of the Fire Fighters Museum stating that the museum
doesn’t come near the minimum each quarter and that this
would be a benefit for the museum, they run on a $9,000
budget. They rely entirely on donations. Discussion took
place on what the qualifiers were for the gratis program.
Motion:
To approve the request for the Fire Fighters Heritage Museum
to be put on the Town gratis program for their water and
sewer service up to $1,200 per year.
Motion made by Commissioner
Blanchard and second by Commissioner Ritz.
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Demolition of Barn at Scott Road Farm
Mr. Haller reported that a windstorm a couple
of months ago really started to deteriorate the barn. Staff
checked with County and there is no historical value to the
barn. Staff talked with the County and the Town can obtain a
demolition permit for approximately $80 to $100 to have the
barn removed. Due to the condition of the barn and the risk
of it falling, staff is asking for permission to investigate
cost of having the barn removed and timber salvaged. A RFP
would be solicited and brought back to the Board.
Motion:
To take a 2 minute recess from the scheduled meeting to get
clarification on a procedural item at 8:34 p.m.
Motion made by Commissioner Blanchard and
second by Commissioner Ritz.
Vote: 4-0 in favor
Meeting was called back to order at 8:36 p.m.
Motion:
To approve staff to move forward with the
bid process for the Scott Road Farm barn demolition and
bring back to Board.
Motion made by Commissioner
Blanchard and second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Vote 4-0 in favor
Transportation access in town – discussion
Commissioner O’Donnell presented that he is
looking to the future for the Town and would like to enhance
transportation options in Emmitsburg. He went over the
concept of sharrows. Shared lane markings (also referred to
as sharrows) help convey to motorists and bicyclists that
they must share the roads on which they are operating. The
purpose of the markings is to create improved conditions for
bicyclists by clarifying where they are expected to ride and
to remind motorists to expect bicyclists on the road.
Commissioner O’Donnell read from the bicycle policy and
design guidelines for shared lane design. He would like to
see sharrows in Emmitsburg. Mr. Haller directed the Board to
look at page 26 of 28 of the packet where some of the town
streets were listed where “shared lanes” would work in the
town. A lengthy discussion pursued. Mayor Briggs expressed
the concern for the Towns liability on Lincoln Ave; his
focus is on safety. Board discussed signs versus markings
and connectivity in the town.
Set Agenda Items for January 21, 2015 Town
Meeting
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Audit report
III.
Public Comments –
Vernon French,
104 E. Main St.
– asking for a variance on two sheds on his property. Mr.
Haller reported under the Maryland state law you can’t grant
a variance. Mr. French asked for 6 months to liquidate his
possessions. Commissioner O’Donnell will follow up with Mr.
Haller.
IV.
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDEMENTS AND/OR
RESOLUTIONS – none
V.
Adjournment
With no further business, the January 5, 2015
Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
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