MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
May 4, 2015
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and Tim O’Donnell,
President.
Staff present were Sue Cipperly, Town Planner; Cathy
Willets, Town Clerk and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Tardy:
Joseph Ritz III with prior notice; arrived 7:45 p.m.
I. Call to Order
Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of
Commissioners, called the May 4, 2015 Town Meeting to
order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the April 20, 2015 Town Meeting were
approved as amended.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner(s) cited recognitions and announcements to
include thanks to County Commissioners for passing
County Executive Gardner’s budget and to town staff for
replacing lights in some alleys. There will be an
upcoming meeting through the county on heroin and the
Town of Emmitsburg was referred to as on the cutting
edge in a recent article. Commissioner Ritz will not be
able to attend the town meeting on May 18, 2015 due to
work.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited recognitions and announcements to
include that he traveled to Denver and saw Mt. Saint
Mary’s rugby team play in the national championship,
they are ranked second in the country; congratulations
to the coaches, team members and university. He spoke on
Power Star and stated Emmitsburg is the first
municipality to take this up. It is a $17,000 investment
with an 18% return on money. The Town also has met all
the requirements to receive the Banner City Award this
year which will be picked up at the MML conference.
Pursuant to the town code the Mayor at this time
presented the Board with a draft copy of the FY 2016
budget for their review which will come back at next
town meeting.
Administrative Business
·
Trail work construction – flagging not in place yet.
Commissioner O’Donnell will bring back to Board once
completed.
·
Free pool access on Community Heritage Day. Unanimous
consent.
·
Unanimous consent from Board for a free one-day pool
pass for students at Emmitsburg Elementary and Mother
Seton School who sign a pledge to wear a helmet while
riding a scooter, bicycle, skateboard, etc. Board will
draft form and contact school.
·
Town Planner, Sue Cipperly presented the Board with the
annual Planning Commission report as required. This
report goes to the State Department of Planning. No
action needed by Board.
·
Mayor Briggs requested that June be designated Community
Heritage month. Board approved unanimously to move
forward.
·
Barber Shop water bill inquiries – Mr. Haller suggested
customers call town office and ask for water department.
·
Grants related to renovations on Main Street – residents
still can get applications; need to submit two bids.
·
Survey that went out with water bill – input came from
Dr. Simon.
·
Persons interested in joining Green Team – contact Jerry
Muir.
Consent Agenda - none
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report –
Commissioner Blanchard reported on April 2015 cash
activity. See detailed report at Exhibit A.
Planning Commission Report
- Commissioner Sweeney reported that the planning
commission met on April 27, 2015. Meeting items
included reorganization of the Board and a motion was
made to update the comp plan and send to the Board.
II. Agenda Items
Resolution Directing Planning Commission on Comp Plan
Update
Ms. Cipperly stated that on April 27, 2015 at the
Planning Commission Meeting she gave the kick off
presentation for updating the comp plan. She cited
that there is not a magnitude in changes. A little
population increase; new waste water treatment plant and
new water capacity management plan. The state changed
some criteria. The Planning Commission made a motion at
their meeting to update the comp plan. There was some
discussion about the Board receiving a summary of
changes report.
Motion:
To direct Planning Commission to move forward with the
Comp Plan 2015 Update.
Motion made by Commissioner Sweeney second by
Commissioner Mellor.
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Trash Collection Bids
Mr. Haller presented the Board with two trash collection
bids. Staff recommends going with Republic Services,
they are also our current provider. Mr. Timothy
Brownell who is a representative of Republic Services
and Lori Barker, Ops. Supervisor addressed the Board.
Ms. Barker stated she is a resident of the town and on
Monday’s she drives around to make sure all trash has
been picked up. She handed out business cards to the
Board members.
Motion:
- To accept bid for Republic Services to continue as
trash provider for the town.
Motion made by Commissioner Blanchard and second by
Commissioner Mellor.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Modification to the B-1 Neighborhood Business District –
Presentation by Planning Department
Ms. Cipperly presented that this is a change to the
zoning ordinance which are referred to the planning
commission for their review and comment and then come
back to the Board, but the board can discuss it tonight
if there are any questions they want the planning
commission to address. The B-1 zoning at the present
time only applies to the Vet Hospital and the property
to the East which use to be a Bed and Breakfast, but in
the future may be needed in other parts of the town.
One thing that was not addressed last time this was
worked on is that B-1 should allow for residential use.
She referred Board to paragraph D and stated she added
the language Consultant and the like. She also
discussed signage and explained monument signs which can
also be called free standing signs and referred to
paragraph G.
Motion:
- To direct staff to take Ordinance 15-01 entitled
Zoning, Uses permitted in the B-1 Neighborhood business
district to the Planning Commission for review and
comments.
Motion made by Commissioner Sweeney and second by
Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Ordinance 15-02 (commercial district) to amend Title 17
of the Code of Emmitsburg Entitled Zoning
Ms. Cipperly stated this is a buffer provision for where
any commercial district is adjacent to a residential
zoning district. That a buffer zone will be provided;
6ft tall solid fence will be installed and maintained
along the property boundary abutting the residential
zoning district and landscaping will be installed and
maintained to screen parking areas so as not to be
visible from roads in the residential zoning district;
commercial property is responsible for fence.
Motion:
- To direct staff to take Ordinance 15-02 entitle
Zoning, Commercial Districts to the Planning Commission
for review and comment
Motion made by Commissioner Sweeney and second by
Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Set Agenda Items for May 18, 2015 Town Meeting
1.
Recommendation on bids for the purchase of a new pick-up
truck
2.
Budget review and discussion
Ms. Cipperly commented at this time that the Planning
Commission will schedule special meetings on May 12th,
May 26th and June 8, 2015 for public to
comment on comp plan.
III. Public Comments –
Vernon French, 104 East Main St. –
addressed Board in regards to a variance for a shed on
his property. Commissioner O’Donnell suggest Mr. French
contact town manger on this matter. Mr. Haller did relay
to the Board that he had a meeting setup with Mr. French
but he did not show, but he will be happy to meet with
him.
IV. SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR
RESOLUTIONS
