MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
07/20/15
Emmitsburg Town Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney,
Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and Tim O’Donnell,
President.
Staff
members present were Cathy Willets, Town Clerk; Sue Cipperly,
Town Planner; and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent: Commissioner
Joseph
Ritz
_____________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner
Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners,
called the 07/20/15 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mayor
Briggs presented Robert Rosensteel with a certificate
thanking him for his years of service on the Board of
Appeals.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the 07/06/2015 Town Meeting were
approved as presented/corrected.
Motion by Commissioner Blanchard and Second by
Commissioner Sweeney. Passed
4-0 Commissioner Ritz absent.
Reports:
Police Report
Deputy Patterson presented the police report.
Deputy Patterson gave notification that this would be her
last meeting as she has accepted a transfer to patrol.
She was thanked for her 4 years of service and given
best wishes by Commissioner O’Donnell.
The deputies were thanked by Commissioners their
presence/participation at the Community Heritage Day, Pool
Party and Bike Rodeo.
Commissioner Sweeney gave an additional thanks and a
hope to see them again at the next Pool Party.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
Town Manager Report
David Haller reported on the monthly activities of
the public works department to include a water production
and consumption analysis.
Due to the 10.5 inches of rain (normally around 4.4),
the plant capacity was exceeded for 17 out of 30 days.
There was 1 large 12,000 gallon spill.
Everything at the new plant is functioning properly.
The water pumps were over capacity by the unusually
large amount of rain which resulted in the spill.
As a result, manhole 98 overflowed into the
Emmitsburg Gardens area.
David Haller suggests not sealing that manhole 98.
Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Town Planner Report
2015 Comprehensive Plan - Ms. Cipperly has mailed the required notices, maps, etc.
A public review copy has been placed on the front
desk and is available at www.emmitsburgmd.gov.
Community Legacy Program - The program has been
continuous, processing new applications and submitting
reimbursement requests. Ms. Cipperly met with
representatives from Healthy Adams County and Frederick
County Planning and Recreation departments regarding the
Grand History Trail Project which will connect Emmitsburg
with Gettysburg, as a part of a much larger project spanning
to the areas of York, PA, Frederick, MD and Washington, DC.
The Mayor and commissioners confirmed that they are
in agreement with the trail coming through town as it could
potentially bring visitors to our community.
Commissioner Comments: Commissioner(s) cited
attendances, recognitions, and announcements.
O’Donnell:
- Commissioners
O’Donnell attended several workshops at the MD
Municipal League Convention. The workshops provided them
several ideas for advancing and enhancing our community.
See attached exhibit for details of classes
attended and recommendations.
Blanchard:
- Over
60 people attended the pool party. A $1 admission
includes hot dogs, drinks and a DJ.
He encourages future attendance by citizens of
the town and friends.
- Last
week the Emmitsburg food bank received a food drop from
the MD food bank. This drop includes fruit, vegetables,
can goods and more.
This happens once a month from June - August.
See the board in front of the food bank for
details.
- A
free Back to School Evening will be held on August 14th
at the Christ Community Church to include food, school
supplies and fun events! Please come out.
- Commissioner
Blanchard spoke on the grand opening of the Emmitsburg
Dollar General. Management
is pleased with the amount of business per day thus far.
- Commissioner
Blanchard attended several MML sessions as well.
Mayor Comments:
- Applying
for another $75k in community legacy money which would
bring us up to about 450k of investment downtown.
Thanked the staff for efforts in reaching a $500k
– $600k goal.
- Highlighted
Heritage Day and hats off to Vietnam veterans.
Mention of potential monument in front of
community center for Vietnam veterans.
- Doughboy
– state historical representative visited the site and
directed us to a conservator.
Conservator has done a study and is preparing a
report which will be used for an RFP to have work
performed. There
has been lots of press recently regarding doughboy.
- Robert
Rosensteel started “Change for Food” seven years ago
from which he has raised 38k of donations for the food
bank.
- The
Mayor attended a soft opening of the Dollar General, a
proud of accomplishment for the town of Emmitsburg.
- Congrats
to U-12 baseball team on making it to regional’s for 3rd
strait year.
- Working
with community partners on a trail from the town to the
mount.
- $140k
investment in partnership to build a trail to Mount
Saint Mary’s. Connected
5 roads with sidewalks.
- Cathy
Willets, Town Clerk is working on building a new
website.
- August
1st, opening of $15 million waste water
treatment plant.
- Reviewed
ordinance 2003-04 which addressed the application for
and use of water outside corporate limits of Emmitsburg.
This ordinance was put into place in 2003.
Administrative Business:
- Resolution 2015-01R A Resolution approving the
application and receipt of financing for Community
Legacy Projects Motion by Commissioner Blanchard and
Second by Commissioner Sweeney.
Passed 4-0 with Commissioner Ritz absent.
Consent Agenda – No Items
II.
Agenda Items
Delegate Kathy
Afzali
- unable to
attend.
Review of
Comprehensive Plan Update
Sue Cipperly, Town Planner, explained the process going
forward.
Appointment to
the Citizen’s Advisory Committee
To appoint Michael Hillman voted to the Citizens Advisory
Committee as the Out of Town member.
Motion by Commissioner Blanchard, second by
Commissioner Sweeney
Vote:
4-0 in favor (Commissioner
Ritz absent)
Set
Agenda Items for 08/03/15 Town Meeting
- Approval
of election judges.
- Presentation
from Sue Cipperly of Community Legacy projects completed
to date.
- Update
on Comprehensive Plan
III
Public Comments
Bob Rosensteel spoke on his views in regards to the Doughboy
statue.
IV
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS