MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
September 8, 2015
Emmitsburg Town Office  

Present:  Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Joseph Ritz III, Jennifer Mellor, Glenn Blanchard and Tim O’Donnell, President.
Staff present were Sue Cipperly, Town Planner; Dave Haller, Town Manager; Amy Naill, Parking Enforcement; and Cathy Willets, Town Clerk.

Absent: none

I.       Call to Order

Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the September 8, 2015 Town Meeting to order at
7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 Announcement of a Closed Session
President O’Donnell announced the need for a closed executive session following adjournment of this meeting as permitted by the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article: Section 10-508 (a) Closed Meetings, Item 14 to discuss confidentiality for bidding purposes for the Doughboy repair. See attached announcement.  Motion by Commissioner Blanchard, second by Commissioner Mellor, carried 5-0 in favor. 

Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the August 3, 2015 Town Meeting were approved as presented/corrected.  Motion to accept minutes by Commissioner Sweeney and second by Commissioner Mellor. Vote 5-0 passed.

Commissioner Comments
Commissioner(s) cited attendances, recognitions and announcements.  Commissioner Ritz and Sweeney attended back to school night at Christ Community Church.  They both thanked them for a great night and a big thank you to all that donated supplies, food, etc.  Commissioner Sweeny commented that they are in need of book bags for students.  Anyone interested in making a donation please contact Pastor John Talcott.  Commissioner Blanchard recognized Susan Allen who was founder of Emmitsburg Food Bank.  She recently passed away.  Commissioner O'Donnell met with Government Liaison at MSM to discuss what is going on at the University.  There may be a request for a speed limit change outside of town - will bring up later.  Commissioner O'Donnell requested people send emails with a name so he can proceed with an open dialogue.

Mayor’s Comments
October 3, 4, 5th is National Fallen Firefighters weekend.  Congratulations to all our baseball teams and the youth from our town for their great jobs.  Swimming season and pool parties were good.  Thanked all for their donations and food.  He also attended back to school night - over 400 people attended.  Grieve share, a 13 week share program which is run by Toms Creek Churt, began on August 21st at Christ Community Church.  Anyone interested can join anytime.  Doughboy - state approved conservators report and put out to bid.  Trying to keep on schedule- pre-bid meeting on the 16th, sealed bids due October 1st.  Hoping to have to Board by mid-October. He will be meeting with boy scouts about the camping on Scott road farm. 

Public Comments
Deborah Gonyea, 12 Heritage Lane, Emmitsburg, MD.  Ms. Gonyea spoke about Silo Hill - lived here 16 years.  There used to be a snow emergency route but signs taken down about 5 years ago.  Vehicles block the driveway and no clearance for snow removal.  Asking that the Town put back in snow emergency signs.  Michelle Metz, 19 Heritage Lane, Emmitsburg, MD, Ms. Metz spoke about her concern about snow removal.  It is helpful when cars are not parked on the street.  The stop sign in Robindale near the playground.  No one stops at the sign.  Have the sign removed.  Have it replaced with a sign that would allow "yield."  Lisa Mehaffie, 35 Robindale Dr., Emmitsburg, MD.  Very difficult to clear off sidewalks because the snow removal piles up on the aprons of the sidewalk making it very difficult to clear.  Garbage pick-up and recycling dates.  Mr. Haller advised Board that the snow removal plan was going to be requested to put on the next agenda.   

Administrative Business
Camping Scott Road Farm: the Scouts do have the option of camping on Scott Road Farm and have done so in the past.  The Mayor will be meeting with the Scouts about camping.  Town land and scouting - Commissioner O'Donnell was approached by an Eagle Scout candidate about blazing the multi-user trail.  Colors will designate the different trail levels.  Work will be done on Sundays pursuant to hunting season and should be completed by the end of October.  Town Board gave consent without objection to the blazing of the trails.   

SHA money for square project - Town Board gave consent without objection to move forward with budget transfer.   

Parks and Rec minutes - Commissioner Mellor gave the Parks and Rec Committee meeting minutes.  Several people have come forward to be members of the Parks and Rec Committee.  The Southgate community would like to be a part of determining location of the dog park.  The upcoming gym meeting and ideas for making it more available.  Discussion of the open field use and high school students attending parks and rec meetings.   

Doughboy - Commissioner O'Donnell clarifies the doughboy is not being moved.  The sealed bids will be reviewed and staff will present to the Board all recommended bids.  Mr. Haller advised since there is money involved in the repair, a closed session will make sure there are no unfair practices or advantages.  

Commissioner Blanchard - one of the speed bump signs was hit and leaning again a light pole.  Stavros restaurant - any word on opening?  Mayor Briggs said there was an ad offering sale of equipment or lease of property. 

 Consent Agenda - none

 Reports:  

Cash Activity Report – Commissioner Blanchard reviewed the treasurer's report.  Exhibit attached to the agenda packet. 

Planning Commission Report - none given

 II.       Agenda Items

Update and hearing on status of Comprehensive Plan - Ms. Cipperly announced the planning commission has been doubling up on meetings this summer.  On August 31, 2015 the Planning Commission voted to adopt the 2015 Comprehensive Plan and referred it to the Board.  The State comments from SHA, DNR, Dept. of Planning, and Frederick County were very supportive.  Ms. Cipperly noted she tabbed 12 pages where things were added that she reviewed with the Board.  Commissioner Sweeney stated the Commission agreed with all the changes and approved it is sent to the Board.  Mr. Haller advised Board to look through the Plan and if any questions please send to himself or Ms. Cipperly.  The public hearing will be October 5th and has to be advertised.                                                                                                                                                               

 Set Agenda Items for September 21, 2015 Town Meeting

1.  A review and discussion of snow emergency plan.
2.  A noise and disruptive ordinance - review and discussion.

Consent agenda item - appoint members to the Parks Committee and Citizen Advisory Committee (Mellor and Ritz will email names)           

III.      SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS