MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
10/05/15
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; Cathy Willets, Town
Clerk; and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent: _________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner
Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners,
called the 10/05/15 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the 09/21/15 Town Meeting were
approved as presented/corrected. Motion to accept minutes as
presented by Commissioner Ritz III and second by
Commissioner Mellor. Vote
5-0. PASSED
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner(s) cited attendances, recognitions
and announcements. Commissioner
Sweeney thanked everyone coming out to vote.
Commissioner Blanchard attended Fallen Firefighter
ceremony. The
Mayor gave the opening remarks at the Memorial Service.
He strongly encourages everyone to attended and honor
those who gave their lives fighting fires.
Commissioner Blanchard attended the Sea Services Mass
at the Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine. Commissioner O'Donnell
attended HOA at Pembrooke Woods.
One issue brought up was the concern of the lean of
the signs. He
received positive feedback on the new upcoming website.
Commissioner O'Donnell thanked the election judges
for their help and service.
He thanked for those that came out and voted.
Commissioner Sweeney, Commissioner Blanchard and
Mayor Briggs attended the ribbon cutting on September 25 at
the WWTP and Solar Field.
Mr. Haller advised we are taking the equivalent of
600 cars off the road. Staff
will present a full report in a several months.
Mayor’s Comments
Congratulations to
Commissioners Sweeney and O'Donnell.
Thank you for your sacrifice and your time.
He attended the Green Team Meeting and will be
attending the upcoming MML meeting.
The Town will be awarded the Sustainable Certified
Maryland Award. He
gave the welcome to the 34th Annual National Fallen
Firefighters Memorial service.
He also attended the National Fire Heritage Center
Board of Director's meeting.
The Town was gifted a 1800s survey of a local farm,
colored on delicate paper.
It was found in a spiral notebook.
He did speak with the Boy Scouts – made a
presentation to them. Spoke
to a parent about the usage of the Scott Road Farm.
Conrad Weaver, EBPA, was in attendance.
The Mayor recognized him for winning a regional EMMY
on a documentary - the Great American Wheat Harvest.
Commissioner O'Donnell noted that Mr. Weaver hosted a
premiere at the Carriage House as well.
Public Comments - none
Administrative Business – Mayor’s
Reorganization of the Board.
Exhibit A
The Mayor presented his
recommendations for the organization of the Board.
He recommended no changes to the current Board and
the positions. Commissioner
O'Donnell (president), Clifford Sweeney (vice-president/
Planning and Zoning liaison), Glenn Blanchard (treasurer),
Jennifer Mellor (Parks and Rec Committee liaison), and
Joseph Ritz III (Citizen’s Advisory Committee liaison).
Motion to accept the Mayor's Board organization by
Commissioner Blanchard and second by Commissioner Mellor
Vote 5-0. PASSED.
November 11th is
Veterans Day. Commissioner
Blanchard asked about the bids for Doughboy.
Mr. Haller informed him that we only received one
bid. The bid has
not been opened. The
doughboy statue has been secured at the sewer plant.
Mr. Haller advised the Board that we may have to file
action in Court due to all the insurance company only
acknowledging our claim.
Consent Agenda - none
Reports:
Treasurer’s Report - Commissioner
Blanchard presented the cash activity report for the month
of September 2015. Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Commissioner O’Donnell asked about the pool
contract. Mr.
Haller reported that we are still in the closing process.
The Town has paid the pool company up to date.
The pool company has yet to complete the contract.
There are two payments that have not been made and
are not scheduled to be made yet.
The pool company is slightly in default of contract
as the pool was supposed to be closed no later than today
(October 5, 2015).
Planning Commission Report - Commissioner
Sweeney advised
there was no planning commission meeting.
II. Agenda Items
Swearing in of two Commissioners by the Mayor
The Mayor
conducted the swearing in of both re-elected Commissioners.
Mayor Briggs congratulated Commissioner O'Donnell on
his re-election. Commissioner
Sweeney was also congratulated by the Mayor on his seventh
term and 18th year. See
Exhibit B.
Senator Michael Hough
He
congratulated the two Commissioners on re-election.
He wanted to make sure everyone knew him and had his
information. He
represents 11 municipalities in Frederick and Carroll
County. He is
looking for feedback for the upcoming session.
He works closely with the State agencies such as MDE
and SHA. The
Governor worked towards more Highway User Funds being
granted. A
$10,000 grant issued for the Emmit Gardens park.
A bond bill received for the Catoctin Zoo.
Commissioner Blanchard invited to Senator Hough to Halloween
Parade. He
informed Senator Hough to MML Christmas party will be at the
Carriage House in Emmitsburg this year.
Commissioner Blanchard asked for any assistance for
education in Frederick County.
The Mayor let Senator Hough know the Town received
HURs money for 2016 @$25,000 and for 2017 @$25,000.
The Town has three delegates now due to
re-districting. Commissioner
O'Donnell would like to see appropriate employers come to
Town and asked if there was anything Senator Hough could due
to assist. Entrepreneurial
efforts are definitely encouraged (technology, bio-tech,
etc.).
Vote related to the noise and nuisance disturbance
Mayor did
not hear back from two long time residents who own
apartments. He would like to put it on hold till more input
from the property owners.
Mayor received unanimous consent from Board to put
this item on hold.
Consideration of snow emergency modification plan – proposed no
parking during snow emergency plan in all cul-de-sacs listed
Mr. Haller
advised this is a reinstatement of a snow emergency plan
that was in place several years ago.
It is allowing staff to clean the streets better if
these cul-de-sacs are kept open.
Mr. Haller advised that Silo Hill would be more than
just the cul-de-sacs due to requests made by residents.
Commissioner O’Donnell advised the following areas
would be affected: Southgate,
Northgate, Emmit Gardens, Warthens Way, Creamery Way, Silo
Hill, Brookfield and WayCross Ct.
Commissioner Mellor inquired about Silo Hill.
Mr. Haller advised it would entail all the streets in
the entire development.
She had a meeting with several residents in Silo
Hill. She said
they suggested to keep 2 University Drive to 19 Robindale
drive open. Commissioner
Mellor and residents would like to keep one side of Silo
Hill Road open to allow for parking.
She asked if this is possible and reasonable to
Staff.
Commissioner
Mellor made a motion to modify the request for "no
parking" during snow emergency plan in all cul-de-sacs
for Silo Hill for the area of 2 University Drive and 19
Robindale Drive be kept open as well as keeping one side of
Silo Hill Pkwy. open. Motion
seconded by Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote 5-0. Modification
passed
This will be
done with signage. Mr.
Haller said this will be brought back at next meeting with
the modification. Ordinance
15-06 put on hold.
Set Agenda Items for 10/19/15 Town Meeting
-
Final consideration of Snow Emergency Plan for
the Town of Emmitsburg
-
Discussion and consideration of noise and
nuisance ordinance
-
Presentation related to Doughboy repairs for
discussion and potential consideration
IV
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
