Town Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2009
Emmitsburg Town Office

Present:  Mayor James Hoover; Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard, Joyce Rosensteel and Christopher Staiger, President.  Also present were Vickie Felix; Sue Cipperly, Town Planner; and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent:  Denise Etris with prior notice

Call to Order  Commissioner Christopher Staiger, President of the Board of Commissioners, called the April 20, 2009 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Minutes  The Minutes of the April 6, 2009 Town Meeting were approved as presented.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Blanchard commented that he will not be here to attend the May 4, 2009 meeting.

Mayor's Comments

The Mayor reported on the status of the County’s vote to discontinue tax equity to municipalities.  The County’s action was a result of unfunded state legislation that 20% of the 30% reduction of highway user revenue disbursed to municipalities is to be subsidized by the County. The County has since met and reinstated tax equity but the amount is still on the table. They are currently considering a reduction proportional to the state mandate which would effect an approximate revenue loss of $55,000 to Emmitsburg. This amount will be reflected in the fiscal year 2010 budget as reduced revenue to the capital improvements fund. He reminded residents that the Town office is open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. He announced that there are two more powerful partnership events with Mt. Saint Mary’s coming up. He encouraged residents to take advantage of these free activities.

Administrative Business

Commissioners Blanchard and Staiger had a brief discussion in regard to an email that was received from a resident in Brookfield promoting rain water capture. Commissioner Staiger will follow-up on it.  

Reports

Town Manager Report - reported on the public works department monthly activities to include a water production and consumption analysis. Mr. Haller highlighted that staff has completed the gravel road from the parking lot in community park to well “J” which is in early stages of the development for the new water plant. The last couple of months there has been a water surplus, but going into this month there is a precipitation deficit of 3.4”. Commissioner Staiger questioned why the purchase of water from Mt. Saint Mary’s? Mr. Haller responded, “For a couple of reasons: 1) to keep the contract active and 2) to keep the chlorine residual up in that line.”  In response to Commissioner Blanchard’s question of the County transportation meeting, Mr. Haller stated that the transportation meeting was really a small part at the end, the meeting was really related to tax equity.  Detailed report at Exhibit A.

Police Report - Cpl. Grunwell presented the March 2009 police report. The junior deputy academy date has been finalized for June 24, 2009. Detailed report at Exhibit B. 

Agenda Items 

Continue Review of Comprehensive Plan: Section 3 “Future Conditions”

Sue Cipperly gave a power point overview on section 3 which addresses future conditions and capacities of the Town to include land availability, water supply and capacity, population projections, demographic/fiscal considerations and services. She presented that ultimately, growth and development in Emmitsburg will be limited by water supply and wastewater management capacity. There are 142 taps currently available. If phase I of the Emmit Gardens water filtration plant is built then there will be 610 taps available. The town should pursue zoning and development strategy that would minimize cost of maintenance, while protecting scenic views, environmental features and maximizing bike and pedestrian access. Considering fiscal impacts of development, balancing the potential for residential and commercial development, while considering socio –economic aspects as well is essential. Ordinances need to reflect limitations posed by water supply, realistic expectations for 2030, and long term allocation of available resources.  Detailed report at Exhibit C.

Discussion: Commissioner Staiger questioned Ms. Cipperly about economic development. As far as getting jobs here she responded that it will be beyond the scope of this plan to come up with an economic development plan but thinks it’s something that they could get help to look at it from the Frederick County Economic Development. There was discussion that historically Emmitsburg served as the center for the farming community. Commissioner Staiger stated this could also explain why Emmitsburg has a large percentage of land that falls into the tax exempt area. Ms. Cipperly stated that she doesn’t think Emmitsburg will be an economic development hub, but it can take advantage of some of the other things around. Commissioner Staiger suggested that one of the recommendations should be to look at formally developing an economic development plan. Mr. Haller responded that would be an excellent idea to create one independent of the Comp plan. He also said he thinks the Board should consider developing some type of holding zone. That is what will make the town’s plan work from a water and sewer capacity standpoint.  Mr. Haller and Sue Cipperly will start working on it. Review Comments: Page 61 section 3, future conditions and capacities: Table 3.1-1 land availability and water demand which illustrates total demand present and future based on the existing zoning. Commissioner Staiger would like to see a map here that would show where these properties are throughout the town. Page 62: more tables that better define water system and sanitary sewer system capacity are needed, in reference to the 300 gallon per day per tap, is that the formula that is being used? Mr. Haller stated that is the formula that the commissioners approved about 7 years ago. Mr. Haller commented that the recommended suggestion going forward with this plan is to go to 250 GPD which is what it recommended by state and MDE.

Motion:  to recalculate the water and sewer capacity to 250GBD instead of 300 GBD.
Motion made by Commissioner Sweeney and second by Commissioner Rosensteel
Vote 4-0 in favor

AGENDA ITEMS FOR MAY 4, 2009 TOWN MEETING

• Review and consideration of employee handbook – tentative.

• Fiscal year 2010 budget message and presentation of draft budget.

• Set fiscal year 2010 tax rate.

• Appointment for planning commission.

• Consideration of ordinance #09-05 sewer pretreatment ordinance.

• Recommendation and consideration of trash contract beginning fiscal year 2010.

Public Comments - none 

Adjournment  With no further business, the April 20, 2009 Town Meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

Date Approved: May 4, 2009