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MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
April 16, 2012
Emmitsburg
Town
Office
Present:
Mayor Donald N. Briggs; Commissioners Clifford
Sweeney, Glenn Blanchard, Patrick Joy, Tim O’Donnell
and Christopher Staiger, President
Staff present were Vickie Felix, Donna DesPres and
Dave Haller.
_________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner Christopher Staiger, President of the
Board of Commissioners, called the April 16, 2012
Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
Approval
of Minutes
The Minutes of the April 2, 2012 Town Meeting were
approved as presented.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners cited attendances, recognitions and
announcements to include meeting with Dr. Powell,
BOCC municipalities meeting and Literacy Awareness
event. Commissioner Blanchard followed up on “no
smoking” signs and spoke with the local Little
League president. Commissioners attending the MML
convention will work out schedule to man a table at
the conference. Community Garden beds need some
attention from town staff. Turkey season starts
April 18. Next trail workday scheduled for Sunday,
April 22.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs cited different events to include
breakfast with Dr. Powell, Financial Literacy
Awareness event, Eagle Scout award, joint BOCC
meeting with discussion on transportation and the
authority to have a county-wide Fire Chief.
Administrative Business
·
Community
Garden Items – Board had no objection to students
from Mother Seton School removing gravel from plots.
·
Ball fields
– observed that smokers leave the stands and walk
outside fence to smoke
·
Little
League opening day parade announced: 1pm on Saturday
Reports:
Town Manager’s Report
- reported on the public works department monthly
activities to include a water production and
consumption analysis. Mr. Haller pointed out that
in one month the town went from a surplus of over 10
inches to a deficit of almost 3 inches over the last
six months. The wells are 4.6 feet below the May
level of last year indicating a drought
position---very critical for this time of the year.
Town Planner’s Report – Commissioner Joy
questioned the demo permit. Mr. Haller responded
that the house by the vet hospital is going to be
removed. Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Police Report
- Deputy McQuain gave the March 2012 police report.
Community Day Fun Ride – 18 sponsors for this year.
Detailed report at Exhibit B.
II. Agenda Items
Consideration of Water Tap Fee
Mr. Haller stated that several weeks ago the Board
reviewed costs related to putting a tap online and
determined that the appropriate cost was $8,200.
Staff was tasked with making the proper text
amendment being presented for final approval.
Commissioner Staiger received an email from Mr.
Karfonta who is opposed to the change in fees.
There was a brief discussion to clarify the amount
of taps and the cost. There was a comment that
residential is not the only development opportunity
for the town.
Motion:
to approve Ordinance 12-03, an ordinance to amend
Title 13 of the Code of Emmitsburg
entitled Public Services
Motion by Commissioner Sweeney, second by
Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote: 4-1 in favor
Commissioner Joy opposed
Review of Trash Collection Bids
Staff compiled the information on the four bids
received for a three-year garbage contract including
notes with recommendations related to their service
and a chart with prices for the Board to review.
The staff recommendation for award of the trash
contract is Key Sanitation. Commissioner Sweeney is
in favor of Key Sanitation. Commissioner Stagier
stated the Board has an opportunity to decrease
charges selecting the lower bidder, Allied Waste,
and should take advantage of it. Public Comment:
Hollis Hopkins, General Manager for Allied Waste
- could provide the town with excellent service.
Rick Olesek, 1405 Ramblewood Drive – in favor
of awarding bid to lowest bidder.
Motion:
- To approve bid from Allied Waste as presented
Motion by Commissioner Joy, second by Commissioner
O’Donnell
Vote: 4-1 in favor
Commissioner Blanchard opposed
FY 2013 Budget Discussion
Commissioner Staiger commented that he just wanted
to collect some information of where the town has
been in the past, where it is going and how that
might change with some recent decisions. The budget
projection over the last three years has seen a
decrease in the projected revenue. As the budget
has declined they have had to cut some significant
services, but also the town has not been carrying
out some of the routine maintenance that has been
needed, i.e., roads and equipment. Commissioner
Staiger suggested a budget at about 1.7 million
would allow the town to adequately fund the things
that the Board decided they wanted to fund, as well
as allow the town to save responsibly for some of
the infrastructure responsibilities. Deferring
those will create a greater problem in the future.
Mr. Haller stated staff is working with the Mayor to
present the initial budget that will have better
funding in those mentioned areas. No action taken.
Set Agenda Items for May 7, 2012 Town Meeting
1.
Frank Davis, President of Vigilant Hose regarding
Authority for County-wide Fire Chief presentation
2.
Policy update for replacement of water meters
3.
Water and Sewer line maintenance policy
4.
FY 2013 budget presentation
Mayor Briggs requested a closed session after the
May 7th town meeting to consult with
attorney on a legal matter.
III Public Comments
Rick Olesek, 1405 Ramblewood Drive
– opposed on increasing the tap fees, would like to
see existing communities grandfathered with the
prior fees.
IV SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR
RESOLUTIONS
IV Adjournment
With no further business, the April 16, 2012 Town
Meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
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