MINUTES
TOWN
MEETING
September
2, 2014
Emmitsburg
Town
Office
Present:
Mayor Donald Briggs; Commissioners Christopher
Staiger, Glenn Blanchard, Commissioner Sweeney and Tim
O’Donnell, President.
Staff
present were Vickie Felix and Dave Haller, Town Manager.
Absent:
Commissioner Mellor with prior notice.
Tardy: Commissioner
Sweeney late with prior notice; arrived 8:05p.m.
_________________________________________________________________________
I.
Call to
Order
Commissioner
Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners,
called the September 2, 2014 Town Meeting to order at
7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
President
O’Donnell welcomed David Dunn, Liaison for Frederick
County Commissioners.
Approval of
Minutes
The
Minutes of the
August 18, 2014
Town Meeting were approved as presented.
Commissioner
Comments
Commissioner(s)
cited attendances to include the Mother Seton 240th
birthday celebration. Announcements include upcoming
events at the shrine; the Emmitsburg/Thurmont community
show; the pool season is now closed; the young student
injured while skateboarding has improved and back in
school and is now wearing a helmet for such activities.
Recognitions included the upkeep of parks; had
conversation with Mr. Fissel related to water treatment
plant and very pleased with what is going on there.
Mayor’s
Comments
Mayor
Briggs cited that he was in Bardstown, Kentucky last week
which has been awarded best small town in country; very
beautiful with lots of flowers. He announced that he will
not be able to attend the Emmitsburg/Thurmont community
show, and announced that there will be a “light in the
park” event this fall put on by Pastor John.
Administrative
Business - none
Consent
Agenda
-
Appoint
Election Judges
a.
Sharon
Hane
b.
Charlotte
Mazaleski
c.
Jenna
Ott
d.
Barbara
Weedon (alternate)
-
Reappoint
Ronald Lind and Richard Kapriva to Board of Appeals
Approval
of Consent Agenda
It
was motioned by Commissioner Blanchard, seconded by
Commissioner O’Donnell, to approve Consent Agenda as
presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Reports:
Treasurer’s
Report - Commissioner
Blanchard reported on July 2014 cash activity.
Detailed report at Exhibit A.
Planning
Commission Report – Commissioner
Sweeney reported that the planning commission did not
meet.
II. Agenda Items
Drug Drop
Box
Mayor
Briggs stated that they were informed by David Dunn,
Frederick County Commissioner liaison, of a drug drop box
program offered by the county. As many know the town along
with a lot of other areas is experiencing a heroin
problem. This is a great program to be able to collect
“gateway drugs” that young people are using. About 70%
of young people get them from their parent’s medicine
cabinet. Most heroin users start out with “gateway
drugs”. Mr.
Haller interjected that the program is also
environmentally sound as well. The
town has the money in the budget in the special events
fund. David Dunn reported that there are four drop boxes
in operation now. They are located at the Middletown
Municipal Center; Frederick County Law Enforcement Center;
Brunswick Police Dept. and Thurmont Police Dept. He said
200 lbs. have been collected in 6 months. The police
collect the drugs weekly and then the DEA collects them
every 6 months to be incinerated.
The boxes are relatively inexpensive. The drop box
is being proposed to be put in the town lobby and must be
emptied by law enforcement. There are no fees for
collection or disposal at this time.
Motion:
to have the drug drop box installed in the town office.
Motion
by Commissioner Blanchard, second by Commissioner
O’Donnell.
Vote: 3 -0
in favor
Nuisance
Ordinance- discussion
Mayor
Briggs stated with the help of the sheriff’s department
they noticed that there may be some responsibility on the
landlords related to the activities that take place on
their properties. Staff
has had Mr. Clapp and the deputies look at the ordinance.
Staff has also reviewed some ordinances from other
jurisdictions. They will also have a least three people
from the community who own properties to look at the
ordinance. There have been people in town who have been
identified as using drugs and their activity is being
monitored. But Town needs to go a little further where
these properties constantly come up. Need to energize the
landlords to be responsible for whom they are collecting
rent from to support their investment.
Mr. Haller reported that staff has been working on
this ordinance for over a year. He directed the
Commissioners to review the ordinance and email him or
Cathy by Monday with their questions so staff can agree on
how it should be applied and be written for the Board by
the next meeting.
Set Agenda
Items for September 15, 2014 Town Meeting
-
Excessive
water/sewer billing exception
-
Nuisance
Ordinance
-
Address
the terms of office related to parks and recreation
committee members
III. Public Comments – Kimberly Nicolet,
400 W Main St
. –
presented a request to the Board for a fence ordinance
height revision from 4ft to 5ft. Tracy
Sebold, Fairfield, PA - friend of Kimberly Nicolet
commented on what she felt was disrespectful behavior from
a staff member.
IV.
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS -
none
