MINUTES
TOWN MEETING
11/02/15
Emmitsburg
Town
Office
Present: Mayor Donald Briggs;
Commissioners Clifford Sweeney, 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: Joseph Ritz III, arrived
at 7:50pm
I.
Call to Order
Commissioner
Tim O’Donnell, President of the Board of Commissioners,
called the 11/02/15 Town Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
President Tim 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 for the discussion of a contract and
bid proposal. See attached announcement.
Motion by Commissioner Blanchard, second by
Commissioner Mellor, carried 4-0 in favor, Commissioner Ritz
absent.
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the 10/19/15 Town Meeting were
approved as presented/corrected.
Addition of Commissioner Mellor who seconded the
motion to accept Ordinance 15-06.
Motion made by Commissioner Sweeney, second by
Commissioner Blanchard.
Motion 4-0 in favor.
Commissioner Ritz absent.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner(s) cited attendances, recognitions
and announcements. Commissioner
Sweeney thanked everyone for their assistance in the
Halloween parade. Commissioner
Blanchard attended a meet and greet with County Council and
President Otis was planning on having these once a month.
He extended invitations to the MML Legislative
Christmas Dinner. Commissioner
Blanchard advised there was discussions about the new WWTP
and solar fields. Commissioner O'Donnell contacted by HOA
president in Pembroke Woods, follow-up with Town Staff about
some inquires related to the HOA and neighborhood.
He received a request about a zoning request.
He also received feedback on doughboy timeline and
people felt they had a better understanding.
Eagle Scout candidate Paul Slotwinski has completed
the trail marking on the multi-user trail and next step is
getting the current map to align color-wise with the color
coding of the blazing on the trails. Mr. Haller said staff
has met with the Boy Scouts about the utilization of the
Scott Rd. Farm. Mr.
Haller also addressed the zoning modification request -
staff is working on modification of existing ordinance to be
brought to the Board related to the request the
Commissioners received.
There is a lot of support at the staff level.
He advised that six feet must be maintained on one
side of your lot - fire issue.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Briggs attended
Tourism signage meeting; SHA meeting in Baltimore about the
multi-user trail with Mount and County; and the MML Fall
Conference. We
received plaque award for Sustainable Maryland Certified
Town of Emmitsburg at the MML Fall conference.
He also attended Halloween parade and Solid Waste
Steering Committee at Winchester Hall.
Mayor Briggs attended the Municipal Budgeting course
at MML conference and Mr. Haller took the Plighted Property
Course at MML Fall conference.
He will be speaking with 4th grade classes at
Elementary School and Mother Seton School.
On December 1st, the 3rd grade class
Mother Seton School decorate tree on square.
On December 18th, Emmitsburg Elementary
school students will decorate the tree in front of the
Community Center. On
December 4th, the MML Christmas Legislative
Dinner at Carriage House Inn.
The Spirit of Christmas December 7th starting at 6pm.
One of the programs presented by the State Attorney
General at the MML Conference was dedicated to Identity
Theft. He will
be following up with area schools on how to protect our
youth. Mayor
Briggs mentioned the Community Legacy Grant and thanked Ms.
Cipperly. He
said staff applied for $50,000 in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Over $323,000 worth work has been completed downtown.
Staff has applied for $75,000 in 2016 but staff has
not received any confirmation. Mayor Briggs commented that
there has been some angst over some of the businesses
closing. There
are some positive things coming – SHA leasing space,
tattoo shop, etc. which leads to traffic generation.
The Turkey Trot will be
November 26 benefiting the Seton Center.
Two separate SHA meetings - signage meeting was held
here. Mayor
Briggs said the Town got pretty much everything we wanted.
The Town will be referred to a historic Emmitsburg on
Rte. 15 with the sites such as National Fallen Firefighters.
Mayor Briggs reviewed the progress meeting in
Baltimore for the trail between the Town and MSM.
There is funding for $128,000.
He said it looks pretty good.
There are still no guarantees.
Mr. Haller said the difficulties are the logistics of
the right of way. Numerous
events in December for the Christmas season.
Administrative Business
Mr. Haller advised the
restrooms will not be completely winterized until after the
Turkey Trot. Commissioner
Blanchard asked about the remaining garden plots.
He encouraged people to clean their plots.
He asked about the clock for the Square.
Mr. Mayor said it is still in storage until the
square project is complete.
Consent Agenda
Re-appoint two members
to the Citizens Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Ritz said he would like to reappoint Amy
Myles and Conrad Weaver for another two year term.
Commissioner Ritz would like to appoint Brian Neville
to the Citizens Advisory Committee.
Unanimous Consent from the Board.
Reports:
Cash Activity
- Commissioner
Blanchard reviewed the Cash Activity report for the Town for
the month of October 2015.
Commissioner Sweeney asked about the status of the
WWTP. Mr. Haller
stated staff is just waiting on the final MDE inspection and
if they find issues, we have contingency money to fix those
issues. Mr.
Haller mentioned USDA has already completed their inspection
with final approval pending.
Commissioner O'Donnell asked about the new mowing
equipment. Mr.
Haller advised the old mower, over 10 years old, burst into
flames and had to be replaced.
Mr. Haller advised this was a bidded item.
Planning Commission Report - Commissioner Sweeney advised the Planning Commission met on October
26 and approved the site plan was approved for 514 E. Main
St. pending the zoning change to the B1 zoning for the four
lots on East Main Street.
Comprehensive Plan modification for consideration
Ms. Cipperly
said that based on recommendations from Staff, the Planning
Commission, and SHA that the Town by Resolution incorporate
the Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway plan into the
Comprehensive Plan. It
is a management plan to maintain the integrity of the US 15
corridor - signage, safety, scenery and also accommodate
commercial, pedestrian and bicycle traffic as well as the
marketing of the area. It
is an overall general plan that was done in 2004 and adopted
by the County, but never by the Town.
The Town has been participating in activities and
meetings. Resolution
2015-02R adopts the recommendations in the 2004 Catoctin
Mountain National Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan as
part of the 2015 Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner O'Donnell inquired how often it gets
modifies. He
noted some of the content was dated.
Ms. Cipperly advised it will be updated in the
future. She
advised there is no downside in adopting the plan.
Commissioner O’Donnell stated it is very useful and
in alignment with what the Town is trying to accomplish.
Mr. Haller said this is a good base and by
incorporating the plan you have the right to add to your
Comprehensive Plan.
Motion:
to accept Resolution 2015-02R as presented.
Motion
by Commissioner Sweeney; second by Commissioner Blanchard.
Vote: 5-0 in
favor
Proclamation - November is Maryland Municipal League Works Month
Commissioner
O'Donnell read the proclamation as written.
Motion: - To accept
the Proclamation: November is Maryland Municipal League
Works Month.
Motion
by Commissioner Ritz III; second by Commissioner Blanchard
Vote: 5-0 in favor
Set Agenda Items for 11/16/15 Town Meeting
-
Nuisance Ordinance - discussion item
-
Resolution to approve the Comprehensive Plan
-
Holiday Parking for December
III
Public Comments
None
IV
SIGN APPROVED TEXT AMENDMENTS AND/OR RESOLUTIONS
