TOWN COUNCIL MEETING #9-05
April 21, 2005
Council President Donna S. Turner
convened meeting #9 at 7:05 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the County Annex
Building located at 206 North Commerce Street and welcomed those in
attendance. Mary McCarthy, Council Vice President, Norman Pinder,
Council Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, and Jane Saulsbury,
Administrative Assistant, were present
Review of Minutes from Previous
Meeting:
Minutes were not available at this time
Acknowledgement of Oath of Office
- Mr. Powell read the Oath of Office indoctrinating Mr. Norman Pinder
into membership of the Town Council of Centreville for a three year
term. The oath was taken before Mr. Scott MacGlashan, Clerk for the
Queen Anne’s Circuit Court on Monday, April 11, 2005.
Presentation of Certificates of
Appointment to Boards and Commissions
Mrs. Turner presented the Certificates of
Appointment to the following members of Boards and Commissions:
Mary Roby, Planning
Commission, for a five year term
Joan Dawkins, Park
Advisory Board, for a three year term
Donald Dawkins, Board of
Zoning Appeals, for a three year term
The following appointments were noted
though the appointees were not available to receive their certificates:
Penny Lins, Planning
Commission, for a four year term
Elizabeth D. Brice,
Planning Commission, for a three year term
Daniel B. Worth, Planning
Commission, for a two year term
Edgar Novack, Planning
Commission, for a two year term
John C. Beskid, Planning
Commission, for a one year term
Robert G. Babbitt,
Planning Commission, for a one year term
Pat Beck, Park Advisory
Board, for a three year term
Donald Braden, Board of
Zoning Appeals, for a three year term
Martha Herman, Ethics
Commission, for a three year term
Appearances:
Inflow & Infiltration
Study, Phase I Findings – URS Mark Proudy, Jerry Katzmeyer and
Chris Curran, all of URS, were present to give a report on Phase I
findings of the Inflow and Infiltration Study being done on the town’s
sewer system. Mr. Katzmeyer, Construction Services Manager, described
how leaks infiltrate into the system, especially when the line is below
the water table. Many of the town’s sewer lines are 30 to 40+ years old
and are deteriorating. The oldest pipes, and those in worse condition,
are those made of clay. The newer ductile iron pipes are in good
condition. He presented illustrations and maps to show problem areas and
how the lines are impacted by the water table, heavy rainfall and faulty
manholes. A number of “hot spots” occur in locations where pipes cross
streams. It was determined that there was infiltration in the amount of
200,000 – 250,000 gallons during a period of high rainfall (2/14/05 –
2/16/05). The study has revealed that 40% of the manholes are leaking.
The south pumping station shows an alarming amount of grease and the
lines on South Liberty Street are nearly 50% filled with sediment.
Other problem areas were noted with varying degrees of leakage, as high
as 90,000 gallons on Commerce Street and 38,000 gallons between Hardees
and the Centreville Police Department. Mrs. McCarthy asked what can be
done about the grease in the system and debris clogging other lines.
Mr. Proudy noted that restaurants are the biggest offenders as to grease
and need
to be monitored for effective
grease-traps. He went on to explain how repair of a line of cracks and
leaks can raise the water table (it can no longer infiltrate into the
repaired line) and cause pressure and leakage in other areas.
Representatives from URS
recommended that Phase II be initiated, starting with a public
information program by mailing explanatory flyers. Smoke testing will
be done during which the absence of effective traps in households can be
detected if smoke rises out of the exit pipe on the roof. Smoke testing
is estimated to cost $40,000. Phase III is the construction and repair
of lines and establishing a regular program of cleaning and
maintenance.
After lengthy discussion,
Mr. Powell stated that he and the Council need time to digest the
information provided and assess how they wish to proceed. Council can
begin the budget process, but additional information is needed before
coming up with a strategy and getting a handle on the situation. They
would like to meet with URS in a work session to obtain more
information.
Business
Acceptance of FY04
Audit Report Mr. Powell presented the FY04 Audit Report for
acceptance by the Town Council. Hard copies will be available in the
Town office and an electronic version will be on the Town’s web site.
It was moved and seconded by Mr. Pinder and Mrs. McCarthy, respectively,
to accept the FY04 Audit Report. All being in favor, the motion passed.
Acceptance of Soil
Conservation and Water Plan (Tanyard Farm) Mr. Powell explained
that the purpose of the plan is to improve the management of the land on
the farm, to decrease erosion and to improve water quality. The plan
insures that the Town is a good steward for that property. The plan
provides narrative descriptions of the measures designed for different
fields, specific to diminish erosion, i.e., grass waterways, extensive
buffers planted around the entire farm, shaped swales to direct the flow
of water off the fields into rock-lined collection basins, etc. It was
noted that a wheat crop was planted as a cover crop though the winter
and a corn crop will be next. A sod farm is interested in planting a
commercial sod crop on one of the fields. The plan does call for an
additional proposed waterway from Hope Road up to the barn to control
the development of a gulley in that area. Attention to problem areas is
an on-going process. It was moved and seconded by Mrs. McCarthy and Mr.
Pinder, respectively, to accept the Soil Conservation and Water Plan as
presented. All being in favor, the motion passed.
Resolution No.
R-12-05 - Penn Station Property Acquisition Mrs. Turner read
Resolution No. R-12-05 whereby the Town Council accepts the offer to
purchase of a 2.085 acre portion of the Maryland Transit Administration
freight rail corridor on Pennsylvania Avenue and to execute documents
necessary to carryout this transaction. It was moved and seconded by
Mr. Pinder and Mrs. McCarthy, respectively, to accept Resolution No.
R-12-05. All being favor, the motion carried.
Lion’s Club Request
for Council Advertisement in 2005 Bay Music Festival Booklet It was
moved and seconded by Mr. Pinder and Mrs. McCarthy, respectively, to run
a full page ad for $100 in the Bay Music Festival Booklet. All being in
favor, the motion passed.
Maryland Municipal League Report
It was noted that the Town Council will be attending the Maryland
Municipal Convention in Ocean City June 26 through June 29.
Queen Anne’s County Municipal League
Report Nothing to report.
Announcements
- Mrs. Turner read the announcements for the record.
Correspondence
– None
Report of Department Heads
Town Manager -
Mr. Powell reported on the following items and issues: (1) Patti
Bohonowicz, software consultant, is doing payroll and accounts payable.
(2) David Crossley is doing water meter readings and is nearly
finished. The water/sewer bills should be out by the end of the month.
(3) Mr. Powell asked Council’s approval of compensation for the members
of the Boards of Supervisors of Elections in the amount of $50. It was
moved and seconded by Mrs. McCarthy and Mr. Pinder, respectively, to
approve this compensation. All being in favor, the motion passed. (4)
Two streets in North Brook and two in Providence Farm are being tested
for dedication to the Town. (5) Update on construction at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant: activity has been focused on the reed
beds. A liner has been placed in 2 cells, sand will be placed on top
and reeds will be planted with the assistance of a Boy Scout troop.
(6) Bramble has been able to complete stabilization in some areas at
the farm that had been delayed by bad weather. (7) A meeting is
scheduled with the State Highway Administration on Tuesday, April 26, at
2:00 p.m. in the Chestertown office. There will be a report on the
survey of truck traffic. (8) Mr. Powell requested permission to attend
the Maryland Rural Water Convention on Monday and Tuesday, May 2nd
and 3rd which is in conflict with the Council work session on
Monday, May 2nd. Council concurred that he should attend, as
well as Mr. Crossley, Public Works Supervisor, if available. (9) A
work session will be scheduled for Monday, May 9th.
Centreville Police
Department - Mr. Pinder asked if the Council would like to appoint
a committee of citizens, perhaps a five person board, along with the
Police Department to devise a system to alert citizens of emergencies.
The Goodwill Fire Department could also be asked to participate. The
system created would work in conjunction with the County’s emergency
operations center.
Citizens Forum
Mrs. Eileen Minor
addressed the members of the Council about her concern relative to the
truck traffic on South Liberty Street and what damage they may be doing
to water and sewer pipes. She asked how this study is being paid for.
Mr. Powell explained that a resolution was passed last fall to assess
$200 for each building permit that requires water and sewer services and
that the fee will remain in place until this study is paid. Mrs. Minor
asked how this correlates with the proposed Streetscape project. Mr.
Powell stated that Phase II proposed by URS is the analysis by which the
Town can plan infrastructure replacement and seek the necessary funding.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further
business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. by motion and
second of Mrs. Turner and Mr. Pinder, respectively. All being in favor,
the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Saulsbury
Administrative Aide
(TC Minutes 21 April 05.doc)
