Town Council Meeting #08-04
May
6, 2004
Council
Vice President Norman Pinder convened meeting #08-04 at 7:00pm in the
Queen Anne County Annex Building. Donna
Turner, Council Member, Vice President, Mary McCarthy, Council Member,
Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney, Chief Benjamin Cohey and Deana Ashley,
Clerk, were also present.
Welcome:
Citizens and guests were welcomed to the meeting.
Review
of Minutes from Previous Meeting:
Meeting #07-04 of April 15, 2004 minutes were accepted as read by
the Council members. Mrs.
Turner made a motion to accept the minutes; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the
motion. A vote was taken, members voted in the affirmative, and the
minutes were approved unanimously. (3 ayes)
Appearances:
Mr. George Smith, Miller Environmental, Mr. Smith appeared to
provide the Council and citizens with a report regarding conditions at
the current wastewater treatment plant.
(report available at Town Hall) Mr. Smith then took questions
from the audience:
Dan Worth, 205 S Commerce St – Mr. Worth questioned the operations
of the panel at the water towers and the monitoring process?
Mr. Smith responded the panels are checked each day. He also
discussed the process of flushing the water system with Mr. Smith.
Sydney Ashley, 160 Mill Farm Ln, Mr. Ashley asked if the current
and/or new wastewater plant would have capacity for 11 retail units at
the Acme Plaza? Mr. Smith
said that the Town would first have to develop a capacity management
plan and would defer further capacity questions to the Town Attorney.
Sveinn Storm, 209 S Commerce St, - Mr. Storm questioned what the
capacity of the existing plant was and discussed with Mr. Smith the two
types of water treatment – organic removal and hydraulic.
Karen Roth, 203 S Commerce St, - Mrs. Roth questioned the process
for backups, documentation, and security levels for the plant and water
towers. Mr. Smith responded
that each of those items were addressed under current operations.
Cathy Downes, 208 S Commerce St, - Ms. Downes discussed with Mr.
Smith the process for flushing the water system.
Harriet Goodyouth, Symphony Village, - Ms. Goodyouth asked about the
status of the new wastewater plant and the transition from the current
to new operations.
Mr. Davis Garrett, Eagle Scout Candidate, Request for Financial
Contribution for Project – Mr. Garrett made a presentation to the
Council for his project to build port-a-let facilities at Wye Island
Natural Resources Management Area.
The Council thanked Mr. Garrett for his time and said they would
notify him in the coming weeks regarding his request.
Fire Chief Wayne Bloodsworth, Goodwill Fire Company, - Chief
Bloodsworth notified the Council that the Fire Department had recently
conducted random pressure tests at fire hydrants and the results were
good. He also discussed
repairs required to certain hydrants.
Chief Bloodsworth also responded to recent questions regarding
the chlorine levels in hydrant water and noted that the water will be
used for emergencies as demanded. The
Council thanked the Chief for his work on behalf of the Town.
Mrs. Bobbie Cussimano, Permission Request to Hang a Banner Across
Commerce St to Announce “Lawn Fete” – Mrs. Bobbie Cussimano
thanked the Council for their approval of the State Highway permission
letter to hang the banner.
Mr. Cal Gray, Request for Water/Sewer Allocation for Building D on
Pennsylvania Ave – Mr. Gray asked the Council for confirmation
that 8 allocations were approved for the building;
Mr. Pinder responded yes, however, MDE had placed a limitation of
2,000 gallons per day.
Ms. Jenna Ashley and Mr. Sydney Ashley, Centreville Plaza, LLC, Building
Fit-Out, - Mr. Ashley presented the Council with a letter requesting
clarification on the status of a request for permits to build-out retail
units. Mr. Kehoe responded
for the Council noting that first the capacity management plan must be
developed, but that input from residents and business owners is
essential to its accuracy and completion.
Mr. Sveinn Storm, 209 S Commerce St, - Mr. Storm discussed the
current and new wastewater treatment plant and management practices with
the Council. He also
questioned the status of installation of flow meters and the formation
of a citizen oversight committee.
Business:
1.
Preservation Proclamation – Mrs. Mary McCarthy read the
proclamation into the record; it was approved and signed by all Council
members unanimously.
2.
Lease Agreement for Rotary Fruit Trailer – The Council
unanimously approved and signed an agreement with the Centreville Rotary
Club to continue to use their “fruit trailer” on Town property at an
entrance to the plant.
3.
Proclamation for Peace Officer’s Memorial Day and National
Police Week – Mrs. Donna Turner read the proclamation into the record;
it was approved and signed by all Council members unanimously.
Maryland
Municipal League: None.
QAC Municipal League: None.
Announcements
and Correspondence: Mr.
Pinder read the announcements and correspondence into the record.
Report
of Department Heads:
Town
Clerk – Ms.
Ashley reported the transition to the new accounting software was on
schedule. She also reported
that the first draft of the 2004-2005 budget was underway and on
schedule.
Chief
of Police –
·
The Chief’s report was included in the Council’s books
for their review. There was
nothing unusual to report.
·
The Chief’s Challenge is underway; everyone is
encouraged to buckle up.
·
On May 11, 2004 the Police Unity Bicycle Ride will be
stopping at the Department; all residents are invited to attend.
·
Through the first four months of 2004, we have been able
to close 60% of our criminal investigations by arrest or exceptional
means. Personnel have also recovered over 70% of reported stolen
property.
·
Attended Town Watch meeting on April 27, there was a good
turn out; no date set for next meeting.
Town Manager – Mr. Richard
Conti, Acting Town Manager reported the following:
·
He has been working on the draft of the fiscal 04-05
budget.
·
Advertisements for the Town Manager position have been
placed in local and national media outlets.
·
The reading of water meters will need to be reassigned to
new or existing staff.
·
He has met with Mr. Porter to discuss zoning and water
pump station matters.
·
The new wastewater treatment plant should be powered with
electricity by next month and is on schedule, pending weather
conditions.
·
The progress of sludge removal at the old plant is good.
Citizens Forum:
·
Mrs. Carrie Ickes, 224 Broadway – Mrs.
Ickes remarked on Mr. Storm’s presentation and the ongoing discussion
of personnel in meetings.
·
Karen Roth – She discussed with the Council the status of the Comprehensive Plan;
Mrs. Turner responded the Council and the Planning Commission, in
conjunction with the County, will begin the update process in June 2004.
·
Dan Worth – He questioned the results of recent closed meetings;
Mr. Pinder and Mr. Kehoe responded those were conducted within
the law and any decisions made in the meetings were subsequently made
public.
Motion
to Adjourn: There being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was
adjourned by unanimous vote at 8:45 pm.
(3 ayes)
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
