Town Council Meeting #12-03

 June 05, 2003

Council President Michael Whitehill convened meeting #12-03 at 7:00pm in the Town Hall.  Vice President Norman Pinder and Member Donna Turner were present.  Jonathan Hodgson, Town Attorney, Ben Cohey, Police Chief, and Deana Ashley, Town Clerk were all also in attendance.

Welcome:  Citizens and guests were welcomed to the meeting.

Review of Minutes from Previous Meeting:  Meeting #11-03 of May 15, 2003 minutes were accepted as read by the Council members.  Mr. Pinder made the motion to accept the minutes; Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. A vote was taken, members voted in the affirmative, and the minutes were approved unanimously. (3 ayes)

Appearances:   

·        Mr. Fred Kirsch, Sidewalk Completion at Wetherbee Development –
Mr. Kirsch appeared before the Council to discuss the status of incomplete sidewalks in Wetherbee.  He summarized the chronology of events for the sidewalks, including his public works agreement with the Town and subsequent lines of credit ensuring the completion of the work.  Mr. Hodgson reviewed the documents and stated the Mr. Kirsch was in default of the public works agreement and the sidewalks must be completed.  Mr. Whitehill and Mr. Kirsch discussed the bonds he is currently requesting from homeowners to complete the sidewalks.  The Council thanked Mr. Kirsch for his presentation.

·        Mr. Ed Parry, Memorial Day Parade – Mr. Parry appeared before the Council to request the use of Christmas Day parade funds to pay for expenses incurred by the Lions Club for the Memorial Day parade in the amount of $1,500.  The Council noted that these expenses had not been approved; however, if the Lions Club and American Legion would approve such reimbursement, the Council would issue the funds.  The Council also agreed to issue their Christmas funds towards the costs.  The Council thanked Mr. Parry for his appearance.

Business:  

·        Parks Board Appointment, Mary Roby – Mrs. Turner made the motion to appoint Mrs. Mary Roby to a 3 year term to the Town’s Park Board;  Mr. Pinder seconded the motion.  The Council voted unanimously in the affirmative. (3 ayes)

·        Ordinance 01-03, Second Reading:  Amendment to FY 2002-2003 Budget – Mr. Hodgson read the budget amendment into the record. There being no discussion, Mr. Pinder made a motion to approve the ordinance and amendment;  Mrs. Turner seconded the motion.  The Council voted unanimously in the affirmative (3 ayes).

·        Ordinance 02-03:  Second Reading of 2003-2004 Budget – Mr. Hodsgon summarized the ordinance for the Council.  There being no discussion,
Mrs. Turner made a motion to approve the second reading of the Fiscal 2003-2004 budget; Mr. Pinder seconded the motion.  The Council voted unanimously in the affirmative (3 ayes).

·        Resolution 02-03, Authorization for Street Sweeper Financing –
Mr. Hodsgon read the resolution to authorize financing for the purchase of a street sweeper.  Mr. Pinder made a motion to approve the financing;  Mrs. Turner seconded the motion.  The Council voted unanimously in the affirmative.  (3 ayes)

Maryland Municipal League:  Nothing to report.

QAC Municipal League:  Nothing to report.

Announcements and Correspondence:  Mr. Whitehill read the announcements into the record.  The correspondence from the QAC Arts Council prompted the Council to authorize the annual donation to their organization.

Report of Department Heads:

Town Clerk -

·        Ms. Ashley reported the first report for the WRAS grant was prepared and would be submitted for reimbursement from MDE.

·        She also stated that the paperwork for Phase 1 of the Millstream Park Trail improvements were underway and that the Notice to Proceed would be forthcoming.

Chief of Police - The Chief’s report was included in the Council’s book for their review; there was nothing unusual to report.

·        Officers continue to monitor the skateboard park.  Use of the park seems to have declined.

·        He is waiting for the electronic installation on the new patrol car.

·        All personnel have completed annual pistol and shotgun qualifications thanks to the Sheriff’s department.

·        He and Pfc. Conley received Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition.

·        Due to increased staffing, overtime costs for the current fiscal year are down considerably.

Town Manager -  Mr. Adams submitted a report in his absence:

·        Garbage pick-up bids were received this week.  Only one vendor met requirement of Monday pick-up, therefore, an extension with current one is recommended.  The Council discussed the different garbage pick up scenarios and approved Mr. Adams recommendation.

·        Mr. Adams recommended that the Town change health and life insurance carriers based on his analysis.  The Council approved the vendors designated by Mr. Adams.

·        A letter was forwarded to Charter Communications regarding the complete installation of cable for all residents at Tilghman Terrace.

·        A letter was forwarded to the Mother of Sorrows Church regarding land use issues on Glendale Ave.

·        Brambles road improvement work in the Heights will resume in the coming weeks and is to be completed by mid-August.

·        The wastewater treatment plant project is progressing despite the inclement weather.  A study is underway to increase capacity.

Citizens Forum: 

·        Mrs. Roby, Northbrook – She discussed with the Council the status of bonds and streets in Northbrook Phase 1.  The Council asked her to forward her pictures of the road conditions to Terry Adams and thanked her for her participation.

Motion to Adjourn:  There being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 7:58 pm. 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                    Deana Ashley

101 Lawyer's Row

Centreville, MD  21617

Phone: (410) 758-1180

Fax:     (410) 758-4741