Town Council Meeting #16-04

September 2, 2004

Council President Norman Pinder convened meeting #16-04 at 7:00pm in the Town Hall. Donna Turner, Council Member Vice President, Mary McCarthy, Council Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, Stephen Kehoe, Town Attorney, Police Chief Ben Cohey and Deana Ashley, Clerk, were also present. 

Welcome:  Citizens and guests were welcomed to the meeting.

Review of Minutes from Previous Meeting:  Meeting minutes for a July 20^th work session, August 5^th Council meeting, August 9^th work session, August 23^rd, and August 30^th work session were reviewed and approved as presented.  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:  

1. Luke Phipps, Parks Board Member – The Council swore in Mr. Phipps as a
   3-year member to the Town’s Park Advisory Board.  Mr. Pinder presented him with a certificate and thanked him for his participation.
2. Jamie Treego, Report on Trip to England with “People to People” program –
   Ms. Treego read a statement which described her trip to England with the program and showed pictures of her friends and family while abroad.  She thanked the Council for their donation which aided her in making the trip.  The Council thanked her for her presentation.
3. Mr. Sveinn Storm, Wastewater Treatment Records – Mr. Storm discussed a July 9^th 2004 memo distributed by the Council which stated the type and frequency of reporting on the wastewater plant which would be made available to them and the public.  He then cited an MDE memo which suggested the removal of the north pumping station flow meter numbers from the daily log.  Mr. Storm also discussed the August 28^th spill and disputed the amount of gallons reported using flow reports from previous Saturdays.  He also stated that he had contact with workers near the station of the spill regarding why the breaker was tripped and the alarm did not respond.  Mr. Storm and the Council discussed the number of flow meters which will be in use and reported within the new facility; Mr. Tom DeLormier of URS reported 18 in total.

Business:   None.

Maryland Municipal League:   Minutes of the MD Municipal Public Works Officials Association Meeting ( 6/27/4 ). 

QAC Municipal League:   Mrs. Turner noted that she would contact the other municipalities and suggest a meeting to continue their efforts as a group.

Announcements and Correspondence:  Mr. Pinder read the announcements and correspondence into the record. 

Report of Department Heads:

Town Clerk – Ms. Ashley reported the following:

·   The annual audit is underway.  Additional work will be required of the Council in regards to the new management and SAS99 reporting requirements.

·   Mrs. McCarthy requested information on the status of outstanding fees from developers.  See Town Manager Report.

·  Mrs. McCarthy requested information regarding the cost for waste collection.  Ms. Ashley stated that the monthly average for collection and disposal is approximately $12,000.  The Town is only capturing approximately $5,400 a month in revenues for the service. Mrs. McCarthy stated that these figures warrant the Council investigating recycling and its potential savings in landfill fees.  Mrs. Turner agreed and asked Mr. Powell to locate the information which was gathered previously by Town staff.

Chief of Police –  

·        The Chief’s report was included in the Council’s books for their review.  There was nothing unusual to report.

·        Officers have completed training on weapons of mass destruction hosted by the Queen Anne’s Emergency Services, and each passed the required test.  DES will now begin issuing protective equipment to our personnel.

·        Partial reimbursement was received from the Department of Justice for recently purchased body armor.

·        He will be attending the Maryland Chief’s of Police Association Conference in Ocean City in October.

·        Each merchant and volunteer was thanked and sent a certificate of appreciation for their efforts at National Night Out.

·        The audit by the Maryland State Police NCIC/MILES Controller was conducted with only minor errors.  Lt. Teat and Ms. Isbell deserve the credit for their work.

Town Manager –

·        He reported that Town staff will investigate the fees owed by developers related to site plan review and subdivision review as listed under Resolutions 03-01 and 04-01.

·        MDE required composite samples for the new plant have been obtained and sent out for results.  If satisfactory, spray irrigation at the farm may begin soon.

·        Upgrades to the south pumping station are underway to include new pumps and electric controls.

·        Mr. Kiel of SHA will have a report of his traffic study findings by the 8^th and will call to schedule a meeting with the Council.

·        The Parks Advisory Board has been asked to develop a plan to present to the Council at their next meeting of their “vision” of the revitalization of the Town wharf area.

·        A meeting is scheduled with Mr. George Fabula to discuss the Penn Station building.

·        The Capacity Management Plan schedule is as follows:

o       The plan will be submitted to the Council at their September 16, 2004 meeting.

o       A public hearing will be held on September 30^th.

o       A “mark-up” session for the Council is scheduled for October 4^th.

o       Final approval by the Council on their re-scheduled October 6^th meeting.

Citizens Forum:

·        Mrs. Aileen Minor, 208 S Liberty St – Mrs. Minor talked with the Council about the recent SHA survey and whether truck traffic on Liberty had been reviewed.  She also talked with the Chief about speed traps for commercial trucks.  Mrs. Minor noted that truck traffic on state highways was stopped in parts of Upper Marlboro and Frostburg (Route 40).  Mrs. Minor also inquired about the relocated home near the Ridgeview townhomes.

·        Mr. Sveinn Storm, 209 S Commerce St – Mr. Storm asked Mr. Powell if  there would be an amendment to the press release regarding the gallons spilled?  Mr. Powell responded that the release was based on information available at the time.

·        Mrs. Madelyn Hollis, 103 Holton St – Mrs. Hollis asked the Council how the Little Kidwell Extension will impact traffic crossing 213?  The Council noted their concern as well and discussed them with the SHA representatives at their recent meeting.

·        Mrs. Carol Meredith, Sidewalk Request from Hope Road to Hardees –
Mrs. Meredith requested the Council consider installing a sidewalk from Hope Road to Hardees to facilitate foot traffic into town.  The Council agreed with the concept and asked staff to look into the costs associated with such a project.  They thanked Mr. and Mrs. Smith for their time.

Motion to go into closed session regarding potential litigation:  Mrs. Turner made the motion to go into closed session; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the motion.  The Council closed the meeting at 8:05 pm . 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted, 

101 Lawyer's Row

Centreville, MD  21617

Phone: (410) 758-1180

Fax:     (410) 758-4741