Town Council
Meeting #21-04
November 18,
2004
Council President Norman Pinder convened meeting #21-04 at 7:00pm in
Town Hall. Donna Turner, Council Vice-President, Mary McCarthy, Council
Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, Stephen Kehoe, Town Attorney, and
Deana Ashley, Clerk, were also present.
Welcome: Citizens and guests were welcomed to the
meeting.
Review of Minutes from Previous Meetings: Minutes for the
meeting on November 4, 2004 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: None.
Business:
-
Traffic Issue Update –
Mrs. McCarthy read a draft letter to MD Transportation Secretary
Robert Flanagan which requested his department’s opinion on the
proposal to limit truck traffic on Rt213 North and South. Mrs. Turner
noted she wanted to review the draft and include additional
information such as proposed traffic lights and the current
origin/destination study findings. Mr. Pinder noted he would like to
add language regarding revising speed limits in areas leading into
Town limits. Mrs. McCarthy made a motion to discuss sending the
letter;
Mr. Pinder seconded the motion for discussion.
Mr. Pinder then stated that he believes SHA is aware of the Town’s
position following the two meetings held on October 14, 2004. He stated
he has received phone calls from business owners who oppose the proposed
time limitations as they would interfere with deliveries. Mrs. Turner
reiterated her wish to review the letter in a work session format. Mrs.
McCarthy stated it would be the only document forwarded to the state
which formally stated their position.
The Council then voted on whether to forward the letter; Mrs. McCarthy
voted aye; Mrs. Turner voted aye; Mrs. Turner rescinded her vote and
voted nay; Mr. Pinder voted nay. (1 aye, 2 nay)
-
Resolution 05-04: Town
Council Support of the Corsica Watershed Restoration Strategy –
Mr. Powell summarized the findings of the strategy and the Planning
Commission’s recommendation for adoption. Mr. Powell would work with
the steering committee to set up a formal signing/meeting which will
also strengthen relationships with other agencies to ensure the
strategy is implemented. Mrs. McCarthy made a motion to vote to adopt
the strategy and the resolution; Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. The
Council voted unanimously to adopt #05-04. (3 ayes)
-
Northbrook 2: Public
Works Agreement Amendment (Mr. Tom Sperl and Mr. Jeff Thompson) –
Mr. Powell summarized the need for the amendment as increasing costs
for the North Pumping Station and the arsenic treatment facility.
The increased costs are a result of revised specifications so that the
station and facility materials equal the grade of those at the new
wastewater treatment plant. The amendment would increase the $1,200 per
lot fee to $1,700 per lot for each building permit in Northbrook 2 and
3, and the work must be completed by the 101st permit rather
than the 67th. The monies would revert back to the developer
to help recapture the cost of construction. Mr. Pinder noted that the
charges were only applicable to Northbrook homeowners.
Mrs. McCarthy questioned why there was a revision to the 101st
house vs. the 67th? Mr. Thompson replied that the cash flow
which would be realized by the 100th house would help cover
the costs. Mrs. McCarthy questioned if the 101st home would
be met under the interim permits to be released or those in the first
phase of the Capacity Management Plan(CPM)? Mr. Kehoe responded that
the first phase of the CPM would allow the 67th building
permit to be realized.
In response to Mr. Sperl’s question about approval, Mr. Powell and Mr.
Kehoe noted that input was required from URS (Town engineer) and that an
amendment could be approved by the second week of December.
Maryland Municipal League: None
QAC Municipal League: Mrs. Turner stated the league met on
November 15 at Centreville Town Hall to discuss general concerns. At
the next meeting a representative from Millington will bring bylaws
which could be tailored and then implemented for the league. Mr. Powell
forwarded a request from Paul Comfort, Queen Anne’s County
Administrator, that a member from each municipality attend the next QAC
Commissioner’s meeting. The Council asked Mr. Powell to contact
Winfield Miller, Queenstown Commissioner, and notify him of the request.
Announcements and Correspondence: Mr. Pinder read the
announcements and correspondence into the record.
Report of Department Heads:
Town Clerk – Ms. Ashley reported the following:
·
Ms. Ashley deferred her report time to the Town Manager.
Chief of Police –
·
Lt. Teat appeared on behalf of the Chief and noted his
report was in the Council’s books for their review. There was nothing
unusual to report.
·
The department has partnered with the US Marine Corps and
Toys for Tots program. Fliers have been posted in Town and a collection
box has been placed in the police building lobby.
·
Cpl. Conley is working a on a Relay for Life Walk in 2005.
Town Manager –
·
He stated that he is working on subdivision review,
building permit and allocation fees which are outstanding; he will
present the information to the Council on Monday, November, 22. MDE has
granted the release of the interim permits. Mrs. McCarthy asked if this
work had delayed the completion of the audit? Mr. Powell responded yes,
the auditors were waiting the total receivables to close their site
work.
·
Spray field testing continues; the lagoon is 60% full and
should reach its maximum load between now and December. In response to
Mr. Pinder’s
question, Mr. Powell noted that MDE would look favorably upon the CPM if
the spray test results were good.
·
Mr. Powell reported that the old plant has been completely
demolished; construction of reed beds to clean sludge will begin in late
November.
·
Work continues on the upgrades to the South Pumping
Station; it should be completed by the end of the week.
·
Bond reduction requests will be presented to the Council
for their approval in the coming weeks based on work completed by
developments.
·
The Railroad Administration will not allow removal of
tracks at old ACME as long as they own the property on Railroad Avenue.
Mr. Pinder noted that the road can not be paved over until the rails are
removed.
·
The I&I study, conducted by URS, is progressing well; dry
weather tests were conducted, the next step is wet tests in the
rainy/spring season.
Citizens Forum:
·
Jenna Ashley, Centreville Plaza, LLC – Ms. Ashley asked if
there is a process in the office for the handling of the interim
building permits? Mr. Powell stated they would be reviewed in the order
in which they were received.
·
Judith Suling, Liberty St – Ms. Suling asked Mr. Pinder
when he would reach a “comfort level” with the language in the letter to
Sec. Flanagan. Mr. Pinder responded that he believes there are ongoing
issues which should be included and that the Council could contact SHA
next month for an update on the study and its findings. He is also
awaiting input from more local businesses.
Mrs. McCarthy acknowledged that the council
had received two opposition letters from farmers and one from a
business, both of whom are exempted in the ordinance, and noted that the
council had not received letters opposing the truck ordinance from
anyone who is directly affected by the ordinance.
·
Tammy Stafford, Record Observer – Ms. Stafford asked Mr.
Powell if he has considered policy changes to the building permit
process to ensure the guidelines of the CPM are met? (ie not to exceed
allowed flow) Mr. Powell noted that an automated tool has been created
to assist in the process.
Ms. Stafford asked if there were a “checklist” of some form to track and
assist the Council in management of allocation disbursements? Mr.
Powell and Mr. Kehoe responded it will be the responsibility of the
Council to approve all allocations released.
·
Robert Thompson, Chesterfield Ave – Mr. Thompson asked the
Council if the items they wished to add to Sec. Flanagan’s letter were
addressed in the upcoming work session, would the letter be sent? Mr.
Pinder stated “Yes, the letter can be sent”.
·
Larry Cook, Commerce St – Mr. Cook stated that the Council
seemed more concerned with railroad boards in the street than the volume
and size of trucks on Rt213. Mrs. Turner noted that she is affected by
the issue, and upon review of the letter, she will have input at the
Council’s next work session.
Motion to Adjourn: There being nothing further to discuss,
the Council voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:45pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
