Town Council
Work Session
February 14,
2005
Norman Pinder, Town Council President, convened a work session at 4:00pm
in Town Hall. Donna Turner, Council Vice-President, Mary McCarthy,
Council Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, Stephen Kehoe, Town
Attorney, Chief Cohey, and Deana Ashley, Clerk were also all in
attendance.
Welcome: Citizens and guests were welcomed to the
meeting.
Business:
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Maryland Environmental
Services (MES), Boil Water Alert February 11, 2005 – Mike Wojton,
Executive Director of Environmental Operations MES, appeared to report
on the “boil water” alert issued to Centreville citizens on February
11, 2005. Mr. Wojton reported that his firm was contracted to flush
hydrants approximately once a month in different areas of
Centreville. As he reported, the Northbrook flushing began on
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 in the evening; water pressure was reported
to the 911 center as low and the work stopped. MES representatives
met with town staff to investigate the potential causes of the
pressure drop. There was then a discussion with MDE on Thursday
evening regarding the situation and what actions were required by
protocol. Mr. Rhody Holthaus, Division Chief, contacted Dan Piaski(sp?)
of MDE on Thursday night and was instructed to issue a “boil water”
notice. The Town office was contacted Friday morning regarding the
notices, the documents were distributed, and tests were conducted to
ensure that there was no contamination (MDE levels were met).
Mr. Wojton reported that MDE does have the authority to require such a
notice, however, there are not clear standards of action when water
pressure is lowered and tests for contamination are not immediately
conducted.
Mrs. Turner questioned when MDE will have a policy? Mr. Wojton noted
that meetings are scheduled in the immediate future to address the
issue.
Mr. Pinder asked if regular tests were conducted between Tuesday and
Thursday? Mr. Wojton stated no, no tests were scheduled nor conducted
during that period. There was a general discussion about why residents
were not notified earlier if the pressure dropped Tuesday and the
notifications were distributed Friday? Mrs. Turner and Mr. Pinder
discussed alternatives for communication, such as radio stations, etc.
Mrs. McCarthy stated that in her discussions with MDE on “boil water
notice” policies, she was told that it was at the operator’s
discretion. Mr. Wojton stated the MES legal counsel had a different
interpretation. She also questioned if there was a possibility of
contamination? Mr. Wojton could not state with certainty because
testing was not conducted, but yes there was a possibility.
Mr. Powell discussed his receipt of the required notification on
Thursday and attempts to add comments to the flyers, he was advised that
MDE required the standard alert be issued without amendment.
Mr. Pinder asked if there were any recommendations to residents by MES?
Mr. Wojton offered chlorine residual tests to any homeowner with
concerns.
The Council thanked the MES representatives for their report; citizens
were instructed to meet the operators outside chambers to answer any
questions.
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Discussion of Ordinance
to Set the Membership of the Centreville Planning Commission – Mr.
Powell noted that the first reading of the ordinance will be conducted
Thursday, February 17, 2005. Mr. Kehoe described the current bylaws
for membership, and summarized the proposed changes so that terms are
staggered and placed in different classes. The board would be
expanded to 7 members, procedures for the election of officials would
be detailed, the chairperson could serve an unlimited term, and there
would be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and a secretary.
Mrs. Elizabeth Brice, Planning Commission Chairperson, stated her
opposition to the appointment to 7 new members as continuity and the
experienced gained my current members is important to the success of the
board. She also expressed her desire to have a Council member as a
liaison to the commission, not a voting member as there may be a
conflict of interest in potential Council votes on planning commission
recommendations. Mrs. Brice also recommended that 4 members from the
current board be re-appointed in April 2005.
Mr. Pinder stated his agreement with the recommendation, especially
considering the work required to update the Town’s comprehensive plan.
Mrs. McCarthy questioned the offer of $40,000 from the County in
assistance with the update? There was a general discussion on the
importance of the offer and how the monies might be utilized.
Mrs. Brice responded to Mr. Pinder’s question in the affirmative that
all planning board members were in favor of the proposed bylaws.
Mrs. McCarthy agreed with the draft language and asked that a revision
to paragraph C be made to include a requirement that a report be
submitted to the Council on a semi-annual basis documenting the board’s
activities.
Mr. Pinder and Mrs. Turner noted that the reporting process, via
meetings or physical reports, should be extended to all boards.
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GENERAL – Mr. Pinder
asked Mr. Powell to review funding opportunities for the wastewater
treatment operations. Mr. Powell noted that the Bay Restoration Fund
is estimated to collect $66 million dollars designated for plants with
5,000 gallons+ capacity to increase treatment efficiency.
There was a discussion about the progress of the INI study vs. the fees
collected to date. Mr. Powell estimated the first phase to be 80%
complete. A review of the INI fee ordinance was suggested to ensure
costs are recouped for both Phase 1 and 2 of the study.
Citizens Forum:
Mary Roby, Northbrook – Mrs. Roby suggested the radio station
information be listed in the upcoming newsletter so that residents will
know where to tune in case of emergency.
Jenna Ashley, Centreville Plaza – Ms. Ashley asked who would be
responsible for the costs associated with the additional labor and
materials for the “boil alert”? Mr. Pinder stated the Town would bear
the costs. Ms. Ashley also inquired if notifications would be made
available to business owners for potential insurance claims?
Mary Margaret Goodwin, Commerce St – Ms. Goodwin stated her concern with
the procedures for emergency notification to the citizens of
Centreville. Upon Mrs. McCarthy’s question, the Chief replied that the
Town’s emergency protocols are embedded into the County’s system.
Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session: There being nothing
further to discuss, Mrs. Turner made a motion to adjourn to closed
session regarding potential litigation; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the
motion. The Council voted unanimously to go into closed session at 4:50
pm (3 ayes).
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
