TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
October 6, 2003
President John F. Ford Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor
Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney Christopher B. Kehoe, Town Engineer Tim Glass, and Chief George Harvey, Easton Police Department. Mr. Jensen was excused due to illness and Ms. Jackson-Amis was unavoidably detailed.
At 7:00 p.m., Mr. Wendowski led the audience in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski, minutes of the September 11 and September 15 meetings were unanimously approved as written.
REPORT FROM EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.
There was no report from the Fire Department at this time.
APPROVAL OF FOOD CONCESSIONS FOR 2003 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor, the food concessions for the 2003 Waterfowl Festival were carried unanimously.
MEMO FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR REGARDING UPPER STORY REDEVELOPMENT GRANT
Mayor Willey discussed the Community Legacy Gap Financing award. He stated that there were four applicants for this funding and two have been approved. He asked the Council to approve this award.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor, the recommendations from the Board and the expenditure of the funds were carried unanimously.
ITEMS FROM MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey discussed the questions in the packet regarding office space needs. He asked the Council to look at this and direct any comments to him as quickly as possible in order to forward to the consultant.
Mayor Willey stated that there are vacancies now on the Historic District Commission and the Economic Development Advisory Board. He asked the Council to forward any candidates to him for consideration. He discussed the procedure.
Mayor Willey thanked the Easton Utilities, the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., the Easton Police Department and Easton Public Works for their efforts during Hurricane Isabel. He asked for citizens’ patience during the cleanup.
Mayor Willey discussed the budget deficit for the State of Maryland. He stated it is projected to be $700,000,000; next year $1,300,000,000 and 2005 $1,700,000,000. Mayor Willey forewarned department heads will be looked at very carefully with questions for large expenditures.
Mayor Willey reminded those present of the annual cemetery cleanup day scheduled for October 18 at both Springhill Cemetery and Richardson Cemetery scheduled for 8:00 a.m.
Mayor Willey discussed Mr. Chris Delaporte’s activities around town regarding the RTC property. He stated that he will be in town October 13 and October 14 with an assistant from Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Ford asked for an update on the Housing Initiative funding.
Mayor Willey stated that this is a commission to be set-up and functioning, hopefully by December 31. He stated that the commission will receive the funds from developers to renovate houses, substandard housing and to fix-up homes. He stated that the Commission should also set-up a list of approved contractors to do small jobs. He asked the Council to think about potential candidates.
COMMENTS FROM CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Harvey had the following requests for consideration:
Mrs. Scott-Taylor made a motion to approve the Chief’s recommendations seconded by Mr. Wendowksi and carried unanimously.
ITEMS FROM THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Glass, the Town Engineer stated that on October 14 at 3:30 p.m., the Maryland Department of Transportation will be holding an open meeting at the Talbot County Library to discuss their capital improvement program for transportation throughout the state.
Mr. Glass discussed a four-way stop and crosswalk on Fischer Range Road and Alden Street. He stated that the crews at Public Works are ready to begin that project and he asked for affirmation from the Council.
Mr. Ford stated that Mr. Jensen wanted to meet with the residents again. Mr. Glass stated that he has spoken with him via e-mail and he stated that he does not know of any outstanding issues.
Mr. Glass stated that he would like to see how the crosswalk works before considering speed humps.
Mr. Wendowski asked if there would be signage alerting of a new traffic stop. Mr. Glass stated that he will leave that up for about 6 weeks.
Mr. Ford stated that it has his support.
Mr. Wendowski made a motion to proceed at once with Mr. Glass’s recommendations seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously.
Mr. Glass discussed truck routing and truck signage. He stated that he has worked with Captain Blue on this matter and will probably be working with the state.
The Town Engineer discussed Hurricane Isabel. He stated that over two weeks’ time, they logged over 673 hours on equipment and over 881 hours personnel time. He stated that they carried over 146 truckloads of debris out of the town and delivered to Talbot County Landfill. He stated that most of this was generated on private property.
Mr. Ford asked about Mr. Glass’s meeting with State Highway Administration. He stated that he rode some of the roads with their Engineer and he has seen new signs being erected.
Mr. Ford questioned the Town Attorney about a meeting with Hyde Park residents in regards to annexation. Mr. Kehoe stated that he will be meeting with him on Wednesday.
Chief Harvey asked if a consensus could be reached in a timely fashion regarding trucks in town. He stated that he would be issuing permits in December for trucks to enter town and he would be willing to attach correspondence regarding the best way to come in and out of town in order to get the permit approved.
ITEMS FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Kehoe discussed a memorandum in the packet regarding the Police Board and the Fire Board. He stated that he has come to the conclusion that there are provisions in the regulations that pertain to the Police Board that are no longer consistent with the law of Maryland; specifically the Law Enforcement’s Bill of Rights. He stated that if there is a consensus on the Council, we should amend the Police Board’s references that are inconsistent with what state law is now. He stated that with the Fire Board, he thinks the functions are purely an advisory role.
Ms. Jackson-Amis arrived at 7:24 p.m. She asked what the inconsistencies generally were for the Police Board.
Mr. Kehoe stated that what concerns him specifically is the Police Board legislation was adopted by the Town Council in the 1940s and then functioned as a disciplinary proceeding involving police officers. He stated that in the 1970s, the Maryland General Assembly enacted the Law Enforcement’s Officers Bill of Rights which pre-empts all other forms of police discipline and sets forth a procedure that calls for police disciplinary boards consisting of other law enforcement officers with the Chief having the final word on disciplinary matters.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she has a question on how the Police Board is supposed to function. She stated that some communities have advisory boards that include the community and somehow this board does not have a mechanism that would include concerns the community have which would direct the quality of relations the community and the police have. She stated that she is interested in making that a more functioning part.
Mr. Kehoe stated that this was legislation from the 1940s and is obsolete and should be reconsidered and changed to meet the current concerns of the council and the public.
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL’S COMMENTS
Mr. Ford reviewed the Council meeting at this point for Ms. Jackson-Amis.
Mr. Ford reviewed the Council’s upcoming meetings.
ITEMS FROM THE COUNCIL
Ms. Scott-Taylor thanked the Mayor and departments for their efforts during the Hurricane.
Ms. Scott-Taylor thanked the homeowners of Chapel Farms for inviting Mr. Chris Delaporte and her for their annual picnic on Saturday.
She invited everyone to join the Council in the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Workshop.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he had met with Ms. Priscilla Morris regarding the survey. He stated that he delivered CDs which may help with the review she is undertaking.
Mr. Wendowski stated that he received several comments regarding the way the town was cleaned up after the storm.
Mr. Wendowski thanked the Talbot County squad for their response in Easton Club. Mr. Wendowski stated that the dispatcher asked which Easton Club he was calling from. He suggested not using similar names for developments to alleviate confusion.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she thinks it is important to elevate the participation of community individuals. She discussed the idea for the housing trust. She suggested an open discussion for this potential avenue to reserve funds for the housing initiative. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that the CDC should be discussed as well. She stated that it is her understanding that the monies from the Elm Street funds would be grant money for the people that are selected by some process to be put in place would not be expected to borrow money that has been allocated but this money would be designated for direct building. Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that the housing projects need to be distinguished by some category and determine which applies to revolving loans in certain instances. She stated that we need input from others that may have experience with it.
Mr. Ford stated that there is nothing in place at the moment and we are open for discussions on all aspects on how the money is going to be disbursed and who will control that process.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that her point was to a) acknowledge the contributions of the two citizens that brought this forward and b) to specifically set up some kind of workshop or meeting.
Mr. Ford stated that the Mayor’s hope is to have something set up by the end of this year.
Mayor Willey discussed the Council’s upcoming meetings. He stated that these issues would not be resolved in one meeting but he hopes to have all the issues out on the table.
Mr. Wendowski discussed the affordable housing roundtable to be held November 20.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Ms. Libby Dawkins discussed the problem of having two names of streets or developments.
Ms. Dawkins asked that the Council consider more microphones for the Council room in the upcoming budget.
She commended the Town of Easton for their services during Hurricane Isabel.
Ms. Dawkins discussed contracting services for the Town of Easton and suggested the Town do more work themselves. Ms. Dawkins discussed the residents’ contributions of trees to the Town of Easton.
Ms. Dawkins asked how far back the town has jurisdiction to do things automatically.
The Town Attorney stated that this depends on the neighborhood but without sidewalks, usually about six to eight feet.
Ms. Dawkins discussed the collector road and stated that the town should talk to the state regarding a proposed toll road from the Bay Bridge to the beach area. She congratulated the town on all their good work.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Mrs. Scott-Taylor, seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:52 P.M.
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Town Clerk