September 15, 1997

The Town Council of the Town of Easton met today at 7:07 P.M. The meeting was called to order by the President with the following members present: Mr. Ford, Mr. Mayer, Mrs. Clem and Mr. Heinmuller. Also attending the meeting were the Mayor, Chief of Police, Town Engineer, Assistant Town Engineer, Town Planner, Town Attorney and Assistant Town Planner.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Ford.

Upon motion by Mr. Ford and carried, minutes of the September 2, 1997 meeting were approved as written.

A letter was received from Mr. James S. Maffitt, President, United Fund Organization requesting permission to place a thermometer sign at the intersection of Bay Street and Washington Street September 20 through December. Upon motion by Mrs. Clem, seconded by Mr. Mayer and carried, permission was granted to place the sign.

A letter was received from Ms. Anne Kruger, President of the Temple B'Nai Israel requesting leniency on posted parking restrictions during The High Holy Days' religious services.

Col. Chase stated that this would be no problem. He stated that this is done almost every year. Mr. Heinmuller questioned whether there was a reason to do this every year or if this could be written into some sort of schedule. Mr. Mayer stated that it was up to the Town Council. Mr. Heinmuller stated that he would like to write this into a resolution for religious organizations observing on days other than Sundays. The President of the Council asked the Town Attorney to draft such resolution. Following a motion by Mr. Mayer, seconded by Mr. Heinmuller, the permission was granted to grant leniency.

At 7:11 P.M., the President of the Council opened the Public Hearing to solicit input concerning a new Main Street Maryland Program. The President of the Council asked Mr. Lynn Thomas, Assistant Town Planner to discuss the matter; especially items numbered two, three and four and the contribution issue.

Mr. Thomas discussed the history of the proposal especially the problem of binding future Council's to funding. He discussed contacts made at the MML and the State where suggestions were received to mitigate the issue. The Town Attorney suggested at the end of Section Two, to add the phrase Asubject to the annual budget process. The Town Attorney also suggested a similar change to Section Four. The President of the Council stated that he believes this will relieve the anxiety of the Council if these changes are included. The Town Attorney stated that this could be passed as amended. The Mayor questioned whether the proposed budget on page 18 does not enter into the issue or question whether it would be up to the budget process. The Town Attorney stated that the amount allocated in the future is up to the Town Council at that time and this is not a binding resolution. The Mayor stated that he would have problems with this if it was binding. Mr. Heinmuller asked that the proposed changes be read again. The Town Attorney reread the changes and discussed the impact on page 18. The Mayor stated that the amendments give it a whole different slant and stated that it was better. Mr. Thomas discussed showing different levels given in the past.

The President of the Council asked if there were any Council comments. There were none. The President of the Council opened the matter to the floor for comments. There was none. The President of the Council declared the Public Hearing closed. A motion was made by Mr. Mayer, seconded by Mr. Heinmuller to suspend the rules and Resolution No. 5593 As Amended, was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.

The President of the Council brought Resolution No. 5595 which would authorize the Town Clerk to abate and/or refund taxes due totaling $4,213.70. Resolution No. 5595 was moved for passage by Mr. Mayer. Mr. Heinmuller recused himself from the vote and a second was received on the motion. Resolution No. 5595 was passed following a roll call vote with Mr. Heinmuller abstaining.

Resolution No. 5596 authorizing the Mayor and Town Clerk to execute documents necessary to use an Automated Clearing House Account was brought to the floor by the President. The Town Clerk explained that this was to change a payroll account to St. Michaels Bank and to utilize the Mercantile system at a better cost and hopefully a more convenient service. Mr. Heinmuller stated that this appeared to be the same as what the Council had done previously.

Resolution No. 5596 was moved for passage by Mrs. Clem, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously following a roll call vote of the members of the Town Council

A letter was received from Mr. Ian M. Morrell, Chairman, Easton Planning and Zoning Commission requesting the Council's consideration to the Zoning Ordinance. The President of the Council asked the Town Planner to discuss these changes and the fee for permit issue which was discussed at budget time. The Town Planner stated that was not within the realm of this Ordinance. He stated that the Planning Commission had sent along a portion and he does not believe this includes all possible changes such as the Sign Ordinance issues. The Town Planner suggested a second meeting in October for a Public Hearing on the matter. He stated that he is willing to do a workshop or whatever the Council might desire. The President of the Council stated that he would like to include the liquor store amendments which had been discussed previously. Mr. Ford questioned the attachment which was not there. Mr. Thomas stated that it will be attached to the Ordinance.

A second letter was received from Mr. Ian M. Morrell, Chairman, Easton Planning and Zoning Commission requesting consideration of the East End Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. The President of the Council stated that it was obvious that a lot of hard work has gone into this document. The Town Planner stated that Mr. Thomas did this with the East End Neighborhood Association. Mr. Thomas thanked everyone for the compliment. He discussed the work accomplished which was similar to the Comprehensive Plan Visioning. He stated that the purpose is to forward the matter to the Council and that the process was identical to the Comprehensive Plan passage. He stated that a Public Hearing could be held if desired. The President of the Council made the suggestion that if a workshop for the Zoning Amendments was going to be held, a Public Hearing for the East End Revitalization Plan could occur the same night. He asked that the matter be advertised well due to recent comments.

Mrs. Clem questioned whether copies would be available. Mr. Thomas stated that they could be made available. The President of the Council suggested that some copies be made available at Asbury Church. Mr. Heinmuller suggested also making a copy available at Asbury Apartments. Mrs. Clem suggested that copies be made available at the front counter in the Talbot County Public Library. The President of the Council questioned whether the format was okay for the workshop and then have the Public Hearing. The consensus was that this was okay. Mr. Ford questioned the PUD portion which Mr. Thomas discussed.

The next matter to come before the Town Council was the discussion on Harrison Street and Washington Street brick sidewalk issue related to the reconstruction. Mr. Lineberry reported that he had received two more consents for the reconstruction and one definite no which is a total to date of six yeses and one no for participation in the brick sidewalk reconstruction. He discussed waiting for some of the property owners due to having to receive information from their corporate headquarters. He stated that this has been well received with the majority of the property owners.

Mrs. Clem stated that she appreciated the efforts to notify the property owners. She stated that she had heard from people in other areas who would like to have the sidewalks proposed.

The President of the Council questioned the timetable. Mr. Lineberry discussed that. The President of the Council stated that he expected this matter to be ready for a vote at the next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting.

The President of the Council reminded the Council members that there was a letter received concerning the Joint Meeting with the Easton Utilities Commission on October 23. He also reminded the Council on the Draft Proposal on the Finance Authority for the Inner Courtyard. He asked that questions or comments be directed to the Town Clerk for a central response.

Ms. Rose Miles was present on behalf of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., and reported on the pageant for Miss Easton and Little Miss Easton. Miss Easton for 1997/98 is Miss Michelle Bufton and the Little Miss is Miss Tory Spies.

Col. Chase stated that during this past weekend, the Cancer Society had their Relay for Life and he termed it a success. Col. Chase reported that they raised $43,000.

Col. Chase discussed an intersection incident and the firearms issue. He stated that Cpl. Bailey was investigating that. He stated that one of these cases is about to be brought to a conclusion. He stated that he will be presenting a new program for gun stoppers to the Police Board. Col. Chase discussed successes in South Carolina and elsewhere. He stated that hopefully, this will help get some of the guns off the street.

The President of the Council discussed the real concerns of some of the callers that expressed that the Town is losing some of the streets. He stated that he expected the support of the Police Board and the Council to provide resources and that the Police Department needs to ask for the resources which they need.

Mr. Heinmuller questioned where would discharge of firearms fall on the monthly report? Col. Chase stated that it would be in handgun violations. He discussed the unfounded nature of some of the complaints and allegations.

Ms. Rosemary Garrett, 102 S. Aurora Street, questioned what is necessary for an arrest and a conviction. She discussed her personal observations leading to an arrest with a gun in which the perpetrator walked away from the court free. Col. Chase stated that sometimes, perpetrators are released before the police officers finish their paperwork.

Ms. Liz Freedlander stated that she had lived here for twenty one years. She stated that she loves living in Easton. Ms. Freedlander stated that she was reading the paper, especially the Sunday article and discussed one more example of cars stopping in the street to talk or a parade of people blocking traffic to cross the street. She asked for one; advice of what to do if she is behind a car which is stopped with people talking similar to the incident to the one on the corner discussed in the recently published Star Democrat article. She questioned two; is there a reason for optimism or is there a need for better PR? She stated that she is really concerned.

Col. Chase stated that he believes there is reason for optimism. He discussed some instances of reported gunfire actually being firecrackers. He stated that if someone displayed a weapon, he would move away as soon as he was safely able to do so. Ms. Freedlander questioned the car blocking traffic scenario. Col. Chase stated that he might toot the horn or go around or jot down the tag number and report it to the police. Col. Chase requested that all incidents be reported. He discussed two people being assigned to the East End on bicycles and two on foot patrol as well as vehicular assignments by the police. He discussed taking an aggressive approach.

Ms. Rosemary Garrett questioned whether tickets had been issued on the Noise Ordinance. Col. Chase stated that they had not been issued yet.

Mr. Carl Reed questioned whether any efforts was made to get community watch programs started. Col. Chase stated that he cannot say how many there were but they are active and Cpl. Wright is directing that activity. Mr. Reed questioned trying to get Federal Grant money. Col. Chase discussed the HotSpot program. Mr. Reed discussed Perry Hall getting $2,000 for cellular phones. He discussed the Federal Program.

Ms. Lisa Marvel was present and discussed properties which they own and problems which they have experienced. She discussed problems of renting due to the perception of bad areas. She stated that she had talked to the Mayor and Col. Chase and has received some help. She discussed concerns over safety and stated that she is discouraged. She discussed problems and the reactions which she described as slow sometimes when the Task Force had been called or other police agencies. She questioned HotSpot grant money. Col. Chase stated that $23,000 had been received for overtime from the Federal Government. Ms. Marvel discussed the possibility of offering rewards. Col. Chase discussed part of what will be presented to the Town Council. Mr. Mayer discussed his conversations with Ms. Marvel and her fence being destroyed after a couple of days. He stated that the Chief and the Mayor are looking to assist to people in this kind of predicament. Ms. Marvel discussed the activities and the expenses they have incurred to clean up their properties. She stated that they cannot lease some of the properties due to perceptual issues.

Col. Chase discussed problems with trespass laws and the activities in detail.

Ms. Rosemary Garrett questioned whether the Town could have an ordinance concerning trespassing. She discussed incidents on her property.

The President of the Council asked the Town Attorney for a recommendation to be forwarded to the Police Board. The Town Attorney discussed the problem of proof under the Maryland State Law. He discussed trespass signs; putting people on notice and that being part of what needs to be done. He discussed this matter in detail and stated that he could not think of anything to come up with to get around the State Law.

The Town Engineer reported that they are keenly aware of the Waterfowl Festival concerns and the Harrison Street construction. The Town Engineer stated that the street will be paved to provide a safe thoroughfare during the Waterfowl Festival. The Town Engineer stated that South and Aurora Streets drainage work is continuing. He discussed the Retail Wheeling meetings and the Eastern Shore Natural Gas case meetings. The Town Engineer reported that there would be a water system wide flushing on October 11 and notices will be provided.

The Town Engineer reminded the Council of the annual joint meeting with Easton Utilities Commission.

Mrs. Clem stated that she had seen a report on CNN about brass connections related to gas lines and questioned whether the Town Engineer could speak about this. The Town Engineer stated that he knows some but he is not certain that this would present problems for Easton Utilities customers. He stated that he would have the Gas Department check.

The Town Attorney stated that he believed this matter arose from a news release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mr. Mayer stated that he had a couple of inquiries about the substation or collection at Route 50 with complaints over the smell. The Town Engineer discussed efforts to address this and to find the cause. He discussed their current litigation efforts with hydrogen peroxide injection.

Mr. Heinmuller asked that the agenda on the first meeting in November include the year 2000 committee report in writing.

The Mayor discussed the prayer breakfast scheduled for October 20 at 7:00 A.M.

Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Mayer and carried, invoices in the amount of $1,285,914.27 were approved for payment.

The President of the Council questioned if there was anything else.

Ms. Rosemary Garrett stated that on Monday, October 27, at 6:00 P.M., the East End Neighborhood Association will have their dinner meeting at the Asbury Church and invited all to attend.

There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Mayer, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

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Town Clerk