October 18, 1999

The Town Council of the Town of Easton met today at 7:00 PM. The meeting was called to order by the President of the Council, Mr. Willey, with the following members present: Mr. Ford, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Reed and Mr. Heinmuller. Also attending the meeting were Mayor C. Eugene Butler, Town Engineer Mr. Glass, Chief Harvey, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton and Town Attorney Christopher Kehoe.

The meeting was opened with prayer led by Mr. Mayer. Mr. Mayer led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Upon motion by Mr. Mayer, seconded by Mr. Ford, the minutes of the October 4 and October 6, 1999 meetings were approved as written.

Notice was given of the Joint Meeting of the Town and County Council to be held on Tuesday October 26, 1999 at 6: 00 PM.

Miss Cindy Quimby was called to address the Council, but was not present to do so.

Mayor Butler presented a Proclamation making October 18 to October 23, 1999 "Character Counts Week." John White accepted on behalf of "Character Counts."

Mr. Mayer presented a Proclamation observing Saturday October 23, 1999 as "Make a Difference Day." A large number of children accepted the award accompanied by parents and HotSpot officials.

Mr. Willey spoke concerning a memo issued by him the previous week concerning public speaking at the Council meetings. Speaking will be allowed at the Council’s meetings, but in the future anyone wishing to speak will need to call in by Thursday to be placed on the agenda. Presentations will be limited to Town issues, policies, procedures, ordinances and items of that nature.

The President of the Council brought Resolution No. 5677 authorizing the Town Clerk to abate and/or refund taxes due totaling $1,206.60 to the floor. Mr. Heinmuller made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5677, seconded by Mr. Reed and approved unanimously following a roll call vote.

The Town Planner, Mr. Hamilton led a discussion concerning Town of Easton Zoning Ordinance Section 608.4. Mr. Hamilton distributed a handout to the Council concerning this Zoning Ordinance.

Mr. Mayer expressed concerns about citizens ability to get boats, trailers etc., into their backyards in the developments, as there are no alleys behind these homes.

Mr. Hamilton suggested the Council have the Planning Commission look at this issue and send back a recommendation.

Mr. Kehoe addressed the Council concerning the outcome of a previous memo. He expressed concerns that were brought up by Mr. Lee Denny concerning items that the Ordinance did not address. One of these being the way automobiles or light trucks are sold now and how weight distinctions are different in today’s market than it was under the structure that was used to prepare the Ordinance.

Mr. Hamilton suggested that there was an ordinance passed about that time which changed the definition of a commercial truck. It read a registered commercial vehicle of 10,000 pounds, but was changed to 10,000 pounds and more.

The floor was opened for questions from citizens. Mr. Brassington expressed concerns he has about this Ordinance. Mr. Donald Westerfield expressed his opinion on neighbors such as Mr. Brassington having boats in side yards or even on the street. He also expressed concerns about the mailbox issue being raised and the neighborhood mailboxes all being in one place. Mr. Westerfield stated that the mailman is never bothered by it.

The President of the Council asked Mr. Hamilton to take this issue back to the Planning Commission and see if they can come up with a revision. Mr. Willey also instructed the Town Planner to get in contact with Mr. Porter and ask to stay the October 25^th memo until the Council has a chance to review the issue.

Mr. Hamilton asked how to respond to citizens in the interim.

Mr. Kehoe suggested that instead of a blanket suspension of enforcement of that entire section that it be considered to request that Mr. Porter suspend enforcement of that section relating to storage of the boats on the side of houses.

Mr. Mayer suggested that travel trailers etc., all be treated the same as boats

Mr. Heinmuller suggested that to be fair that all types of vehicles should fall under the modification.

Mr. Mayer asked that larger vehicles should also be addressed when this is looked at.

Mr. Mayer made a motion to approve payment of invoices totaling $488,670.88, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously.

Mayor Butler issued a reminder about the upcoming MML Legislative Conference.

Chief Harvey stated that he has received a request from the Talbot County YMCA to hold their Wild Goose Chase on October 31, 1999 between 8:30 A.M. and 10:00 AM. They are expecting between 100 and 150 participants. Chief Harvey stated that Captain Blue has been in contact with the sponsors and they feel that they can honor their request. Mr. Ford motioned to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mr. Mayer and carried unanimously.

Chief Harvey received a letter from Mr. Dudrow regarding problems he’s having on annexed property in the town. He has sent a request to the Police Department to get permission to kill deer on the property in question due to damage being done by said deer. The Police Department cannot grant this request due to a Town Ordinance prohibiting the discharge of firearms within town limits even for predator control.

Chief Harvey advised that the Police Department is enforcing the parking regulations at the North Easton Sports Complex. Citizens have been advised not to park near any of the No Parking signs and to park in the appropriate lots.

Ms. Jenny Pyranio wrote a letter, complaining about tractor-trailers parking on Paper Run Road. Ms. Pyranio called the Police Department and was told that there was nothing that could be done. The information that she received was incorrect. However, officers have been seen putting tags and warnings on the tractor-trailers. It has not been a big problem, but Chief Harvey assured those present that the Police Department would stay on top of the issue. Chief Harvey stated that the Police Department will stay busy from October 22 and October 31, 1999.

The Town Engineer was present to discuss information about contractors resurfacing in several areas in town. The resurfacing is expected to continue through the end of the year or whenever the plant closes. The Town Engineer stated that the signal pole at the intersection of Bay Street and North Washington Street is scheduled to be replaced. There are a couple of off-street reconstruction projects going on right now. The Town Engineer stated that South Lane is expected to be completed by the end of the year. He stated that Hanson Street between Brookletts Avenue and Earle Avenue are also expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The President of the Council asked for questions from the Council.

Mr. Heinmuller asked the status of the Harrison Street and Washington Street lights. Mr. Glass stated that the poles have been ordered and are expected to be delivered anytime. Mr. Heinmuller asked if it would be made a four-way light from the beginning or will it go from three to four. Mr. Glass stated that he would be looking for timed signal sequences to allow a greater number of left hand turn movements come South bound on Washington Street on to Harrison Street. There will also be detectors in all three directions to allow the left-hand movements from Harrison Street turning southbound as if they are going to Bay Street. The controllers will be sequenced so that the light signals at Bay Street and Washington will work together with the signal on Harrison. Mr. Glass stated that improvements are expected. Mr. Heinmuller asked if the controllers were complete or nearly complete at this point. Mr. Glass stated that they were delivered and they are waiting on poles and some other attachments. Mr. Mayer stated that his concern was about the Goldsborough Street and Route 50 Intersection right hand turn. He asked if there had been any approach or agreements to try to get the property needed to make the right hand turn there. Mr. Glass replied that an approach has been made; and the site plan does show a lane wide enough to make a right hand turn. Mr. Glass was then asked who has to get this property, the state or the town. Mr. Glass stated that it was a part of the improvements that are constructed along with the site’s approval there. Mr. Mayer asked if as the improvement goes to the property, would the road be done at the same time. Mr. Glass replied that the road would be done at the same time.

Mr. Tom Hamilton stated that from what he knows from the design, there would only be a right in, right out onto Goldsborough Street from the CVS Pharmacy. As far as when the improvement for that lane is going in, he assumes that it is in the site improvement plan.

Mr. Chris Kehoe stated that information on the Foster Annex Proposal would be presented at the next Town Council Meeting for public hearing. Mr. Kehoe stated that in his review of the file while preparing for the public hearing, he noticed that the resolution for the annexation was to be introduced by the Council on July 12, 1999. Mr. Kehoe reviewed the minutes of that meeting and the minutes do not explicitly say that, although he understood certainly that was the intent of what should have been done. He stated that if that were the case, then he would prepare an amendment to the minutes of the July 12^th meeting.

The President of the Council stated that if there are any comments to be made about any town procedures, laws, ordinances, etc., to please do so at this time.

Ms. Beverly Haddaway discussed her concerns related to a traffic incident. She also stated that she was told by the Second in Command at the Police Department that there was a limit on when you could make complaints.

Chief Harvey stated that the Maryland Law clearly states that a moving violation not witnessed by a police officer must have the person who witnessed it summoned in as a witness. Therefore, Ms. Haddaway was given a ticket. Clearly there is a division between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Branches that allows for a fair impartial hearing at the District Court level. Chief Harvey stated that Ms. Haddaway was advised to take the case to court.

Mr. Willey stated that he has heard Ms. Haddaway’s comments and he would get back to her in a few days with comments and answers to her comments in writing so that she will have them.

Mr. Kehoe stated that under the Town Charter, Mr. Willey as President of the Town Council has the power to run Town Council Meetings in an orderly fashion. It is not an issue of the Council having to meet or not having to meet, and that he has the power as President of the Council as long as his policies and procedures do not violate the Standing Rules of the Council.

Mr. Heinmuller stated that he fully supports the memo as it was written for a number of reasons. He also stated that since his time on the Council, he has heard tremendous testimony of some value to the Council which has enabled them to run the town better.

Mr. Willey stated that if it is something that is not in the Council’s purpose of menu, than that person should be given the information as to where they should take their complaint. Unless, they think that the Council Meetings are their last resort, then that is where it should go.

Mr. Ron McCarty of Golton Drive stated that he would like to speak about the boat situation. He stated that he has a corner lot and his situation is that he has a very large driveway that he keeps his boat in. Since it is a corner lot, he has two fronts. Mr. McCarty stated that he was not sure if he has two sides or two backs, no one can really tell him. He would like the Council to take into consideration that his boat is back next to his house, well away from the street; and so far, he hasn’t had any complaints. He feels that the situation would apply to him because he does not have a side yard.

Mr. Ford stated that there has been a series of meetings over the last six months by a group from Saint’s Peter & Paul that has well expanded from that group. The committee for social concerns, the issue in question deals with the growing Hispanic community within the town. The intention of the group is to get an assessment of the needs of that community and try to find ways to incorporate the Hispanic community into Easton as a whole. The group now includes Mr. Ford himself, representing the town, Mr. Andy Hollis, representing the county, the Health Department, other churches, Shore Health, the Neighborhood Service Center, and the Department of Social Services. The Department of Social Services has been given a $50,000 grant to hire a director for this effort.

Chief Harvey stated that he has hired one Spanish-speaking officer who works the areas where the majority of the residents are Spanish speakers.

Mr. Mayer stated that he wanted to thank the citizens in his Ward who came to the meeting to express their opinions tonight.

At 8:06 P.M., Mr. Mayer made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Heinmuller and carried unanimously.

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Town Clerk