July 17, 2000

The Town Council of the Town of Easton met today at 7:00 P.M. 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, Assistant Town Engineer Mr. Gruber, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Chief Harvey and Assistant Town Attorney Ms. Shilling.

Mr. Reed opened the meeting with prayer. He led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Mayer made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 19, 2000 meetings as written seconded by Mr. Heinmuller and carried unanimously.

Mr. Sean Smith was present to present picnic tables to the town of Easton for his Eagle Scout Badge. He stated that he is a member of Troop 190 and that his troop had built four picnic tables; three pressure treated wood and one cedar. Mr. Smith stated that he had numerous business contributors from throughout the town. He stated that he will be giving them to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Mayor Butler thanked Mr. Smith and told him they will be put to good use.

Mr. Robbie Faulkner was present to give the Fire Department report for the month of June. He stated that Easton placed Second Best Appearing Overall Company in the State at the Maryland State Firemen’s Convention in Ocean City. Mr. Faulkner stated that Ms. Lyons; Miss Easton Fire Department Queen won first place in the State of Maryland’s Fire Prevention Contest. Mr. Faulkner spoke about automatic fire department alarm legislation that will be introduced in the near future.

Chief Harvey introduced new police officers Robert Ball, Stephen Downs, II, PCO Marsha Faries and Officer Marco, a three-year old German Shepherd from Czechoslovakia.

Chief Harvey stated that they had recently hired Officer Jerry Larrimore, who the Council would be meeting in the near future.

The President of the Council brought Ordinance No. 415, "AN ORDINANCE GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF NICHOLAS E. TURNER FOR A PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PROJECT TO SUBDIVIDE AND REDEVELOP PROPERTY OWNED BY HIM LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF EASTON" to the floor.

Mr. Mayer made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 415 seconded by Mr. Heinmuller and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

The President of the Council brought Resolution No. 5707 authorizing the Town Clerk to abate and/or refund taxes due totaling $2,103.73 to the floor for passage.

Mr. Mayer made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5707 seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

The President of the Council brought a memo to the floor from Mayor Butler for appointments to the Park Board. Mr. Otis Sampson, Mr. Scott Patterson will remain on the Board and Ms. Pat Chapman, Mr. Daniel K. Brasington and Mr. William Woolston will be appointed for a six-year term.

Mr. Mayer made a motion to approve the appointments seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously.

The Town Engineer reported on his memo regarding the Rental Housing Inspection Department. He stated that some time ago there had been discussion regarding establishing an annual rental housing fee. He stated that he is proposing for the Council’s consideration a $25 per rental unit per year fee. Mr. Glass stated that there are approximately 1,500 units at the present time. He stated that the re-inspection fee is currently $15 and he is proposing $50 which would help to cover the costs.

The Town Engineer stated that he will work with the Town Attorney to draft the necessary legislation.

The Town Engineer stated that the other item he would like to bring before the Council for consideration this evening is revisions to Pool Code in the 1996 Boca, which we currently follow. He stated that by making the changes, it would allow flexibility in covering the pool barrier requirements. Mr. Glass stated that the language was taken from the 1995 CABO and applied it towards the 1996 Boca Code. He stated that it makes the Code a little less burdensome without sacrificing safety.

The Town Engineer stated that he will work with the Town Attorney to draft the legislation for revisions.

The President of the Council stated that a letter had been received from Ms. Ellen Kelley, Shore Health Systems requesting permission to hang a banner along the front of The Athlete’s Foot at The Shoppes at Easton promoting a fundraiser sale.

Mr. Mayer made a motion to approve the request to hang the banner seconded by Mr. Heinmuller and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve invoices for payment totaling $451,554.33 seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.

Mr. William B. Stagg was present with a request to burn road clearing debris, stumps and miscellaneous forest waste for Ratcliffe Farm subdivision at Ratcliffe Manor property, south side of St. Michaels Road. Mr. Stagg stated that he had distributed a letter from Argonaut Land Company holding the Town harmless from any consequence or liabilities that relates to that burn pile operation. Mr. Stagg stated that he had also spoken with Chief Chance of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department but he has not responded yet. He stated that a previous approval had been granted for another pile in this vicinity but it was with another contractor. Mr. Stagg asked for Council’s approval on the condition that Chief Chance would give his approval.

Mr. Ford stated that if the Fire Department has no problem he would move approval to burn the clearing debris. This motion was seconded by Mr. Mayer and carried unanimously pending Chief Chance’s approval.

Chief Harvey reported that he has three requests from State’s Attorney for Talbot County sponsoring a Week Out Against Crime for July 30, August 4 and August 5 to include Moton Park, Idlewild Park and to have a small gathering on Moton Park on August 5. He stated that there will be some food at the Moton Park site on August 5. Chief Harvey stated that they are expecting about 200 people for the walk. Chief Harvey stated that they think it is a worthwhile endeavor and they are recommending approval.

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve the request seconded by Mr. Heinmuller and carried unanimously.

Chief Harvey reported on the two major festivals that took place in Easton recently. He reported that the Elk’s Founders Day and the Fourth of July celebrations went very well and the Police Department was happy to be associated with the organizations.

Mr. Mayer reported that he had numerous comments that the traffic control during the July 4^th Celebration was the best they had ever seen. Mr. Mayer stated that they had a lot of positive comments.

The Town Engineer stated that there will be another public informational meeting for the Rails-to-Trails extension on August 3 at 6:30 P.M. in the Council’s chambers. He stated that the final plans have been sent to the State Highway Administration for review and comments. The Town Engineer reported that subsequent to that, a final meeting will be held August 15 at 1:00 P.M. in the Council’s Chambers to go over the specifics of the plan. Mr. Glass stated that he hopes that the project goes out to bid sometime this fall and available for public use in spring.

The Town Engineer discussed the signal being installed at Harrison and Washington Street and expressed his appreciation for everyone’s patience. He stated that the signal should be operational in two weeks, which should ease some traffic congestion.

Mr. Steven Hunter, 224 S. Washington Street, discussed drainage problems in his neighborhood. He stated that all of the properties on the 200 block of Harrison Street drain into the alley, Tyler Lane and then drains onto his property to the corner of Earle Avenue. Mr. Hunter stated that to Mr. Glass’s credit, he had looked at the situation and had Mr. Brent Spicer check out the grade. He asked that the alley drainage problem be addressed.

The Town Engineer stated that they are looking at it and addressing some of these drainage problems.

Ms. Sharon Shilling updated the Council on the West Kennedy Street water and sewer extension. She stated that they had received comments from the United States Department of Agricultural regarding the grant application. Ms. Shilling stated that she will be working with the Town Engineer and the staff on this matter.

Mr. Ford updated those present on a meeting he had attended last week with the Attractions Committee. He stated that this committee is getting closer to coming to the Town regarding designs and placements of banners.

Mr. Mayer commented on the new EBMA brochure. He stated that he is more than impressed with this copy.

Mr. Heinmuller thanked Mr. Hamilton for scheduling the Smart Code Legislation presentation which will take place in the Council’s Chambers on October 19. He stated that this presentation will be open to the public and will be to find out about the state’s legislation on smart code initiative.

The President of the Council discussed residents parking boats at their houses. He stated that this matter had not been resolved. The President of the Council asked the Assistant Town Attorney to look into this matter and get information back to the Council.

Mr. Ford stated that the last time it was discussed was February 3. Mr. Ford stated that the Town Planner, the Town Attorney and himself were to look at the proposed legislative changes. Mr. Ford stated that they had talked about fine tuning those changes.

The President of the Council stated that the one thing that concerned him is when folks do not have a place to put boats or house trailers. He stated that he did not think people should be penalized for not having access in their yard.

The Town Planner stated that they had visited the storage of recreational vehicles again. He stated that the Town Attorney will be coming to the Council with revised language.

The President of the Council stated that sometime ago, the Council asked the Planning Commission to come up with guidelines and recommendations for impact fees for development. The Town Planner stated that the Planning Commission is currently working on amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and they have not gotten to the impact fees but the Council’s request has not been lost. He stated that in the Annual Report from the Planning Commission, it was listed as one of the items to be worked on this year.

The President of the Council stated that on the Council’s list of priorities this year, there was an issue on the east/west access through town and the north/south collector road. He asked that there be a report submitted to the Council on where the Town stands on these proposed roads.

The Town Engineer briefed on this matter and stated that he will report on it with more details. He stated that he has a map with the roads that he will be happy to share with the Council.

The Town Engineer stated that with regards to the traffic around Easton, there is a letter of recommendation to come before the Council shortly with regards to MD Rt. 309 and potential plans.

The President of the Council asked if there was anything else to bring before the Council.

There being no further business, Mr. Mayer made a motion to adjourn the meeting seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.

At 7:45 P.M., the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.

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Richard T. Warfield, Jr. for Town Clerk