April 1, 2002

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.

The following Council members were present: Mr. Ford, Mr. Reed, Ms. Jackson-Amis and President of the Council Mr. Willey. Mr. Jensen was excused. Also attending the meeting were Mayor Butler, Chief of Police George Harvey, Town Engineer Mr. Tim Glass, Assistant Town Engineer Mr. Joe Gruber, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton and Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe.

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

Mayor Butler introduced Mr. Alexander Bond, Economic Development Manager for the Town of Easton.

Mr. Bond stated that it was his first day and he had met with some of the downtown organizations.

Mr. Reed made a motion to approve the minutes of March 18, 2002 meetings, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously.

Mr. Barry Slaughter was present on behalf of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Slaughter reported on the Fire Department’s activities for the month of March.

Mr. Ford made a Proclamation presentation for Arbor Day to Mr. Roger Bollman, a member of Tree Keepers.

Ms. Carolyn Jaffe and Mr. Hoyt Heinmuller were present requesting assistance on April 13 for the Annual East End and West Side Neighborhood Cleanup. Ms. Jaffe stated that at 11:00 a.m., they will be meeting at Asbury Church and dedicating a stone to Ms. Bertha Raisin, one of the founders of the East End Association.

Mr. Heinmuller shared information received from the West Side and East End regarding street lighting. He encouraged the Council to consider additional streetlights to the existing poles in the upcoming budget along Port Street to go out to Moton Park.

Mr. Roger Bollman, Chairman, was present on behalf of Creek Watchers to address the Council regarding collection of data in rivers and counties. He stated that there are about 60 trained volunteers. He discussed the data collected from 1999 and 2000. Mr. Bollman stated that they are formed in partnership of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and Talbot River Protection Association. He stated that they are starting their fourth sampling season. Mr. Bollman stated that their goal is to provide consistent and accurate readings through their sampling program. He stated that they sample data only and do not take political sides. He discussed the rivers they sample and displayed the instruments used.

The President of the Council questioned where in the upper Choptank was tested. Mr. Bollman stated that they had tested in Denton and as far south as the town of Choptank.

Mr. Jerry Land displayed a map with locations. He displayed overheads with results, measures and desired concentrations. He stated that all rivers had poor water quality. Mr. Land stated that typically the data was worse at the headwaters with significant periods of inadequate oxygen. Mr. Land stated that the data concluded that the rivers are stressed with serious impairments.

Mr. Ford questioned who set the levels. Mr. Land stated that they had consulted with Horn Point, University of Maryland. He stated that there are no standards.

Mr. Land discussed the water in the bay being better than the water in the creeks.

The Town Attorney questioned if it is correct to conclude that their data suggests that sedimentation is as much as a problem. Mr. Land stated that they are not measuring that but it would imply that. The Town Attorney discussed historical benchmarks for oxygen readings.

Mr. Ford discussed his liaison with Creek Watchers and the initial program. He stated that Creek Watchers is not a political advocacy group. Mr. Ford stated that he feels they are providing an invaluable source of information to the scientific community and are helping to establish a historic base line for the health of our creeks and rivers.

The President of the Council brought Resolution No. 5764 authorizing the Town Clerk to abate taxes totaling $3,881.10 to the floor.

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5764, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

The President of the Council brought a request to the floor from Ms. Joan Crowley, President, Waterfowl Festival requesting the permit free waiver to make handicapped accommodations to the Armory structure.

Mr. Ford made a motion to waive the permit fee, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously.

The Town Attorney discussed the memo regarding the Children’s Garden at Idlewild Park and their deed of gift.

The Town Attorney discussed the West Kennedy Street annexation. He stated that the Town of Easton had received a response from Rural Development Service of the United States Department of Agricultural with regards to our request for a grant to provide water and sewer services to West Kennedy Street. Mr. Kehoe stated that the agency had responded with a proposal involving a partial grant and a partial loan. He stated that the Town Clerk, Mr. Karge, the Assistant Town Attorney, Ms. Van Emburgh and himself had gone over the information and the conclusion they came to are set forth in the enclosed memorandum. Mr. Kehoe suggested discussing the information with the residents of West Kennedy Street in order to establish interest.

The President of the Council suggested a meeting for discussion with the residents as soon as possible.

Mr. Reed questioned if the county had been contacted.

The Town Attorney stated that he will speak to the County Manager, Mr. Hollis, tomorrow. The Town Attorney discussed the mandatory use ordinance.

The President of the Council discussed the Municipal Night with the Shorebirds April 27 sponsored by the Maryland Municipal League.

The President of the Council introduced Resolution No. 5765, "A RESOLUTION TO ANNEX CERTAIN LANDS OWNED BY UP ASSOCIATES, TALBOT COUNTY AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION) TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF U.S. ROUTE 50 AT THE VICINITY OF STATE ROUTE 309 AND BLACK DOG ALLEY CONSISTING OF 23.084 ACRES MORE OR LESS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ANNEXATION" and Ordinance No. 442, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF EASTON TO APPLY AN ORIGINAL ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CG (GENERAL COMMERCIAL) TO TWO PARCELS OF LAND ANNEXED TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF U.S. ROUTE 50 AT THE VICINITY OF STATE ROUTE 309 AND BLACK DOG ALLEY AND OWNED BY UP ASSOCIATES." The President of the Council stated that this legislation is pertaining to the Norris Ford annexation request. He set the Public Hearing for May 20, 2002 at 7:45 P.M.

The President of the Council brought a request from Be A Star Youth Center to the floor for the waiving of a zoning application fee of $200 and related fees required for a sign permit.

Mr. Ford moved waiving the fees, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried.

The President of the Council questioned the Town Planner on the status of the Foster annexation request.

The Town Planner, Mr. Hamilton, stated that it is waiting for the Council’s consensus.

Chief Harvey had one request from Mr. Bruce Butler for an annual Multi-Cultural Festival at Idlewild Park Saturday May 4, 2002 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. He stated that this request has been approved by Mr. Morse, Director, Easton Parks and Recreation. Chief Harvey stated that there will be police presence.

Chief Harvey stated that he has the Second Annual Report from the Easton Police Department. He stated that there will be three additional copies available at the Talbot County Public Library.

The Town Engineer reported that the crosswalk at Goldsborough Street will be finished this week as well as the installation of some colonial streetlights on Dover Street. Mr. Glass discussed some upcoming projects for the end of the year. He stated that they plan to be moving to Blake Street to work on the curb and gutter and the associated utility extensions for Habitat for Humanity homes. The Town Engineer stated that they are planning on curb and gutter work on Talbot Street between Higgins and Aurora Street and some curb and gutter work on Harrison Street with some new colonial streetlights. Mr. Glass stated that the quarter mile markers were set on the Rails-to-Trail today.

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for an update from the Town Engineer on the work on Earle Avenue. Mr. Glass stated that this has been paved. He stated that the crews were able to cut back to lessen some of the grade at this location to accommodate that drainage. He stated that they plan to keep an eye on that grade break with plans to resurface Earle Avenue.

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

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

The President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 7:42 P.M.

Town Clerk