TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND

AUGUST 5, 2002

Mayor C. Eugene Butler Councilman Scott R. Jensen

Council President Robert C. Willey Councilman Carl B. Reed

Richard T. Warfield, Jr., for Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney C. Kehoe, Assistant Town Attorney S. Van Emburgh, Town Engineer Timothy W. Glass, Assistant Town Engineer J. Gruber, Town Planner W. Thomas Hamilton, Chief G. Harvey, Easton Police Department, Economic Development Coordinator Alexander M. Bond, and interested citizens and members of the press.

The Mayor and Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Willey called the meeting to order. Mr. Reed led the audience in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

On a motion by Mr. Jensen and seconded by Mr. Ford, the minutes of July 15, 2002 were unanimously approved.

Mr. Kevin Hackett was present on behalf of the Public Works Department. He presented the Mayor with an award from the town of La Plata in appreciation for their work during the cleanup efforts after a tornado on April 28, 2002.

Mr. Jeff Parks was present on behalf of the Fire Department. He presented the July fire and rescue response report.

Mr. Alspach appeared on behalf of Talbot Preservation Alliance to provide information about the County Comprehensive Planning process and perceptions regarding big box development.

Mr. Albert Pritchett, Transportation Chairman presented the 2002 Transportation Plan for the

Waterfowl Festival. He asked for an additional ½ hour at the end of each day to have the streets closed and maintain the busing as the Waterfowl ends. Mr. Ford made a motion to approve the Waterfowl Festival Transportation Plan as presented, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously by those members present.

Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Jensen, equipment in the Capital Budget for FY03 requested by the Town Engineer was unanimously approved by those members present. The approval was for the following equipment:

• 2002 Kubota ZD21-60 Mower from Elliott Equipment for $8,250.00
• 2003 Ford F-350 Crew Cab w/Dump Body from Hertrich for $30,698.00
• 2003 Flat Bed Dump w/Plow and V-Box Salt Spreader from Elliott Wilson Trucks for $75,150.00
• 2003 20 CY Refuse Collection Truck from Elliott Wilson Trucks for $96,064.00

The Town Planner discussed a proposal from the Planning Commission to amend the provisions of the CR (Central Business District) chapter of the Zoning Ordinance. The President of the Council scheduled a Public Hearing for September 16, 2002 at 7:15 PM to receive public comments.

At 7:20 P.M., Mr. Karl Kalbacher, P.G., Administrator, Environmental Restoration and Redevelopment, MDE discussed proposed environmental cleanup, findings and remedies for the former Town of Easton/Easton Utilities Manufactured Gas Plant property located at the corner of Dover Street and West Street in Easton. Mr. Brian Dietz, MDE, presented to the audience the investigation phase and proposed remedial plan to address the contaminates on the five-acre site which seems to be restricted to the undeveloped portion of the property. He anticipated the clean-up to take about a month. There were no questions from the council or audience.

The Town Planner asked the Council to acknowledge that the applicant has met the conditions of the PUD approval and allow Lenfest (the new owner of the development) to go to construction. Mr. Jensen and Mr. Ford asked that the elevations go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation. The Town Planner will get copies to the Council of the previously approved elevations and the new proposed elevations as well as a site plan for the new councilmembers.

The Town Engineer asked for a consensus to move ahead with construction this summer as some of the sites are owned by private property owners and is not part of the railroad administration any longer. He asked to work out details and begin construction by the end of August, early September. Mr. Reed questioned if the land would be donated. The Town Engineer proposed a license agreement or pedestrian easement. Mr. Ford made a motion to move ahead with the south extension construction, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously by those members present. Mayor Butler asked for Council consensus for finishing touches on the Rails-to-Trails from Chapel Road to the North Easton Park entrance which may be approximately 100 yards. The President of the Council asked that the Mayor and Town Engineer work out which way to construct first, north or south.

The President of the Council asked that the residents in that vicinity be notified. The Town Engineer proposed placing an advertisement regarding proposed changes. The President of the Council set a Public Hearing for the Corbin Parkway striping for August 19 at 7:15 PM.

The Town Engineer proposed improvements which would be accomplished by in-house crews and paid for out of the maintenance budget with the concrete crew. There were no questions. Mr. Ford made a motion to approve the construction improvements, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously by those members present.

Mr. Reed made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5775, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5776, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

Ms. Amy Oasley of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy was present to describe the Eastern Shore 2010 Regional Vision. She asked for questions. There were none. Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5777, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5778, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

Chief Harvey reported that this would be used for a new receiver box. Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5779, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

The President of the Council stated that if there were no questions or comments, he would have the letter printed on letterhead for Mayor and Council signatures.

Mayor Butler discussed the Star Democrat’s article regarding removing the Patriotic Banners from the downtown. Mayor Butler stated that he does not want the Patriotic Banners all taken down and he wanted the community to know.

Deferred until all members present. Mr. Bond asked that a resolution be submitted at the following council meeting for submission to the State by September 9.

Ms. Carolyn Jaffe submitted a request for a children’s concert in Thompson Park, Friday, August 9, 2002 at 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mr. Ford moved approval of the concert, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

The President of the Council asked that property in the vicinity of South Aurora Street owned by Mr. Corbin be looked at as garbage is left there.

Mr. Bond did not have any comments at this time.

Mr. Willey scheduled a workshop for the Community Legacy grant for August 12, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. He also scheduled a workshop for the Easton Utilities cable, redistricting, and election issues for August 20, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.

At 8:29 p.m., Mr. Ford made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously by roll call vote.

There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Reed, and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the Executive Session at 9:00 p.m.

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Richard T. Warfield, Jr., for Town Clerk