TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND

AUGUST 19, 2002

PRESENT

Mayor C. Eugene Butler                                               Councilman Scott R. Jensen

Council President Robert C. Willey                               Councilman Carl B. Reed

Councilman John F. Ford                                              Councilwoman Moonyene Jackson-Amis

IN ATTENDANCE

Town Clerk Robert F. Karge, Town Attorney C. Kehoe, Town Engineer Timothy W. Glass, Assistant Town Engineer J. Gruber, Chief G. Harvey, Easton Police Department, Economic Development Coordinator Alexander M. Bond, and interested citizens and members of the press.

CONVENING

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

APPROVAL OF AUGUST 5, 2002 MINUTES

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

REPORT FROM EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.

Mr. Tim Knotts reported that the call volume has been up due to the lack of rain. He asked for questions regarding the substation.

PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Tom Bachelor was present from the Historic District Commission. Historic District Citations for Excellence in Historic Preservation were presented to Mr. Jon E. Braithwaite and Ms. Lauren B. Dianich for their property on 16 N. Aurora Street and to a representative present on behalf of Mr. Rick Fischer, Postmaster for the US Post Office at 116 E. Dover Street.

MAYOR BUTLER’S RE-APPOINTMENT TO TALBOT COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.

The President of the Council brought a memo to the floor from Mayor Butler appointing Mr. Robert C. Willey’s re-appointment to the Talbot County Economic Development Commission. Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Mr. Willey’s re-appointment, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

MAYOR BUTLER’S APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS.

The President of the Council brought a memo to the floor from Mayor Butler recommending Ms. Jane A. Ward to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Ms. Ward’s appointment, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 5780 AUTHORIZING THE TOWN CLERK TO MAKE A BUDGET TRANSFER TO MOVE A FIRE SIREN TO ERICKSON DRIVE.

Mr. Ford made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5780, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

MEMO FROM ASSISTANT TOWN ATTORNEY REGARDING THE EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER TO THE WEST GLENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

Mr. Ford made a motion to give the Assistant Town Attorney permission to proceed with exploring financing options for the West Glenwood project, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

MEMO FROM TOWN ATTORNEY REGARDING IMPACT FEE STUDY.

The Town Attorney recommended a consultant, Mr. Paul Tischler, Bethesda, Maryland to advise the Town as to the suitability of impact fees. He has a proposal to do a preliminary survey and come back with a detailed analysis as to whether or not impact fees would be appropriate for Easton. Mr. Kehoe advised that the analysis would be $6,500. Mr. Jensen made a motion to contact Mr. Tischler and move forward regarding the impact stud, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A PROPOSAL TO INSTALL WHITE EDGE LINE STRIPING ALONG CORBIN PARKWAY AND FRANCES STREET AS A TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURE IN EFFORT TO SLOW VEHICLE SPEEDS.

At 7:17 p.m., the Town Engineer discussed the residents’ concerns regarding motorists traveling at higher than posted speed limits along Corbin Parkway and Frances Street. Mr. Glass stated that one of the methods to help change the character in the roadway to assist in slowing vehicle speeds that is relatively inexpensive is to physically narrow that roadway down with striping. The Town Engineer displayed computer generated pictures.

Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned how many roads are like that in that particular section of town and are there any other areas in town that need this safety device and why is this being proposed for this particular road and are there plans to do this procedure city wide?

The Town Engineer stated that Corbin Parkway is a major in and out and most all the traffic that moves in and out of that neighborhood travels on Corbin Parkway. He stated that this street was constructed wide.

Ms. Terry Startt, Corbin Parkway, asked if the white lines were the only improvement planned. The Town Engineer stated that this is all he has proposed at this time. Ms. Startt discussed the need for a Stop sign along Corbin Parkway. She suggested the police department visit the area more often.

Mr. Jensen asked how it would be known if this procedure is working. Chief Harvey discussed measures recently taken to deter speeders in this area.

Ms. Margaret Roe, 29339 Corbin Parkway, stated that she does not think the white lines will stop all speeders but she thinks they will encourage the walkers, bikers and joggers to use that portion of the roadway.

There being no further comments, the President of the Council closed the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m. He stated that the record would remain open until Friday afternoon.

LETTER FROM MS. JUDY PRICE REGARDING THE COMMUNITY LEGACY GRANT APPLICATION.

Ms. Price, Executive Director of the Festival, was present with Board members, Mr. Carvel Duncan and Mr. Jay Dayton, Treasurer and President elect.

Mr. Dayton discussed Waterfowl Festival’s community support significance, economic impact, and current renovations to upgrade the facility to ADA accessibility. He asked the Council to move the Waterfowl Festival to the top of the grant request for the State of Maryland Community Legacy Program.

Mr. Ford discussed the workshop held August 12 regarding the Community Legacy application where they prioritized the proposed capital and planning projects.   

Mr. Ford made a motion to adhere to the project priorities decided on during the Community Legacy meeting, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried.

APPROVAL OF INVOICES

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve invoices for payment totaling $800,210.32 seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously.

CONSENSUS ON EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS SERVICE.

Mr. Ford discussed the EMS Department operating in the red for the last couple of years. He stated that the costs associated with the program are prohibitive and would be a burden on the tax payers. Mr. Ford made a motion for the Town of Easton to turn down the right of first refusal and ask the Easton Volunteer Fire Department seek another alternative, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

The President of the Council asked the Town Clerk to draft a letter to the Fire Department with the consensus as soon as possible.

LLEBG PUBLIC HEARING DATE SCHEDULED

The President of the Council set the Public Hearing for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant for September 16 at 8:00 p.m.

MEETING CANCELLED

Due to the observance of Labor Day, the President of the Council stated that the next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held September 16.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor C. Eugene Butler discussed the September 11 Commemoration Service which will be held in conjunction with Talbot County at Idlewild Park.

CHIEF’S REQUESTS

Chief Harvey had the following requests:

• Trinity Cathedral, 315 Goldsborough Street will be holding elections for the next Bishop on September 28. They are looking for relief for parking issues between 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
• Neighborhood Block Party, Asbury United Methodist Church, 18 Higgins Street, Carlene Phoenix requesting for August 31, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. They would like to close Dover Street to S. Higgins, South Street to Locust Lane, South Lane. He stated all the residents have been contacted.
• Kid Festival, Mr. Alexander Bond, August 24 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Thompson Park.
• Ms. Janice Gruber, Academy of the Arts, October 12 and October 13, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for South Street between Hanson Street and Talbot Lane for restricted parking for the Academy of the Arts Museum. They are asking to have an amplifier and a stage on the street as in previous years.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the Chief’s requests, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously.

TOWN ENGINEER’S COMMENTS

Mr. Glass, the Town Engineer, discussed the island at South Washington Street; South Aurora Street will be completed this week.

The Town Engineer discussed the RTC property. He stated he had been notified that under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act, the Corps of Engineer thinks this project fits within the guidelines of this program. Mr. Glass asked the Council to familiarize themselves with the information in order to do something to address stormwater flows on a regional basis down in the southern portion of the RTC property adjacent to the Rails-to-Trails.

The Town Engineer discussed the International Residential Code Enforcement Office in the State of Maryland, which is put on by the Department of Housing Community Development will be in town Wednesday, August 21, 9:00 a.m. at the Easton Fire House as Easton is hosting an educational seminar open to contractors, code administrators, plan reviewers and builders.

The President of the Council asked if there were water restrictions on Easton. The Town Engineer stated that Easton draws a majority of its water from deep aquifers and the drought is not affecting anything going on from that department.

The President of the Council asked for an update from the Town Engineer on Dutchman’s Lane and the issues at North Clifton.

Ms. Jackson-Amis asked about a town tree at the corner of Pleasant and Glenwood. She stated that it seems to be falling on Ms. Shepherd’s roof.

Mr. Jensen asked about pot holes around town. The Town Engineer stated that he will check with the Public Works department.

TOWN ATTORNEY’S COMMENTS

The Town Attorney stated that he has one thing for Executive Session regarding the acquisition of real estate.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR COMMENTS

Mr. Alexander Bond invited everyone to the Kids Fest on August 24 at 12:00 noon.

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS

Mr. Ford wished Carolyn Jaffe a speedy recovery.

Mr. Ford stated that tomorrow is the last day to register to vote in the Primary Election September 10.

Mr. Jensen echoed Mr. Ford’s concern for Ms. Jaffe.

Mr. Reed wished Ms. Jaffe a speedy recovery.

Ms. Jackson-Amis thanked Mr. John and Jean Rothert who saw to it that individuals from this community who would not have been able to attend Mr. William “Butch” Roberts’ celebration were able to get there. Ms. Jackson-Amis echoed sentiments expressed for Ms. Jaffe.

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:02 p.m., Mr. Jensen made a motion to go into Executive Session, seconded by Mr. Ford and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.

REGULAR SESSION

At 8:21 p.m., the President of the Council declared the Executive Session closed and re-convened into Regular Session.

The President of the Council stated that on the vote on the Community Legacy priority order, let the record show that Mr. Reed votes no but that the priority order still passes.

The Town Clerk stated that the 11/12 South Caroline Little League team was extremely appreciative that the Fire Department and Police Department came out when they won the State Championship and escorted them down Route 50 through the Town limits.

Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, the Town of Easton will issue a Proclamation to each individual player for the State of Maryland Little League State Champions.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, at 8:22 p.m., the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.

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Town Clerk