TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND

November 4, 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, Town Planner Tom Hamilton, Chief George M. Harvey, Easton Police Department, Director Parks and Recreation Mr. Mike Morse, A. Bond Economic Development Coordinator 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. Mr. Ford led the audience in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 17, 2002 AND OCTOBER 21, 2002 MINUTES

Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis, minutes of the October 17 and October 21, 2002 meeting were approved with corrections, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously.

EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. COMMENTS

Mr. Ken Bush was present on behalf of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department. He provided the monthly report for October. Mr. Bush reported that the Fire Department had distributed and installed approximately 40 smoke detectors in the Easton area on October 26.

MEMO FROM MAYOR BUTLER REGARDING APPOINTMENT TO HOUSING AUTHORITY

Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Jensen, Ms. Carolyn Jaffe’s appointment to the Housing Authority was carried unanimously.

MEMO FROM TOWN ENGINEER REGARDING PAVING CONTRACT FISCAL YEAR 2003

The Town Engineer reviewed bids for this year’s annual paving contract. The Town Engineer recommended awarding to the low bidder Tilcon Paving from Dover, Delaware for $152,068.57. Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Reed, the award of bid was unanimously approved.

RESOLUTION NO. 5791 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWN CLERK TO EXECUTE A LEASE WITH TALBOT COUNTY TO PLACE THE COUNTY EMS UNIT IN THE FIREHOUSE.

Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, Resolution No. 5791 passed unanimously following a roll call vote.

ORDINANCE NO. 452, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ESTABLISHING BOUNDARIES FOR THE ELECTION WARDS OF THE TOWN”

The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 452 for a first reading and set a public hearing for November 18 at 7:15 p.m. for public comments and questions.

ORDINANCE NO. 453, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE EASTON TOWN CODE ETHICS PROVISION TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF A GIFT FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FROM TEN DOLLARS ($10) TO TWENTY DOLLARS ($20)”

The President of the Council stated that the ordinance should be amended to show $25. The Town Attorney stated that he will forward a corrected ordinance.

SKATEBOARD PARK UPDATE

The President of the Council asked if Mr. Mike Morse, Director Parks and Recreation had a chance to look at the proposed sites for a skateboard park which had been previously submitted by the Town Engineer.

Mr. Morse reported that the YMCA would not proceed with a skateboard park if the Town of Easton continued their pursuit for a skateboard park.

Mr. Brasington, Chairman of the Park Board, stated that the Park Board narrowed the preferred locations to two choices. He stated that the unanimous decision by the Park Board was to put the skateboard park at Idlewild Park.  He stated that they recommend designing the skateboard park as two tennis courts sized, paved and fenced and put removable equipment on it. If skateboarding did not work out, the area could be converted to tennis courts. Mr. Brasington stated that their second choice was across from the Fire Department.

Mr. Brasington asked for public input in the very near future.

Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the prime location for the skateboard park in Idlewild Park and hold a public hearing when convenient, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis.

Mayor Butler stated that the YMCA is still interested in supervising the skateboard park. He also stated that the Idlewild location may have some conflict with neighbors. Mr. Brasington stated that they can regulate the hours to accommodate the neighbors and nearby church.

Mr. Jensen’s motion was carried with Mr. Ford voting no.

The President of the Council set the public hearing in the Council’s Chambers for November 25 at 7:15 P.M. during the Park Board meeting.

The President of the Council directed the Town Attorney to address the YMCA regarding the Public Hearing and to invite them to hear the comments.

Mayor Butler asked that Ms. Haschen be invited.

LETTER FROM TALBOT COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS REQUESTING PERMIT AND ASSOCIATED FEES BE WAIVED FOR 142 N HARRISON STREET

Upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, permit and associated fees were waived for 142 N. Harrison Street.

LETTER FROM TALBOT COUNTY LIBRARY REGARDING LIGHTING AND WALKWAYS

The President of the Council was in receipt of a letter from Talbot County Library asking for consideration for lighting and joining the walkways together across West Street from the new brick walkway installed at the Courthouse.

The Town Engineer asked if he could look at the requests and make a recommendation to the Council.

Mr. Reed asked for costs for the requests.

WEST GLENWOOD UPDATE

The Town Attorney advised that the Preliminary Engineering study will be done fairly soon. Mr. Gruber, Assistant Town Engineer stated that he estimates the study to be complete mid November.

The Town Attorney estimated approximately eight months for grant award.

COMMENTS FROM MAYOR BUTLER

Mayor Butler thanked everyone for their help with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

Mayor Butler thanked the volunteers for their help in cleaning the Spring Hill and Richardson cemeteries. He stated a spring cleanup is scheduled for March.

Mayor Butler reminded everyone to vote tomorrow.

CHIEF HARVEY’S COMMENTS

Chief Harvey stated that he had received two requests:

• Ms. Marie U’Ren, Annual Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 7, 2002, 6:30 P.M.
• YMCA for a Run for Hospice, into Easton Club, November 29, 10:00 – 12:00 noon.

Chief Harvey recommended approval. The Council unanimously approved the Chief’s recommendation.

TOWN ENGINEER’S COMMENTS

The Town Engineer, Mr. Glass discussed cleanup and sprucing around town for the upcoming Waterfowl Festival. He stated that jobs are progressing according to the Capital Budget as planned and work continues as normal.

Ms. Jackson-Amis addressed the standing water on Clay and Jowite streets. The Town Engineer stated that he believes the remedy is simply maintenance which should be completed by the end of the year.

TOWN ATTORNEY’S COMMENTS

The Town Attorney, Mr. Kehoe, reminded everyone to vote tomorrow.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Mr. Al Bond, Economic Development Coordinator, announced that Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has awarded Community Legacy money for this year and the Town of Easton will receive $269,000. He stated that $209,000 will be given to the Waterfowl Festival for construction at the armory and $60,000 will be given to the Upper Story Redevelopment Gap Financing Grant proposal.

Mr. Bond reminded everyone that November 13 and November 14, the Economic Development office is going to host the Main Street Program Restructuring Workshop at the Avalon Theatre dealing with downtown property redevelopment of historic properties.

The President of the Council asked for clarification on the $60,000 grant award.  Mr. Bond stated that it is limited to upper story redevelopment living space on commercial property.

COUNCIL WORKSHOP WITH PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

The Town Planner advised that the Planning Commission is reviewing their draft of the Comprehensive Plan and a workshop will be scheduled soon.

WORKSHOP WITH EASTON UTILITIES FOR GAS RATE REVISION

The President of the Council scheduled a workshop with Easton Utilities Commission regarding a gas rate revision workshop for December 2, 2002 at 6:15 p.m. in the Council’s chambers.

COUNCIL’S COMMENTS

Mr. Ford echoed thanks for the help to the Historic Cemeteries. He added special thanks to Pardoe Tree Service who helped at Spring Hill and Brady Tree Service who helped at Richards Memorial Park. He especially thanked Chester and Carrie Gates for organizing the workers at Richards Memorial Park and to Sarah Crowder for organizing the workers at Spring Hill.

Mr. Jensen thanked the YMCA for their willingness to work with the Town in efforts for a skateboard park.

Mr. Jensen discussed Lowe’s and election issues.

Ms. Jackson-Amis thanked Mr. and Mrs. Banks and Ms. Ty Kennedy for their leadership in the condominium party and delicious food.

Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed a misstatement in the Star Democrat regarding write-in candidates. She stated that she had forwarded a copy of the State Board of Elections regulations to the Star Democrat.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Ford, seconded by Mr. Reed and carried unanimously, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 7:46 p.m.

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Town Clerk