Also
in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Town Engineer Mr.
Glass, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond and
Mr. Karge, the Town Clerk.
At
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20 AND
Mr. Jensen made a motion to
approve the minutes seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously.
There was no one present from
the Easton Fire Department.
Mr. Ford reminded everyone of
the Easton Volunteer Fire Department Open House on October 17 from
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey was excused.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue asked for approval
for the following Public Assemblies.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen
seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
Chief Blue stated that he had
forwarded a check for $2,000 from Wal-Mart today for a program where they
contribute money to local police departments. He stated that the money will be
used to secure carbines in vehicles to make more readily available.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER
The Town Engineer stated that
the street tree order will be placed this week. He anticipates tree planting
late October.
The Town Engineer stated that
they are receiving bids for a leaf vacuum equipment as well as the paving bids
which will be forthcoming for Council approval.
The Town Engineer stated that
leaf collection will begin about the third week of October. He stated that
there is still only one machine with one crew trying to keep up with that
activity. Mr. Glass stated that they will be collecting leaves on the bulky
trash day which will carry through to before Christmas.
The Town Engineer stated that
today was the official start date for the
The Town Engineer stated that
they are working on the design for the
On the Utilities side, the
Town Engineer informed the Council that beginning Saturday, October 16 through
October 17; Easton Utilities will be flushing the fire hydrants throughout
Town.
The Town Engineer discussed
the
Mr. Glass discussed the Route
50/301 long range planned improvements proposed by State Highway
Administration.
Mr. Wendowski stated that the
presenter stated that there are no funds for the improvements at this time.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked if the
Town is utilizing the plan from
The Town Engineer stated that
the Town is utilizing this plan.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Town Planner discussed
the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for October 21. He stated
that there is one new item on the agenda for an expansion of the Cannery Square
Apartments to add 30 new dwelling units to that complex. Mr. Hamilton stated
that they will also be working on the new Zoning Ordinance at that meeting.
Mr. Hamilton stated that he
had received a telephone call from the developers at
Mr. Ford suggested the Town
Planner prepare the letter for his signature.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney stated that
he has comments in regards to the Brookwood Development application; Ordinance
No. 476.
The Town Attorney stated that
he has two matters to discuss in Executive Session; 1) the advice of legal
counsel with regard to a land use matter and 2) consultation with Town
officials regarding potential litigation.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond, Economic
Development Coordinator stated that the Arts in
PROCLAMATION PRESENTED FOR CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK
Councilmember Moonyene
Jackson-Amis presented to Mrs. Kathy Bernard from the Mayor and Council a
Proclamation proclaiming October 17 to October 23 as Character Counts Week.
PROCLAMATION PRESENTED TO MS. ANN JACOBS, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR; MS. DELIA DENNY, HONORARY CAMPAIGN CHAIRPERSON; MS. TRACY BERRIGAN,
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY CHAIRPERSON; AND MR. JIM VERMILYE, SPECIAL GIFTS
CHAIRPERSON OF UNITED FUND OF
Councilmember Len Wendowski
presented to Ms. Delia Denny a Proclamation to the United Fund of Talbot County
proclaiming the month of October 2004 as United Fund of Talbot County month.
Ms. Denny introduced the new
Executive Director, Ms. Ann Jacobs.
MR. ROB SCHMIDT, TALBOT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO
ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING SUICIDE PREVENTION AND SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH
Mr. Schmidt discussed new programs going on in
Talbot County Public Schools. He stated that the school based mental health
program is one of a kind in the nation. Mr. Schmidt discussed the process for
evaluation and referrals. He stated that sixth and ninth grade, the greatest adjustment
grades, is the most referred students in
Mr. Schmidt stated that he
can be reached at the Board of Education office at
MEMO FROM MAYOR WILLEY ASKING FOR COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPOINTMENTS
The President of the Council
brought a letter to the floor from Mayor Willey asking for Council
consideration for the appointment of Mr. Fred Smyth, Talbot County Economic
Development Director; Mr. Bruce Davis, an appraiser and Ms. Maureen
Scott-Taylor to the Economic Development Commission as advisors to Mr. Bond,
Town of
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski,
seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, Mayor Willey’s appointments
were approved.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT
COMMISSION
The President of the Council
brought a memo from Mayor Willey notifying the Council of the upcoming
appointment of Ms. Carol Minarick to the Historic District Commission. The
President of the Council stated that the formal appointment will be considered
at the October 18 Council meeting.
APPLICATIONS FOR FOOD CONCESSIONS FOR 2004 WATERFOWL
FESTIVAL
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen
seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, 18 applications for food
concessions for the 2004 Waterfowl Festival were unanimously approved.
LETTER FROM MR. JAMES R. HALSEY, 1ST VICE
PRESIDENT, EASTON LIONS CLUB REQUESTING PERMISSION TO USE TOWN PROPERTY TO
CONDUCT ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen
seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, permission was granted
for the Lions Club to use Town property to conduct their Annual Christmas Tree
Sale.
LETTER FROM MS. DOROTHY M. WHITCOMB, WOMEN & GIRLS
FUND OF THE MID-SHORE, REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HANG BANNER AT TALBOTTOWN
SHOPPING CENTER FOR BOUNTIFUL’S HOLIDAY KICK-OFF BENEFIT
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-
ORDINANCE NO. 477, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON
AMENDING THE EASTON TOWN CODE BY ADDING ARTICLE VII “SECURITY KEY LOCK BOXES”
TO CHAPTER 9 “FIRE PREVENTION” OF THE TOWN CODE AND REQUIRING CERTAIN
STRUCTURES TO MAINTAIN A KEY LOCK BOX ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE STRUCTURE FOR FIRE
SAFETY PURPOSES”
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-
REQUEST FOR THE TOWN TO ACCEPT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF
FRED’S ARMY
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen
seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted for
the Town to accept funds for the Frederick Douglass monument.
MR. MATT DAVIS, ASSISTANT TOWN PLANNER TO PRESENT THE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Mr. Davis, Assistant Town
Planner, presented the Annual Report of the Easton Planning and Zoning
Commission. He discussed the members of the Planning Commission; Mr. John
Atwood, Chairman; Mr. Chris Brownawell, Vice-Chair; Ms. Linda Cheezum, Mr. Thomas
Moore and Mr. Dan Swann.
Mr. Davis stated that the
work program is in four categories: development review/annexation,
comprehensive/long range planning, GIS/mapping services and administration.
Mr. Davis discussed the
projects reviewed by the Planning Commission
Mr. Davis discussed the
Historic District Commission and Board of Appeals. He stated that the staff
provides professional and administrative support to both groups. Mr. Davis
stated that the Historic District Commission has reviewed 67 cases in the past
year and the Board of Appeals has heard 30 cases in the past year.
Mr. Davis displayed a map
showing the distributions of some of the projects reviewed by the Planning
Commission.
Mr. Davis discussed the
codes, programs, plans and policies used by Planning Commission and staff. He
stated that they are the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, the
Subdivision Ordinance, the Critical Area Program, the Forest Conservation
Ordinance and the Floodplain Management Ordinance.
Mr. Davis discussed the new
residential units by year. For 2002, Mr. Davis stated that there have been 166
residential units already in 2003 and 361 new residential lots. He discussed
growth analysis. In 2000 there were 5,399 dwelling units. Since 2000 we have added
810 units for a total of 6,209 with a vacancy rate of 6.8% or 422 units. The
total occupied units are 5,887 with a 2.22 average household size. The
estimated population in
Mr. Jensen discussed the
record number of potential units in the planning stage now. Mr. Davis stated
that the number of units built depends on the capacity of the sewer plant. Mr.
Davis speculated that the average household size is going down in
Mr. Jensen discussed growth
control.
Mr. Ford commended Mr. Davis
on the Planning Department’s report. He stated that he is encouraged that
considering the new Comprehensive Plan, there was an emphasis in this report on
using it as a monitoring document. He stated that he wants to strongly
emphasize that the Annual Report will be more tied into the goals set as a
community.
Mr. Wendowski suggested
reviewing this quarterly if necessary.
The Town Planner stated that
the report will be uploaded on the Planning Department’s website which is
reached through the Town of
ORDINANCE NO. 476, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF
The Town Attorney stated that
the Ordinance was introduced last meeting for a first reading which grants the
application for the Brookwood PUD. He stated that the developer wants to retain
the right to subdivide the unit into individual lots and the Findings of Fact
has been amended to make that clear. Mr. Kehoe stated that the matter had been
discussed with the Planning and Zoning Commission and has been approved. He
stated that the Ordinance does not change; the Findings of Fact has been
amended.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen
seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously following a roll call
vote, Ordinance No. 476 was approved for passage.
RESOLUTION NO. 5842, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF
EASTON APPROVING THE NAME CHANGE OF THE EASTON HOUSING AUTHORITY TO THE HOUSING
COMMISSION OF TALBOT COUNTY”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen
seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously following a roll call
vote, Resolution No. 5842 was approved for passage.
RESOLUTION NO. 5843, “A RESOLUTION OF THE EASTON TOWN
COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE EASTON COMMUNITY LEGACY AREA AND A COMMUNITY LEGACY
PLAN AND APPLICATION AND RECEIPT OF FINANCING FOR COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECTS IN
EASTON, MARYLAND, TO BE FINANCED EITHER DIRECTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (THE “DEPARTMENT”) OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR
THROUGH OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND”
Upon motion by Ms.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Mr. Jensen asked to discuss
real estate matters in Executive Session.
Mr. Wendowski congratulated
Ms. Jackson-Amis for being the keynote speaker at the Fannie Hamer reception
this Wednesday at
Mr. Wendowski stated that he
had been asked by a neighbor why the Pop Warner Football Team was not able to
play anywhere in
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked for
the date of the workshop to discuss the expansion of the Historic District.
Mr. Ford stated that it is
scheduled for October 26 at
Mr. Ford discussed
information in the
Mr. Ford stated that the
Historic Cemeteries of
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked if
there is a wish list for each cemetery. Mr. Ford stated that they are
comprising a list and will forward it upon completion.
Mr. Ford discussed a letter
from Ms. Lisa Marvel regarding parking at
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business, the President of the
______________________________________
Town Clerk