TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
June 6, 2005
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor
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 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council called the meeting to order. Mr. Jensen opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 16, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, minutes of the May 16, 2005 meetings were approved as written.
ITEMS BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mr. Steve Painter presented the Fire Department’s monthly report.
PRESENTATION OF CITATION OF EXCELLENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Councilwoman Scott-Taylor presented a Citation of Excellence in Historic Preservation to Ms. Sandra Zemski for improvements to 311 August Street.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey asked that the following appointments to the Talbot County Housing Authority be approved for a five year term:
Ms. Iris Whiting
Mr. Tom McDavid
Mr. Leon Sampson
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, Mayor Willey’s appointments were approved.
ITEMS BY CHIEF OF POLICE
Due to a lack of runners, the 5K race has been cancelled.
Chief Blue asked for approval for the following Public Assembly Permits:
June 12, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
July 17, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
August 28, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Public Assembly permits.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER
The Town of Easton is on the loan list waiting for funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment for the Doverbrook pond project to rectify some stormwater issues.
The Town Engineer will work with CVS regarding their entrance and left turn lane.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Town Planner asked Council permission for Norris Ford to extend their tent through June. It was the consensus of the Council that the tent can be left up temporarily.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney requested an Executive Session for the advice of Counsel and for the proposal for the attraction and retention of business for the town.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond asked for volunteers for Independence Week and asked the Council to respond to him by the end of the week.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY2005/06 BUDGET
At 7:25 p.m., the President of the Council opened the Public Hearing regarding the upcoming budget.
Mayor Willey presented the balanced budget totaling $11,215,102.
The President of the Council opened the floor for public comments.
Ms. Barbara Coit, President of League of Women Voters, Talbot County; addressed the Town of Easton’s scheduled rental housing inspections and the League’s support of the Livability Code. She asked the Mayor and Council to provide budgetary support for that effort. The League of Women Voters urged the Council to look at and revise Ordinance No. 309 which was last looked at in 1995.
Ms. Barbara Heatley, 28702 Edgemere Road, spoke on behalf of the Affordable Rental Housing Coalition who supports regularly scheduled inspections. She recommended a report on last year’s inspections and a revision in the fee schedule. Ms. Heatley urged the Council to enforce the minimum Livability Code.
Mr. Robert Fisher, Cordova Road, Easton; addressed the Council regarding violations in the home where he is living.
Ms. Gail (last name unknown) addressed the Council regarding sewage and electrical problems in her home on Cordova Road.
The President of the Council stated that the public record would remain open until the close of business on Friday.
At 7:55 p.m., the President of the Council closed the Budget Public Hearing.
MR. MILTON JAMES, JASPER LANE, COOKE’S HOPE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING EASTON CABLE PROGRAMMING
Mr. Milton James, 28943 Jasper Lane, Ward III, addressed the Council regarding Easton Cable’s services and programming options.
Mr. Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO, Easton Utilities discussed the management of Easton Utilities and the diverse set of programming for diverse customers Easton Cable offers.
RESOLUTION NO. 5853 SUPPORTING MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSWORKS PROGRAM FINANCING TO SCOSSA’S
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Resolution No. 5853 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
LETTER FROM MR. CARL E. BURKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UPPER SHORE AGING INC., REQUESTING A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A PROJECT TO RENOVATE THE EXISTING TALBOT SENIOR CENTER LOCATED AT 400 BROOKLETTS AVENUE
It was the consensus of the Council to support the concept of the expansion of Upper Shore Aging, Inc.’s Senior Center with additional information anticipated at a later date.
ORDINANCE NO. 489, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THREE LICENSE AGREEMENTS TO ALLOW ENCROACHMENTS FROM 102, 106 AND 108 TALBOT LANE INTO THE THIRTY (30) FOOT RIGHT OF WAY KNOWN AS TALBOT LANE TO CONTINUE
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 489 for a first reading.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OF EASTON PLANNING COMMISSION
Mr. Hamilton, Town Planner discussed the Annual Report required by state law. The President of the Council asked that this report be presented to the public in July.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:37 p.m., upon motion of Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the President of the Council convened into Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon unanimous consensus, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 9:24 p.m.
______________________________________
Town Clerk