TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND

Easton Town Hall

14 S. Harrison Street

July 5, 2005

 

PRESENT AT CONVENING

 

Mayor Robert C. Willey                                               Councilmember Scott R. Jensen

President John F. Ford                                     Councilmember Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.

Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor                          Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis

 

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Town Engineer Mr. Glass, Mr. Lynn Thomas Long Range Planner, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond and Mr. Karge, the Town Clerk.

 

CONVENING

 

At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council called the meeting to order.  Ms. Jackson-Amis opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 20, 2005 MEETINGS

 

Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, minutes of the June 20, 2005 meetings were approved as written.

 

EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

 

Mr. Jensen reported on the Fire Department’s monthly activities.

 

ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY

 

Mayor Willey introduced Mr. Stephen Sviatko, Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Easton. Mr. Sviatko will report during the first meeting of each month to the Council, Parks and Recreation department activities.

 

PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF MR. EUGENE H. PRICE

 

Mr. Wendowski read into the record a proclamation recognizing Mr. Price’s service to the community including 10 years as Ward III Councilmember, 12 years as President of the Council, 11 years on the Easton Housing Authority Board and 9 years on the Neighborhood Service Center Board.

 

MEMO FROM MAYOR ROBERT C. WILLEY REGARDING APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

 

Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to table these appointments until a legal opinion is submitted regarding Council members’ appointment to Boards and Commissions is resolved. There was no second to Ms. Jackson’s motion. The President of the Council stated that the Mayor’s appointments will be acted on at the next meeting.

 

DISCUSSION OF LONG-TERM LEASE OR TRANSFER OF POTTER’S FIELD TO VFW

 

Mayor Willey proposed to the Council consideration of a long-term lease or transfer of Potter’s Field to the VFW with the agreement that the VFW maintain the field and keep it as it is with no construction on the property and with the clause that if the VFW should elect to sell their property or dispose of it, have in the lease or transfer that the property revert back to the town.

 

The Town Attorney will forward a memo outlining what is stated in the deed.

 

 

 

 

ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE

 

Chief Blue was directed to work with Public Works to look at the cost of closing the curb cuts on the Gas Plant parking lot to utilize two additional parking spaces.

 

The County Council’s office has requested a cross-walk to go from the property by the library across to the Courthouse property for pedestrian traffic. The Town Engineer will go through the analysis procedure to determine the need.

 

ITEMS BY THE TOWN ENGINEER

 

The Town Engineer asked for a consensus for the award of the bid for the base project for West Glenwood annexation eliminating West Glenwood Avenue and doing Johnson and Wayman Streets and water and sewer extensions all within the confines of that community with the balance required for Special Taxing District approximately $2,500 per lot not including the normal fees associated with the capital fees associated for water and sewer with a completion date prior to September 30.

 

It was the consensus of the Council to go to the County with the information and the bid to move forward in accordance with the requirements and to look at a way to reduce the scope approximately $40,000 to avoid the Special Taxing District; informing the residents of the status of the project.

 

Ms. Scott-Taylor requested a handicapped space on Dover Road in the vicinity of Easton Bank and Trust near the Tidewater Inn.

 

The Town Attorney directed the Economic Development Coordinator to survey the businesses in the area and talk with the Town Engineer regarding a place to locate a handicapped space and return to the Council with a recommendation.

 

ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER

 

Mr. Thomas had a request from the United Fund regarding the replacement of their sign at the intersection of Bay Street and the Parkway depicting their progress towards their fundraising goal.

 

It was the consensus of the Council to replace the sign.

 

Mr. Hamilton reviewed the Planning Commission’s upcoming agenda.

  • Pierson’s warehouse property.
  • Site plan for a new 6,400 square foot hangar at Easton Airport.
  • PRD application at 15 S. Hanson Street, corner of Talbot Lane and Hanson.

The Board of Appeals has one item on their agenda for the upcoming meeting on July 12.

  • Special Exception for 415 August Street for a home occupation for a request to locate their interior design business in an outbuilding on their property.

 

LETTER FROM STAFF SGT. GANNON, MARYLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD REQUESTING PERMISSION TO ISSUE PERMIT FOR RETAIL SALES AT ARMORY

 

Mr. Thomas advised that the property is zoned Agricultural and retail sales would not be permitted in this zone and the request does not qualify as a special event or was not temporary.

 

It was the Council consensus to grant permission for the retail sale activity.

 

LETTER FROM MR. JOHN JURCEKA, COMMANDER, TALBOT POST #70 REQUESTING ELIMINATION OR REDUCTION OF THE IMPACT FEE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POST

 

Mr. Thomas will check what category the proposed project is and see if the calculation of fees is correct.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 5855, “A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF EASTON CHANGING THE TIME LIMIT FOR PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AND CHANGING THE “TIDEWATER INN” AND “TOWN OFFICE” PARKING LOTS TO PERMIT PARKING FROM RESERVED PERMIT PARKING”

ORDINANCE NO. 490, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING SECTION 17-24 OF THE EASTON TOWN CODE REGARDING OVERTIME PARKING”

 

Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried 3 to 2 with Ms. Jackson-Amis and Mr. Ford dissenting, Resolution No. 5855 and Ordinance No. 490 were tabled for 60 days until council members had time to follow up on some concerns of constituents.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 5856, REVISED SCHEDULE OF FEES

 

Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Resolution No. 5856 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.

 

ZONING ORDINANCE WORKSHOP

 

The President of the Council set a workshop for July 11 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Ms. Scott-Taylor requested an Executive Session to discuss real estate.

 

Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council convened the regularly scheduled meeting into Executive Session at 9:12 p.m.

 

The President of the Council closed the Executive Session at 9:43 p.m.

 

RECONVENE INTO REGULAR MEETING

 

At 9:43 p.m., the President of the Council reconvened into Regular Session.

 

REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY SHED STRUCTURE

 

Mr. Bond received a request to place a temporary building on Town property to keep yard signs, etc. The request will require Historic District Commission approval.

 

It was the consensus of the Council that the temporary structure can be placed on the property with the understanding that if it should need to be removed, it would be and they would assume responsibility of maintenance.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 9:48 p.m.

 

______________________________________

Town Clerk