TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
November 7, 2005
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Al Bond Economic Development Coordinator, Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Sviatko, Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe and the Town Clerk Mr. Karge.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford 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 OCTOBER 17 AND OCTOBER 19, 2005 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; minutes of the meetings were approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Chance reported on the Department’s October activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mr. Wendowski made a motion to approve Mayor Willey’s re-appointment of Mr. John Sener to the Historic District Commission and the appointment of Mr. Ken McFadden to the Parks and Recreation Board seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously.
INTRODUCTION OF MR. TOM TIPTON, VICE PRESIDENT, SPORTS & HOSPITALITY DIVISION OF CARL M. FREEMAN COMPANIES
Ms. Scott-Taylor introduced Mr. Tipton and his assistant, Ms. Amanda Smith to the Council and the community. Mr. Tipton discussed Carl M. Freeman Companies and the improvement plans for the Tidewater Inn.
PROCLAMATION FOR FESTIVAL OF TREES WEEK
Ms. Scott-Taylor presented the Proclamation for Festival of Trees Week to Ms. Jane Bollman.
MID SHORE MEDIATION TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING THEIR SERVICES
Mr. Peter Talley, Executive Director, Mid Shore Mediation discussed community mediation alternatives with co-mediators. He stated that they also work in Dorchester and Caroline County.
MR. DON WEBSTER, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TO DISCUSS STORM WATER ENHANCEMENTS
Mr. Webster discussed the effects of storm water ponds and the increased development in the area. He asked for a letter from the Town indicating their interest in participating in a grant proposal. Mr. Webster stated that there would not be any financial commitment.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously, permission was granted to write a letter regarding the Town’s interest in participating in the grant proposal.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue briefed on the Waterfowl Festival plans, street closures and changes in traffic patterns.
Chief Blue discussed the installation of mobile data units to police vehicles.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause stated that there will be no sanitation pickup on Veterans’ Day.
Mr. Hause stated that the Public Works crew will attempt to pickup the entire town on the day after Thanksgiving.
The revised completion construction date for West Glenwood is November 14.
Mr. Hause stated that the leaf pickup will follow the bulk pick route schedule.
MR. TALBOT BONE’S REVIEW ON THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN BY LOWE’S
Mr. Bone stated that the Town of Easton’s Ordinance 406 lays out the requirements for the storm water management plan which was submitted by the Lowe’s firm. He stated that it has been reviewed and commented on by him and sent to Lowe’s for corrections. Mr. Bone stated that the information has been provided back to him whereby, upon further review; he found that Lowe’s has complied with the storm water management ordinance enacted by the Town of Easton. Mr. Bone stated that he has sent a letter to that effect.
Mr. Bone addressed Lowe’s handling the quality and the quantity of the water. He stated that the total water quality volume that comes off the site is 38,000 cubic feet of water which is all they had to handle to meet the Town’s requirements. He stated that in the Lowe’s computation, they are handling 54,000 cubic feet of water which is over 10% more than the water quality volume they would normally have to handle exceeding the minimum standards.
Mr. Kehoe discussed the Critical Area requirements although Lowe’s is not within the area. He stated that the project meets the more recent standards and criteria developed by the Maryland Department of Environment.
Mr. Bone stated that the requirement is that 90% of the water that basically falls on the site by MDE standards be treated through a bio retention area or a sand filter or some other type of BMP (best management practice). In this particular case, 100% of the water is being treated. From the standpoint, the Town is sending a message that a higher standard is being set.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton stated that there is one item on the Planning and Zoning agenda:
The President of the Council set public hearings for the following proposed projects as recommended by Mr. Atwood, the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission:
· The Preserve At Easton PUD: December 19 at 7:15 p.m.
· Hunter Mill Rezoning: December 5 at 7:15 p.m.
· Retirement Community of Easton, Inc., Annexation: January 3, 2006 at 7:15 p.m.
· Draft Subdivision Regulations: a workshop needs to be scheduled.
· Zoning Ordinance: December 19 at 7:45 p.m.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Kehoe discussed including in the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations provisions for a Developer’s Rights and Responsibilities’ Agreement that a number of communities are using. Mr. Ford asked that this information be forwarded to the Planning Department as soon as possible for their review.
The Town Attorney and Town Clerk will submit information regarding the Town’s fiscal situation at the next meeting.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond discussed upcoming holiday events. The Annual Tree Lighting will be held the day before the Annual Holiday Parade. He asked if the Council will light the trees on December 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Bond stated that he will provide the Mayor and Council additional information regarding the impact fees at the next meeting.
ITEMS BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
Mr. Sviatko will be establishing signs for the major parks with rules and regulations posted.
Mr. Sviatko is working on a basketball league for 7 to 15 year olds to be played at Easton Middle School to give more opportunities for things for this age group. He discussed establishing an adult men’s league as well.
LETTER FROM TREEKEEPERS COMMITTEE, ISAAC WALTON LEAGUE PROPOSING TO FUND STREET TREES FOR SITES IN EASTON HISTORIC DISTRICT AND IN IDLEWILD PARK WITH THE ADDITION OF A MEMORIAL PARK
Mr. George Howie introduced Ms. Sharon Jamairac, Ms. Isabelle Fedell, Mr. Forest Fedell and Mr. Bruce Phillips.
Mr. Howie discussed starting a memorial and commemorative program in the Historic District and Idlewild Park in which Treekeepers will fund the cost of the trees that the Town of Easton will plant in those locations and sell markers to residents in the community. He stated that they will reimburse the Town of Easton with the funds from the sale of the markers. Mr. Howie stated that the Town will choose the sites for the trees, the types of trees to be purchased and maintain the trees. He stated that they will handle all paperwork for people applying for the plaques. Any profit will go to the Isaac Walton League for a scholarship fund.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to work with the program outlined seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously.
LETTER FROM MS. DEIDRA S. BELL, EASTON LIONS CLUB REQUESTING THE USE OF THE VACANT LOT BETWEEN THE SUPERFRESH AND THE VFW FOR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted for the Lions Club to sell the Christmas trees on the Town’s vacant lot.
RESOLUTION NO. 5867 SUPPORTING MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSWORKS PROGRAM FINANCING TO R & S MITCHELL, LLC (INN AT 202 DOVER)
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried; Resolution No. 5867 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 5868 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SPECIAL LOANS PROGRAM AND HOME FUNDS PROGRAM WITHIN THE TOWN OF EASTON
Resolution No. 5868 was tabled pending receipt of additional information
DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 494, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF THE ARTERY GROUP, LLC TO ESTABLISH A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (“PUD”)_ZONING DISTRICT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE”
The Town Attorney stated that by the next Town Council’s meeting, the developer’s representative will have a concrete proposal for consideration regarding the access road. Mr. Kehoe asked that action on this Ordinance be deferred until the proposal comports with the intention of the Council.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that the hospital’s presentation to the Council be placed early on the next meeting agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 9:10 p.m.
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Town Clerk