TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
March 3, 2006
Councilmember Maureen Scott-Taylor Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Assistant to the Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton, Future Planner Mr. Thomas, Economic Development Coordinator Al Bond, Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Sviatko and Town Clerk Robert 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 FEBRUARY 21, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, minutes of the February 21, 2006 meetings were unanimously approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Drew Jensen reported on the Department’s February activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that a contract has been forwarded to the Town Attorney for review to allow MDIA to help with rental housing inspections.
Mayor Willey discussed the impact fee totals that have been collected as of March 2. For municipal facilities: $19,600; police department: $67,100; fire department: $97,800; transportation projects $477,800; parks and recreation: $144,000 totaling $806,000.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause updated on ongoing projects.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
There are four items for the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for March 16:
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, permission was granted to hang the banner at Talbottown to benefit 13th Annual Charity Antique Show and Sale at the Waterfowl Festival building April 21 through April 23.
Ms. Tina Mills, Director for the Mental Health Association, was present and requested parking leniency for the event. She stated that she will follow up with the Police Department.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mr. Kehoe asked for a Closed Session for the advice of legal counsel.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond asked for a Closed Session to discuss business retention and real estate.
Mr. Bond introduced a proposed new Easton Main Street event that functions as a Farmer’s Market but is an antique market that operates only on Sundays, May through November in the parking lot across from Town Hall. He stated that there will be a permit introducing this action at the next meeting. Mr. Bond discussed the required Peddler’s license. Mr. Bond discussed the fees for the vendors that Main Street collects and having to pay the Market Master.
ITEMS BY THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Mr. Sviatko stated that North Easton Park is officially open. He stated that it is his goal to have the skate park open in three weeks.
Tennis nets at Idlewild Park will be replaced.
Mr. Sviatko will have proposed fees for park use at the next council meeting.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 2006 AS AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH
Mr. Wendowski presented the Proclamation on behalf of Mayor Willey.
MEMO FROM LYNN B. THOMAS, FUTURE PLANNER REGARDING SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS, ZONING ORDINANCE AND TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Mr. Ford remanded the suggestions to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and recommendation.
ORDINANCE NO. 498, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING AND REENACTING WITH AMENDMENTS, ARTICLE 25 OF THE EASTON TOWN CODE ENTITLED “SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS.”
Mr. Ford introduced Ordinance No. 498 for a first reading.
MEMO FROM BRIAN K. HAUSE, ASST. TO THE TOWN ENGINEER REQUESTING APPROVAL OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FISCAL YEAR 2006
Mr. Hause stated that the contract is April 1 through December 1.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, the landscape maintenance contract was approved 3 to 1 with Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.
MEMO FROM BRIAN K. HAUSE, ASST. TO THE TOWN ENGINEER REQUESTING APPROVAL OF PAVING CONTRACT FISCAL YEAR 2006
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, the paving contract was unanimously approved.
LETTER FROM MR. MICHAEL A. BURLBAUGH, P.E., PROJECT MANAGER, ELM STREET DEVELOPMENT, REGARDING EASTON VILLAGE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE COMPLETION SCHEDULE
Mr. Burlbaugh discussed the conditions of the approval for the Elm Street development. Mr. Burlbaugh stated that it has been recommended that Elm Street post a performance bond in favor of the town and deferring construction of that bridge until the completion of the path is near. He stated that they will build it whenever the Mayor and Council tell them to.
The Town Attorney stated that this dialogue should be between the Town of Easton and State Highway Administration.
The Town Attorney stated that he will draft a resolution for approval to amend the Findings of Facts.
LETTER FROM MR. BRUCE C. ARMISTEAD, REQUESTING THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR PUD BY STANLEY HALLE COMMUNITIES, INC.
The Town Attorney stated that subsequent proposals would go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
LETTER FROM MR. WILLIAM O. BRYAN, J. MARION BRYAN & SONS, INC. REQUESTING CONSIDERATION FOR ON-SITE BURN PERMIT AT LAKELANDS PROJECT
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor, approval was granted for the burn permit. The Town Attorney advised that Bryan & Sons be notified that the Maryland Department of Environment will require an open air burning permit as well and they should check with them.
APPROVAL OF LEASE BETWEEN TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND AND THE TOWN OF EASTON FOR SPACE AT THE EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried approval for the lease for the EMS at the Easton Volunteer Fire Department was approved.
CLOSED SESSION
At 8:11 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor, seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled council meeting to go into a Closed Meeting for the advice of legal counsel, business retention and matters of real estate.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 9:01 p.m.
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Town Clerk