TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
March 20, 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. Scott-Taylor opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, minutes of the March 6, 2006 meetings were unanimously approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Drew Jensen stated that at this time, the Fire Department has nothing to report.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
East end and west end clean up day has been scheduled for April 8 at 8:00 a.m.
Mayor Willey asked for favorable consideration for the Historic District appointments.
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; Mayor Willey’s appointments were approved.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue recommended approval for the following public permit assemblies:
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause updated on public works’ projects.
Mr. Wendowski discussed a 4-way STOP sign for Clubhouse Drive.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Hamilton stated that there are no current applications for the upcoming Planning and Zoning agenda.
Mr. Hamilton asked that the staff be allowed to work with Talbot Bank to put in a wired connection by directional boring on Dover Street. Easton Utilities has asked that the applicants work with them due to the conduits and utilities in Dover Street and that the applicant sign an agreement that if they disturb anything or damage anything or any need to move this line in the future will be the responsible for the costs.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, the staff is permitted to work with Talbot Bank to install their cable by directional bore.
Mr. Hamilton stated that Talbot County has withdrawn their appeal of the Historic District Commission’s appeal regarding the architecture for the library.
Mr. Wendowski asked the Planning Department to think in long range terms what Route 50 should look like.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Town Attorney asked for a Closed Session to discuss Personnel and for the Advice of Legal Counsel.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she also has a Personnel matter for Closed Session.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond discussed the required Transient Business License fee of $500 per day for the proposed Sunday Antiques Market.
The President of the Council suggested waiving the fee for vendors for one year then discussing fees after reviewing the success of the Market.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she does not support waiving all of the Transient Business Fee payable to the Town for this Antiques Market. She raised concerns that it is selective enforcement of the laws.
Mr. Wendowski would like to see the total Business Plan before voting on the proposal.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to adopt Mr. Ford’s plan with the understanding that this will be re-evaluated in one year before drafting the appropriate ordinance seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried 3 to 2 with Mr. Wendowski and Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.
Mr. Bond is to forward the Business Plan to the Council Members.
Mr. Bond asked for general permission to fire fireworks from the RTC property to see if you can view them from the VFW. He stated that the distance from the VFW to the RTC property is the same as the distance between the Dudrow Farm to the VFW where there is now a development proposed.
Ms. Jackson-Amis made a motion to defer to the Police Department.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the firing of fireworks from the RTC property, seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously.
FEES FOR USE OF TOWN OF EASTON PARKS PROPOSAL
Mr. Sviatko proposed fees for use of North Easton Park and the skatepark. He stated entities are using the parks and collecting fees as non-profit organizations. He suggested collecting 50% of the costs associated with these parks through the organizations such as Lacrosse Association, Pop Warner Football, field hockey, soccer and Little League. He stated that the skatepark is open nine months per year which costs $28,127. He proposed collecting 25% of the costs through fees with a $40 (resident) $50.00 (non-resident) season membership and a daily membership of $3.00 for a resident and $4.00 for a non-resident. Mr. Sviatko suggested parties and equipment rental fees for the skatepark.
Ms. Scott-Taylor and Mr. Jensen stated that they are not in favor of charging to use town parks.
Mr. Ford stated that he is not questioning the numbers as they are real. He suggested thinking about the proposal.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated that she believes there has to be some fees and recognizes that the money has to come from somewhere. She suggested that Mr. Sviatko speak to the park participants and get some of the larger organizations to pay something.
AMENDED RESOLUTION NO. 5869, “A RESOLUTION TO ANNEX CERTAIN LANDS OWNED BY THE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OF EASTON, INC. TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PORT ROAD AND CONSISTING OF 10.513 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ANNEXATION.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, Resolution No. 5869 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.
AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 495, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF EASTON TO APPLY AN ORIGINAL ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-10A) AND CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY ZONING CLASSIFICATINS OF INTENSE DEVELOPMENT AREA (IDA) AND LIMITED DEVELOPMENT AREA (LDA) TO A PARCEL OF LAND ANNEXED TO THE TOWN OF EASTON LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF PORT ROAD CONSISTING OF 10.513 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS AND SUBJECTING A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN’S HISTORIC DISTRICT ZONING REGULATIONS.”
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott Taylor and carried; Ordinance No. 495 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.
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.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried; Ordinance No. 498, As Amended was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 5877 RECOMMENDING NEW ROOM RENTAL FEES AT EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Resolution No. 5877 was passed unanimously following a roll call vote.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $419,096.56
Upon motion Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried, invoices totaling $419,096.56 were unanimously approved for payment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 8:46 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen, seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor 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 to discuss real estate matters, advice of legal counsel and personnel matters.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting at 9:25 p.m.
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Town Clerk