TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
January 2, 2007
Ms. Moonyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance was Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Assistant to Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond, Long Range Planner Mr. Thomas and Town Clerk Robert Karge.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mr. Ford opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 18, 2006 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, minutes of the December 18, 2006 meeting was approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Drew Jensen presented the Fire Department’s activities. Mr. Ford thanked the Department for the professionalism they displayed Christmas Eve at his parent’s home.
ITEMS FROM MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey wished everyone a happy holiday. He discussed an opening on the Easton Utilities Commission and the proposed Memorial Garden on the corner of Dover and West.
MEMO FROM MAYOR REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF TOWN MANAGER, TOWN FINANCE OFFICER AND TOWN CLERK
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve the appointments seconded by Mr. Jensen. Ms. Jackson-Amis asked that each appointment be voted on individually.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Mr. Karge’s appointment as Town Manager seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Ms. Callahan’s appointment as Town Finance Officer seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried 3 to 1 with Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Mrs. Ruf’s appointment as Town Clerk seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried 3 to 1 with Ms. Jackson-Amis voting no.
Ms. Jackson-Amis stated for the record that the opposition is not to the individuals or their caliber of work which has been exemplary but it is to the process which she stated should not be a charter amendment for the last two positions but should be a part of an employment process. She stated that we are circumventing what would be equal employment opportunity by the Charter amendment.
Mr. Wendowski stated that for the record, he disagreed with Ms. Jackson-Amis.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Blue stated that First Night Talbot was very successful New Year’s Eve.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed the possibility of an organization adopting a block for the purpose of being a presence against drugs, loitering and to try clean up the area. Ms. Jackson-Amis questioned the safety aspect and asked what kind of support could be expected from Easton Police Department.
Chief Blue stated that they could take a look at the proposal and contact other municipalities.
MR. MARK SAMSONE, 8623 ISLAND COURT TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING DRAINAGE PROBLEMS
Mr. Samsone addressed the Council regarding drainage issues at his residence in Golton. He stated he moved here February 14, 1997. Mr. Samsone stated that he is present on the advice of his counsel Ms. Brynja Booth. He discussed his complaints made to the Stormwater Management and staff at the Town Office. He discussed the run-off from the Mulberry Station development when there is a hard rain event. Mr. Samsone stated they will consider taking legal action if this problem is not resolved. He suggested a site investigation from an independent consultant.
Mr. Hause discussed non tidal wetlands and suggested the Mayor and Council write a letter to get some help from MDE.
Mr. Kehoe suggested cleaning out sedimentation clogging at a down flow drainage culvert and possibly going to the Corps of Engineers for a proper permit.
Ms. Jackson-Amis discussed determining if the Town has liability and suggested the same independent consultant look at the Watkins’ situation on Dover Road.
Mr. Ford asked Mr. Hause to report back the first meeting in February.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause stated that Christmas trees will be picked up until the end of next week and discussed the trash pick up schedule for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked what the analysis is for the Dover Street drainage problem.
Mr. Hause stated that they need to go in and dig up the street to better analyze the problem.
Ms. Jackson-Amis asked how to handle problematic trash concerns. She asked if fines have been issued.
Mr. Hause stated that usually, the problem is resolved before it gets to that point. He stated that he will work with the Town Manager to alleviate the problem.
Mr. Karge asked that the offices be identified that are putting trash out before the weekend.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
Mr. Thomas, Long Range Planner discussed the items on the upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission agenda:
Mr. Thomas discussed year end statistics. He stated that they approved 95 residential units in the past year with a population increase of 197 and a growth rate of 1.34%. He stated that this is the smallest increase in a decade.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
Mayor Willey asked for an Executive Session meeting for the advice of counsel.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 8:13 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried unanimously following a roll call vote, the President of the Council adjourned into Executive Session for the advice of legal counsel.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:23 p.m., upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Town Clerk