TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
January 16, 2007
Ms. Maureen Scott-Taylor
Ms. Jackson-Amis was excused.
Also in attendance was the Town Manager Mr. Karge, Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Chief Blue, Assistant to Town Engineer Mr. Hause, Economic Development Coordinator Mr. Bond, Town Planner Mr. Hamilton and Town Clerk Mrs. Ruf.
At 7:00 p.m., the President of the Council, Mr. Ford called the meeting to order.
Mr. Jensen opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 2 AND JANUARY 4, 2007 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, minutes of the January 2 and January 4, 2007 meetings were approved as written.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Drew Jensen presented the Fire Department’s activities for the month of January. He reported on the line officers and administrative officers for the upcoming year. Mr. Jensen reported that Mr. C. Eugene Butler will be present at future Council meetings to report on the Fire Department’s activities.
CHIEF DREW JENSEN, EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING PURCHASE OF NEW FIRE ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT
Chief Jensen stated that Engine 64 has been on line since 1986. He stated that every five years an engine is replaced with the Town responsible for two engines which are set up to be replaced every 10 years. He stated that after their needs assessment, they decided they needed a rescue engine. They sent bids to Pierce, 4 Guys and Sutphin based on their history. It was decided to purchase the engine from 4 Guys. He stated that it will be designed and set up to do fire suppression, auto extrication and rescue. He stated that they would like to discuss the possibility of the Fire Department making arrangements with the town to possibly purchase Engine 64 in case of any large fuel spills or hazardous material accidents. Chief Jensen stated this truck will be a good reserve but will not last as a first run piece of equipment.
Mr. Wendowski discussed the depreciation on Engine 64.
Mr. Karge stated that it is depreciated straight line and is probably totally depreciated at this point.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, approval for purchase of a new engine was approved as recommended by Chief Jensen.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked for a specification sheet on the new piece of apparatus.
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION HONORING MS. POLLY SHANNAHAN AND CELEBRATING HER 90TH BIRTHDAY
Mr. Ford presented a Proclamation to Ms. R. Flannigan (Polly) Shannahan in honor of her 90th birthday and her community activities.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey stated that he recently attended the Martin Luther King Tournament at the Middle School and challenged the Cambridge Town Council to play the Easton Town Council in a basketball game next year.
ITEMS BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Mr. Gary Poole has asked that the Town convert five regular parking spaces in front of the emergency room entrance for hospital use only. Chief Blue stated that the Police Department does not recommend Mr. Poole’s request and explained their decision.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the Easton Police Department’s recommendation to not approve Mr. Poole’s request was carried.
ITEMS BY THE ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN ENGINEER
Mr. Hause stated that the street resurfacing bid would be released today.
Mr. Hause invited the Council to the annual road review. He stated that he will have a date at the next meeting.
Mr. Hause stated that the SHA third lane widening project for Route 50 will proceed on February 5, 2007 with a preconstruction meeting scheduled for January 25.
Mr. Hause briefed on sidewalk reconstruction projects.
A tentative public information meeting for the east/west connector road has been scheduled for February 21; 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Fire house. Mr. Matt Allen from Wallace and Montgomery will be present for the presentation and question and answer period.
Mr. Hause discussed drainage issues on Dover Street and Mr. Mark Samsone’s property. He will report on the findings at the next meeting.
Advertising methods for the public meeting regarding the east/west connector road were discussed.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN PLANNER
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet January 18 at 1:00 p.m. with the following items on their agenda:
Target’s building permit is ready and Lowe’s will break ground in February.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN ATTORNEY
The Assistant Town Attorney, Ms. VanEmburgh stated that legislation for the zoning changes for the Cannery Square project will be on the next Council’s agenda.
ITEMS BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Mr. Bond updated on the Clifton Industrial Park annexation project. Mr. Bond stated that the County will assign S1 W1 if they are not involved in the financing. He discussed negotiations that are continuing with the property owners.
Mr. Bond reported that the Historic Easton Board has chosen a consultant; a firm called AKRF and another company called Streetworks, to work on a downtown infill development master plan. There will be a press release to make the public at large aware of the process.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked for a copy of the proposal and a list of the committee members.
Mr. Wendowski asked for a cost estimate and questioned where the funds are coming from. Mr. Bond stated that it is a $150,000 planning process and 50% of that is in the form of a Neighborhood Business Works grant to start this process. The match is funded through a donation to Historic Easton by the Carl Freeman Company.
Ms. Scott-Taylor asked for a dissemination of information in order to be more involved.
ITEMS BY THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Mr. Sviatko discussed the Martin Luther King Basketball Classic on Monday.
Mr. Sviatko stated that he will be in Landover next week attending the National Safety Playground Course Safety Program.
RESOLUTION NO. 5899 AUTHORIZING AN EMPLOYER MATCH TO THE SECTION 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
The Town Manager recommended the Council proceed.
Mr. Jensen made a motion to approve Resolution No. 5899 seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously following a roll call vote.
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 2007-01
Executive Order Number 2007-01 was read into the record.
Mayor Willey stated that our bond underwriters suggested undertaking several steps to bring the bond rating back on schedule up to where it was a few years ago. Two of those items were listed in the Executive Order. Mayor Willey stated that Resolution No. 5900 supports the Executive Order. He stated that this does not represent a tax increase.
Mr. Jensen clarified that the Executive Order states that no departments shall propose an increase in their operating or capital budget above 5% of last year’s level.
RESOLUTION NO. 5900 SUPPORTING THE FINANCIAL TARGETS AS EXPRESSED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2007-01
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Resolution No. 5900 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
APPROVAL OF INVOICES TOTALING $516,503.90
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, invoices totaling $516,503.90 were unanimously approved for payment.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Ms. Scott-Taylor stated that she is chairing the St. Patrick’s Parade on Saturday, March 17. The time will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Wendowski extended congratulations for the basketball tournament.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:58 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk