TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
September 4, 2007
Mr. Scott R. Jensen
Mr. Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.
Ms. Mooneyene Jackson-Amis
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Town Manager Mr. Karge, Long Range Planner Mr. Thomas, Building Code Official Mr. Don Richardson and Town Clerk Mrs. Ruf.
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 AUGUST 20, 2007 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, minutes of the August 20, 2007 meetings were approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mr. Butler was present to report on the Department’s August activities.
Mr. Wendowski discussed fines for automatic fire alarms. He stated that the county is implementing a fine after three false alarms.
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION
Ms. Scott-Taylor presented a Proclamation on behalf of Mayor Willey to Mr. Robert Sullivan, Vice President of USA Dance Easton Chapter 6099 proclaiming Saturday, September 15, 2007 National Ballroom Dance Day in the Town of Easton.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey discussed the budget at the end of the first quarter. He stated that the budget is in line with expectations. He stated that the Town has satisfied the obligations we made to Moody’s and have paid off the line of credit and have made the first contribution to the budget stabilization fund..
Mayor Willey asked for Council approval to put Talbot Partnership’s request for funding of $4,500 and Talbot County’s Arts Council request for funding of $2,000 back into the budget.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; appropriations were restored in the budget for Talbot Partnership and Talbot County’s Arts Council.
MR. DON RICHARDSON, BUIDLING CODE OFFICIAL TO DISCUSS HOW THE VARIOUS NATIONAL AND STATE FIRE SAFETY CODES WORK TOGETHER
Town Manager Mr. Karge introduced Mr. Richardson to the Council.
Mr. Richardson discussed the National Fire Prevention’s Association Standard and its role on a national, state and local municipality level. He stated that this document is nationally recognized to ensure life safety and welfare for occupants for a building and is largely used in the state of Maryland for commercial building purposes. Mr. Richardson stated that there is a residential section but has currently been deleted at the state level and speaks specifically how to protect homes. He stated that this is enforced by the State Fire Marshall’s office and other sections are enforced by our local building officials.
ORDINANCE NO. 517, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON TO AMEND THE EASTON TOWN CODE BY ADDING ARTICLE VIII “APPLICABILITY OF STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE” TO TITLE 9 “FIRE PREVENTION” TO REQUIRE THAT THE MARYLAND STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE APPLY TO ALL ONE AND TWO FAMILY RESIDENCES IN THE TOWN OF EASTON”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 517 for a first reading.
Mr. Kehoe discussed the purpose of adopting the National Fire Prevention Safety Code.
Mr. Kehoe discussed retrofitting existing homes.
Mr. Ford stated that there are four options regarding existing homes: exempt them completely, have some sort of threshold based upon square footage and some threshold based upon cost of renovation and include only if a house is destroyed or demolished and would be rebuilt.
The Town Attorney suggested getting public feedback before adopting Ordinance No. 517.
ITEMS BY THE TOWN MANAGER
Mr. Karge asked for Council approval for the following Public Assembly Permits:
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried; the Council approved the Public Assembly Permits as recommended by the Easton Police Department.
The Town Manager brought the request of Mr. Quinn, Mulberry Homeowner’s Association to the floor for additional stop signs in Mulberry Station. Mr. Karge discussed the recommendation from the Town of Easton’s consulting engineer, Mr. Gerry Friedel. He stated that they suggested putting in three additional three-way stops and address a traffic calming technique on Mile Post Road as well as bicycle signs. He stated the recommendation complies with the Maryland Uniform Traffic Manual. Mr. Karge stated Public Works will begin work on these changes in the near future.
Mr. Quinn thanked the Town for their response.
Mr. Karge was in receipt of a letter from Ms. Melissa Leonard regarding Idlewild Park on September 16. She has asked that she be able to place a Moon Bounce placed for her daughter’s birthday.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously, approval was granted with the condition that Ms. Leonard provide a Certificate Of Insurance with liability coverage specific to this activity naming the Town as an insured at a million dollars/three million dollars level of liability per occurrence.
Mr. Ford asked for the status of the recommendation from the staff regarding rental housing inspections.
Mr. Karge stated that Mr. Richardson will be providing his recommendations and suggested implementations.
MR. ROBERT KLIMCZAK TO ADDRESS COUNCIL REGARDING GOLDSBOROUGH STREET TRAFFIC CONCERNS
Mr. Klimczak suggested crosswalks at every intersection that intersects Goldsborough and Dover Street. He discussed his concern with new construction and the impact in the town. Mr. Klimczak asked that semi trucks driving through town be addressed. He discussed speeders on Goldsborough Street.
Mayor Willey discussed truck ordinances currently in place and the ability to enforce them.
MEMO FROM MR. LYNN B. THOMAS, LONG RANGE PLANNER REGARDING PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT REVISIONS; SUGGESTIONS OF THE SPECIAL SUBCOMMITTEE
Mr. Thomas discussed the results of the special subcommittee regarding possible revisions to the PR District mapping and changes to the text.
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; the recommendations of the special subcommittee were remanded to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation.
RESOLUTION NO. 5916, “A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A CAPITAL PROJECT TO EXPAND AND RENOVATE ADKINS ARBORETUM’S EDUCATION CENTER AND TO ENHANCE THE ENTRANCE AND GROUNDS”
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Ms. Jackson-Amis and carried; Resolution No. 5916 was approved unanimously following a roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 515, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 515 into the record for a first reading.
ORDINANCE NO. 516, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF LONDONDERRY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OF EASTON, INC., FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY CRITICAL AREA GROWTH ALLOCATION IN ORDER TO RECLASSIFY 7.513 ACRES OF LAND IN THE CRITICAL AREA FROM LIMITED DEVELOPMENT AREA (LDA) TO INTENSELY DEVELOPED AREA (IDA) AND FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A PLANNED HEALTHCARE (HC) ZONING DISTRICT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 516 into the record for a first reading.
LETTER FROM MR. WILLIAM B. STAGG, LANE ENGINEERING, LLC REQUESTING TO WITHDRAW THE APPLICATION FOR ZONING APPROVAL FOR A SHOPPING CENTER LOCATED ON LOT 7, EASTON COMMONS
Upon motion by Ms. Jackson-Amis seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried, Mr. Stagg’s request to withdrawal the application for zoning approval for a shopping center located on Lot 7 was approved 3 to 2 with Mr. Jensen and Mr. Wendowski voting no.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Route 50 improvements were discussed. Mr. Jensen asked that Mr. Hause stay in contact with SHA.
Mr. Wendowski discussed the width of the left turn lane out of Idlewild going west on Route 50.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously; the President of the Council adjourned the regularly scheduled meeting at 8:28 p.m.
______________________________________
Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk