TOWN OF EASTON, MARYLAND
Easton Town Hall
14 S. Harrison Street
September 17, 2007
Mr. Scott R. Jensen
Mr. Leonard E. Wendowski, Sr.
Also in attendance were the Town Attorney Mr. Kehoe, Town Manager Mr. Karge and Town Clerk Mrs. Ruf.
Ms. Jackson-Amis was excused.
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 SEPTEMBER 4 AND SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 MEETINGS
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, minutes of the September 4 and September 11, 2007 meetings were approved.
EASTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Drew Jensen was present to report on the Department’s upcoming events and monthly activities.
Mr. Jensen asked for an update on the reflective street lettering signs. There was no information.
Chief Jensen discussed automatic fire alarms in the town and county.
ITEMS BY MAYOR WILLEY
Mayor Willey discussed vandalism at Moton Park and stated that violators will be prosecuted.
PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION TO MS. DEBORAH SMITH, CHAIR OF CROP WALK
On behalf of Mayor Willey, Mr. Jensen proclaimed September 30, 2007 as CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Walk Day.
PROCLAMATION PRESENTATION TO MS. LISA A. BRENNER, FAMILY RECOVERY COURT, CIRCUIT COURT FOR FAMILY DAY
On behalf of Mayor Willey, Mr. Wendowski proclaimed Monday, September 24, 2007 as Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.
(Ms. Scott-Taylor arrived at 7:14 p.m.)
ITEMS BY THE TOWN MANAGER
The Town Manager, Mr. Karge reported that the Chief Jensen of Easton Fire Department has advised that they see no potential confusion with building numbering concerns raised from Dr. Michael G. Judd, MD; Chesapeake Women’s Health for medical offices located at 401 Purdy Street, Suite 102 and Suite 201.
Mr. Karge asked for approval to accept the bid of $5,995 for a pressure washer. He stated that one bid had been received in a timely manner.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, approval was granted to accept the bid for the pressure washer.
Mr. Karge asked for approval for the following Public Assembly Permits as recommended by Easton Police Department:
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried, permission was granted for the Public Assembly Permits.
MR. ALBERT PRITCHETT, BOARD PRESIDENT TO PRESENT 2007 WATERFOWL FESTIVAL TRANSPORTION PLAN
Mr. Pritchett complimented the Easton Police Department for their assistance and guidance and Mr. Karge for working on town affairs.
Mr. Pritchett discussed changes and events for the 2007 Waterfowl Festival. He discussed vendors and their locations.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, the 2007 Waterfowl Festival Transportation Plan was approved contingent upon any amendments to the plan being coordinated and approved by Easton Police Department.
AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 515, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON AMENDING THE TOWN OF EASTON ZONING ORDINANCE.”
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously, Ordinance No. 515 was approved following a roll call vote of those members present.
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 ORDINANACE.”
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried unanimously; Ordinance No. 516 was approved following a roll call vote of those members present.
AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 517, “AN AMENDED 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.”
Mr. Ford stated that after discussion at the last meeting, the provision regarding existing structures has been removed.
Upon motion by Mr. Jensen seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; Amended Ordinance No. 517 was approved following a roll call vote of those members present.
ORDINANCE NO. 519, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON TO AMEND ARTICLE VIII “APPLICABILITY OF STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE” IN TITLE 9 “FIRE PREVENTION” OF THE EASTON TOWN CODE TO ADD SECTION 9-67 PERTAINING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF THE MARYLAND STATE FIRE PREVENTION CODE TO EXISTING DWELLINGS.”
Ordinance No. 519 was tabled until additional information is obtained from the State Fire Marshal’s office and Easton Utilities.
ORDINANCE NO. 518, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON REPEALING ORDINANCE 309 AND REENACTING CHAPTER 13A OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON ESTABLISHING A HOUSING RENTAL LICENSING AND INSPECTION PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH LICENSING FEES FOR RENTAL HOUSING.”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 518 for a first reading.
The Town Attorney stated that he would like to have Mr. Richardson present for additional questions.
The President of the Council asked that Ordinance No. 518 be put on the Town’s website for viewing.
ORDINANCE NO. 520, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF EASTON APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF EASOTN AND THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR THE PURCHASE BY THE TOWN OF EASTON OF 5.514 +/- ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED TO THE EAST OF THE “RAILS TO TRAILS” PARK AND REFERRED TO AS THE “EASTON SPUR PARCEL,” AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE AGREEMENT BY THE TOWN AND PROVIDING THAT THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR SUCH PURCHASE SHALL BE SUPPLIED BY THE EASTON UTILITIES COMMISSION”
The President of the Council introduced Ordinance No. 520 for a first reading.
LETTER FROM MS. SUSAN LANGFITT, EASTON ROCKS AFTER SCHOOL REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HOST CRAFT SHOW AND SALE AT IDLEWILD PARK ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2007 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M.
Upon motion by Ms. Scott-Taylor seconded by Mr. Wendowski and carried unanimously; permission was granted for Ms. Langfitt to host a craft show and sale at Idlewild Park to benefit the affordable after school programs and clubs at Easton Middle School. Approval is contingent upon receipt to the Town of Easton a Certificate of Insurance naming the Town of Easton as the additional insured with one million dollars for each occurrence of bodily injury and property damage; three million dollars general aggregate coverage.
LETTER FROM C. RAINER, PROPOSING THAT N. LOCUST BE TURNED INTO A ONE-WAY STREET WITH TRAFFIC MOVING SOUTHBOUND DIRECTION FROM GOLDSBOROUGH TOWARDS DOVER
It was the consensus of the Council to receive comments and recommendations from Chief Blue of the Easton Police Department and Mr. Brian Hause, Assistant to the Town Engineer.
REVIEW OF 8/22/07 – 9/12/07 INVOICES
Upon motion by Mr. Wendowski seconded by Ms. Scott-Taylor and carried unanimously, invoices totaling $2,869,067.63 were approved for payment.
ITEMS BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
Ms. Scott-Taylor would like to speak with Mr. Hamilton and review the architecture changes to the Ashby Commons project.
The Town Manager stated that he has been briefed on the Ashby Commons project and if it is any major change, it will come back to the Council for approval.
Ms. Scott-Taylor is in receipt of a letter regarding lack of activity at the Locust Commons project on Salmons Avenue and the infringement on his property
Mr. Ford discussed the workshop with the Affordable Housing Board regarding inclusionary zoning. He stated that he would like to have the draft ordinance submitted to the council and get it in the process for public review.
Mr. Kehoe will ask the Assistant Town Attorney to work on the legislation.
COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Dave McQuay, Maryland State Fire Association and Mr. Richard Smith were present and thanked the Council for passage of Ordinance No. 517. He stated that this ordinance will benefit the community. Mr. Smith distributed a list of certified contractors that can install sprinklers in the State of Maryland.
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 7:44 p.m.
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Kathy M. Ruf, Town Clerk