The regular Town meeting was opened by President Don English and called to order at 7:30 p.m., Vice President Cheryl Lewis and Commissioners Edgar Harrison, Bob Niemeyer and Danny Adams were present. Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The February minutes were presented and accepted as presented. The February Financial Statement was read and accepted.

President English asked Vice President Cheryl Lewis to give an update to everyone. Vice Pres. Lewis thanked Mr. Croswell and Ms. Naylor for getting the meters read during the snowstorm and Mr. Diefenderfer for the job he did in removing the snow.

She also mentioned that Hillary Spence had asked question about unopened gravel pit that had been brought before the County Council to be opened. This parcel of land was in the planning area not part of the Town. Ms. Spence was concerned about how the Town felt about it. I told her it was mentioned in our comprehensive plan about agriculture industrial business that is going to take place in the area of that parcel and we had no problem with opening up a new gravel pit.

Ms. Spence wanted to let us know there was going to be an excise tax legislation, and there were some issues and would like to meet with our Council on these issues.

Ms. Spence said there was also a second parcel brought before the board of appeals for Talbot County about enlarging the area that could be mined. In our annexation agreement it was mentioned the mining of the gravel pit in the annexed land area and that there were no objections to it continuing. Ms. Spence commended the Town for allowing business to operate in the area we had annexed.

Vice President Lewis said that a member from the Board of Appeals in Easton commended us for the job that we were doing. Ms. Lewis also stated that she had spoken to many citizens and answered letters from Ms. Lois Baker concerning the annexation. She asked that anyone with questions concerning the annexation to please contact the Town Office and talk to the council with his or her issues. The Commissioners would be willing at any time to talk to anyone.

Vice President Lewis also commented that in her own words she felt that on behalf of the citizens who makeup the Friends of Homerun Baker have worked very hard to make a nice park for the Town she was disappointed that the Friends of Trappe used a similar name. She felt the Friends of Homerun Baker deserved a little bit of respect.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:

President English said you have before you a report from Davis, Bowen & Friedel on the final inspection list and warranty items etc. Recommended conditionally acceptance of the Trappe WWTP upgrade as defined by documents effective on February 11, 2003. President English is asking for Council to approve.

Motion was made by Com. Harrison to accept recommendation from Davis Bowen and Friedel, to except WWTP conditional exceptions.

Seconded by Vice President Lewis.

Vote:

Lewis - Y English - Y Harrison - Y Niemeyer - Y Adams - Y

President English read the letter from MDE lifting the moratorium.

What the letter states is that we can go back to the old way-taking moratorium off the existing town and allow hookups without going before the Council for permission.

President English we have motion from the Council to lift moratorium hookups.

Motion was made by Edgar Harrison to lift moratorium in view of letter from MDE.

Seconded by Com. Danny Adams.

Vote:

Lewis - Y English - Y Harrison - Y Niemeyer - Y Adams - Y

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT:

President English talked with Mike Mertaugh of the County about doing our storm water management he didn't think they have enough staff to handle. Should be handled by engineering firm let developer pay for. The County has adopted a generic storm water management document, which he sent to me, and Pres. English felt we could put the Town of Trappe in place of Talbot County and use their plan. We will still need to use 3^rd party on single lot inspections to write variance when under 5,000 sq ft of dirt to be moved, if you agree we can have his revised for next meeting and then put out for proposals. Com. Harrison felt we should give to our attorneys to review and make changes appropriate for the Town to agree and then put out proposal for 3^rd party inspector. Pres. English would like to put it out under 2 bids, 1bid being developments, and storm water management under another bid.

President English said as you all know Mr. Croswell feels we need more I & I TV inspections especially since we have had so much water. President English would like to have the Council approve for Mr. Croswell to put out some proposals. We know we cannot have all done this year but we need to find out just where the problems are. Mr. Croswell stated that we need a survey to isolate the area, and then get a price per foot on inspection. No objections to Mr. Croswell advertising for bids.

President English stated that Mr. Croswell had written for a continuance and that he would have until March 20, 2003 to meet the rest of the requirements. They would not give a continuance on the hazardous communications but Mr. Croswell has written the policy and done the training as of this date.

EXCISE TAX:

President English asked Del. Schisler to come tonight but he was unable to come. We have a letter from Ms. Moonyene Jackson Amis who is a Council Member of the Easton Town Council, concerning the excise tax. President English read the letter, which is recorded in the minutes. In this letter she stated that she had advised Del. Schisler that the representatives of the municipalities in Talbot County wish to discuss Bill 701 with him in an effort to diminish or limit the potential impact on the Towns, by delineated definitions, listing the exemptions or other limiting language. I asked if he would amend his proposed legislation accordingly. She testified at the hearing on February 27, 2003. She also stated that there is a tremendous support for the position. She would like to have the municipalities and County to meet together to figure amounts to be charged and what money will be used for. Vice President Lewis said she was told it would be used for public schools and streets.

President English stated that it was time to set a date for the budget workshop.

Date is set for Monday, March 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.

GRASS CUTTING:

Pres. English asked if the Council wanted to put bids out for the grass cutting. Com. Harrison said yes we should.

Mr. English presented before the Council the need for an accountant for the town since Wilson & McGinnis no longer do audits or single audits. We used Beatty and Satchell for our audit this year, due to the fact that we needed a single audit. Would like to ask the Council for permission to advertise for accountant to work with the Town on audits and bookkeeping needs.

Motion was made by Vice President Lewis to allow our attorneys to advertise for accountant. Seconded by Com. Niemeyer.

Vote:

Lewis - Y English - Y Harrison - Y Niemeyer - Y Adams - Y

President English went to the redistricting meeting for the idea of having 7 Council Districts in Talbot County. The meeting was a very informative meeting, everyone should attend these meetings if possible. I gave you copies of the map and population of 7 districts. There is a lot of interest and a petition is now being circulated.

Two openings on Town Council

Last filing date for candidates - March 18, 2003

Primary Election if needed - April 8, 2003

General Election - May 13, 2002

Voters Registration - April 7, 2003

Planning Meeting - March 19, 2003

Mr. Richard (Dickie) Newcomb would like to build a house in Trappe and since he was raised in Trappe and has retired from the Coast Guard, would like to know if he could have a waiver on the one year residency so that he could run for the Council. President English said that he would refer this to our attorneys and get back to him.

Motion was made by Com. Niemeyer to retire to executive session and seconded by Vice President Lewis.

Vote:

Lewis - Y English - Y Harrison - Y Niemeyer - Y Adams - Y

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 and moved to executive session for legal advice on annexation.

Respectfully submitted:

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C. Donald English, President

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Joedy Cecil, Town Clerk