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 and Bob Niemeyer were present. Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The March minutes were presented and accepted as presented. The March Financial Statement was read and accepted.

There was a closed executive session on April 14, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. for legal advice. The council members present were:

Don English, Cheryl Lewis, Edgar Harrison, Bob Niemeyer and Danny Adams.

Legal advice was given on the annexation referendum and election.

President English said there were eight bids to be opened. The bids were opened as follows:

Mr. English announced that Eastern Lawn Care was the low bidder.

We received bids from:

1. Tri State Grouting
2. O.M. Griffin & Company
3. TRB Specialty Rehabilitation

The bids were opened and given to Mr. Croswell for his review.

President English stated that we will review Mr. Croswell’s assessment and make a decision.

We received no bids. Our Attorney Ms. Booth suggested that we contact accountants for prices.

STORM WATER ORDINANCE:

President English said we would table until next month.

President English stated that the Commissioners have a copy of the revisions on the excise tax bill that Delegate Schisler sponsored with a cap of $2,000.

NEW BUSINESS:

President English stated that there has been a proclamation suspending the effectiveness of resolution 7-2002 contingent upon the results of the referendum vote. The annexation referendum was petitioned by 20% of the vote and we have certified the voter’s signatures. There will be a referendum vote.

Resolution of the Town of Trappe setting forth provisions governing the referendum on resolution 7-2002.

WHEREAS, on February 5, 2003, the Commissioners of Trappe adopted Resolution 7-2002, entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF TRAPPE TO ANNEX CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED ON THE EASTERLY SIDE OF U.S. ROUTE 50 IN TRAPPE, THIRD ELECTION DISTRICT, TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND AND CONSISTING OF 924.22 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ANNEXATION TO THE TOWN OF "TRAPPE"; and

President English continued to read the attached resolution.

Motion was made by Vice President Lewis to accept Resolution 3-2003.

Seconded by Com. Niemeyer.

Vote: Lewis – Y English – Y Harrison – Y Niemeyer – Y Adams – Y

PRESIDENT ENGLISH: Growth Area of Talbot County:

The Commissioners attended the Talbot County Planning Commission meeting this morning where the County Council of Talbot County had requested that the Planning Commission and the Planning office give them a recommendation on down zoning all the area that is currently not in the annexed area around the Town of Trappe, from TR, agriculture, etc. The Planning Commission did not understand the Counties request; they felt the growth area would be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan review. The Planning Commission recommended that they drop the request. Vice President Lewis stated that they also asked that when they reviewed the Comprehensive Plan they would like to meet with all the municipalities to discuss each towns planning area, which is what we have asked for, for a long time.

April 21^st is the scheduled meeting for the Planning Commission to meet with the County Council on this issue.

VICE PRESIDENT LEWIS:

Read a letter to the editor she recommended that we send in for our Armed Forces and their families thanking them for serving our Country to be published in the paper.

Copy attached.

Vice-President Lewis made a motion that we have an executive session for legal advice on April 14^th at 7:00 p.m. to meet with attorneys on the referendum. Com. Harrison seconded the motion.

Vote: Lewis – Y English – Y Harrison – Y Niemeyer – Y Adams – Y

April 7, 2003 - Last day to register for the General Election.
April 16, 2003 - Public meeting on annexation at Trappe Fire Hall – 7:00 p.m.
April 21, 2003 - "Referendum Vote" – 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Town Hall
April 25, 2003 - Special trash pickup
May 5, 2003 - Candidates night Trappe Methodist Church – 7:00 p.m.
May 13, 2003 - Election 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Town Hall

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

Respectfully submitted:

C. Donald English, President

Joedy Cecil, Town Clerk