7:30 p.m.
Trappe Town Hall
The regular Town meeting was opened by President Cheryl Lewis and called to order at 7:30 p.m., Vice President Bob Niemeyer and Commissioners Edgar Harrison, Danny Adams and Norm Fegel were present. Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The May minutes were accepted as presented. The May Financial Statement was accepted as presented.
Executive Session – June 3, 2003
There was a closed executive session on June 3, 2003 at 8:40 p.m. for legal advice. Council members present were:
Cheryl Lewis, Edgar Harrison, Bob Niemeyer and Danny Adams. Attorneys
Present were: Brynja Booth and David Thompson
Legal advice was given on David Insley Appeal.
Executive Session – June 4, 2003
There was a closed executive session on June 4, 2003 at 8:40 p.m. for legal advice. Council members present were:
Cheryl Lewis, Bob Niemeyer, Edgar Harrison, Norm Fegel and Danny Adams.
Attorney present: Brynja Booth
Legal advice was given on personnel issues, police security, matter and legal advice on appeal by David Insley on annexation vote.
SWEARING IN OF COMMISSIONERS:
Mary Ann Shortall, Clerk of the Circuit Court swore in Cheryl Lewis as President of the Council, Robert Niemeyer as Vice President and Norman Fegel as Commissioner.
OLD BUSINESS:
ORDINANCE 2-2003 STORM WATER
President Lewis said we needed to set a workshop to discuss the Storm Water Ordinance.
Motion was made by Com. Harrison to set a date for workshop to review the Storm Water Ordinance 2-2003. Motion was seconded by Com. Danny Adams.
The date was set for Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m.
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2003-2004 TOWN BUDGET – ORDINANCE 1-2003
President Lewis read:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2003 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2004 AND ESTABLISHING A TAX RATE OF $.30 PER $100 OF ASSESSED PROPERTY VALUE. We held a public hearing about 20 minutes ago with no question. She asked if anyone had any questions. There were none.
Motion was made by Com. Niemeyer to adopt the budget as written. Motion was seconded by Com. Fegel.
Vote:
Lewis – Y Niemeyer – Y Harrison – Y Adams – Y Fegel – Y
MS. SCHULZE AND MS. HALBIG - VANDALISM CONCERNS:
Ms. Schulze and Ms. Halbig expressed their concerns over the vandalism that is still going on in LaTrappe Heights. Ms. Schulze had bee bee shots fired into her window and door. She also showed the Council the size of rocks that had been thrown at her house. Ms. Halbig had paint balls and rocks thrown at her house. They would like to know if there is anything that the Council can do to help. President Lewis expressed her concern also but was not sure what the Town could do. Com. Harrison suggested that we have more patrols by the Sheriff’s Dept. President Lewis said we will get some legal advice and see what we can do as a town to take care of the problem.
COM. HARRISON I & I REQUEST:
Com. Harrison suggested that since the water table was high from all of the rain, that the Council approves TV inspections for I & I. Mr. Croswell suggested that it depends on what the water does whether it stops raining or not. He did not feel this was the time of year to do inspections, he felt we should have done this last winter. Com. Harrison said we are not requesting repair just inspections. Com. Harrison asked Mr. Croswell to contact Tri State Grouting and see how soon they can respond to do it and if the price would be the same. Council would wait to hear from Mr. Croswell.
Attorney Booth introduced Resolution 4-2003:
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF TRAPPE AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF A PROMISSORY NOTE WITH THE TALBOT BANK IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $1,247,250, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH ARE BEING USED TO PROVIDE INTERIM FINANCING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TOWN’S SEWER SYSTEM AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY, SAID LOAN TO BE REPAID OUT OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF THE TRAPPE SEWER IMPROVEMENT BOND OF 1997.
We now need to renew the note. The Town underwent sewer upgrade, back in 1997 had some financing in place but we had some issues with MDE in terms of the consent order etc., as you know the project is almost complete. We had Interium Financing with The Talbot Bank to make improvements until we were ready to purchase the bond. It will continue to be at 3.5% interest to be paid quarterly, maturing on June 6, 2004. This authorizes President to execute a promissory note with the Talbot Bank.
Motion was made by Com. Harrison to adopt the Resolution 4-2003. Motion was seconded by Com. Fegel
Attorney Booth introduced Ordinance 3-2003 – Annexations, possible annexations and infill development could possibly happen in the Town now that the sewer is operational. State Code Article 66B Section 13 gives municipalities the authority to enter into development rights and responsibilities agreements with developers to exercise this authority you have to pass an enabling legislation. We prepared this ordinance for your review we have drawn this up for you with the minimum requirements. Attorney Booth continued to explain all the things that needed to be done by the Council before we could enter into the agreement required by State Law. This does not apply to Rocks and Rauch or any particular annexation. This provides legislation to enter into an agreement with any developer in town or out of Town. President Lewis said we will introduce Ordinance 3-2003 and set a public hearing. Public Hearing will be July 2, 2003 at 7:15 p.m. These are requirements by the State Law it is an empowering Legislation.
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE TOWN COUNCIL TO SIGN DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN RELATED TO GRANTS AND LOANS OBTAINED FROM USDA-RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN CONNNECTION WITH THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM UPGRADE.
action on the infiltrations before voting on at the next town meeting so they can start working right away. President Lewis stated that we have not as of this date. Mr. Croswell said that to award that contract we really need to vote on it. Com. Harrison said we can give someone the authority to give this expenditure if they can meet the same prices they gave us before.
Motion was made by Com. Niemeyer: I vote to give Cheryl Lewis the authority to take care of the impending I & I. Com. Fegel seconded the motion.
Vote:
Fegel – Y Lewis – Y Harrison – Y Niemeyer – Y Adams – Y
President Lewis made a motion to adjourn to executive session for legal and personnel matters and we will be returning. Com. Niemeyer seconded the motion.
Vote:
Fegel – Y Lewis - Y Harrison – Y Niemeyer – Y Adams – Y
COUNCIL RETURNS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The Council returned and announced that the executive session was concerning Mr. David Insley’s hearing appeal of the Trappe Board of Supervisors of Elections. We will have a written statement from our attorney on facts and hearings of the finding, facts and hearing. The appeal was denied.
President Lewis asked if anyone had any questions for the Council. We had asked our attorneys to give us a written Finding of Fact. We have just read this document and it states the decision the Council made at the hearing last night. I am very satisfied with the way it is written. The clerk was told to send a copy certified to Mr. Insley and a copy will be hand delivered by President Lewis.
Motion was made by Com. Harrison to accept the Find of Fact document. Motion was seconded by Com. Niemeyer.
Town office will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2003
Motion was made by Com. Harrison to close the meeting. Com. Adams seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
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Chery Lewis, President
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Joedy Cecil, Clerk