TOWN MEETING MINUTES
November 3, 2004
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. Commissioners Edgar Harrison, Norm Fegel, Walter Chase and Danny Adams were present. Everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The October minutes were read and accepted as presented. The October financial statement was accepted as presented.


Executive Session: October 6, 2004

There was an Executive Session on October 6, 2004 at 8:35 p.m. Council members present were: Cheryl Lewis, Edgar Harrison, Walter Chase and Norm Fegel. Town attorneys present were Brynja Booth and Dave Thompson. The meeting was for legal advice and to discuss appointments for expiring board positions.

President Lewis explained to the Council that since we have new auditors we have been going thru a transitional period. We have taken two accounts and put into one, changing all of the accounts numbers. I have been reviewing the accounts and she continued to discuss some changes in last months Financial Statements.


Old Business:

Ordinance 8-2004:

President Lewis explained that we have just had a public hearing on Ordinance 8-2004, and she read Ordinance 8-2004.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE AMENDING THE TOWN'S WATER AND SEWER CHARGES SET FORTH IN ORDINANCE 7-2004.

President Lewis explained that we have already voted on this Ordinance but there was a typographical error in the original Ordinance. We are here just to amend the typo.

Motion was made by Com. Harrison to accept Ordinance 8-2004 amending the typo change. Motion was seconded by Walter Chase.

Vote: Lewis - Y, Harrison - Y, Adams - Y, Chase - Y, Fegel - Y

Design Brochure:

Mr. Hall presented everyone last month with a copy of the Design Brochure and he went over all of the edits and changes. The Planning Commission has recommended this for adoption with some corrections. Mr. Hall explained that he just wanted the board to have a chance to look over and review. This document graphically illustrates some of the key points of the design standards. The key point for having this brochure is to be able to show developers that this is what we mean when we say thus. President Lewis stated that this gives recommendations for new developers coming in to know what siding, window size; sidewalks etc. that can be used. It is really a guideline and having pictures to go by are much better to see and understand what is required. Mr. Harrison suggested that some of the pictures be made bigger where there is room. He stated keep in mind this is not an ordinance just a definition.

Motion was made by Com. Fegel to approve the Design Brochure submitted by the Planning Commission with amendments as set forth from the previous meeting and the meeting tonight. Motion was seconded by Com. Adams.

Vote: Adams - Y, Lewis - Y, Harrison - Y, Chase - Y, Fegel - Y


New Business

Zoning Definitions:

Mr. Hall stated that the Planning Commission has completed the definitions of the Zoning Ordinance and recommended their approval to the Council tonight.

Com. Harrison explained that the Commission took the definitions in the Zoning Ordinance and the definitions in the Subdivision Regulations and all the definitions in the draft from our consultant and compared all three of these. We then took the ones we thought were the best. This was to make the Zoning Ordinance more consistent, and we are aiming for consistency and clarity. This is the Planning Commissions recommendation with one small typo. President Lewis stated that what it really is is the definitions used in our Zoning Ordinance, so that you may be able to understand any words in the Ordinance.

Commissioner Harrison introduced Ordinance 9-2004.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE TO REPEAL AND REENACT IN ITS ENTIRETY SECTION 19 OF THE TRAPPE ZONING ORDINANCE ENTITLED "DEFINITIONS".

There was a short discussion on how the Commission and Commissioners should be addressed in the definitions. Attorney Booth suggested that we leave as the Town Council and Planning Commission not Commissioners as the definitions. President Lewis said that we should remove Commission and Commissioners as definitions and leave the above.

Motion was made by Com. Chase to introduce Ordinance 9-2004. Motion was seconded by Com. Harrison.

Vote: Adams - Y, Lewis - Y, Harrison - Y, Chase - Y, Fegel - Y

Public Hearing is set for December 1, 2004 at 7:15 on Ordinance 9-2004.

Hazard Mitigation Plan:

Joedy Cecil told the Council that Talbot County has adopted a Resolution for the Hazard Mitigation Plan. In order to get help from Fema in case of a national disaster, flood, storm or act of nature, that the town would need to have a Resolution in place. Some of the members here were present and helped to compile the booklet that we are presenting each of you with tonight for review. There have been public hearings on this resolution and now the County would like for all the towns to come together to review for comments.

There will be a meeting on December 7th at 5:00 p.m. at the County Council room where this will be discussed and questions will be answered by a representative from the State. The town can then come back and decide if we would like to adopt this as the resolution for us. President Lewis asked that everyone please review for the meeting and we will put this on next month's agenda.

President Lewis Request:

President Lewis made a request to spend $1,250.00 for some maintenance and repairs at the WWTP. The ditch that joins up to the WWTP in the front needs to have some reconstructive work done. With all of the rain the dirt is washing away and we need to have fill and stones put in to stabilize the ditch. There was a discussion on the price and a motion was made:

Motion was made by Com. Harrison that President Lewis be given the authority to choose on which bid she thinks is best and to spend the money required up to $1,250.00. Motion was seconded by Com. Fegel.

Vote: Adams - Y, Lewis - Y, Harrison - Y, Chase - Y, Fegel - Y

President Lewis asked for a motion to go into Executive Session. Motion was made by Com. Chase to go into Executive Session. Motion was seconded by Com. Adams.

Vote: Adams - Y, Lewis - Y, Harrison - Y, Chase - Y, Fegel - Y


Announcements: Pastor Hackett thanked everyone for their support in the Nace's Day Parade.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:l5 p.m. Adjourn to Executive Session at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:

Cheryl Lewis, President

Joedy Cecil, Clerk