TOWN MEETING MINUTES
December 1, 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 November minutes were read and accepted as presented. The November financial statement was accepted as presented.


Executive Session: November 3, 2004

There was an Executive Session on November 3, 2004 at 8:25 p.m. Council members present were: Cheryl Lewis, Edgar Harrison, Walter Chase, Danny Adams and Norm Fegel. Town attorneys present were Brynja Booth and Dave Thompson. The meeting was for legal advice and to discuss appointments to the boards and an organizational meeting.


Old Business:

Ordinance 9-2004 - Zoning Definitions:

President Lewis read Ordinance 9-2004 Zoning Definitions.

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

President Lewis explained that we have just had a public hearing on Ordinance 9-2004, Zoning Definitions and there was only one change and that was the definition of Planning Commission. There were no comments from the public.

Motion was made by Com. Fegel to adopt Ordinance 9-2004 Zoning Definitions. Motion was seconded by Com. Adams.

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

Resolution 5-2004 - White Marsh School Annexation:

President Lewis read Resolution 5-2004:

A RESOLUTION OF THE TRAPPE TOWN COUNCIL TO ANNEX CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED ON THE NORTH WEST SIDE OF TRAPPE, SITUATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF LOVERS LAND AND WHITE MARSH ROAD IN THE THIRD ELECTION DISTRICT, TALBOT COUNTY, MARYLAND AND CONSISTING OF 11.215 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ANNEXATION TO THE TOWN OF TRAPPE.

President Lewis read a letter from the Talbot County Public Schools, dated August 24, 2004, agreeing to the proposed annexation. Copy of the letter will be included in the minutes. We had a public hearing in October and the only comment was from The Talbot County Board of Education stating that they were in favor of the annexation.

Motion was made by Com. Harrison to adopt Resolution 5-2004 White Marsh School Annexation. Motion was seconded by Walter Chase.

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

President Lewis asked to discuss the Hazard Mitigation Plan before we move to it on the agenda.

Hazard Mitigation Plan:

President Lewis said that we have just had a public hearing on the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Talbot County. The Plan was submitted to us from the Talbot County Emergency Management there were no comments from the public. President Lewis said that this means we are agreeing with the plan, we have the option to participate or to write our own plan with additions. President Lewis said that her recommendation would be that we introduce Resolution 6-2004. President Lewis read:

A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

     WHEREAS, good planning principles and legal requirements dictate that the Town have a Hazard Mitigation Plan, which Talbot County has had prepared, and which the Town Council has reviewed and considered for adoption.      NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Trappe Town Council, that the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Talbot County, Maryland dated July 2004, shall be and is hereby ADOPTED.

A Motion was made by Com. Chase that we adopt Resolution 6-2004 - Hazard Mitigation Plan. Motion was seconded by Com. Harrison.

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

Heritage Area Management Plan:

President Lewis said that the Planning Commission has sent to us the Heritage Area Management Plan for review. They did not make a recommendation they just had some concerns about having to amend the Comprehensive Plan to be able to participate in the Plan. Com. Harrison said that he agreed with the Finding of facts that the Planning Commission has sent for review. The Planning Commission states that Trappe is unlikely to be identified for any direct programs or benefits since no existing or potential interpretive sites in the Trappe District are listed in the Plan and there is a limited amount of funding for the plan that will be divided between all of the Counties involved. President Lewis, along with the other members of the Council, was a little hesitant to go along with the plan stating that it was too big and to vague.

The Council decided to table it for now, and leave a copy in the Planning office if anyone would like to review it.

Mr. Hall recommended that the town not act on it unless we tone it down some. Other Counties in the district feel as we do. Let's see what their response is and we will discuss at the January meeting.


New Business

Snow Removal Bids:

The snow removal bids were opened by the Council members.
l. Bridges Land Management, Inc. $65.00 to $70.00 hr. rate.
2. R S & J Excavation $55.00 to $65.00 hr. rate.
3. Bloomfield $95.00 hr. rate.
4. Andrew Fraze Ex $75.00 hr. rate.
5. C.S. Tarbutton, LLC $85.00 an hr. to $75.00 hr. rate.

Motion was made by Com. Harrison to go with the lowest bid from R S & J Excavation. Motion was seconded by Com. Adams.

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

Board Appointments:

President Lewis stated that we have some board appointments to make. The Council has made the following recommendations.
Vice President Trappe Town CouncilDanny Adams
Planning CommissionDon Haring
Board of EthicsTonya Pritchett
Board of Appeals and Boca ReviewThurman Bryan

Motion was made by Com. Harrison to accept the list of nominees as read. Motion was seconded by Com. Chase.

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

The members were sworn in by President Lewis. Mr. English stated that there would be a meeting with Mr. English and Attorney Booth sometime in January to elect a chairman for the Board of Appeals and to go over each position.

Mr. Thurman Bryan - Repair of Town Streets:

Mr. Bryan asked if there was anything that could be done with Slaughter Lane and Hirst Avenue. He said that the roads were in such bad shape and need to be resurfaced. The discussion continued on repairs throughout the town consisting of Hennessee Lane, Hirst Avenue, Slaughter Lane and Maple Avenue. Com. Adams said that he would take care of getting the bids and we will assess the cost. Mr. Thompson recommended the drafting of an ordinance for road standards and specifications.

Mr. Ronald Brigerman - Culvert Farms Lane:

Mr. Brigerman asked if anything was going to be done with the culvert that the school bus had run into several months ago and damaged at Farms Lane. There was a discussion on whose responsibility it was to repair. A representative from the Board of Education came and looked over the damage and felt that it was not their responsibility. We will check with the County Roads to see if it can be fixed by them.

Rev. Hackett - Scotts Uunited Methodist Church - Caroling:

Rev. Hackett invited everyone to the Christmas Caroling to be held at the Trappe Fire Hall on December 22nd at 6:30 p.m. There will be practice on December 14th at 6:00 at p.m. Scotts Church.

Motion was made by Com. Harrison to adjourn to Executive Session for legal advice at 8:40 p.m. Motion was seconded by Com. Adams.

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


Announcements: President Lewis asked Rev. Hackett if he would consider being the Town Chaplain to fill the seat of Rev. Williams. Rev. Hackett agreed and ended the meeting with prayer.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:

Cheryl Lewis, President

Joedy Cecil, Clerk