Town Council Meeting
November 5, 2009

The November 5, 2009, Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Council President Frank C. Ogens, in the first floor meeting room of the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company. The following members and staff were present: Frank C. Ogens, Council President; Norman P. Pinder, Jr., Vice President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Member; Bob McGrory, Town Manager; Lori Peddicord, Finance Officer; Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney; and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide.

Mr. Ogens led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Review and Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 15, 2009 Council meeting were approved as amended.

Announcement of Closed Sessions - None

Citizens Forum - None

Appearances

a. Annexation Agreement signing regarding Providence Farmhouse: Peter G. Sheaffer, Owner, Providence Farm; Marie Malaro, President, Queen Anne's County Historical Society – Mr. McGrory suggested that the Annexation Agreement be signed by the principals. 

 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the signing of the Annexation Agreement as indicated on the agenda. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Mr. Sheaffer, Ms. Malaro and the Council members signed the Annexation Agreement which annexes a portion of Providence Farm, containing 1.442 acres +/- of land improved by a dwelling of historical relevance known as the Providence Farm Dwelling Parcel. The motion passed unanimously.

The Annexation Agreement was signed by Mr. Sheaffer, Ms. Malaro, Mr. Ogens, Mr. Pinder and Mr. McCluskey. Mr. Kehoe signed as to the form and legal sufficiency of the document.

Mr. Pinder made a motion to approve Resolution 02-2009. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

b. St. Paul's Church request regarding water connection: Arline Mayer, St. Paul's Church Building Committee, and JoAnne Baker, Torchio Architects - Arline Mayer, Chairman of St. Paul's construction project, explained the project and the proposed alternative for installation of the backflow fire water service line required by the Town. They would like to install a valve inside the church to house the backflow fire water service.

In a letter from URS dated October 29, 2009, Kevin L. Pampuch, Project Manager, recommends that the Town follow the guidelines set forth in the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) Manual 14, to prevent the reverse flow of fire protection system substances being pumped or siphoned into the Town's potable water supply. He stated that all assemblies should be tested annually with test reports sent to the Town PWD.

Ms. Baker reported that the system proposed by St. Paul's Church would be tested and monitored as required and would be accessible on a twenty-four hour basis. She said it could be inside the church or housed in a small outside building.

Mr. McGrory recommended that the system proposed by St. Paul's Church be reviewed by URS to be sure that the design described by Ms. Baker meets the criteria of AWWA.

Mr. Ogens recommended that Ms. Baker talk with consultants at URS to determine the ramifications if a backflow occurs into the Town's potable water. Everyone indicated they are agreeable to working towards a solution that is compatible with best practices.

Old Business

a. Annexation Agreement of Lands of Peter G. Sheaffer (Historic House at Providence Farm) - The Annexation Agreement was approved under "Appearances" and signed by the principals.

b. Resolution of 02-2009 Annexation of Certain lands (Historic House at Providence Farm) into the Town of Centreville - Resolution 02-2009 was signed by the members of the Town Council and witnessed by Ms. Saulsbury.

New Business

a. Proposed Zoning Text Amendment to Chapter 170-26: Re: PRA Zoning Density - Mr. Robert R. Price, attorney, submitted a letter dated October 13, 2009 requesting a text amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding reductions to the "Minimum Lot Area and Dimensions" and the "Minimum Yard Requirements" listed in the Schedule of Zone Regulations and may allow an increase of up to 100% of the permitted Density/Intensity Minimum (Dwelling Unit/Acre) in the Schedule of Zone regulations.

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to refer the proposed text amendment to the Planning Commission for its review. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

b. Proposed Planned Redevelopment Area (PRA Zoning: Michael J. Bozek lands, Spring Street - Mr. Pinder made a motion to refer this request to the Planning Commission for its review and recommendation. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

c. Boards and Commissions Appointments

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to appoint Bob Elliot to complete a five year term ending in 2012 on the Centreville Planning Commission. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Mr. Ogens administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Bob Elliott as a Member of the Centreville Planning Commission until 2012. Mr. Ogens welcomed Mr. Elliott to membership on the Planning Commission.

Mr. Ogens reported that there is another vacancy on the Planning Commission that will be filled in the near future.

d. Holiday Events

The Council by consensus approved the employee breakfast date and gifts.

Mr. Pinder made a motion to approve the 2010 holiday schedule as presented. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

e. Cleaning Contract for Municipal Facilities

Mr. McGrory described the Cleaning Contract proposed for services by Untouchable Cleaning Service, which includes the Town Hall, Annex Building and Centreville Police Department. Ms. Peddicord said that the cost of cleaning services offered by Untouchable Cleaning Service is lower than the Town has been paying previously.

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to accept the contract for cleaning services by Untouchable Cleaning Service as presented. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

f. Ordinance 04-2009, Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2010: First Reading - Ms. Peddicord described the reason for an amendment to the Town of Centreville Fiscal Year 2010 based on State budget cuts, a decrease in police aid and the added grant monies for some new Town Projects.

Mr. Pinder commended Mr. McGrory for monitoring over-time and keeping other costs down where possible.

Mr. Kehoe read aloud Ordinance 04-2009, Budget Amendment for Fiscal Year 2010 for the public record. The second reading will take place on November 19, 2009.

g. Municipal Speed Limit - 25 Miles per Hour - Mr. Ogens read a letter from Chief Rhodes in which he endorses a maximum speed limit of 25 MPH on all Town streets.

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to request that Mr. Kehoe formulate an ordinance establishing a 25 MPH speed limit on all streets within the Town limits of Centreville. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

h. Delmarva Power - Trenching Permit at Church Lane (for St. Paul's Church Addition) - Mr. McGrory reported on the application by Delmarva Power for a trenching permit for installation of a new light at Church Lane and South Commerce Street for St. Paul's Church addition.

Mr. Pinder made a motion to approve Delmarva Power's request for a trenching permit for the purpose above stated. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Mr. Pinder asked Mr. McGrory to determine if a cable line can be installed at the same time as Delmarva Power is laying the power line.

Announcements

Mr. Ogens read the announcements for the information of the Council, staff, and public.

Correspondence

Mr. Ogens reviewed Council correspondence for information for the public.

Danyel Ennais, Upper Shore Division of Workforce Development, wrote to request that a resolution be formulated by the Town Council to honor Constance Todd, a Centreville resident, who is retiring after forty-three years of employment with the Upper Shore Division of Workforce Development. Her current title is Business Resource Representative. The staff will provide a certificate for council signatures.

Mr. Ogens suggested that Centreville Alive and the Park Advisory Board submit some of their events for announcement in the Queen Anne's County Calendar of Events..

Department Head Reports

a. Town Manager

• Mr. McGrory reported that the documents concerning the Wharf Landing Project have been received from McCrone, Inc. and that the bid documents are being reviewed by other agencies. The Department of Natural Resources may have some funding available for the project. The areas for clean-up are being bid grant funding from DNR Waterway Improvement Projects is offered and accepted, access to the water and boat slips must be available to all Maryland residents.

Mr. Pinder added that he does not want Town residents to be restricted as to what they can do with the property.

b. Chief of Police

Chief Rhodes had sent a written report for the Council's review endorsing the establishment of a 25 MPH speed limit for all streets within the Town limits of Centreville, and provided the monthly statistical report.

c. Town Attorney - Nothing to report

d. Town Finance Officer

Ms. Peddicord gave a detailed finance report and reviewed the printed material for the Town Council and staff. She reported that the Town is doing very well given the current economic status.

Citizens Forum

Mary Roby, 203 South Liberty Street - Drainage on Liberty Street

Mary Margaret Goodwin, 221 North Commerce Street - General comments.

Council Roundtable

Mr. Pinder reported he is concerned about the sewer line at the cemetery. The cost of the repair is $2400 which is better than anticipated. He reported that the Christmas signs will go up next week and that $4,661 was raised at the fund-raiser held last weekend at Doc's Riverside Grill for rehabilitation of the cemetery.

Mr. McCluskey reported on the American Planning Association awards meeting which was attended by staff and Planning Commission members. The Town was honored for having compiled the best Community Plan in its category in the State of Maryland.

Mr. Ogens reported that the Park Advisory Board requested that the old playground equipment be placed at the Wharf with due consideration given to safety. The area will be fenced and the equipment used until it wears out.

Mr. Pinder expressed concern about vehicles parking on both sides of Watson Road and said the property needs a lot of clean-up before it can be used as a playground.

Mr. McCluskey noted that there are also a lot of boat trailers parking along Watson Road.

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to recommend that the Wharf property be cleaned up and that whatever playground equipment is safe to be used, be placed there. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

After discussion of colors for the new playground equipment, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve blue, green and gold. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Motion to Adjourn

Norman Pinder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tim McCluskey seconded the motion and the November 5, 2009 regular meeting of the Town Council adjourned at 8:49 p.m. by unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide