Town Council Meeting #05-05
March 3, 2005
Council President Norman Pinder convened meeting #05-05 at 7:00pm in
Town Hall. Donna Turner, Council Vice-President, Mary McCarthy, Council
Member, Royden Powell, Town Manager, Stephen Kehoe, Town Attorney,
Police Chief Ben Cohey, and Deana Ashley, Clerk, were also present.
Welcome: Citizens and guests were welcomed to the
meeting.
Review of Minutes from Previous Meetings: Minutes for the
meetings on February 17, 2005 (open) were accepted as read by the
Council members. Mrs. Turner made a motion to accept the minutes as
read; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the motion. A vote was taken, members voted
in the affirmative, and the minutes were approved unanimously. (3 ayes)
Minutes for the meetings on February 17, 2005 (closed) were accepted as
read by the Council members. Mrs. McCarthy made a motion to accept the
minutes as read; Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. A vote was taken,
members voted in the affirmative, and the minutes were approved
unanimously. (3 ayes)
Appearances: Mrs. Jerry Lewis, Recreational Facility –
Mrs. Lewis appeared before the Council to present signed petitions
representing support for the creation of a recreational facility to be
operated independently in Town limits. Mr. Pinder asked a number of
questions regarding the potential center to which Mrs. Lewis responded:
their groups currently use Centreville Middle and Elementary Schools,
the proposed building should at least be the size of the middle school
gym, the operations should be independent of the Town and the Board of
Education, outside facilities should included a baseball field, and the
estimated cost to be $800-$1million.
Mrs. McCarthy commented on the recent Parks Board meeting and the
discussion of the QAC conceptual project. Jeff Anthony, Parks Board
Chairman, discussed the conceptual stage of the QAC project, including
site visits with Commissioner Cassell.
Mr. Pinder stated that impact fee projects should be prioritized, and
that he believes QAC is better suited than the Town to manage such a
facility.
Mrs. McCarthy noted that “Centreville should be at the table” of any
discussion regarding a county sponsored recreational facility. Mrs.
Turner stated that the Town should not “do this alone”. The Council
thanked Mrs. Lewis for her presentation.
Business:
1.
Bay Broadband Contract – Mr. Powell stated that he had conducted
research in other municipalities regarding water tower leases for
wireless antennae equipment. He recommended the Council approve the
contract for 3 years, $300 payable
monthly. Mrs. McCarthy reported positive feedback from residents and
noted her concern over any equipment placed on the front of houses to be
unobtrusive. There being no further discussion, Mrs. McCarthy made a
motion to approve the contract; Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. The
Council voted unanimously to approve and sign the contract (3 ayes, 2
copies).
2.
Farm Management Contract – Mr. Powell recommended the renewal of the
contract with Francis Hickman for agronomic management of the farm
(spray irrigation) with hourly rates. There being no discussion, Mrs.
Turner made a motion to renew the contract; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the
motion. The Council voted unanimously to approve the contract (3 ayes,
signed post-meeting per RP).
3.
Sheaffer Annexation Request – Mr. Powell described Mr. Sheaffer’s
request to subdivide the old house on the Brown farm, east of
Centreville. The process is restricted by a plat note which requires
the Town to first accept or deny the request for subdivision. Mr.
Powell has asked Mr. Sheaffer’s representative from Lane Engineering to
present the request at a future meeting.
Maryland Municipal League: None
QAC Municipal League: None
Announcements and Correspondence: Mr. Pinder read the
announcements into the record.
Report of Department Heads:
Town Clerk – Ms. Ashley reported the following:
·
The audit report will be presented on Monday, March 14 at
4pm at the Council’s next work session.
·
Town staff will be trained this week on the process to
place emergency notices on the web site. Software was purchased to
enable the work to be completed in house.
Chief of Police –
·
The Chief noted his report was in the Council’s books for
their review. There was nothing unusual to report.
·
Mrs. Turner questioned the status of the coordination with
QAC representatives on the Town’s emergency plan? The Chief stated he
is working with Mr. John Chew, Director of Emergency Services for QAC.
Mrs. McCarthy stated that the policy should be a Town document, not a
QAC one, and that Mr. Powell and the Chief should take the lead on
drafting such a document. There was discussion that the Councils’ input
was essential to the process as well. Mrs. Turner stated that the
newsletter will report on the status and outcome of the plan.
Town Manager –
·
Mr. Powell reported that the Parks Board had unanimously
approved and recommend the bid received by Custom Lawn Service for
$8,250 for landscape services for the period of April-October 2005.
There being no further discussion, Mrs. McCarthy made a motion to accept
the bid for landscape services; Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. The
Council voted unanimously (3 ayes).
·
He noted that Caruso Homes has requested a reduction in
bonds for storm drains and water/sewer improvements. Mr. Powell will
report back based on findings by the public works department and the
zoning inspector.
·
Mr. Powell attended the QAC allotment meeting recently.
No fixed dollar amounts were discussed. Mr. Powell believes strongly in
the Town’s position as Centreville is the County host and seat for
government and that we provide local police services.
·
Mr. Powell has been asked to sit on the QAC board which is
reviewing the recreational facility project.
·
MDE has lifted the building moratorium. He recommends the
Planning Commission resume their review of projects as there is
preliminary work before permits can be issued.
·
He and the Chief will work jointly to develop a Town
emergency plan.
Mrs. McCarthy stated that it is the responsibility of the Chief and the
Town Manager to draft the plan; it should then be presented to the
Council for their review and input.
Citizens Forum:
Sveinn Storm, Commerce St – Mr. Storm noted his concern with the
comments made by Mr. Wojton of MES regarding the boil water alert. He
reported that in his discussions with MDE representatives, protocols do
exist regarding low/no pressure situations and that MES should have
acted on those. Mr. Storm questioned the reduction of EDU’s from 250 to
200 and its impact on calculations for restaurants.
Mary Roby, Lurgan Ln – Mrs. Roby questioned the status of the
ordinance discussed at previous meetings to restrict “mobile” basketball
hoops on residential streets. Mr. Pinder noted the discussions, but
that no action had been taken. Mrs. Roby also questioned the Chief’s
progress on enforcing the trash ordinance? Mr. Pinder directed the
Chief to address her concern and suggested a “door to door” leaflet.
Mr. Pinder also noted that these items are included in the Northbrook
covenants.
John Wilkes, Queenstown – Mr. Wilkes reported on the availability
of ball fields near his home in Queenstown and suggested the Town
consider transporting groups so they may be fully utilized. Mr. Pinder
stated that he supports residents using all local facilities.
Jenna Ashley, Centreville Plaza, LLC – Ms. Ashley encouraged the
Town Manager and Council to read an article in “Update” which discusses
QAC’s intention to provide a financing plan for commercial users of
water and sewer allocations. Mr. Powell thanked her for the
information.
Mary Margaret Goodwin, Commerce St – Ms. Goodwin questioned the
investigation requested by the Anderson’s into the Northbrook water
tower? Mr. Powell reported that the public works agreement required a
water tower, however, the one constructed was greater than the capacity
required for the 94 homes. A rebate program was enacted whereby the
Town reimbursed $1,000 per lot for the water tower. Mrs. Goodwin asked
if the Town owns the tower? Mr. Powell responded no, but ultimately
will. There was a discussion about the timeframe of the construction
and the rebates.
Mrs. McCarthy questioned the status of the tower? Mr. Powell responded
that he would like to have it back on-line and dedicated to the Town.
Upon inspection the tower was found to be half full with residual
chlorine. It should be drained, with guidance from MDE.
Brian Bagsted, Lurgan Ln – Mr. Bagsted asked about the planned
development of the necessary wells to support all Northbrook phases and
the arsenic treatment facility? Mr. Powell stated that all the wells
are complete and the arsenic facility is scheduled to be completed by
January 1, 2006.
Jenna Ashley – She asked when will the discussions of costs for
future allocation fees be announced? Mr. Powell stated he will have a
draft ready for the Council at their next work session.
Mary Margaret Goodwin – Ms. Goodwin questioned the building
purchase on Railroad Avenue and its inclusion in the budget. Mrs.
McCarthy stated the capital expenditure was included in this year’s
budget. Mr. Pinder discussed the parking requirements for the Penn
Station buildings and its relation to the Railroad property purchase by
the Town. Mr. Pinder stated that he will be discussing the parking
lot and renovations to the building by Mr. Gray in the near future.
Sveinn Storm – Why would the Town purchase land for parking when
the developer was not required to adhere to existing zoning laws for
spaces related to commercial and residential development? Mr. Storm
asked about the status of the investigation into how Mr. Gray was
allowed to construct the Penn Station buildings without the required
parking? Mrs. McCarthy stated that the property will not be utilized as
free parking for Cal Gray tenants. The Town was extended the offer to
purchase the property at a deeply discounted price by the state. She
noted the negotiations for the parking and renovations to the building
will be new and conducted by the current Council.
Jenna Ashley – Ms. Ashley noted her support for a recreational
facility but also her concern for the physical space requirements. She
suggests that it is not the Town’s responsibility for such an endeavor.
Royden Powell – An allegation was made regarding the status of
the temporary license held by David Crossley on behalf of the town for
water distribution. Mr. Powell is in possession of a current, temporary
license which expires in 2006. Mr. Storm questioned when it was renewed
and how Mr. Crossley performed on the exam? Mr. Powell responded the
license is for 3 years, therefore, it must have been renewed in 2003.
Mr. Crossley did not pass the test, however, Mr. Powell noted that only
34% of test-takers pass on their first attempt.
Motion to Adjourn: There being nothing further to discuss,
Mrs. Turner made a motion to go into closed session concerning pending
litigation; Mrs. McCarthy seconded the motion. There being no
objection, the Council adjourned to closed session at 8:10pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Deana Ashley, Clerk
