COUNCIL OF TRAPPE MINUTES TRAPPE TOWN HALL APRIL 4, :30 P.M.

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1 Page 1 of 6 COUNCIL OF TRAPPE MINUTES TRAPPE TOWN HALL APRIL 4, :30 P.M. President Croswell opened the regular meeting of the Council of Trappe at 7:32 p.m. with Drake Ferguson leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners Norm Fegel, Bobby Croswell, Walter Chase and Shawn Moore were present. Commissioner Rose Potter was out of town. Amendment to the Agenda President Croswell asked if there were amendments to the agenda. There were none. The agenda was accepted as presented. Presentation of Minutes The minutes were accepted as presented. Financial Statements The financial statements were presented and filed for audit. Clerk's Report Joedy Cecil Mrs. Cecil's report is attached to the minutes. COMMITTEE REPORTS Executive Session President Croswell reported that the Council met in Executive Session on March 7th for legal advice. All Commissioners were present as were Town Attorney Brynja Booth, and Town Planner Jennifer Shull. Workshop The Council of Trappe held a workshop on March 21st to discuss the proposed budget for FY both General and Enterprise funds. Public Safety Commissioner Chase Commissioner chase asked to meet with Chief Ball regarding a letter from St Paul's Episcopal Church citing safety concerns. Chief George Ball gave his monthly report which was accepted and filed with the minutes. Public Works President Croswell stated that the pump on Main Street was recently rebuilt; and that bids had been received for new equipment. This was addressed further later in the agenda. Planning Report Commissioners Fegel Fegel stated that the Planning Commission will begin to work on items mandated by Plan Maryland, and asked Shull to continue. Shull reported that the Planning Commission will begin to work on the Plan Maryland and consider the Sustainable

2 Communities program this summer. She reported that the Board of Appeals held a public hearing on Monday, March 30th to hear a request for a special exception. The applicant hopes to open a quilt shop at the dwelling owned by the fire company on Main Street. Parks Commissioner Potter Item deferred as Commissioner Potter was out of town. President Croswell requested Planner Shull to give an update on the status of the gazebo. Shull stated the bike rack has been received, and the gazebo is at Pop's Market. Both are awaiting installation. Minor items such as sign, landscaping and the drinking fountain need to be finalized. Communications President Croswell stated that the position of Trappe's representative to the Talbot County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board remains open. He invited anyone interested in the position to make their interest known. Attorney Updates Brynja Booth No updates at this time. ORDER OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL Resolution A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF TRAPPE AMENDING SECTION 3.1 OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK TO PROVIDE TOWN EMPLOYEES WITH AN ADDITIONAL FIVE DAYS OF VACATION/ANNUAL LEAVE AFTER TEN YEARS OF SERVICE, AND AN ANOTHER FIVE DAYS OF LEAVE AFTER TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE. President Croswell called for any questions there were none. Motion by Commissioner Chase to adopt Resolution as presented. Commissioner Fegel. VOTE Fegel Y Potter absent Croswell Y Chase Y Moore Y Second by Ordinance AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE AMENDING SECTION 14, TABLE 1 OF THE TRAPPE TOWN CODE TO REDUCE THE LATE PAYMENT FINANCE CHARGE FOR MUNICIPAL WATER AND SEWER SERVICE FROM 2% PER MONTH TO 1% PER MONTH. President Croswell stated that Commissioner Potter had some concerns following last month's meeting on the matter, and suggested the Ordinance be deferred until there was a full contingent of the board. There was no objection to the deferment. Page 2 of 6

3 Ordinance AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF TRAPPE ADOPTING A GENERAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2012 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2013, AND ESTABLISHING A TAX RATE OF $.29 PER $100 OF ASSESSED REAL PROPERTY VALUE AND A TAX RATE OF $.54 PER $100 ON ALL COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY AND PUBLIC UTILITIES; AND ESTABLISHING AN ANNUAL FEE OF $90 PER RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLD FOR TRASH COLLECTION SERVICES, AND ALSO ADOPTING AN ENTERPRISE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN'S WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS. President Croswell stated the ordinance is to adopt both the general fund and enterprise fund budget, and calls out the rate for trash pick up. The draft has been posted on line and is available for viewing at the town office. Croswell stated the budget is balanced without an increase in either water, sewer rates or taxes. In the budget $60,000 is allocated for the stormwater project in LaTrappe Heights, and funds are targeted to replace the pumps on Main Street near Scott's United Methodist Church next year. Motion by Commissioner Moore to introduce Ordinance as presented. Second by Commissioner Fegel. VOTE Fegel Y Potter absent Croswell Y Chase Y Moore Y It was consensus to schedule the public hearing on this ordinance Wed. May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Proposals from electricity suppliers President Croswell stated that the town's contract for electricity is up for renewal in May. Proposals were sought from electric suppliers. Five suppliers responded by the deadline of Friday, and were invited to refresh their prices by noon today (). Electric rates are fluid and vary daily. Prices submitted are 5 10% below last year's. President Croswell requested there be discussion on the eligibility of one bid in executive session. Motion by Commissioner Fegel to adjourn briefly into executive session for legal advice to discuss eligibility of one bid. Second by Commissioner Chase. All aye. Regular meeting recessed at 7:56 p.m. for Executive Session. 8:08 p.m. Executive Session closed, and open session resumed. Croswell stated on advice of town attorney, Booth, they did not accept one bid that was late. Discussion of remaining bids. Page 3 of 6

4 Motion by Commissioner Fegel to accept the 3 year contract of Reliant Energy LLC, low bidder, with a rate of $ subject to acceptable review of contract by town attorney. Second by Commissioner Chase. VOTE Fegel Y Potter absent Croswell Y Chase Y Moore Y Proposals for Main Street Pump Station pump replacements Five companies responded to the request for proposals stated President Croswell. The information received needs to be sorted out and reviewed by the town engineer to ensure it meets the town requirements. There were a variety of bids some of which were for parts only, others included parts and installation, and there was a wide range of equipment proposed. The bids ranged from $35,134 to $53,200. As the project is not planned until after the new fiscal year July 1st Croswell stated there was considerable time for review. Commissioner Fegel asked for clarification on the difference in items specked on high and low bids. Croswell stated we're in the price ballpark, and a brief look suggests the equipment would do the job. Commissioner Fegel also asked about a chart recorders benefits. Croswell stated this might be helpful to identify I and I problems in LaTrappe Heights but there was more than one way to capture this information. Youth Summer Program David Lee introduced himself. A resident on Main Street since 2010, a community activist, and employed by Avon Dixon for 27 years he is working with Trappe residents to develop a Summer Youth program for youth ages The program would offer employment opportunities Mon Thur from 8 12 and provide outings on Fridays. Working with an existing 501 C 3 nonprofit, Tri County Foundation of Salisbury, the organization would assist the Summer Youth Program with becoming incorporated, and provide administrative, payroll, and liability assistance. Mr. Lee stated he was fundraising to offset the staff cost of adult supervisors. He anticipated charging $10 an hour for the youth's services with $7.25 going to the youth and the balance assisting with supervisor admin, liability ins, etc. He envisioned youth also doing some charitable work for older residents and others such as Habitat, churches or the museum. There will be a community interest meeting to inform parents and students. The program is anticipated to start shortly after the end of school in June and run until early August. Mr. Lee requested town support, and asked the town to consider work opportunities for the youth as well as potential tours of the wastewater treatment plant. Page 4 of 6

5 Gazebo Use Policy Deferred due to Commissioner Potter's absence. MML Geocache Trail Phase 2 President Croswell asked Planner Shull to explain what the geocache trail was. Shull responded that the town was a member of the Maryland Municipal League (MML) a non profit, non partisan organization that lobbies on behalf of Maryland's municipalities. The geocache trail was a promotion idea to generate interest in participating town's using a scavenger hunt with a high tech twist. Town's hide an object that searchers look for using personal GPS devices. The object is hidden on a public site and contains trinkets, or tokens for the successful finder to take. Often other objects are left from previous sites visited. The town participated in phase 1 several years ago for a modest expense of about $30 hiding the tokens in a modified bird feeder. The bird feeder was hung at the town park on Main Street. Commissioner Fegel stated it was a good idea to participate again. Croswell asked for a volunteer to be the project coordinator. Elizabeth Ferguson volunteered and will be assisted by Shull. Other Business Jerry Adams of Davis, Bowen & Friedel presented their preliminary findings for the stormwater study on LaTrappe Heights. Preliminary findings indicate that the ten year storm report, and analyzed site pipes validate residents statement that the pipes are not large enough. The summary states that there is one 30" pipe under Barber Road where two pipes are needed; and Route 50 needs two 24" pipes at Scott's United Methodist Church. The study is not complete at this time, and additional information will be forthcoming. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Fegel to adjourn. There was no objection. BENEDICTION Rev. David Hackett offered a benediction. Meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Joedy Cecil, Clerk Page 5 of 6

6 Approved, Robert Croswell, President COUNCIL OF TRAPPE MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE SESSION The Council of Trappe convened an executive session on at 7:56 p.m. at the Town Office to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice pertaining to an electric supplier bid for service. The persons present were Walter Chase, Shawn Moore, Robert Croswell, Norm Fegel and Brynja M. Booth. Attorney Booth advised not to accept one bid that was late. There being no further matters to consider, the executive session was concluded at 8:08 p.m. Robert H. Croswell Page 6 of 6