Town Commissioners Other — 2018-11-28

Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.

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QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS
November 28, 2018
PRESENT: President Thomas B. Willis, Jr., Commissioner Holger Schuster, CommissionerAl
Hardee, Town Attorney Brynja Booth, and Amy Moore, Town Manager/Clerk.
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance 18-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
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OF QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL AN]) RE-ENACT THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING
ORDINANCE
Ms. Booth provided an overview ofthe Zoning Ordinance changes and need to repeal and re
enact:
• Biggest change to the ordinance is to sign regulations, which was due to recent Supreme
Court rulings on signs.
• There were changes to the QRD district
• Mostly minor tweaks made to oridnance
Mike Rada, 720 Del lThodes Ave., asked why repealing and re-enacting? Ms. Booth advised that
it is easier to do that way versus going thru and adopting changes throughout the ordinance.
Willie Comegys, First Ave., inquired ifit would affect existing signs? Ms. Booth advised that it
would most likely be grandfathered.
There being no further comment on the ordinance, President Willis motioned to close the public
hearing. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
Town Clerk Amy Moore provided the Certification ofElection results from the November 5,
2018 election. President Thomas B. Willis was re-elected to a three year term by a vote of52 to
48 over Paul Cain. A copy ofthe Certification is hereby attached a deemed a permanent part of
these minutes.
Ms. Booth administeredthe Oath ofOffice to Thomas B. Willis, Jr.
Commissioner Schuster made a motion to re-appoint Thomas B. Willis, Jr. as President ofthe
Commissionfor the next year. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
President Willis gave a briefsummary ofthe November 6,2018 work session with Town
Engineer Robert Rauch:
• Mr. Rauch identified the I & I high priority areas. Commissioners approved to direct Mr.
Rauch to work up a scope ofwork and bid documents for sleeving the sewer lines. Mr.
Rauch was also authorized to prepare grant applications for various funding agencies.
• Discussed the water tower and infrastructure project with Mr. Rauch. The Town still
hasn’t given final approval to proceed. The Town was awarded a loan and grant package

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from USDA towards this project. Commissioners want to obtain additional information,
including financial, before making final decision.
The Town Commissioners recognized the volunteer efforts ofMr. Ralph Kirchner, by presenting
him with a Proclamation and gift certificate. Mr. Kirchner has been volunteering his time over
the past couple ofyears cleaning up trash around town several days a week. Mr. Kirchner is our
2018 Volunteer ofthe Year.
Town Clerk presented Mr. Rauch’s evaluation report on the impact ofT & I flow reduction from
selective repairs to the collection system. He is recommending full lining oflines in certain
sections ofon Old WharfLane and Main St. His estimated cost for that work is $85,000. hi
addition, he suspects high flow on Melvin Ave. between manholes 84 to 81. Twenty thousand
gallons per day is a conservative estimate ofthe possible I & I flow reduction that could be
realized by completing the proposed repairs. Greater reductions are possible ifthe source ofthe
high flow on Melvin Ave. can be identified and repaired. Mr. Rauch intends to prepare a grant
application to MDE for funding. He will also be looking at additional funding as well. He can
attempt to get USDA Rural Development funding as well. This would require the completion of
a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and an Environmental Report (ER). The Town would
be responsible for funding the PER and ER in anticipation ofthe project being approved by
USDA for funding. Estimated cost to complete the reports is $20,000, since much ofthe initial
work has been completed. In addition, he noted it appeared a sump pump may be pumping into
the collection system from Main St. Lane Cole advised he would look into it.
Mr. Rauch’s report also including requested specific analysis ofthe preferred site for the
proposed water tower. The Commissioners tabled discussion.
PUBLIC WORKS
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Lane Cole, contract employee, advised:
o Complaints that several ofthe new speed bumps too high. They will be shaved
down in the coming weeks. Willie Comegys noted that due to the new bumps on
Second Ave., traffic on First Ave. has increased and requested speed bumps be
considered there. CommissionerHardee motioned to install two speed bumps on
First Ave., seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
o John English doing the ditch work on Maryland Ave. Need to add a 6” pipe and
backfill. It will be tamped, and a swale created, to take care ofsurface water.
o Mr. Cole suggested the Commissioners consider giving Town Manager the
authority to make purchases, or other expenditures, up to $7500 without having to
wait for a Town Commissioner meeting. Ms. Booth will look into this.
PLANNING
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• Town Clerk advised that Ms. Betty White’s term on the Planning Commission has
expired. Ms. White is interested in continuing to serve, and the Planning Commission
wishes for her to be reappointed. CommissionerHardee stated to be fair to all residents,
we should post the opening and request anyone interested submit a letter to the Town.
The Commissioners agreed to put notice in newsletter.

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FINANCE COMMITTEE No report
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TOWN MANAGERJCLERK-TREASURER
Treasurer’s Report
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General Fund checking $266,406.67
Water/Sewer Fund checking $ 68,250.08
WWTP Project checking $ 13,498.34
Minutes
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President Willis motioned to accept the October 24, 2018 regular meeting minutes as written.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 2-aye, 0-nay Commissioner Hardee
abstained.
Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept the November 6,2018 work session minutes as
written. Motion seconded by President Willis. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
Correspondence/Other
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• ESAM Legislative dinner is Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Fisherman’s Inn. RSVP
deadline is January
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• Tree Lighting ceremony is Friday, November 30, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Center
• Due to the Christmas holiday, the December meeting will be held on Wednesday,
December at 7:00 p.m.
191h
• Christmas party scheduled for December 12°’ from p.m. at the American Legion.
5-7
OLD BUSINESS
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• WWTP loan closeout Ms. Booth advised the plant has been operational for well over
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a year. USDA and MDE are anxious to get the project closed out. Currently there is
$20,000 owed to the contractor and $32,000 owed to the engineer. USDA is requiring an
Exhibit K be approved to authorize payment to the engineer, as these expenses exceeded
the original scope. Payment to 0MB has no bearing on the problems we have at the plant
that will be discussed at a future date with 0MB.
President Willis motioned to approve Exhibit K, with the stipulation that the invoices to
0MB are confirmed by the Town Attorney. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee.
Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
• Ordinance 18-04 AN ORDNANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF
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QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL AND RE-ENACT THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING
ORDINANCE Pete Robertson inquired about the zoning map designations that were to
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be corrected. Ms. Booth advised that the map is not part ofthe text component. It would
be adopted separately.
President Willis motioned to adopt Ordinance 18-04. Motion seconded by Commissioner
Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
NEW BUSINESS
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• Commissioners discussed holding a Town Hall style meeting at the Methodist Church.
This informal meeting would allow residents to voice concerns and discuss issues with

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the Commissioners one on one. We would also be able to educate the public on the
constraints the Town is under on certain issues. Thoughts are to include the Planning
Commission and Sheriff’s Dept. as well. Clerk with check with Church on availability
for 2/20/19 or 2/22/19.
ATTORNEY UPDATES Brynja Booth
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• Advised there isan updated zoning map that goes along with the new Zoning Ordinance.
Changes include:
o Adjustment to corporate boundary due to Dudley annexation
o Added “pending PRC floating zone” designating the Wheatland’s property
o QRD district is a floating zone and has been expanded
o Kevin Dey property is recommended for HC
o The rest ofthe town is to remain as currently zoned
President Willis introduced Ordinance 18-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF
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QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL TN ITS ENTIRETY AND RE-ENACT THE
QUEENSTOWN ZONING MAP. President Willis motioned to hold a public hearing on
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster.
Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
PUBLIC COMMENT
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• Paul Cain, Steamboat Ave. his next door neighbor has a dusk to dawn light that is very
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bright and shines in his windows at night. This has become a nuisance. He couldn’t find
anything in our ordinances about them that would allowthe town to enforce. The Town
Attorney will look into it and get back to us.
• Di Quynn-Reno, Main St. has communication concerns. During recent election, she
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was frustrated trying to find information on our website. She felt the information wasn’t
readily accessible for all citizens. Those who get water and sewer bills electronically do
not get the monthly newsletter, and it was troublesome to find on the website. The
Commissioners agreed that this has been an issue and that we have begun looking into
ways to improve upon the website and other forms ofcommunication. She submitted
some recommendations to increase and improve communication to the Town residents
with the goal oftransparency and increased participation by residents. The
Commissioners thanked Ms. Quynn-Reno for her recommendations and will continue to
work on ways to improve communication.
There being no further business at this time, President Willis motioned to adjourn the meeting at
8:34 p.m. Motion seconded by CommissionerHardee. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay
Respectfully submitted,
~ore
Town Manager/Clerk

TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN:
I hereby certify that on the day ofNovember, 2018, an election was held at the
5th
QueenstownTown Office, 7013 Main Street, Queenstown, Maryland for the purpose ofelecting
one (1) Towxi Commissionerfor a term ofthree (3) years.
The results ofthat election, with Ms. Constance Cole and Ms. Diane Lewis as Judges,
were as follows:
Thomas B. Willis, Jr. 52 Votes
Paul E. Cain, Jr. (Write-in) 48 Votes
Disqualified Votes 3 Votes
Total Votes Cast: 103 Votes
ATTEST:
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Aaron Homey Date
Administrative Assistant
ATTEST:
Amy W” oore Date
Town Clerk